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!
Toggle Sphinx Query
SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "William Shirley"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "William Shirley")') 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

?
New Search
12615 results for: Keyword - William Shirley
We found 11102 matches on Author, 1666 matches on Performance Comments, 448 matches on Event Comments, 53 matches on Performance Title, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.

176
02 November 1773 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Jaques-Love; Rosalind-Mrs Barry; Celia (With Cuckoo song)-Miss Jarratt, first time; Touchstone-King; Adam-Moody; Oliver-Packer; Amiens (with song)-Vernon; Orlando-Brereton; Audrey-Mrs Bradshaw; Phoebe-Mrs Davies; Duke Sen-Hurst; Duke Frederick-Bransby; LeBeau-Ackman; Silvius-Wheeler; Charles-Keen; Jaques de Bois-Fawcett; Corin-Waldron; William-Messink; In V will be introduced a Song-Mrs Hunt.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: The Deserter

Related Works
Related Work: The Deserter Author(s): William Reeve

Dance: I: The Mountaineers, as17730930

177
01 October 1774 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Orlando-Reddish; Oliver-Packer; Jacques-Jefferson; Touchstone-King; Amiens (with Songs)-Vernon; Adam-Moody; Duke, Sen-Hurst; Silvius-Wheeler; LeBeau-Ackman; Charles-Keen; Jaques de Bois-Fawcett; Corin-Hartry; William-Messink; Celia (with Cuckow Song)-Mrs Baddeley; Phoebe-Mrs Davies; Audry-Mrs Bradshaw; Duke Frederick-Bransby; Rosalind-Miss Younge; In V a New Dance of Forresters-Atkins, Como, Giorgi; and a Song-Mrs Scott.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: The Meeting of the Company

Afterpiece Title: The Wedding Ring

Dance: I: A Dance-Giorgi's Scholars

178
20 December 1774 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Jaques-Barry; Orlando-Lewis; Adam-Lee, first time for all three these characters; Duke Senior-Hull; Amiens (with songs)-Mattocks; Oliver-Wroughton; Frederick-Fearon; LeBeau-Booth; Sylvius-Whitefield; Corin-Thompson; Touchstone-Shuter; Charles-Fox; William-Wewitzer; Caelia (with Cockow Song)-Mrs Mattocks; Phoebe-Miss Dayes; Audrey-Mrs Pitt; Rosalind-Mrs Barry; In Act V a new Pastoral Dance-Daguville, Miss Valois.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Wewitzer

Afterpiece Title: The Golden Pippin

179
28 March 1775 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17750124, but Oliver-L'Estrange; LeBeau-_; Sylvius-_; Corin-_; Charles-_; William-_; Phoebe-_; Audrey-_.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Wewitzer

Afterpiece Title: The Two Misers

Dance: I: The Frolick, as17741214

Entertainment: End Act III: The Cries of London-Shuter; End: an Epilogue, riding on an Ass-Shuter; After the Farce: (by Particular Desire) Observations in his Post Haste Journey to Paris-Shuter (playbill)

180
20 May 1775 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17741019, but Orlando-Brereton; William-Burton.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Burton.

Afterpiece Title: Polly Honeycomb

Dance: I: The Pirates, as17750422

181
24 May 1775 @ Haymarket Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Cozeners

Cast
Role: Parts Actor: Foote, Egan, Wilson, Aickin, Jacobs, Griffith, Everard, Weston, Mrs Williams, Mrs Gardner, Miss Platt, Mrs Love, Mrs Wilson

Afterpiece Title: Cross Purposes

Performance Comment: Grub-Wilson; Counsel-Jones; George Bevil-Lane; Harry-Williams; Francis-Chaplin; Robin-Castevens; Chapeau-Whitefield; Emily-Miss Ambrose; Maid-Miss Platt; Mrs Grub-Mrs Gardner.
Cast
Role: Harry Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: Cross Purposes Author(s): William O'Brien

182
13 September 1775 @ Haymarket Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Commissary

Afterpiece Title: Cross Purposes

Performance Comment: As17750807, but Harry-Williams.
Cast
Role: Harry Actor: Williams.
Related Works
Related Work: Cross Purposes Author(s): William O'Brien

Dance: The Haymakers-

183
18 September 1775 @ Haymarket Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Performance Comment: Fondlewife-Weston, first time; Belmour-Aickin; Heartwell-Fearon; Vainlove-Baker; Sharper-Lane; Setter-Everard; Nollbluff-Williams; Barnaby-Jacobs; Sir Joseph-Whitefield; Belinda-Miss Ambrose; Araminta-Miss Platt; Sylvia-Mrs Palmer; Lucy-Mrs Whitefield; Letitia-Mrs Gardner.
Cast
Role: Nollbluff Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Old Batchelor Author(s): William Congreve
Related Work: The Credulous Husband Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: A Trip to Portsmouth

Entertainment: Imitations, Vocal and Rhetorical-Bannister

184
26 September 1775 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Orlando-Reddish; Duke Sen-Hurst; Touchstone-King; Oliver-Davies; Jaques-Jefferson; Duke Fredrick-Bransby; Amiens (With Songs)-Vernon; Adam-Moody; Silvius-Whitfield; Celia (with Song)-Miss Jarratt; Audrey-Mrs Bradshaw; Rosalind-Miss Younge; LeBeau-Everard; Corin-Waldron; Jaques de Bois-Fawcett; William-Messink; Phoebe-Mrs Davies; in V, a Dance of Forresters-Como, Giorgi; and a Song-Mrs Scott.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: The Theatrical Candidates

Related Works
Related Work: The Theatrical Candidates Author(s): William Bates

Afterpiece Title: The Note of Hand

Dance: I: The Schoolmaster-Como, Sga Crespi

185
29 September 1775 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Much Ado About Nothing

Performance Comment: Benedick-Lee; Leonato-Hull; Don Pedro-Wroughton; Claudio-Lewis; Balthazar (with a song)-DuBellamy; Don John-Booth; Antonio-Thompson; Dogberry-Shuter; Borachio-Young; Verges-Cushing; Conrade-Davis; Town Clerk-Quick; Friar-Fearon; Hero-Mrs Lessingham; Margaret-Miss Valois; Ursala-Mrs Williams; Beatrice-Mrs Bulkley; first time. In I a Masquerade Dance proper to the play-; to conclude with a Country Dance-the characters.
Cast
Role: Ursala Actor: Mrs Williams
Related Works
Related Work: Much Ado About Nothing Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Much Ado about Nothing Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Law Against Lovers Author(s): William ShakespeareSir William Davenant
Related Work: The Universal Passion Author(s): William Shakespeare

Afterpiece Title: The Padlock

186
13 October 1775 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17750926, but Rosalind-Mrs King; first appearance there. LeBeau-_; Charles-_; Jaques de Bois-_; Corin-_; William-_.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: The Theatrical Candidates

Related Works
Related Work: The Theatrical Candidates Author(s): William Bates

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin's Jacket

Dance: I: The Irish Fair, as17751003

187
12 April 1776 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17751013, but Jaques-Bannister, first time; Oliver-Packer; William-Messink; Rosalind-Miss Younge; LeBeau-; Corin-; Jaques de Bois-.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: The Waterman

Dance: I: The Sailors Revels, as17751220

Entertainment: A Variety of New Imitations, vocal and rhetorical-Bannister

188
09 October 1776 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: New Brooms

Afterpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Touchstone-King; Orlando-Reddish; Jaques-Jefferson; Duke Senior-Hurst; Duke Frederick-Bransby; Oliver-Packer; Amiens (with songs)-Vernon; Corin-Waldron; LeBeau-Everard; Silvius-R. Palmer; William-Messink; Adam-Moody; Caelia-Mrs Baddeley; Cuckoo Song-Mrs Baddeley; Phoebe-Mrs Davies; Audrey-Mrs Bradshaw; Rosalind-Miss Younge.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Messink

Afterpiece Title: Bon Ton; or, High Life above Stairs

Dance: End I: The Grand Garland Dance-Giorgi, Sga Crespi, Slingsby

Song: In V: a song-Mrs Scott

189
03 December 1777 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Touchstone-King; Orlando-Brereton; Duke Senior-Hurst; Duke Frederick-Chaplin; Oliver-Packer; Le Beau-Farren; Amiens (with songs)-Vernon; Corin-Waldron; Jaques de Bois-Lamash; Silvius-R. Palmer; William-Burton; Adam-Moody; Jaques-Palmer (1st appearance in that character); Caelia-Miss Hopkins; Phoebe-Mrs Davies; Audrey-Mrs Bradshaw; Rosalind-Miss Younge.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Burton

Afterpiece Title: High Life below Stairs

Dance: End I: Rural Grace, as17771002

Song: V: song-Miss Abrams

190
26 September 1778 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Touchstone-King; Orlando-Brereton; Duke Senior-Hurst; Duke Frederick-Chaplin; Oliver-Packer; Amiens (with songs)-Davies; Corin-Waldron; Jaques de Bois-Lamash; Silvius-R. Palmer; William-Burton; Le Beau-Philimore; Charles-Wrighten; Adam-Moody; Jaques-Palmer; Caelia-Mrs Sharp; Phoebe-Miss Kirby; Audrey-Mrs Bradshaw; Rosalind-Miss Younge.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Burton

Afterpiece Title: Comus

Dance: End I: comic dance, The Cow@keeper-Master Mills, Miss Grimaldi

Song: Afterpiece: As17780917; V: song-Miss Abrams

191
20 November 1779 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Winter's Tale

Performance Comment: Leontes-Smith; Polixenes-Bensley; Florizel-Brereton; Camillo-Aickin; Old Shepherd-Packer; Autolicus-Vernon; Cleomines-Hurst; Gentleman-Williams; Clown-Yates; Perdita-Mrs Robinson; Paulina-Mrs Hopkins; Hermione-Mrs Hartley.
Cast
Role: Gentleman Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Winter's Tale Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: A Winter's Tale Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Winters Tale Author(s): William Shakespeare

Afterpiece Title: The Critic

Dance: II: New Dance-Sg and Sga Zuchelli, the Miss Stageldoirs, Henry, Sga Crespi

Related Works
Related Work: King Henry the Fourth: With the Humours of Sir John Falstaff Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry VIII Author(s): William ShakespeareSir William Davenant
Related Work: Henry the Fourth, Part I Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry The Eighth Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry the Sixth: The First Part, With The Murder of Humphrey Duke of Glocester Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: 1 Henry IV Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry the Second; or, The Fall of Rosamond Author(s): William Hawkins
Related Work: Henry ye Fourth, Part II Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Misery of Civil War Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Conspiracy Discover'd; or, French Policy Defeated Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: 3 Henry IV Author(s): William Shakespeare

Song: II: Sheep shearing song-Miss Abrams. [This was sung, as here assinged, in all subsequent performances.

192
13 December 1779 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by William Hodson. Prologue by William Collier, Poems (1800, 1, 241). Epilogue by the author (see text)]: With new Dresses, and new Scenery and Decorations design'd by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. Public Advertiser, 19 Jan. 1780: This Morning at Ten is published Zoraida (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #147 10s. 6d. (118.1.0; 28.12.0; 0.17.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Zoraida

Related Works
Related Work: Zoraida Author(s): William Hodson

Afterpiece Title: The Rival Candidates

Song: See17791214

193
17 December 1779 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17790924, but Jaques-Henderson (1st appearance in that character); Amiens (with songs)-Davies (of dl); Touchstone-Quick; Rosalind-Miss Younge; William-W. Bates; Le Beu-Booth.
Cast
Role: William Actor: W. Bates

Afterpiece Title: The Two Misers

Dance: End I: The Dockyard, as17791204; V: a Dance of Foresters-Dagueville

194
24 January 1780 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Julius Caesar

Performance Comment: Mark Anthony-Smith; Cassius-Henry; Caska-read by Gardner [of hay]; Julius Caesar-Packer; Octavius Caesar-Farren; Trebonius-Chaplin; Decius Brutus-Wrighten; Metellus Cimber-Williams; Cinna-Norris; Pindarus-R. Palmer; Soothsayer-Fawcett; Servant to Anthony-Philimore; Lucius-Master Pulley; Plebians-Baddeley, Waldron, Burton, Holcroft; Brutus-Palmer; Calphurnia-Miss Sherry; Portia-Mrs Baddeley.
Cast
Role: Metellus Cimber Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: Julius Caesar Author(s): William Shakespeare

Afterpiece Title: Fortunatus

195
02 May 1780 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17800128, but Adam-Moody; Corin-Waldron; Jaques de Bois-Lamash; Silvius-R. Palmer; Le Beau-Philimore; Charles-Wrighten; William-Burton.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Burton.

Afterpiece Title: Fortunatus

Performance Comment: Harlequin-Wright; Clown (for that night)-Delpini; Colombine (for that night)-Sga Crespi; the other Characters-Chaplin, Burton, Wrighten, Philimore, Williams, Norris, Miss Kirby; Principal Sailors [in Storming scene]-Vernon, Gaudry.
Cast
Role: the other Characters Actor: Chaplin, Burton, Wrighten, Philimore, Williams, Norris, Miss Kirby

Dance: End I: a new Comic Pantomime Dance, The Savoyards-Delpini, Sga Crespi, Henry, Miss Armstrong; End IV: Minuet, Allemande-Delpini, Sga Crespi

Related Works
Related Work: King Henry the Fourth: With the Humours of Sir John Falstaff Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry VIII Author(s): William ShakespeareSir William Davenant
Related Work: Henry the Fourth, Part I Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry The Eighth Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry the Sixth: The First Part, With The Murder of Humphrey Duke of Glocester Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: 1 Henry IV Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: Henry the Second; or, The Fall of Rosamond Author(s): William Hawkins
Related Work: Henry ye Fourth, Part II Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Misery of Civil War Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The Conspiracy Discover'd; or, French Policy Defeated Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: 3 Henry IV Author(s): William Shakespeare

196
18 September 1780 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beaux Stratagem

Afterpiece Title: The Deaf Lover

Performance Comment: Principal Characters by Lee Lewes, Whitfield, Robson, Fearon, Thompson, W. Bates, Jones, Bates, Stevens, Wilson, Mrs Morton, Mrs Whitfield, Mrs Wilson. Cast adjusted from text (J. Bowen, 1780: Meadows-Lee Lewes; Canteen-Whitfield; Young Wrongward-Robson; Groom-Fearon; John-Thompson; Servants-W. Bates, Jones; Sternhold-Bates; William-Stevens; Old Wrongward-Wilson; Sophia-Mrs Morton; Lady-Mrs Whitfield; Betsy Blossom-Mrs Wilson.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Stevens
Related Works
Related Work: The Deaf Lover Author(s): William Shield

Dance: End IV: Dance of Sailors-Langrish

197
05 October 1780 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: Touchstone-King (1st appearance this season); Orlando-Brereton; Amiens (with songs)-Vernon; Duke Senior-Aickin; Adam-Moody; Oliver-Packer; Duke Frederick-Chaplin; William-Burton; Corin-Waldron; Jaques de Bois-Lamash; Silvius-R. Palmer; Le Beau-Phillimore; Charles-Wrighten; Jaques-Palmer; Caelia (with the Cuckow song)-Mrs Baddeley; Phoebe-Miss Kirby; Audrey (1st time)-Mrs Wrighten; Rosalind-Mrs Crawford (1st appearance on this stage these 6 years).
Cast
Role: William Actor: Burton

Afterpiece Title: The Critic; or, A Tragedy Rehears'd

Dance: End I: The Butterfly, as17800921

Song: V: song-Miss Field

198
30 March 1781 @ Crown Inn, Lower Street (now Essex Road), Islington

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Richard The Third

Performance Comment: The Parts of King Richard, D. of Buckingham, Earl of Richmond, Tressel, Prince Edward, Duke of York, Lieutenant of the Tower, Lord Mayor, Duke of Norfolk, Queen-Performers from the Theatres Royal London; Lord Stanley-Rivers; Catesby-Jones; Ratcliffe-Farrel; Oxford-Thompson; Sir William Brandon-Clifford; King Henry-Burnet; Dutchess of York-Mrs Fowler; Lady Ann-Mrs Palmer.
Cast
Role: Sir William Brandon Actor: Clifford
Related Works
Related Work: The Tragical History of King Richard III Author(s): William Shakespeare

Afterpiece Title: The Quaker

199
01 May 1781 @ Drury Lane Theatre

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet

Performance Comment: Romeo-Brereton; Fryar Lawrence-Packer; Capulet-Aickin; Benvolio-Williams; Tibalt-R. Palmer; Prince-Norris; Paris-Phillimore; Peter-Burton; Apothecary-Waldron; Balthazar-Fawcett; Montague-Chaplin; Mercutio-Dodd; Lady Capulet-Mrs Johnston; Nurse-Mrs Love; Juliet-Miss Farren (1st appearance in that character).
Cast
Role: Benvolio Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: Romeo and Juliet Author(s): William Shakespeare
Related Work: The History and Fall of Caius Marius Author(s): William Shakespeare

Afterpiece Title: The Critic

Dance: I: a Masquerade, Dance-Henry, Miss Armstrong

Song: Mainpiece: the Funeral Procession-; Vocal Parts-Gaudry, Edwards, Fawcett, Holcroft, Chaplin, Shaw, Miss Field, Miss Collett, Miss Kirby, Mrs Granger, Mrs Booth, Mrs Smith, the Miss Stageldoirs, Miss Simson

Related Works
Related Work: King Edward the Third: With the Fall of Mortimer, Earl of March Author(s): William Mountfort
Related Work: Edward the Black Prince; or, The Battle of Poictiers Author(s): William Shirley
Related Work: The Follies of a Day Author(s): William Shield
Related Work: The Crisis; or, Love and Fear Author(s): William Shield
Related Work: The Noble Peasant Author(s): William Shield
Related Work: The Follies of a Day; or, The Marriage of Figaro Author(s): William Shield
Related Work: The Choleric Fathers Author(s): William Shield

200
26 September 1781 @ Covent Garden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Duenna

Afterpiece Title: The Deaf Lover

Performance Comment: Principal Characters by Lee Lewes, Whitfield, Robson, Fearon, Thompson, W. Bates, Jones, Bates, Stevens, Wilson; Mrs Morton, Mrs Whitfield, Mrs Wilson. [Cast adjusted from text Q. Bowen, 1780): Meadows-Lee Lewes; Canteen-Whitfield; Young Wrongward-Robson; Groom-Fearon; John-Thompson; Servants-W. Bates, Jones; Sternhold-Bates; William-Stevens; Old Wrongward-Wilson; Sophia-Mrs Morton; Lady-Mrs Whitfield; Betsy Blossom-Mrs Wilson.] hathi. hathi.
Cast
Role: William Actor: Stevens
Related Works
Related Work: The Deaf Lover Author(s): William Shield

Dance: End of mainpiece The Shepherd's Wedding by Harris and Miss Matthews