Event Comment: Benefit for
Mrs Pritchard (Cross). Mainpiece: Not acted
these 30 years. This day publish'd. Price 1s.
Reflections upon Theatrical Expression in Tragedy. [By
Roger Pickering. This is a defense of
the theatrical profession, "which in all countries is considered low and contemptible." Author's
thesis: "A master of
theatrical expression in all its extensive significancy must be possess'd of such accomplishments, as to set
the profession above all contempt."
Garrick is mentioned as best example. True tragic expression "requires Genius, Education, Reading, Experience...and a solidity of thought which never accompanies abject morals" (p. 11). Includes an interesting treatise on acting-sections on figure, voice, ear, memory, management of feet and legs. Comments on costume: "Taste in dress demands that an actor be conversant in
the mode of dress ancient and modern, in o
ther countries as well as in our own...
Alexander and
Cato were not masters of
the snuff box, nor
Greek women of
French heels."
The appendix asks why all our plays are not dressed in character in point of time and place, and why
they do not contain at least one "scene" proper to
the country.
The author (p. 61) sees need for variety in acting same role, especially when a play has a continuous run of several nights. He calls (p. 77) for creation of appropriate mood for
the play by selection of proper music between
the acts. Wants a softening of
the prompter's bell. Concludes by damning contemporary audience manners, especially those of
the stage loungers (pp. 79-81).] Receipts: #314 (
Cross)