|
High Life Below Stairs
''High Life Below Stairs'' is a 1759 comedy play by the British writer James Townley.Worrall p. 30 An afterpiece, it premiered at Drury Lane on a double bill with a revival of Dryden's ''The Mourning Bride''. A popular hit, it was frequently revived. The original Drury Lane cast John Palmer as Duke's servant, Thomas King as Sir Harry's servant, William O'Brien as Lovel, Richard Yates as Philip, John Hayman Packer as Freeman, Thomas Mozeen as Tom, John Moody as Kingston Mary Bradshaw as Cook, Frances Abington as Lady Bab's maid and Kitty Clive Catherine Clive (née Raftor; 5 November 1711 – 6 December 1785) Catherine ‘Kitty’ Clive (1711–1785, active 1728–1769) was a first songster and star comedienne of British playhouse entertainment. Clive led and created new forms of Engl ... as Kitty. References Bibliography * Baines, Paul & Ferarro, Julian & Rogers, Pat. ''The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Eighteenth-Century Writers and Writing, 1660–1789''. Wiley-Bl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Covent Garden Theatre
The Royal Opera House (ROH) is a theatre in Covent Garden, central London. The building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. The ROH is the main home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (now known collectively as the Royal Ballet and Opera). The first theatre on the site, the Theatre Royal (1732), served primarily as a playhouse for the first hundred years of its history. In 1734, the first ballet was presented. A year later, the first season of operas, by George Frideric Handel, began. Many of his operas and oratorios were specifically written for Covent Garden and had their premieres there. The current building is the third theatre on the site, following disastrous fires in 1808 and 1856 to previous buildings. The façade, foyer, and auditorium date from 1858, but almost every other element of the present complex dates from an extensive reconstruction in the 1990s. The main auditorium ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Richard Yates (actor)
Richard Yates (c. 1706–1796) was an English comic actor, who worked at the Haymarket Theatre and Drury Lane among others, appearing in David Garrick's ''King Lear''. He also worked in theatre management, and set up the New Theatre in Birmingham in 1773. Both his first wife, Elizabeth Mary (maiden name unknown, died in 1753) and Mary Anne Graham (1728–1787 - married in 1756) were actresses. Life Born about 1706, he played in Henry Fielding's ''Pasquin'' at the Haymarket when it was first performed. In 1737–9, at Covent Garden, he was seen in a number of parts. On 4 September 1739 he appeared at Drury Lane as Jeremy in ''Love for Love'', and played other comic roles. At Goodman's Fields he appeared on 18 October 1740 as Antonio in '' Venice Preserved'', playing further parts during the season. For his benefit and that of Mrs. Elizabeth Yates, his first wife (about whom little is known) who played at this time small parts such as Emilia in ''The Winter's Tale'', and was t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British Plays
British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture * British English, the English language as spoken and written in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and, more broadly, throughout the British Isles * Celtic Britons, an ancient ethno-linguistic group * Brittonic languages, a branch of the Insular Celtic language family (formerly called British) ** Common Brittonic, an ancient language Other uses *People or things associated with: ** Great Britain, an island ** British Isles, an island group ** United Kingdom, a sovereign state ** British Empire, a historical global colonial empire ** Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) ** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922) * British Raj, colonial India under the British Empire * British Hong Kong, colonial ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1759 Plays
In Great Britain, this year was known as the ''Annus Mirabilis'', because of British victories in the Seven Years' War. Events January–March * January 6 – George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis. * January 11 – In Philadelphia, the first American life insurance company is incorporated. * January 13 – Távora affair: The Távora family is executed, following accusations of the attempted regicide of Joseph I of Portugal. * January 15 ** The British Museum opens at Montagu House in London after six years of development. **Voltaire's satire ''Candide'' is published simultaneously in five countries. * January 27 – Battle of Río Bueno: Spanish forces, led by Juan Antonio Garretón, defeat indigenous Huilliches of southern Chile. * February 12 – Ali II ibn Hussein becomes the new Ruler of Tunisia upon the death of his brother, Muhammad I ar-Rashid. Ali reigns for 23 years until his death in 1782. * February 16 – The Co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kitty Clive
Catherine Clive (née Raftor; 5 November 1711 – 6 December 1785) Catherine ‘Kitty’ Clive (1711–1785, active 1728–1769) was a first songster and star comedienne of British playhouse entertainment. Clive led and created new forms of English musical theatre. She was celebrated both in high-style parts – singing, for instance, Handel’s music for her in ''Messiah'', ''Samson'', and ''The Way of the World'' – and in low-style ballad opera roles. Her likeness was printed and traded in unprecedented volume. She championed women’s rights throughout her career. An image crisis in the late 1740s forced Clive to quit serious song and instead lampoon herself on stage. Though this self-ridicule won Clive public favour back, and she reigned as first comedienne until her retirement in 1769, the strategy’s very success caused her musical legacy to be slighted and forgotten. A definitive biography of Clive by Berta Joncus appeared in 2019. Background Clive was the daughter o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frances Abington
Frances Abington (; 1737 – 4 March 1815) was an English actress who was also known for her sense of fashion. Writer and politician Horace Walpole described her as one of the finest actors of their time, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan was said to have written the part of Lady Teazle in ''The School for Scandal'' for her to perform. Early life She was born Frances Barton (nicknamed "Fanny"), as the daughter of a private soldier. She began her career as a flower girl and a street singer. It was also rumoured that she recited Shakespeare in taverns at the age of 12, along with being a prostitute for a short period to help her family with financial problems. Later, she became a servant to a French milliner. During that time, she learnt about costume and learnt French. Her early nickname, Nosegay Fan, came from her time as a flower girl. Career Her first appearance on stage was at Haymarket in 1755 as Miranda in Mrs Centlivre's play, ''Busybody''. She rose to become a principal a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mary Bradshaw
Mary Bradshaw (died 1780) was a British stage actress at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for 37 years. She appeared with David Garrick and she was included in a painting by Johann Zoffany. Life Bradshaw comes to notice playing young women. She joined the Drury Lane company in 1743/1744 and would remain there for 37 years. In 1760 she was the first person to play the nurse in ''Polly Honeycombe'' and this became "her part" appearing in that role when it was put on. By this point she had moved successfully to take the role of older women like the nurse. file:Johan Joseph Zoffany - David Garrick and Mary Bradshaw in David Garrick's "The Farmer's Return" - Google Art Project.jpg, left, David Garrick and Mary Bradshaw in David Garrick's "The Farmer's Return from London, The Farmer's Return" by Johan Joseph Zoffany She appeared with David Garrick in the ''Farmer's Wife'' and she a Garrick appeared in Zoffany's painting. Samuel De Wilde reproduced a portrait of Bradshaw by extracting the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Moody (actor)
John Moody (1727?–1812), original name John Cochran, was an Irish actor. Life The son of a hairdresser named Cochran, he was born in Cork (city), Cork and followed his father's occupation; his own account was that he was born in Stanhope Street, Clare Market, London. To the end of his life he claimed to be a Londoner. Perhaps to avoid being a forced recruit at the time of the Jacobite rising of 1745, he went to Jamaica. Returning to England as Moody, with some property and acting experience, he went on the Norwich circuit. He took the lead in both tragedy and comedy. Tate Wilkinson claimed to have been, 20 June 1759, at Portsmouth, Lord Townley in ''The Provoked Husband'' (John Vanburgh and Colley Cibber) to Moody's Manly, with Moody having just arrived from Jamaica. The London stage Hired by David Garrick for Drury Lane, on 31 October 1759 Moody was the original Kingston in ''High Life Below Stairs'', and on 12 February 1760 created his major character of Sir Callaghan O'B ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thomas Mozeen
Thomas Mozeen (died 1768) was an English actor and dramatist. Biography Mozeen was of French extraction, but born in England, his sponsor being Dr. Henry Sacheverell, was bred to the bar, which profession he forsook for the stage. His first traceable appearance is at Drury Lane, 20 Feb. 1745, as Pembroke in ' King John.' He played apparently the customary three years' engagement, but his name only appears to Clitander in Swiney's ' Quacks, or Love's the Physician,' 30 March 1745; Young Laroon in Fielding's 'Debauchees, or the Jesuit Caught,' 17 October 1745; Charles in the 'Nonjuror,' 22 October 1745; and Basil in the 'Stage Coach' of Farquhar and Motteux. On 30 September 1746 the part of Polly in the 'Beggar's Opera' was played by Mrs. Mozeen, late Miss Edwards. As Miss Edwards she was first heard at Drury Lane, when for the benefit of Mrs. Catherine Clive, whose pupil she was, she sang, 8 March 1743, the part of Sabrina in 'Comus.' On 13 March 1744, also for Mrs. Olive's ben ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Hayman Packer
John Hayman Packer (12 March 1730 – 16 September 1806) was an actor for David Garrick's company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Drury Lane. Originally a saddler, he created the character Freeman in James Townley's ''High Life Below Stairs'' (1759 in literature, 1759). His parts were usually minor and, late in life, "as a rule"Hughes 2008. old men in tragedies and sentimental comedies. Selected roles * Freeman in ''High Life Below Stairs'' by James Townley (1759) * Lucius in ''The Siege of Aquileia'' by John Home (1760) * Young Bellmont in ''All in the Wrong'' by Arthur Murphy (writer), Arthur Murphy (1761) * Don Roderigo in ''Elvira (play), Elvira'' by David Mallet (writer), David Mallet (1763) *Wellford in ''The Dupe (play), The Dupe'' by Frances Sheridan (1763) * Sir John Lambert in ''The Hypocrite'' by Isaac Bickerstaffe (1768) * Aunac in ''Zingis (play), Zingis'' by Alexander Dow (1768) * Zopiron in ''Zenobia (play), Zenobia'' by Arthur Murphy (writer), Arthur Murphy (1768) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William O'Brien (actor)
William O'Brien (c.1740–1815) was an Irish actor and playwright. Career William O'Brien was probably born in County Clare in about 1740 to a family which claimed a distant connection to the Viscount Clare, Viscounts Clare. His father was a fencing master in Dublin. David Garrick brought O'Brien over to London from Dublin in 1758 to join his actor's company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Drury Lane. O'Brien was successful in a number of roles, particularly Shakespeare and contemporary comedies. He eloped with Susan Fox-Strangways, Lady Susannah "Susan" Fox-Strangways, eldest daughter of Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st Earl of Ilchester, Stephen Fox, the first Earl of Ilchester, whom he had met when they both performed in amateur theatricals at Holland House. Their marriage, which took place on 7 April 1764 at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, was disapproved of by Lady Susan's family. Following the marriage, O'Brien retired from the stage. The couple were forced for a time to travel to No ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James Townley
Rev. James Townley (6 May 1714 – 15 July 1778) was an English dramatist, the second son of Charles Townley, a merchant. Early life, education and marriage Townley was born in 1714 probably at Tower Hill, London, the second son of Charles Townley, of Clapham, Surrey and Sarah Wilde, daughter of William Wilde of Long-Whatton in Leicestershire. His mother died shortly after his birth. His elder brother was the officer of arms Sir Charles Townley. Following his mother's death, his father remarried and had many more children. Townley was a descendant of a younger branch of the Town(e)ley family of Towneley Hall, Burnley, Lancashire, the head of which at this time was the antiquary Charles Towneley. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, London, and at St John's College, Oxford. Around 1740, James married Jane, the daughter of Peter Bonnin of Lisbon, and they went on to have eight children: Charles, a noted engraver, James, George-Stephen, Jane, Sarah, Catherine, Mary ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
