Event Comment: FFlying Post, 1 March: On Thursday Night last,
the Village Opera was play'd
the Fifth Time, but met with a most unaccountable Reception; however, tis presumed not from any Pique against
the Author, but
the Resentment of
the town upon some
later Proceedings. No sooner did poor
Colin appear upon
the Stage, but his Arrival was usher'd in with a Serenade of Cat Calls, Penny-Trumpets, Clubs, Canes, Hoarse Voices, whistling in Keys, Hells, Fists; and Vollies of whole Oranges; however,
the Players went on with uncommon intrepidity, and like
the truly great Men, seem'd greater by opposition.
The Audience call'd out for any o
ther Play, Farce or Entertainment, but
the Peasants seem'd too intent upon what
they were about, to give Ear to
them. This so exasperated
the Spectators, that
they mustered up all
the Artillery
they could possibly lay hold and made such an Uproar, during
the whole intended Entertainment, that it was scarce possible to hear a word
the Actors said. As every Player came upon
the Stage,
they call'd upon him by his real, not fictitious Name, and Swore not a Man of
them would come to his Benefit. When
Mrs T@@@ appeared,
they call'd out for a Quartern of Gin, to chear up her Spirits.
The Word Constable being first mentioned in
the Gallery, it ran round
the House like Wild-fire; and immediately
the general Cry was, No Constable, no Constable. At
the Conclusion of
the Play, a Fellow came upon
the Stage, to put out
the Lights with his long Pole, but a Gentleman broke it in two, and ano
ther taking a Candle from one of
the Sockets of
the Sconces, his Example was immediately followed by several o
thers, who soon clear'd
them of
their Lights; when a new kind of Shower compos'd of Candles fell think as Hail on
the Stage