The London Stage Database team will be retiring the Legacy Search on May 1, 2025. Please take a moment before that date to reproduce any pre-2021 searches and export any resulting datasets you may wish to preserve for future use. We are making this change in order to free up computational resources for new features and data, currently in development with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Watch this space for more updates and, coming soon, new ways to keep up with the latest project developments!
SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "G and W Nicol"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "G and W Nicol")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

Result Options

Download:
JSON XML CSV

Search Filters

Event

Date Range
Start
End

Performance

?
Filter by Performance Type










Cast

?

Keyword

?
We found 1459 matches on Performance Comments, 466 matches on Event Comments, 70 matches on Performance Title, 56 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 5, by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 508, which also lists the following parts: Marsyas, Gumias, Chloris. Text not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 2 Feb. Songs published, without listings parts (G. Kearsley, 1780)]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Songs set to music and a new Overture by Butler. Book of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 1 Feb. 1780: This Afternoon is published the Songs in The Widow of Delphi (6d.). Receipts: #228 4s. 6d. (227.4.6; 1.0.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Widow Of Delphi; Or, The Descent Of The Dieties

Related Works
Related Work: The Widow of Delphi; or, The Descent of the Deities Author(s): Richard Cumberland

Afterpiece Title: The Upholsterer

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Wives Revenged

Afterpiece Title: Know Your Own Mind

Afterpiece Title: The Touchstone

Event Comment: Benefit for Wilson. 1st piece [1st time; PREL I, probably by Richard Wilson, altered from Illumination, by Frederick Pilin. Author of Epilogue unknown]. 2nd piece: Not acted these 28 years [acted 9 May 1763]. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2, by Henry Man. Text 1st published in his Miscellaneous Works, 1802, Vol. II, which does not assign the parts, and also lists Mr Carlton, Ralph, Butler. Prologue by the author (London Chronicle, 3 May)]. Public Advertiser, 15 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Wilson, at Stars Acres, upper end of Bow Street. Receipts: #277 19s. 6d. (13.4.6; tickets: 140.15.0) (charge: #105)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Gazette Extraordinary; Or, The Illumination

Afterpiece Title: The Pilgrim

Afterpiece Title: The Elders

Dance: IV: The Bedlamites-

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time at a public theatre; C 3, by Elizabeth Craven, Baroness Craven, afterwards Margravine of Anspach, 1st acted privately at the Town-Hall, Newbury, 6 Apr. 1780. Text (G. Riley, 1781) assigns no parts. Prologue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Epilogue by Joseph Jekyll (see text)]: With new Dresses, &c. "The Prologue [the first 30 lines and the concluding couplet of which were used by Sheridan as the Prologue to Pizarro (see dl, 24 May 1799)] was so much admired that at the request of the Duchess of Devonshire and several other of the nobility it was respoken after the piece; but as King was absent from the theatre, it was delivered by Palmer" (Town and Country Magazine, May 1780, p. 23 ). "The chief singularity was that [Lady Craven] went to it herself the second night, in form; sat in the middle of the front row of the stage-box, much dressed, with a profusion of white bugles and plumes, to receive the public homage due to her sex and loveliness. The Duchess of Richmond, Lady Harcourt,...Mrs Damer, Lord Craven,...and I were with her. It was amazing to see so young a woman entirely possess herself-but there is such an integrity and frankness in her consciousness of her own beauty and talents, that she speaks of them with a naivete as if she had no property in them, but only wore them as gifts of the gods. Lord Craven on the contrary was quite agitated by his fondness for her and with impatience at the bad performance of the actors, which was wretched indeed, yet the address of the plot, which is the chief merit of the piece, and some lively pencilling carried it off very well, though Parsons murdered the Scotch lord, and Mrs Robinson (who is supposed to be the favourite of the Prince of Wales) thought on nothing but her own charms, or him. There is a very good though endless prologue written by Sheridan and spoken in perfection by King, which was encored (an entire novelty) the first night: and an epilogue that I liked still better and which was full as well delivered by Mrs Abington, written by Mr. Jekyl. The audience, though very civil, missed a fair opportunity of being gallant, for in one of those ----logues, I forget which, the noble authoress was mentioned, and they did not applaud as they ought to have done, especially when she condescended to avow her pretty child and was there looking so very pretty...Yet Lady Craven's tranquillity had nothing displeasing;...and it was tempered by her infinite good nature, which made her make excuses for the actors instead of being provoked at them" (Walpole [28 May 1780], XI, 178-80). Public Advertiser, 14 July 1781: This Day at Noon will be published The Miniature Picture (price not listed). Receipts: #144 9s. (94.9; 48.3; 1.17)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Winter's Tale

Afterpiece Title: The Miniature Picture

Performance Comment: Principal Characters by Palmer, Parsons, Brereton, Wrighten, Mrs Davies, Miss Farren, Miss Sherry, Mrs Robinson. [Cast from Town and Country Magazine, May 1780, p.228: Mr Belvil-Palmer; Lord Macgrinnon-Parsons; Mr Camply-Brereton; John-Wrighten; Susan-Mrs Davies; Miss Loveless-Miss Farren; Mrs Arabella Loveless-Miss Sherry; Eliza Camply-Mrs Robinson; Prologue-King; Epilogue-Mrs Abington. [Thses were spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.]Thses were spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.]

Dance: II: New Dance, as17791126; End II afterpiece: The Coopers, as17800224

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Rinaldo

Related Works
Related Work: L'Honorata Poverta di Rinaldo: viz, The honourable Poverty of Rinaldo, false accused by the Maganzesians: With Harlequing Guardian to his Master's Family and Defender of his Castle Author(s): Giacinto Andrea Cicognini

Dance: End I: The Rural Sports, as17800527; End II: La Fete Pastorale, as17800520; End Opera: Serious Ballet, as17800527; Grand Chaconne, as17800527; To conclude with: New Allemande-

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. [1st time; M.ENT 3, by George Alexander Stevens. Larpent MS 533; not published. Songs published by R. Snagg, 1780.] The Overture, most of the Airs [see 6 Nov.], and Decorations entirely new. Ne Quid Nimis; or, Too much of one Thing is good for Nothing. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. The Public are respectfully informed that the Upper Gallery will not be opened. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. The Songs, written by G. A. Stevens, are to be had at the Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Cabinet Of Fancy; Or, Evening Exhibition

Performance Comment: [Consisting of variety of Paintings, serious and comic; Satirical, Portrait and Caricature Designs; Emblematical, Pantomimical, Farcical and Puppet-showical Representations, mostly Transparency. Instead of delivering a Catalogue, the Designs will be explained by at present an unknown Artist see I Nov.]. As the Time of viewing the Exhibition is limited, and as it is the wish to render it as amusing as possible, an excellent band of Music will be provided for the entertainment of the Spectators. In the course of the explanation of the Pictures several Songs will be introduced.. As the Time of viewing the Exhibition is limited, and as it is the wish to render it as amusing as possible, an excellent band of Music will be provided for the entertainment of the Spectators. In the course of the explanation of the Pictures several Songs will be introduced.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love In A Village

Afterpiece Title: The Touchstone; or, Harlequin Traveller

Dance: End II: The Caledonian Shepherds, as17801106

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Charles Dibdin, based on L'Isle Sauvage and on La Colonie, both by Germain Francois Poulain de Saint-Foix. In 1781 abridged by the author as The Marriage Act. Larpent MS 537; not published]: With new Music [by the author], Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. And a new Overture. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Account-Book, 1 Feb. 1780: Paid Dibdin in full for withholding publication of The Islanders #120. Receipts: #208 4s. 6d. (205.9.0; 2.15.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Islanders

Afterpiece Title: The Apprentice

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by Charles Dibdin and James Messink; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 30 Dec.]: To conclude with a Procession of the principal Grand Masters, from the Creation to the present Century, dressed in the Habits of their respective Ages and Countries. With new Music [by Charles Dibdin], Scenes, Dresses, Pageants, and Decorations. The paintings executed by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, and assistants. Books of the Songs, with an Explanation of the Pageants, to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under full Price will be taken. "To give magnificence a meaning, and unite antiquarian knowledge with polite entertainment, was a task hitherto unattempted by the contrivers of our Pantomime exhibitions. Such praise, however, the acting manager of Covent Garden theatre may justly claim, on the score of Harlequin Free-Mason, which is now representing before greater crowds than perhaps were ever attracted by Perseus and Andromeda [in 1730], the Rape of Proserpine [in 1727], or the celebrated Sorcerer [i.e. The Magician, in 1721]. The beauty of the first scene, in which a setting sun is admirably contrived, the Dutch winter piece, with numberless skate[r]s moving in the most natural attitudes, and, above all, the imperfect building, finished in a moment at the command of Harlequin, can be exceeded only by the pomp of the historic procession which closes the whole, and offers the richest and most intelligent spectacle that ever yet appeared on an English stage" (Gentleman's Magazine, Feb. 1781, pp. 58-59, which also prints a detailed description of the pageant). Account-Book, 1 Feb.: Paid Dibdin for music of Harlequin Free-Mason #70. Receipts: #236 2s. (230.3; 5.19)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Suspicious Husband

Performance Comment: As17801006, but Strictland (1st time)-Thompson; Tester-Wewitzer; Jacintha-Mrs Lewis; Buckle-_; Simon-_.
Cast
Role: Strictland Actor: Thompson
Role: Mrs Strictland Actor: Mrs Inchbald

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Free-Mason

Performance Comment: Larpent MS 541, and Universal Magazine, Supp. 1780, pp. 367-68 list the parts: Hiram Abbif-; Master Mason-; Bacchanal-; Skaters-; Masons-; Lawyers-; Harlequin-; Jew-; Colombine-; Fish Women-; Virgins-; Songs (G. Kearsley, 1781) lists no parts. Morning Herald, 30 Dec. assigns Dutch Lover-Wewitzer; but no others. For Reinhold see17810101. but no others. For Reinhold see17810101.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Busy Body

Performance Comment: Marplot-Lewis; Sir G. Airy-Wroughton; Charles-Whitfield; Sir Jealous Traffic-Thompson; Sir Francis Gripe-Quick; Whisper-Cushing; Scentwell-Mrs Poussin; Isabinda-Miss Ambrose; Patch-Mrs Pitt; Miranda-Mrs Mattocks.
Cast
Role: Miranda Actor: Mrs Mattocks.

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Free-Mason

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Chapter Of Accidents

Performance Comment: Principal Characters-Palmer, Bensley, Fearon (of cg), Aickin, Bannister Jun., Lamash, Dodd, Mrs Wrighten, Mrs Cuyler, Mrs Love, Miss Farren. Cast from text (T. Cadell, 1780) and Genest, VI, 184: Woodville-Palmer; Lord Glenmore-Bensley; Governor Harcourt-Fearon; Grey-Aickin; Captain Harcourt-Bannister Jun.; Vane-Lamash; Jacob-Dodd; Bridget-Mrs Wrighten; Miss Mortimer-Mrs Cuyler; Warner-Mrs Love; Cecilia-Miss Farren.

Afterpiece Title: The Young Actor

Performance Comment: In which a variety of Imitations, Vocal and Rhetorical,-Bannister Sen., Bannister Jun.

Afterpiece Title: The Englishman in Paris

Dance: End 2nd piece: The Butterfly, as17800921; In 3rd piece: The Minuet de la Cour-Henry, Miss Collett

Event Comment: Afterpiece: To conclude with a Procession of the principal Grand Masters, from the Creation to the present Century, dressed in the Habits of their respective Ages and Countries. With new Music [by Charles Dibdin], Scenes, Dresses, Pageants, and Decorations. The Paintings by Richards, Carver, Hodgins. The Pantomime by Messink. Books of the Songs, with an Explanation of the Pageants, to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #224 0s. 6d. (223/5/6; 0/15/0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Free-Mason

Song: As17810924

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; mf 2, by Isaac Jackman; music by William Shield. Authors of Prologue and Epilogue unknown]. Account-Book, 1 Apr. 1782: Paid Jackman in full for the Divorce #50. Receipts: #207 3s. 6d. (186/9/0; 20/3/6; 0/11/0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Arthur

Cast
Role: and specifies Honour Actor: Vernon

Afterpiece Title: The Divorce

Song: As17811022

Event Comment: 3rd piece [1st time; past 2, by Matthew Feilde. MS: Larpent 585; not published; synopsis of plot in Public Advertiser, 22 Feb.]: With New Overture and Music, composed by [Michael] Arne. New Dresses, Scenes and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #247 12s. (243/19/6; 3/12/6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Which Is The Man

Afterpiece Title: The Dramatic Puffers

Afterpiece Title: Vertumnus and Pomona

Dance: End of Epilogue a new Pastoral Dance, Palemon and Lavinia, by Aldridge, Langrish, Mrs Davenett, Miss Francis, Miss Rowson, Miss Besford

Event Comment: Benefit for Zuchelli, Delpini & the Miss Stageldoirs. Mainpiece: With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan]. Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, author unknown]: The whole under the direction of Delpini and Zuchelli. The Music by the celebrated Chevalier Clough. An Historical Account of the Pantomime, with the Songs, may be had at the Theatre. Morning Herald, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Zuchelli, No. 81, Hay-market; Ibid, 30 Apr.: of the Miss Stageldoirs at their house, No. 26, Crown-street, Little Russel-street, Covent-garden [Delpini not listed]. Receipts: #226 13s. (67/7; 28/12; 0/3; tickets: 130/11) (charge: #120 16s. 9d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Afterpiece Title: Don Juan; or, The Libertine Destroy'd

Dance: End of Act III of mainpiece a new Masquerade Dance, in which a Minuet by Zuchelli and Miss M. Stageldoir; Afterpiece to conclude with a Dance of Furies (performers not listed)

Song: In Masquerade Dance a favorite song by Miss Romanzini, and to conclude with a Serious and Comic Air by Delpini

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Belle's Stratagem

Afterpiece Title: The Son-in-Law

Event Comment: Benefit for Pacchierotti. Opera: A Serious Opera; the Music by several eminent Masters. Pit tickets will admit two persons to the 1st, and three to the 2nd Gallery; but no money to be returned. Tickets to be had of Pacchierotti, No. 7, Great Marylebone-street, near Cavendish-square

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Demofoonte

Music: Between the 1st and 2nd Acts a sonata on the harpsichord by Clementi

Dance: End of Act II Friendship leads to Love, as17831206, but omitted: Lepicq; End of Opera he Reveil du Bonheur, as17840203

Song: Pacchierotti will conclude the 1st Act with an entire new scene by Sarti; In Act III a song, composed by Handel, by Pacchierotti

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon at the Stage-door. The Doors will open at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [see 4 Nov.]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Jaques-Henderson; Orlando-Lewis; Amiens (with songs)-Johnstone; Duke Senior-Clarke; Adam-Hull; Oliver-Davies; Duke Frederick-Fearon; LeBeau-Booth; Sylvius-Chalmers; William-Wewitzer; Corin-Thompson; Charles-Darley; Touchstone-Quick; Caelia-Mrs Inchbald; Audrey-Mrs Wilson; Phoebe-Miss Stuart; Rosalind (with the Cuckoo song)-Miss Younge .
Cast
Role: Orlando Actor: Lewis

Afterpiece Title: Cross Purposes

Dance: End of Act I of mainpiece The Belle of tbe Village by Harris and Miss Matthews

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Belle's Stratagem

Afterpiece Title: The Musical Lady

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The First Part Of King Henry The Fourth

Afterpiece Title: Aerostation; or, The Templar's Stratagem

Performance Comment: Characters by Quick, Wewitzer, Bonnor, Davies, Wilson; Miss Ranoe, Mrs Morton, Mrs Webb. [Cast from text (G. Kearsley, 1784): Quarto-Quick; Dawson-Wewitzer; Mineall-Bonnor; George Gordon-Davies; Scrip-Wilson; Mineall's Servant-Newton; Sophia Harland-Miss Ranoe; Kitty-Mrs Morton; Widow Grampus-Mrs Webb; Milliner-Mrs Poussin.] Prologue spoken by Wilson. [This was spoken, as here assigned, at the 1st 6 performances only (see17841117).] hathi. Prologue spoken by Wilson. [This was spoken, as here assigned, at the 1st 6 performances only (see17841117).] hathi.
Cast
Role: Sophia Harland Actor: Miss Ranoe
Event Comment: A Serious Opera in 2 acts (1st time [by Pietro Metastasio]); the Music selected from the most eminent Composers by and under the direction of Cherubini. [Crescentini was from the Opera, Lucca; Sga Ferrarese from the Opera, Turin.]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Demetrio

Dance: As17850101 throughout

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Artaserse

Performance Comment: Principal Characters by Crescentini, Bartolini, Cremonini, Babbini (1st appearance in this country); Sga Schinotti, Sga Ferrarese. [Partial cast from London Magazine, Apr. 1785, p. 303: Arbace-Crescentini; Artabano-Babbini; Semira-Sga Schinotti; Mandane-Sga Ferrarese. Libretto (G. Bigg, 1779) also lists Artaserse, Megabise.] hathi. hathi.
Related Works
Related Work: Artaserse Author(s): Ferdinando Bertoni

Dance: As17850329hroughout

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Wells, but she "was so ill last night that she could not perform the part of Jane Shore. It was undertaken by Mrs T. Kennedy" (Public Advertiser, 21 Dec.).] Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by John O'Keeffe]: The Pantomime, and the whole of the Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, &c. designed and invented by Loutherbourg, and executed under his superintendance and direction by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, Catton Jun., Turner, assisted by two other celebrated artists [all subsequent playbills have "a celebrated artist"; he was the Rev. Matthew William Peters (Public Advertiser, 16 Dec.)]. The Music entirely new, composed by Shield. Books containing a short account of the Pantomime, as well as the Recitatives, Airs, Duets, Trios and Chorusses, and a Description of the Procession, to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. [This was the last theatrical piece for which De Loutherbourg designed the scenery. For a detailed account of it see "De Loutherbourg and Captain Cook", by Ralph G. Allen, Theatre Research, IV, 195-211.] Account-Book, 17 Oct.: Paid De Loutherbourg on acct. #120; 20 Dec.: Paid Goodwin for copying Music #10 14s.; 14 Feb. 1786: Paid O'Keeffe in full for Omai #40. Receipts: #309 19s. (302/7; 7/12)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Jane Shore

Afterpiece Title: Omai; or, A Trip round the World

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. Mainpiece: Altered from Shirley. Never acted here. With proper Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [Epilogue by Edward Topham (European Magazine, May 1786, p. 368).] Afterpiece: In 2 Acts; written by Addison. Public Advertiser, 29 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Quick, No. 99, High Holborn. Receipts: #281 17s. 6d. (153/14/6; 4/4/0; tickets: 123/19/0) (charge: #105)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Bird In A Cage; Or, Money Works Wonders

Afterpiece Title: The Drummer; or, The Haunted House

Dance: In Act III of mainpiece a Grand Dana of Ladies [performers not listed]; End of mainpiece The Drunken Sailor Reclaim'd [performers not listed, but see17860304

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Transformation; Or, The Manager An Actor In Spite Of Himself

Afterpiece Title: The Spanish Barber

Afterpiece Title: The Invisible Mistress

Performance Comment: Characters by Wroughton, Moody, Barrymore, Lamash, Bannister Jun., Mrs Wilson, Miss Collins, Miss Tidswell, Mrs Taylor. Cast from MS annotation on playbill in FSL: Courtly-Wroughton; Vulture-Moody; Col. Monks-Barrymore; Aspin-Lamash; Sir Amorous Vain@wit-Bannister Jun.; Lady Outside-Mrs Wilson; Miranda-Mrs Taylor; unassigned-Miss Collins, Miss Tidswell.
Cast
Role: Miranda Actor: Mrs Taylor

Entertainment: Monologue. End 2nd piece: A Touch of the Times; or, A Ramble through London-Bannister Jun