Event Comment: This day is publish'd a
Guide to the Stage; or Select Instructions and Precedents from
the best Authorities towards forming a polite Audience; with some account of
the Players, &c. Printed and sold by
D. Job, at
the Spread Eagle in
King St. [An ironical
post-Addisonian quip at
theatrical behavior]: I boldly enter
the lists as
the first champion for
theatric decorum.
The next thing to be consider'd is disapprobation, which I think may be sufficiently shewn, by an attention to something else, by loud discourse, profuse laughter, and
the like. I cannot help thinking it a little out of character, for a polite audience to distort
their features by a hiss: however for
the sake of some ambitious youths, who thus love to signalize
themselves, I shall leave a new play to
their mercy.
They
then are at liberty to exercise
their several talents whe
ther
they hiss or groan most successfully, or have a greater genius for
the cat-call. If you desire to know when you are to shew your dislike, my answer is, when anything displeases you, or in fine when you will provided you have a strong party to second you; for
the best hiss or groan in
the universe may be drown'd in a general applause. [Never laugh at what passes on stage save it be an error, blunder, or accident. In tragic scenes avoid being visibly moved by humming a tune, regarding
the audience, engaging in conservation, or turning your back to
the stage. When a female social rival calls attention to herself and away from
the stage, let fall your handkerchief into
the pit, or call out to an acquaintance in
the opposite box, or burst into loud and unexpected laughter. You'll know when to applaud, for
the actors will tell you.] On
these occasions
Cato looks more than unusually big,
Hamlet stares with great emphasis,
Othello has a most languishing aspect,
Monimia is all sighs and softness,
Beatrice will bridle, and pretty
Peggy Wildair leers you into a clap. Receipts: #170 (
Cross)