Event Comment: "...
Richard III, which I saw performed at
Drury-lane theatre at
the beginning of
the present season...
The dresses of
the characters which here make
their appearance are in
the usual half-and-half mode, made up from portraits of
Charles I's reign, and from unrestrained fancy. Richard's habit, indeed, shews a faint hint, at
the costume of his day; but how modernized! A fancy cap and fea
ther,with a milliner's white-ribband rose, sewed
thereon. A deep ruff, of that make not known until
the reign of
James I From
the neck depends a ribband With
the George: this decoration never seen in paintings till about
the fashions of
the abovementioned monarch's court. On his legs and feet, white silk stockings, white shoes, and red roses.
These latter ornaments unknown before
Elizabeth or James I's modes of dress prevailed; at any rate,
they should have been white ones to have accorded with
the party-badge in his cap." Writer signing himself "An Artist and an Antiquary" in
Gentleman's Magazine, Apr. 1800, p. 319. Receipts: #225 16s. 6d. (178.3.6; 47.12.0; 0.1.0)