Event Comment: A Tragedy for Warm Wea
ther. Written after
the manner of
the Worst, as well as
the Best of
the English Poets, containing amongst a Variety of Particulars, curious, entertaining, and pa
thetic,
the Rebellion of
the Journeymen Taylors on
the Score of Wages, etc.
Neville MS Diary: Half past Six went to ye
Haymarket Theatre but could not get into ye Pit or first Gallery, so stood on ye last row of
the shilling Gallery, tho' I could see little, to see how ye
Taylors, a new tragedy for warm wea
ther, would go off, being
the first night of its performance. 3rd Act hiss'd-ye Gods in ye shilling Gallery called for ye
Builder's Prologue-hissed off ye part of ye
Old Maid twice and
Davies who came to make an excuse.
The Gentlemen, many of whom were
there, cried No Prologue" but to no purpose. At last
Foote said if he knew
their demands he would be ready to comply with
them.
The noise ceasing, after some time he was told
the Builder's Prologue was desired. He said he had done all in his power to get
the performers, having seen
them. After some time he came and informed
them he had got
the performers toge
ther, and if
the House would be pleased to accept of ye Prologue in our dresses as we are you shall have it." This was followed by great clapping which shows
the Genius of our English mobility ever generous after victory. Left ye House after ye Farce began. [
Flints were journeymen tailors who refused to comply with
the masters' terms and
the regulations of
the magistrate, in contradistinction to those who submitted and were in derision stiled
Dungs.
The term dates from 1764-
OED. An extract from
the Occasional Prologue (
the Builder's Prologue) in prose on
the opening of
the Theatre Royal in
the Haymarket, by Foote published in
the London Magazine July 1767, p. 351. Foote,
Scaffold, and
Prompter are
the three participants. Foote tells Scaffold he will be paid by
the audience. Scaffold notes that
the audience must in that case be pleased at all times. Foote promises no long processions [will] crowd my narrow scenes." He assumes that any of
the reforms he plans will but echo
the public voice.
The Prompter
then calls
the actors on.