Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow and Three Orphan Children of the late
Mr Benson. [Address by John
Taylor, Poems, I, 62.] "Benson [who committed suicide on 19 May] was remarkable for a very retentive memory, which enabled him on the slightest notice to become a substitute for almost any performer who might be suddenly disabled from appearing" (
European Magazine,
June 1796, p. 397). The house was a very good one, but it has been said that
Sheridan went to the Treasury and carried off the money, so that Benson's widow and children never got a sixpence" (
Genest, VII, 245). Receipts: #678 10s. 6d. (319.8.0; 66.3.6; 2.19.0; tickets: 276.6.0; odd money: 13.14.0) (charge: #212 15s.)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Belle's Stratagem
Cast
Role: Doricourt Actor: LewisRole: Flutter Actor: RussellRole: Villers Actor: CaulfieldRole: Lady Touchwood Actor: Miss MillerRole: Characters Actor: Suett, Wathen, Benson, Trueman, Cooke, Caulfield, Phillimore, Webb, Maddocks, Miss DeCamp, Miss Leak.Role: Andrew Actor: SuettRole: Peter Actor: WathenRole: Drowsy Actor: BensonRole: Lord Rakish Actor: probably TruemanRole: Pliant Actor: CookeRole: Meanright Actor: CaulfieldRole: Runlet Actor: probably PhillimoreRole: Anchor Actor: probably WebbRole: Jemmy Actor: probably MaddocksRole: Jane Actor: Miss DeCampRole: Barbara Actor: Miss Leak.Afterpiece Title: The Sultan
Song: End I: Whither my Love, Ah! Whither art thou fled? (from The Haunted Tower)-Sga Storace; From Shades of Night-Braham; This fond Sorrow-Braham, Sga Storace (both from Mahmoud); End II: the celebrated Harp Song Ah che nel petto io sento, from Idalide,-Mme Mara; In IV: a Masquerade Scene, in which Ally Croker-Miss Leak, Master Welsh
Entertainment: MonologueEnd: a new Occasional Address-Mrs Jordan