The London Stage Database team will be retiring the Legacy Search on May 1, 2025. Please take a moment before that date to reproduce any pre-2021 searches and export any resulting datasets you may wish to preserve for future use. We are making this change in order to free up computational resources for new features and data, currently in development with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Watch this space for more updates and, coming soon, new ways to keep up with the latest project developments!
SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Robert Benson"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Robert Benson")') 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

Result Options

Download:
JSON XML CSV

Search Filters

Event

Date Range
Start
End

Performance

?
Filter by Performance Type










Cast

?

Keyword

?
We found 1741 matches on Performance Comments, 924 matches on Author, 337 matches on Event Comments, 101 matches on Performance Title, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Seeing Is Believing

Afterpiece Title: The Red-Cross Knights

Performance Comment: Characters by Aickin, C. Kemble, Barrymore, Clarke, Palmer, Wathen, Davies, Caulfield, Trueman, Davenport, Abbot, Chippendale, Lyons, Suett, Miss DeCamp, Mrs Bland, Miss Palmer. [Cast from test (Geo. Cawthorn, 1799), and European Magazine, Sept. 1799, p. 187: Count de Ladesma-Aickin; Ferdinand-C. Kemble; Roderic de Froila-Barrymore; Guzman-Clarke; Garcias-Palmer; Lerida-Wathen; Lanusa-Davies; Bertran-Caulfield; Antonio-Trueman; Percy-Davenport; Ripperda-Abbot; Leonardo-Chippendale; Servant-Lyons; Popoli-Suett; Eugenia-Miss DeCamp; Rosa-Mrs Bland; 1st Woman of the Harem-Miss Palmer; Vocal Parts-Trueman, Story, Linton, Brown, Caulfield Jun., Aylmer, Dibble, Willoughby, Little, Kenrick, Ms Bland, Ms Griffiths, Ms Edward, Ms Hale, Ms Menage, Ms Gawdry, Ms Benson, Ms Butler, Ms Leserve, Ms Norton, Ms Masters; Prologue-Trueman. [This was spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.]This was spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.]

Afterpiece Title: The Purse

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Castle-spectre

Afterpiece Title: The Children in the Wood

Performance Comment: Sir Rowland-Clarke; Lord Alford-Dignum; Walter-Bannister Jun.; Apathy-Suett; Gabriel-Palmer; Oliver-Maddocks; Lady Helen-Mrs Powell; Josephine-Miss Wentworth; Winifred-Miss Tidswell; Children-Master Tokely, Miss Benson.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Rule A Wife And Have A Wife

Afterpiece Title: Blue-Beard; or, Female Curiosity

Performance Comment: Abomelique (Blue-Beard)-Barrymore; Ibrahim-Suett; Selim-Dignum; Shacabac-Bannister Jun.; Hassan-Hollingsworth; Spahis-Caulfield, Trueman, Maddocks, Evans; Janizaries-Danby, Cook, Tett, Caulfield Jun., Sawyer, Danby Jun., Aylmer, Willoughby, Bardoleau, Clarke, Mead, Elliot; Male Slaves-Roffey, Whitmell, Wells, Garman, Johnston, Goodman, Gauron; Fatima-Mrs Crouch; Irene-Miss DeCamp; Beda-Mrs Bland; Peasants-Ms Arne, Ms Roffey, Ms Wentworth, Ms Jackson, Ms Maddocks, Ms Menage, Ms Butler, Ms Benson, Ms Coates, Ms Gawdry, Ms Saunders, Ms Jacobs, Ms Chippendale; Female Slaves-Ms Brooker, Miss Daniels, Ms Brigg, Ms Byrne, Ms Vining, Ms Riches, Ms Luciet, Ms Drake.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beggar's Opera

Performance Comment: Mr Peachum-Dowton; Lockit-Hollingsworth; Captain Macheath-Kelly; Filch-Suett; Jemmy Twitcher-Wentworth; Crook@finger'd Jack-Fisher; Wat Dreary-Evans; Robin of Bagshot-Chippendale; Nimming Ned-Sparks; Harry Paddington-Ryder; Mat o'the Mint-Trueman; Ben Budge-Maddocks; Mrs Peachum-Mrs Walcot; Polly Peachum-Miss Stephens; Lucy Lockit-Miss DeCamp; Diana Trapes-Mrs Sparks; Mrs Coaxer-Mrs Jones; Dolly Trull-Mrs Benson; Mrs Vixen-Mrs Cuyler; Betty Doxy-Mrs Mills; Jenny Diver-Mrs Roffey; Mrs Slammekin-Miss Tidswell; Suky Tawdry-Mrs Maddocks; Molly Brazen-Mrs Coates.
Cast
Role: Dolly Trull Actor: Mrs Benson

Dance: In III: Hornpipe-Garman

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Egyptian Festival

Performance Comment: Egyptians. Raymond, Holland, C. Kemble, Suett, Dignum, Caulfield, Cory, Surmont, Roffey, Mme Mara (1st appearance at this Theatre), Mrs Bland. English. Powell, Kelly, Bannister Jun., Sedgwick, Sparks, Webb, Ryder, Grimaldi, Miss Stephens, Miss DeCamp. Cast from text (J. Ridgway, 1800): Egyptians Mustapha Muley Bey-Raymond; Ali Hassan-Holland; Myrteza-C. Kemble; Uscola-Suett; Yezid (Chief of the Arabs)-Dignum; Jaffa-Caulfield; Priest-Cory; Kedah-Surmont; Zemira-Mme Mara; Nigra-Mrs Bland; English Governor-Powell; Boomly-Kelly in text: Trueman (see18000313; Longbow-Bannister Jun.; Mainstay-Sedgwick; Cook-Sparks; Officer-Webb; Violetta-Miss Stephens; Jackina-Miss DeCamp; unassigned-Roffey, Ryder, Grimaldi; Chorusses-Maddocks, Wentworth, Evans, Fisher, Danby, Danby Jun., Cook, Bardoleau, Willoughby, Elliot, Aylmer, Clarke, Mead, Dibble, Gallot, Caulfield Jun., Tett, Sawyer, Ms Arne, Ms Menage, Ms B. Menage, Ms Wentworth, Ms Roffey, Ms Drake, Ms Saunders, Ms Jacobs, Ms Benson, Ms Butler, Ms Chippendale, Ms Coates, Ms Gawdry; Slaves-Whitmell, Wells, Garman, Johnston, Goodman, Gauron, Bayzand, Ms Brooker, Ms Brigg, Ms Byrne, Ms Vining, Ms Riches, Ms Luciet, Ms Drake.

Afterpiece Title: The Liar

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Egyptian Festival

Performance Comment: As18000311but in English: Boomly-Trueman in place of Kelly; Chorusses-_Bardoleau, _Willoughby, _Elliot, _Aylmer, _Clarke, _Mead, _Dibble, _Gallot, _Caulfield Jun., _Tett, _Sawyer, Ms _Jacobs, Ms _Benson, Ms _Butler, Ms _Chippendale, Ms _Coates, Ms _Gawdry.

Afterpiece Title: The Wedding Day

Event Comment: See Herbert, Dramatic Records, p. 116. This was the King's Company (under Killigrew), split off from the United Company. According to Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 2) the roster included: Theophilus Bird, Hart, Mohun, Lacy, Burt, Cartwright, Clun, Baxter, Robert Shatterel, William Shatterrel, Duke [Marmaduke Watson], Hancock, Kynaston, Wintersel, Bateman, Blagden. (But see also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 295.) According to the articles of agreement, 5 Nov. 1660 (Herbert, Dramatic Records, pp. 96-100), the Duke's Company (under Davenant) included Thomas Batterton, Thomas Sheppey, Robert Noakes, James Noakes, Thomas Lovell, John Moseley, Cave Underhill, Robert Turner, Thomas Lilleston

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Wit Without Money

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Duke And No Duke; Or, Trapolin Suppos'd A Prince

Performance Comment: Trapolin-Harper; Duke-Bridgwater; Brunetto-Williams; Alberto-Chapman; Barberino-Roberts; Prudentia-Mrs Houghton; Isabella-Mrs Orfeur; Conjuoro-Orfeur; Flametta-Mrs Roberts; Dustress'd Women-Mrs Willis, Mrs Davison; Puritan-Norris.
Cast
Role: Barberino Actor: Roberts
Role: Flametta Actor: Mrs Roberts

Afterpiece Title: Hob; or, The Country Wake

Song: A Quaker's Song-Mrs Willis

Dance: Highland Lilt-Mrs Willis; Running Footman-Houghton; Union Dance-Houghton, Mrs Willis

Performances

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

Performance Comment: Shacklefigure-Norris Sr; Modely-Bridgewater; Heartwell-Roberts; Sir John-Norris Jr; Lurcher-Williams; Carbuncle-Orfeur; Vulture-West; Freehold-Harper; Aura-Mrs Roberts; Flora-Mrs Houghton.
Cast
Role: Heartwell Actor: Roberts
Role: Aura Actor: Mrs Roberts

Song: Original Songs-

Dance: With the Original Dances-

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Blind Beggar Of Bednal Green; Or, The Woman Never Vex'd; With The Comical Humours Of Sir Timothy Sousecrown And His Man Gudgeon

Performance Comment: Sousecrown-Bridgewater; King-Huddy; Rakish-Williams; Montfort-Roberts; Lady Westford-Mrs Willis; Arabella-Mrs Morgan; Widow-Mrs Roberts; Gudgeon-Butcher.
Cast
Role: Montfort Actor: Roberts
Role: Widow Actor: Mrs Roberts

Entertainment: Vaulting-; Tumbling-; High Rope Walking-

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The History Of Bonduca; Or, The British Heroine: With The Humours Of Corporal Macer

Performance Comment: Caratach-Bridgwater; Venutius-Cibber Jr; Suetonius-Roberts; Macer-Griffin; Hengo-Miss Robinson; Bonduca-Mrs Butler; Claudia-Mrs Cibber; Bonvica-Miss Raftor; The Original Epilogue-Miss Brett.
Cast
Role: Suetonius Actor: Roberts

Afterpiece Title: Phebe; or, The Beggar's Wedding

Performance Comment: Hunter-Mrs Roberts; Quorum-Fielding; Grig-Berry; Chaunter-Bridgwater; Cant-Cibber Jr; Phebe-Miss Raftor; Tippet-Mrs Heron; Mrs Chaunter-Mrs Shireburn; Tit Tatter-Mrs Willis; but edition of 1729 adds: Gage-Lacy; Mump-Roberts; Scrip-Wright; Swab-Burnet; Constable-Grey.
Cast
Role: Hunter Actor: Mrs Roberts
Role: Mump Actor: Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Humours Of Oxford

Performance Comment: Principal parts-Wilks, Mills, Cibber, Bridgwater, Harper, Griffin, Roberts, Norris, Mrs Oldfield, Mrs Porter, Mrs Booth, Miss Raftor; but edition of 1730 lists: Colonel Truemore-Mills; Gainlove-Wilks; Shamwell-Bridgwater; Haughty-Harper; Conundrum-Griffin; Apeall-Cibber; Vicechancellor-W. Mills; Old Apeall-Roberts; Timothy-Norris; Dash-Oates; Lady Science-Mrs Porter; Victoria-Mrs Booth; Clarinda-Mrs Oldfield; Kitty-Miss Raftor; Wife to Haughty-Mrs Grace; Prologue-Wilks; Epilogue-Miss Robinson.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sophonisba

Performance Comment: Edition of 1730 lists: Masinissa-Wilks; Syphax-Mills; Narva-Roberts; Scipio-Williams; Laelius-Bridgwater; Sophonisba-Mrs Oldfield; Phoenissa-Mrs Roberts; Prologue-Williams; Epilogue-Mrs Cibber.
Cast
Role: Narva Actor: Roberts
Role: Phoenissa Actor: Mrs Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love Makes A Man

Performance Comment: Carlos-Roberts, from Drury Lane; Cholerick-Morgan, from Lincoln's Inn Fields; Clodio-Woodward, from Goodman's Fields; Angelina-Mrs Morgan, her first on this Stage; Louisa-Mrs Woodward, her first on this Stage; Antonio-Jones; Charino-Ayres; Governor-Mullart; Duart-Lacy; Manuel-Haverd; Sancho-Reynolds; Elvira-Mrs Mullart; Honoria-Mrs Lacy; With a new Prologue on the Occasion-Roberts.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Debauchees

Performance Comment: Father Martin-Cibber Jr; Isabel-Miss Raftor; Old Laroon-Shepard; Young Laroon-W. Mills; Old Jourdain-J. Roberts; Beatrice-Miss Williams; edition of 1731 adds: Prologue-William Mills.
Cast
Role: Old Jourdain Actor: J. Roberts

Afterpiece Title: The Covent Garden Tragedy

Performance Comment: Captain Bilkum-Mullart; Lovegirlo-Cibber Jr; Galloon-Paget; Leathersides-Roberts; Chairman-Jones; Mother Punchbowl-Bridgwater; Kissinda-Miss Raftor; Stormandra-Mrs Mullart; Nonparel-Miss Mears; Industrious Jenny-Miss Eliz. Roberts; Prologue-Theophilus Cibber; Epilogue-Miss Raftor.

Dance:

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beggar's Opera

Performance Comment: Polly-Miss Raftor; Macheath-Stoppelaer; Lockit-Mullart; Peachum-Paget; Mrs Peachum-Mrs Mullart; Lucy-Miss Atherton; Mrs Slammekin-Mrs Charke; Beggar-W. Mills; Player-Roberts; Mat-Jones; Filch-Leigh; Jemmy-Cross; Crookfinger'd Jack-Wright; Dreary-E. Roberts; Robin-Peploe; Ned-Vaughan; Paddington-Gray; Budge-Ridout; Drawer-Gray; Sailor-Burnet; Diana-Mrs Mullart; Sukey-Miss Williams; Mrs Coaxer-Mrs Walter; Dolly-Mrs Mullart; Mrs Vixen-Miss Mears; Betty-Mrs D'Lorme; Jenny-Miss Atherton; Molly-Mrs Roger.
Cast
Role: Player Actor: Roberts
Role: Dreary Actor: E. Roberts

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Cast
Role: Harry Actor: Roberts

Dance: Juvan d'Vallois

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Henry Iv, Part Ii

Afterpiece Title: Damon and Daphne

Performance Comment: Damon-Mrs Charke; Comus-Mrs Roberts; Aegeon-Ridout; Phaon-Berry; Thirsis-Raftor; Satyr-Jones; Amor-Mullart; Daphne-Mrs Grace; Venus-Miss Raftor; Hymen-Stoppelaer; Cupid-Young Cunningham; First Priest-E. Roberts.
Cast
Role: Comus Actor: Mrs Roberts
Role: First Priest Actor: E. Roberts.

Dance: In I of Afterpiece: Les Bergeries-Essex, Haughton, Miss Robinson

Ballet: In II: A Comic Rural Ballad called The Country Revels. Colin-Essex; Phoebe-Mrs Booth; Yeomen-Lally, Haughton; Yeomen's Wives-Miss Mears, Mrs Walter; Peasants-Lally Jr, F. Tench, Davenport; Peasant Women-Mrs Delorme, Miss Mann, Miss Price

Music: Concerto on the Violin-Charke; Music for two Vox Humanes, a new Invented Instrument-

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Timon In Love; Or, The Innocent Theft

Performance Comment: Parts by Bridgwater, Roberts, Hewitt, Mrs Horton, Mrs Clive; but edition of 1733 lists: Timon-Roberts; Pierrot-Bridgwater; Socrates-Hewit; Mercury or Aspasia-Mrs Clive; Plums-Norris; Iphicrates-Topham; Caricles-Jones; Singing Master-Turbutt; Fencing Master-Hewson; Dancing Master-Davenport; Eucharis-Mrs Horton. Prologue spoken by Bridgwater; Epilogue spoken by Mrs Clive . Epilogue spoken by Mrs Clive .
Cast
Role: : Timon Actor: Roberts

Afterpiece Title: The Country Revels: With Harlequin Restor'd

Event Comment: Benefit Roberts, Boxkeeper. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Distinction

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Wonder

Cast
Role: Flora Actor: Mrs Roberts

Dance: I: A Scot's Dance, called The Lomphergall (after the manner of the Country) by a Gentleman at the Request of his Friends. II: The Whim by Miss Wherrit and Miss Sandham. III: Tambourine by Miss Wherrit. IV: Scot's Dance by Mrs Bullock. V: Dutch Skipper by Vallois and Mrs Bullock

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beaux Stratagem

Performance Comment: Mrs Sullen-Mrs Roberts; Dorinda-Mrs Mullart; Archer-Wilks, Nephew to the late Robert Wilks; Sir Charles-Mrs Charke; Aimwell-Turbutt; Scrub-Hallam; Sullen-Pullen; Bonniface-Mullart; Gibbet-Machen; Foigard-Jones; Lady Bountiful-Mrs Egerton; Cherry-Mrs Talbot; Gipsey-Miss Brett; Old Woman-Hallam, but see17340624.

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Performance Comment: Nell-Mrs Roberts; Mock Doctor-Hallam, but see17340617.
Cast
Role: Nell Actor: Mrs Roberts

Dance: II: A new Dance by Davenport and Miss Brett. V: Les Bergeres by Davenport and Miss Brett

Song: I: Was ever Nymph like Rosamond by Miss Jones. IV: 'Tis Joy to wound a hover (from Rosamond) by Miss Jones

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Busy Body

Afterpiece Title: Britannia; or, The Royal Lovers

Performance Comment: Britannia-Mrs Chambers; Germanicus-Miss Jones; Cupid-Miss Roberts, the first time of her appearing on this stage. In it: Harlequin in the City; or, A Wonder: Colombine Turn'd Elephant. Colombine-Mrs Roberts; Harlequin-Lun Jr; Colombine's Husband-Rosco; Clown-Penkethman; Yeoman-Wetherilt; Londoners-Hind, Topham; Yeoman's Wife-Mrs Hamilton; Londoners' Wives-Mrs Woodward, Miss Sandham; Master of the Elephant-Hulett; Gentlemen-Harbin, Jenkins, Morris; Herb Woman-Norris; Egg Woman-Monlass; Guinea Droppers-Ray, Dove; Porters-Pearce, Ayres; Basket Woman-Excell. And a New Prologue address'd to the Town, upon Harlequin's Introduction into the City. With New Musick compos'd by Mr Seedo .
Related Works
Related Work: Rule Britannia! Author(s): James Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Oroonoko

Afterpiece Title: Cupid and Psyche; or, Colombine Courtezan

Performance Comment: Cupid-Master Arne; Venus-Mrs Cantrell; Psyche-Mrs Cibber; Jupiter-Roberts; Bacchus-Topham; Sylvan-Essex; Pan-Thurmond; Swains-Chose, Pelling, Davenport; Pierot-Poitier; Spaniard-Salway; Nymphs-Mrs Pelling, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Davenport; Harlequin-Le Brun; Mynheer Bassoon-Rain ton; Trebelino-Roberts; Quadrille-Este; Plumb-Cross; Colombine-Mrs Clive; Colombine's Maid-Mrs Pritchard; Old Woman-Topham .
Cast
Role: Jupiter Actor: Roberts
Role: Trebelino Actor: Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Plain Dealer

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Performance Comment: Mock Doctor-A. Hallam; Sir Jasper-Morgan; Leander-Stoppelaer; Robert-Hallam; James-Mullart; Harry-Ridout; Davy-James; Hellebore -Roberts; Dorcas-Miss Norsa; Charlotte-Miss Binks .
Cast
Role: Robert Actor: Hallam
Role: Hellebore Actor: Roberts

Dance: As17341009

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Zara

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Restor'd; or, Taste a la Mode

Performance Comment: Tragedy-Raftor and Mrs Cantrell; Comedy-Turbutt and Mrs Bennet; Squire Flash-Taylor; John Trot-Hough; Longbib the Vintner-Salway; Park Centinel-Fife; Harlequin-Le Brun; Colombine-Miss Mann; Enchanter-Salway; Auctioneer-Rainton; Prentice-Rosamond; Park Keeper-Gray; Kate Sutler-Beckham; Ballad Singers-Salway, Mrs Pritchard; Drawers-Roberts, Towers; Milkmaids-Mrs Walter, Mrs PelUng, Mrs Anderson, Miss Brett; Mlle La Modestie-Harlequin Phillips; Mons Flip Flap-Towers; Mons Somerset-Roberts; Mons Roundall-Hough .
Cast
Role: Drawers Actor: Roberts, Towers
Role: Mons Somerset Actor: Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Parracide

Performance Comment: Parts by Giffard, Johnson, Rosco, Havard, Lyon, Woodward, Mrs Roberts, Mrs Giffard, Mrs Hamilton; but edition of 1736 lists: Cantelmi-Rosco; Altamar-Johnson; Montesini-Havard; Mirzabdi-Giffard; Hassan-Lyon; Issouf-Woodward; Melania-Mrs Roberts; Beleyda-Mrs Giffard; Amanthe-Mrs Hamilton. Prologue spoken by Johnson. Epilogue spoken by Mrs Giffard .
Cast
Role: Melania Actor: Mrs Roberts

Afterpiece Title: The Ch1mney Sweeper