Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I incidental to the Tragedy, a Grand Masquerade. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] Afterpiece: With the Fantoccini, as 30 Oct. ["In the late performance of this play at Covent Garden theatre, we perceive that this objection [i.e. Romeo and Juliet in III. v standing on the stage] is removed; the principal part of the scene is spoken from a balcony...The grand funeral dirge is introduced with magnificence and ostentation. A long procession of monks, friars, &c., accompanied with music, is made to passover the stage. But what end is all this farce and shew to answer?...We must rather laugh at so much pomp and expence bestowed on Juliet. If there is any distress stirring, the candle-snuffers and scene-shifters, who assist as chief mourners, have it all to themselves" (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1797, p. 293). Receipts: #197 3s. 6d. (193.5.6; 3.18.0)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet
Performance Comment: Romeo-Johnston; Capulet-Powel; Benvolio-Whitfield; Friar Lawrence-Hull; Prince-Clarke; Tibalt-Claremont; Paris-Toms; Montague-Davenport; Balthazar-Abbot; Peter-Rees; Friar John-Thompson; Apothecary-Simmons; Mercutio-Lewis; Lady Capulet-Mrs Platt; Nurse-Mrs Davenport; Juliet-Mrs Spencer.Afterpiece Title: Harlequin and Oberon
Song: End IV: the Funeral Procession of Juliet to the Monument of the Capulets, and a Solemn Dirge-; Vocal Parts-Johnston, Incledon, Townsend, Linton, Blurton, Gray, Street, Abbot, Lee, Little, Sawyer, Tett, Mrs Mountain, Mrs Clendining, Miss Wheatley, Miss Sims, Mrs Henley, Mrs Watts, Mrs Follett, Miss Leserve, Mrs Castelle, Mrs Norton, Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Masters, Mrs Lloyd, Mrs Blurton, Miss Walcup, Miss Gray, Miss Burnett, Mrs Martyr