Event Comment: Benefit for
Mrs Egerton. Afterpiece: Not acted in 3 years. [See 3 April 1769.] [
Genest in Volume of
News Clippings (
Harvard Library) quotes
Edinburg Evening Courant of 29 April: Last night between the play and the farce at
Drury Lane Theatre, a disturbance arose which continued for a full hour.
Mr Weston it appeared was in debt to the managers a considerable sum of money, on which account they had impounded all the cash received on his benefit night. This the comedian did not like, and therefore yesterday evening sent word that he could not play, that he was arrested and detained in a springing house, but desired that no apology should be made of his being 'suddenly ill' (the usual stage plea) as it would be an egregious falsehood. After the play
Mr Vernon came forward and inform'd the audience that Mr Weston 'was suddenly taken ill' and could not perform. Weston instantly started up in the front of the upper Gallery, and inform'd the house that he was not ill, but in the custody of an officer, and if the audience would have patience he'd inform them of the whole affair. A long altercation ensued. The Managers sent on Mr Vernon repeatedly; and after much pro and con Weston came down and played his part of
Sneak." The article must have referred to the 24th of April, when Weston play'd Sneak in
The Mayor of Garratt. The Managers promis'd the Town a publication of the whole affair."] Paid
Mr Brathwait for men's cloaths #33s. Receipts: #200 8s. Charges: #70 12s. Profit to
Mrs Egerton: #129 16s. (Treasurer's Book)