05 May 1779
Event Information
Theatre:
Covent Garden
Theatrical Season:
1778-1779
Volume:
5
Comments:
Benefit for Reddish [and his last appearance on the stage]. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be admitted. Public Advertiser, 1 May: Tickets to be had of Reddish, No. 14, near the Turnpike, Tottenham Court Road. "Poor Reddish, on the 5th of May, had a benefit, and it was resolved to try whether he could not go through the character of Posthumus. He was now infirm; in common occurrences imbecile, but to be exited by his former profession, or nothing. The late John Ireland gave an affecting detail of this attempt. He met his friend an hour before the performance began. Reddish entered the room with the step of an idiot, his eye wandering, and his whole countenance vacant. Mr Ireland congratulated him, that he was sufficiently recovered to perform his favourite Posthumus. 'Yes', said he, 'and in the garden scene I shall astonish you.' 'The garden scene! I thought you were to play Posthumus?' 'No, Sir, I play Romeo.' His friend assured him that Posthumus was the part he was to act--and he walked to the theatre, reciting Romeo all the way. When dressed for Posthumus, and in the green-room, it was still hard to undeceive him--at length he was pushed upon the stage....The instant he came in sight of the audience his recollection seemed to return; his countenance resumed meaning, his eye became lighted up, he made the modest bow of respect, and played the scene as well as he had ever done. But Romeo again met him in the green-room, and it was only the stage cue that had the power to unsettle this delusion; and that never failed to do it through the whole play. Mr Ireland thought him, on this occasion, less assuming and more natural than he had seemed in the full enjoyment of his reason" (Boaden, Kemble, I, XVI-XVII; Ireland, 58-60)
Performance List
Mainpiece
Title:
Cymbeline
Comments:
As17781024, but Posthumus-Reddish; Imogen-Mrs Bulkley.
As17781024, but Posthumus-Reddish; Imogen-Mrs Bulkley.
Cast:
- Role: Posthumus Actor: Reddish
- Role: Imogen Actor: Mrs Bulkley.
- Role: Colin Actor: Mrs Farrell
- Role: Gregory Actor: Reinhold
- Role: Higgins Actor: Baker
- Role: Goody Fidget Actor: Mrs Pitt
- Role: Rose Actor: Miss Brown.
Afterpiece
Title:
Three Weeks after Marriage
Comments:
As17790428.
As17790428.
Cast:
- Role: Nancy Actor: Mrs Whitfield.
- Role: Sir Charles Racket Actor: Lewis
- Role: Lovelace Actor: Booth
- Role: Drugget Actor: Quick
- Role: Woodley Actor: Thompson
- Role: Dimity Actor: Mrs Green
- Role: Mrs Drugget Actor: Mrs Pitt
- Role: Lady Racket Actor: Mrs Mattocks.
Dance
Comment:
As17781024
Song
Comment:
As17781024
Cite this page
Chicago: "London Stage Event: 05 May 1779 at Covent Garden." London Stage Database. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://londonstagedatabase.uoregon.edu/event.php?id=40416.
MLA: "London Stage Event: 05 May 1779 at Covent Garden." London Stage Database, https://londonstagedatabase.uoregon.edu/event.php?id=40416. Accessed 31 March 2025.