SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Miss Smith"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Miss Smith")') 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

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We found 14577 matches on Performance Comments, 4443 matches on Performance Title, 2010 matches on Event Comments, 218 matches on Roles/Actors, and 13 matches on Author.
Event Comment: Tickets delivered for this Evening [Account-Book: by Andrews, Calkin, Chatterley, Dangerfield, Edwards, Gardiner, Gilles, Henderson, Humphreys, Irish, Long, Massingham, Panchaud, Scott, Sherratt, Smith, Stevens, Thompson] will be admitted. Receipts: #57 15s. 6d. (36.14.6; 17.14.0; 3.7.0; tickets: none listed)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beaux Stratagem

Performance Comment: Aimwell-Barrymore; Archer-Palmer; Sullen-Phillimore; Sir Charles Freeman-Benson; Foigard-Moody; Gibbet-Suett; Hounslow-Maddocks [Public Advertiser: Alfred]; Bagshot-Webb; Boniface-Aickin; Scrub-Dodd; Lady Bountiful-Mrs Booth; Dorinda-Miss Heard; Mrs Sullen-Mrs Goodall; Gipsey-Miss Tidswell; Cherry-Miss Collins.
Cast
Role: Dorinda Actor: Miss Heard
Role: Gipsey Actor: Miss Tidswell
Role: Cherry Actor: Miss Collins.

Afterpiece Title: The Englishman in Paris

Cast
Role: Lucinda Actor: Miss DeCamp

Dance: As17920613

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Charlotte Smith. Prologue by the author (Knapp, 202). Author of Epilogue unknown]: With new Scenery, Dresses, &c. Morning Chronicle, 26 July 1799: This Day published What is She? (2s.). Receipts: #161 11s. (158.2.6; 3.8.6). pking's Ines de Castro. As 16 Feb

Performances

Mainpiece Title: What Is She

Performance Comment: Principal Characters by Lewis, Holman, Munden, Fawcett, H. Johnston, Townsend, Farley, Emery, Curties, Mrs Pope, Mrs Davenport, Mrs Litchfield, Miss Betterton. Cast from text (T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1799): Period-Lewis; Belford-Holman; Sir Caustic Oldstyle-Munden; Jargon-Fawcett; Bewley-H. Johnston; Ap@Griffin-Townsend; Glib-Farley; Gurnet-Emery; Mrs Derville-Mrs Pope; Mrs Gurnet-Mrs Davenport; Winifred-Mrs Litchfield; Lady Zephyrine Mutable-Miss Betterton; unassigned-Curties; Prologue-Betterton; Epilogue-Miss Betterton.

Afterpiece Title: The Flitch of Bacon

Dance: As17990418

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. There is no certainty that this date represents the premiere. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 2. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 347. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 33-34): Loves Jealousy, and The Morning Ramble. Written by Mr Nevil Pain. Both were very well Acted, but after their first run, were laid aside, to make Room for others; the Company having then plenty of new Poets. Two songs, Ah Corydon in vain you boast and Some happy soul come down and tell, both set by Robert Smith, are in Choice Songs and Ayres, The First Book, 1673

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Fatal Jealousie

Performance Comment: Edition of 1673: Don Antonio-Smith; Don Gerardo-Medburn; Don Francisco-Young; Don Sebastian-Crosby; Jasper-Sandford; Pedro-Burford; Servant-Norris; Captain of the Watch-Nath. Leigh; Caelia-Mrs Shadwel; Eugenia-Mrs Betterton; Flora-Mrs Osborn; Nurse-Nokes; Witch-Mrs Norris; Prologue-Smith; Epilogue-Harris.
Cast
Role: Don Antonio Actor: Smith
Role: Prologue Actor: Smith
Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Luttrell dated his copy of the separately-printed Prologue and Epilogue 5 April 1684 (J. W. Dodds, Thomas Southerne, p. 48). Very probably the play first appeared during the week of 31 March-5 April, immediately following Easter. The Prologue and Epilogue are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 191-94. This may have been the last new role William Smith undertook for some years; see Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, 1, 78-79, for the incident which prompted Smith's leaving the stage for awhile. One song, I never saw a face till now, with music by Captain Pack, is in The Theater of Music, the First Book, 1685; and another, O why did e'er my thoughts aspire, the music by R. King, is in the same collection. A third song, See how fair Corinna lies, the music by Captain Pack, is in A Collection of Twenty-Four Songs, 1685

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Disappointment; Or, The Mother In Fashion

Performance Comment: Edition of 1684: Alphonso-Betterton; Lorenzo-Smith; Alberto-Wilshire; Lesbino-Carlisle; Rogero-Leigh; Erminia-Mrs Cook; Juliana-Mrs Percival; Angelline-Mrs Knight; Her Supposed Mother-Mrs Corey; Clara-Mrs Leigh; The Prologue by Mr John Dryden-Mr Betterton; The Epilogue by the Honourable John Stafford, Esq-.
Cast
Role: Lorenzo Actor: Smith
Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but contemporary sources refer to the fact that William Smith, who died in the last week of December, fell ill on the fourth day of its run; hence, it probably was first presented in mid-December. One song, O take him gently from the pile, set by John Eccles and sung by Mrs Bracegirdle, is in Deliciae Musicae, The Fourth Book, 1696. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 44: The Grand Cyrus, wrote by Mr Banks; it was a good Play; but Mr Smith, having a long part in it, fell Sick upon the Fourth Day and Dy'd, upon that it lay by, and ne'er have bin Acted since. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 6: Tho' this Play had been formerly refus'd the Action, yet it held up its Head about Six Days together, and has been since Acted several Times. A Comparison Between the Two Stages: Sullen, p. 16: Banks's, which the Players damn'd and wou'd not Act of a great while, but at length it was acted, and damn'd then in manner and form

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Cyrus The Great; Or, The Tragedy Of Love

Performance Comment: Edition of 1696: Prologue to Her Royal Highness-; Cyrus the Great-Betterton; Cyaxares-Smith; Hystaspes-Kynaston; Craesus-Bowman; Abradatas-Hudson; Artabasus-Thurmond; Thoiyris-Mrs Bowtell; Panthea-Mrs Barry; Lausaria-Mrs Bracegirdle; Epilogue-the Boy, Girl by way of Dialogue.
Cast
Role: Cyaxares Actor: Smith
Event Comment: Benefit Smith and a Tradesman under Misfortunes. 6 p.m. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. Tickets at Ed. Pinchbeck's in Fleet St.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Country Lasses; Or, Custom Of The Manor

Performance Comment: Modely-Smith; Heartwell-Bowman (son of Late Bowman of Drury Lane); Flora-Mrs Smith; Aura-Mrs Daniel; Sir John-Daniel.
Cast
Role: Modely Actor: Smith
Role: Flora Actor: Mrs Smith

Afterpiece Title: The Fond Husband: or, The Intriguing Wife

Song: Blogg, Mrs Freeman

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. No building on stage. Tickets sold at the doors will not be admitted. Ladies send servants by Three. Tickets to be had and places to be taken of Smith in Duke St., York Buildings, and of Crudge at the Stage Door

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet

Performance Comment: As17570216, but Hamlet-Smith, 1st time.
Cast
Role: Hamlet Actor: Smith, 1st time.
Role: Player Queen Actor: Miss Ferguson

Afterpiece Title: A Duke and no Duke

Cast
Role: Prudentia Actor: Miss Helm

Dance: As17561217

Event Comment: Benefit for Marten, Anderson, R. Smith. Receipts: #32 7s. 6d. in cash. Charges #64 5s. Deficit to each #10 4s. 2d. covered by income from tickets: Marten #80 1s. (Boxes 55; Pit 306; Gallery 204); Anderson #56 12s. (Boxes 21; Pit 280; Gallery 92); R. Smith #57 15s. (Boxes 30; Pit 208; Gallery 192). Total income #226 15s. 6d

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry V

Performance Comment: As17591228, but Gower-Anderson; Scroop-R. Smith; Williams-Barrington; Burgundy-Bennet; Dauphin-Davis; Bardolph-Marten; Isabel-Mrs Stephens; Earl of Cambridge-Wignell; Gray-Redman; Jemmy-Dunstall; Nym-Costollo; Chorus-_.
Cast
Role: Scroop Actor: R. Smith
Role: King Henry Actor: Smith

Afterpiece Title: A Duke and no Duke

Dance: II: The Drunken Peasant-Miles; Clown-Bennet; III: The Fingalian Dance, as17591102; End: The Lamp Lighters, as17600318

Event Comment: Benefit for Marten, Anderson, R. Smith. Receipts: #27 2s. plus income from tickets: Marten #83 7s. (Box 59; Pit 326; Gallery 197); Anderson #64 3s. (Box 14; Pit 343; Gallery 92); Richard Smith #50 3s. (Box 13; Pit 206; Gallery 160) (Account Book). Charges: #63 (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Royal Merchant

Performance Comment: As17610107, but Woolfort-Anderson; Bertha-Mrs Lee; Hemskirk-Gibson; Merchants-Wignel, Holtom, R. Smith.
Cast
Role: Merchants Actor: Wignel, Holtom, R. Smith.

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Dance: The Last New Comic Dance-Maranesi, Mlle Capdeville

Event Comment: Benefit for Gardner and R. Smith. Charges #66 10s. Deficit to actors #15 7s. covered by income from tickets: Gardner #39 13s. (Box 44; Pit 105; Gallery 129); R. Smith #67 8s. (Box 28; Pit 268; Gallery 202). Rec'd from Mrs Trott and Symmonds their 1!2 value of tickets 6th Inst. (Account Book). Receipts: #51 3s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Cymbeline

Performance Comment: As17690425 but Philario-Morris; Arviragus-R. Smith; Imogen-Mrs Bulkley, 1st time.
Cast
Role: Arviragus Actor: R. Smith
Role: Iachimo Actor: Smith

Afterpiece Title: The Upholsterer

Cast
Role: Dwarf Actor: Miss Ford

Dance: III: The Merry Sailors, as17680920

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years. [See 15 May 1765.] Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 6 April 1771.] Part of Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Ladies send servants by 4 o'clock. Charges #67 6s. 6d. Profit to Smith #51 9s. 6d. plus #153 2s. from tickets (Box 427; Pit 205; Gallery 106) (Account Book). Receipts: #118 16s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Siege Of Damascus

Performance Comment: Phocyas-Smith, 1st time; Eumenes-Hull; Herbis-Gardner; Artamon-Davis; Caled-Bensley; Abudah-Clarke; Daran-Perry; Eudocia-Mrs Yates, 1st time.
Cast
Role: Phocyas Actor: Smith, 1st time

Afterpiece Title: The Citizen

Dance: End: The Whim, as17720312

Event Comment: Benefit for Gardner and R. Smith. Mrs Gardner's Indisposition preventing her from performing this evening, she hopes she shall be excused by her friends. [She was to have played Catherine in Afterpiece according to advance notice of 4 May.] Charges #64 10s. Deficit to each benefiticiary #15 6s. 6d., cover'd by income from tickets: Gardner, #61 1s. (Box 118; Pit 101; Gallery 164); Smith, #64 19s. (Box 35; Pit 264; Gallery 166). Paid half year's Land Tax for the Theatre due Lady day last, #61 5s.; paid ditto for window lights, #6 10s. 6d.; Paid ditto for House in Bow Passage #2 3s. 9d. and for its window lights 15s. Receipts: #33 17s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Merchant Of Venice

Performance Comment: As17711031, but Shylock-Gardner, 2nd time; Duke-Thompson; Salarino-R. Smith; Salanio-Owenson; Launcelot-Quick.
Cast
Role: Salarino Actor: R. Smith
Role: Portia Actor: Miss Macklin.

Afterpiece Title: Catherine and Petruchio

Performance Comment: As17711217, but Pedro-R. Smith.
Cast
Role: Pedro Actor: R. Smith.

Dance: III: Comic Dance, as17711031; IV: A Tambourine, as17720501

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Smith. Paid one year's Watch Rate, St Martin's to 14 Feb. last #10 13s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #5 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #217 19s.6d. Charges: #70 9s. Profits to Mrs Smith: #147 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Cymon

Afterpiece Title: The Padlock

Performance Comment: As17720926, but Leonora-Mrs Smith, for that night only.
Event Comment: Hamlet -Smith as usual (Hopkins Diary). Paid half year's Watch, St Martins #32 9s. 6d.; Housekeeper's 4 Bills #50 7s. 10d.; Music Books to Mr Stayner, #6 18s. (Treasurer's Book). [The housekeeper's weekly bill averaged #10, for a total of #380 the season. No further itemization of it will be made.] Receipts: #183 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet

Performance Comment: Hamlet-Smith; King-Jefferson; Ghost-Bransby; Horatio-Packer; Polonius-Baddeley; Laertes-Aickin; Rosencranz-Davies; Guildenstern-Fawcett; Marcellus-Wrighten; Player King-Usher; Lucianus-Parsons; Messenger-Wright; Bernardo-Griffiths; Francisco-Norris; Queen-Mrs Hopkins; Player Queen-Mrs Johnson; Ophelia-Mrs Smith.
Cast
Role: Hamlet Actor: Smith
Role: Ophelia Actor: Mrs Smith.

Afterpiece Title: The Theatrical Candidates

Cast
Role: Tragedy Actor: Mrs Smith
Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the premiere is not known, although a reference in the text to 1690 suggests that the play may have been produced in that year; but the fact that it was not advertised in the London Gazette until 6-9 April and not entered in the Term Catalogues until May 1691 suggest that it posaibly appeared early in 1691. This play was discussed in Wit for Money, or Poet Stutter; A Dialogue between Smith, Johnson, and Poet Stutter; containing Reflections on some late Plays, and particularly on Love for Money, or The Boarding School. The British Museum copy of this pamphlet has a manuscript date of 23 April 1691. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 42: The Boarding School; Wrote by Mr Durfy, it took well being justly Acted. Earl of Ailesbury, mid-January 1690@1: My Lady Fenwick was a great intriguer, and had always castles in the air in her imagination to that degree, that I was present at a play where she was brought in. If I mistake not it was The Boarding School, and the famous comic, Mr Lee, in woman's clothes represented her to the life, and so exactly had her features and complexion that one could hardly have distinguished one from the other (Memoirs, [London, 1890], II, 390-91)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love For Money; Or, The Boarding School

Performance Comment: Edition of 1691: Prologue-; Epilogue-Mr Mountfort, Mrs Butler; Sir Rowland Rakehell-Underhill; Jack Amorous-Mountfort; Will Merriton-Hodson; Old Merriton-Freeman; Nedd Bragg alias Captain Bouncer-Powel; Old Zachary Bragg-Bright; Deputy Nincompoop-Dogget; Monsieur Le Prate-Bowen; Singing Master-Kirkham; Dancing Master-Bowman; Presbyterian Parson-Peire; Lady Addleplot-Anthony Leigh; Lady Straddle-Mrs Richardson; Mirtilla-Mrs Bracegirdle; Miss Jenny-Mrs Knight; Miss Molly-Mrs Davies; Betty Jiltall-Mrs Butler; Crowstich-Mrs Cory; Teareshift-Mrs Osborn; Oyley-Mrs Leigh.
Cast
Role: Miss Jenny Actor: Mrs Knight
Role: Miss Molly Actor: Mrs Davies
Event Comment: Benefit Christopher Smith Jr (the composer). The Habits and the Scenes proper to the Subject. Words by Mr Humphrey. Pit and Boxes 4s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Ulysses

Performance Comment: Mrs Barbier, Miss Cecilia Young, Mrs Wright, Kelly, Waltz; but edition of 1733 lists: Ulysses-Mrs Barbier; Penelope-Miss Cecilia Young; Telemachus-Kelly; Antinous-Walz; Antigone-Mrs Wright.
Cast
Role: Penelope Actor: Miss Cecilia Young
Related Works
Related Work: Ulysses Author(s): Christopher Smith Jr.
Event Comment: NNew Theatre, Bowling Green. A Concert, etc. [repeated in all notices for this theatre]. Benefit Mrs Williams, Miss Pattocks, Mrs Smith 7 p.m. Prices 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Miser

Performance Comment: Miser-Cushing; Lappet-Miss Mattocks.
Cast
Role: Lappet Actor: Miss Mattocks.

Afterpiece Title: The Virgin Unmasked

Dance: RRussian Sailor Dance-Phillips

Song: Mrs Bennet, Cunningham

Event Comment: Benefit for Dunbar, Smith, Broad, & Bride. Mainpiece, By Desire. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The London Merchant; Or, The History Of George Barnwell

Performance Comment: George Barnwell-Holland; Milwood-Miss Haughton; Uncle-Walker; Lucy-Miss Minors; Thorowgood-Berry; Truman-Blakes; Blunt-Mozeen; Maria-Mrs Davies; In Act I, Singing-Vernon.
Cast
Role: Milwood Actor: Miss Haughton
Role: Lucy Actor: Miss Minors

Afterpiece Title: The King and the Miller of Mansfield

Cast
Role: Peggy Actor: Miss Minors.
Event Comment: Benefit for Bransby and Champness. Tickets deliver'd by Mrs Bradshaw, Miss Hippisley, Mrs Smith, and Mrs Rowe will be taken. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be taken. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beggar's Opera

Performance Comment: Peachum-Bransby; Lockit-Champness; Filch-Raftor; Macheath-Beard; Mrs Peachum-Mrs Cross; Lucy-Mrs Clive; Polly-Miss Macklin; Mat@o@Mint-Blakes; Beggar-Burton; Player-Mozeen; Diana Trapes-Mrs Bradshaw; In Act III, a Hornpipe-Mathews; to conclude with a Country Dance-the characters of the opera.
Cast
Role: Polly Actor: Miss Macklin

Afterpiece Title: The Apprentice

Cast
Role: Charlotte Actor: Miss Barton.
Event Comment: [M$Mrs King was formerly Miss Baker (Genest, V, 115).] Paid Watson and Smith (Box Office Keepers) #20 (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book). [This was operating cash, returned 4 June 1767.] Receipts: #135 14s. 6d. (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beggar's Opera

Performance Comment: Macheath-Vernon; Peachum-Yates; Lockit-Bransby; Filch-Parsons; Mat@o@Mint-Kear; Beggar-Burton; Player-Strange; Lucy-Mrs Abington; Mrs Peachum-Mrs Love; Diana Trapes-Mrs Bradshaw; Polly-Miss Wright; In Act III, Hornpipe-Mrs King; To conclude with a Country Dance-.
Cast
Role: Polly Actor: Miss Wright

Afterpiece Title: Polly Honeycombe

Performance Comment: Honeycombe-Yates; Scribble-Dodd, 1st time; Ledger-Bransby; Nurse-Mrs Bradshaw; Mrs Honeycombe-Mrs Bennet; Polly-Miss Pope.
Cast
Role: Polly Actor: Miss Pope.
Event Comment: [W+Winston MS 10 notes that O. Smith suggests Miss Spencer. Winston suggests Mrs Greville. The Town and Country Magazine (From Theatre No XIII): "Mrs Gladeau...has appeared as Rosetta in Love in a Village." Comments that she does not know much about music but "has a pleasing voice and an agreeable figure and will probably be a valuable acquisition to the stage. Received with applause."] Receipts: #217 16s. 6d

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love In A Village

Afterpiece Title: The Englishman in Paris

Performance Comment: As17691207, but Minuet-Fishar, Miss Macklin.

Dance: II: Dutch Dance, as17691111

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By particular Desire. Juliet by Mrs Morland from the Norwich Theater a thin small figure too long a waist--wants power has a small impediment in her Speech she may be useful but never Capital--Pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Mrs Morland the late Miss Westray (O. Smith) (Winston MS 10)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet

Performance Comment: Romeo-Cautherly; Juliet-a young gentlewoman, first appearance [Mrs Morland]; Capulet-Moody; Mercutio-Dodd; Tybalt-J. Aickin; Apothecary-Castle; Peter-J. Burton; Nurse-Mrs Cross; Lady Capulet-Mrs Johnston; Friar Lawrence-Love; Benvolio-Packer; Prince-Keen; Paris-Fawcett; [With the Funeral Procession-; the Vocal Parts-Bannister, Dibdin, Champnes, Davies, Mrs Scott, Miss Radley, Mrs Dorman; [In Act I, a Masquerade and Dance-.

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin's Invasion

Cast
Role: Dolly Snip Actor: Miss Pope
Event Comment: Paid Dan Malthus, Esq, 1 year's Rent to Xmas last, Land Tax #3 5s. to Mich last deducted #29 15s.; Mr Thomson (Smith &c.) #1 1s. 8d. sewer tax; #36 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Fashionable Lover

Cast
Role: Maid Actor: Miss Platt

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Performance Comment: Sir John Loverule-Vernon; Jobson-Love; Lady Loverule-Miss Ambrose; Nell-Miss Pope.
Cast
Role: Lady Loverule Actor: Miss Ambrose
Role: Nell Actor: Miss Pope.

Dance: V: The Sailors Revels, as17711008

Event Comment: Music for Masque by Dr Arne and Mr Augustus Smith. Masque publish'd 1s. 6d. Paid Chorus 3 nights (this incl.) #5 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #176 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Performances

Afterpiece Title: Catharine and Petruchio

Performance Comment: Petruchio-King; Grumio-Baddeley; Baptista-Wright; Biondello-Hartry; Music Master-Fawcett; Tailor-Burton; Hortensio-J. Bannister; Pedro-Griffith; Bianca-Miss Platt; Curtis-Mrs Bradshaw; Catharine-Miss Pope.
Cast
Role: Bianca Actor: Miss Platt
Role: Catharine Actor: Miss Pope.
Event Comment: Receipts: #200 7s. 6d. (Account Book). Mainpiece: With New Dresses and Decorations. [The first of a series of five performances (the last, Merchant of Venice, 18 Nov.) which got Macklin dismissed from the theatre until 1775, when his lawsuit against six persons whom he claimed formed a conspiracy to hiss him from the stage and ruin his livlihood was concluded favorably for him. His performance of Macbeth was favorably treated but with certain misgivings in the Morning Chronicle (25 Oct.), but he was mercilessly criticized in the London Evening Post and St James Chronicle: "In Act II, Sc. i, Shakespeare has made Macbeth murder Duncan; Now Mr Macklin, being determined to copy from no man, reversed this incident, and in the very first act, scene the second, murdered Macbeth." The favorable review (Morning Chronicle) thought he did well in first and last acts, but gave way to stage rant and "vehemence of energetic expression" wanting any variation in tone in between. It also pointed out a certain faulty memory of his lines. His novel stage effects came in for a paragraph of comment: The alterations in the jeux de theatre respecting the representation of this tragedy do Mr Macklin great credit. His change of the scenery is peculiarly characteristical. The Quadrangle of Macbeth's castle, and the door which is supposed to lead to Duncan's apartment (both of which are entirely new) are additions of consequence to the exhibition of the play. The door also through which Macbeth comes to the Weird Sisters, in the 4th act, is a better and more probable entrance than through the common stage portal. The dresses are new, elegant, and of a sort hitherto unknown to a London audience, but exceedingly proper. The Banquet was superbly set out, and it must be confessed that the managers seem to have spared neither cost nor assiduity to ornament and add to the effect of the representation." A favorable letter from a correspondent to the London Evening Post adds: "I must observe, Mr Printer, that from the graceful and characteristic manner in which Macbeth was introduced by the martial music and military procession, from the manner of M. Macklin's acting, from his judicious alteration of the dresses, the disposition of the scene where the King is killed, the cave of the witches in the 4th act, from the improvement of Mrs Hartley's thinking in Lady Macbeth and from her manner of speaking, which seemed plainly to be the effects of some intelligence she had received from Mr Macklin...I thought Mr Macklin deserv'd great praise." See the newspaper comments all gathered and reprinted in an Apology for the Conduct of Charles Macklin, (London, 1773). See also note to 30 Oct. See also London Chronicle, Oct. 23-26 (cf. Odell, I, 453). The Westminster Magazine suggests the performance was pitiable. "Macklin knew what he ought to do, but could not do it." The Scenemen's pay this week was about double the normal cost. (Account Book).] Verse Squibs from St James Chronicle (Oct. 1773) against Macklin: @Macbeth@"Eight Kings appear and pass over in order, and Banquo the last"@Old Quin, ere Fate suppressed his lab'ring breath@In studied accents grumbled out Macbeth:--@Next Garrick came, whose utt'rance truth impressed,@While ev'ry look the tyrant's guilt confess'd:--@Then the cold Sheridan half froze the part,@Yet what he lost by nature sav'd by art.@Tall Barry now advanc'd toward Birnam Woodv@Nor ill performed the scenes--he understood--@Grave Mossop next to Foris shaped his march@His words were minute guns, his action starch.@Rough Holland too--but pass his errors o'er@Nor blame the actor when the man's no more.@Then heavy Ross, assay'd the tragic frown,@But beef and pudding kept all meaning down:--@Next careless Smith, try'd on the Murd'rer's mask,@While o'er his tongue light tripp'd the hurried task:--@Hard Macklin, late, guilt's feelings strove to speak,@While sweats infernal drench'd his iron cheek;@Like Fielding's Kings [in Tom Thumb] his fancy'd triumphs past,@And all be boasts is, that he falls the last.@ Also from St James Chronicle:@The Witches, while living deluded Macbeth@And the Devil laid hold of his soul after death;@But to punish the Tyrant this would not content him,@So Macklin he sent on the stage to present him.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Macbeth

Afterpiece Title: Thomasand Sally

Performance Comment: Squire-Mattocks; Sailor-DuBellamy; Dorcas-Mrs Thompson; Sally-Miss Brown; first time. With Hornpipe-Miss Twist.
Cast
Role: Sally Actor: Miss Brown
Role: With Hornpipe Actor: Miss Twist.