''First Love'' is a 1795
sentimental comedy play
Comedy is a genre of dramatic performance having a light or humorous tone that depicts amusing incidents and in which the characters ultimately triumph over adversity. For ancient Greeks and Romans, a comedy was a stage-play with a happy endi ...
by the British playwright
Richard Cumberland Richard Cumberland may refer to:
* Richard Cumberland (philosopher)
Richard Cumberland (15 July 1631 (or 1632) – 9 October 1718) was an English philosopher, and Bishop of Peterborough from 1691. In 1672, he published his major work, ''De leg ...
. It was first performed at the
Drury Lane Theatre
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) and backs onto Dru ...
in May 1795. Frederick Mowbray becomes the protector of Sabrina Rosny after her abandonment by Lord Sensitive.
[Nicoll p.129]
The original Drury Lane cast included
Richard Wroughton
Richard Wroughton (1748–1822), was an actor, who worked mainly in Covent Garden (now the Royal Opera house) and Drury Lane (now the Theatre Royal), and occasionally in the city of his birth, Bath.
Acting at Covent Garden
He was born in 1748 ...
as Lord Sensitive,
Thomas King as Sir Miles Mowbray,
John Palmer John Palmer may refer to:
People
Politicians
* John Palmer (fl. 1377–1394), English politician
* Sir John Palmer, 5th Baronet (1735–1817), British politician
*John Palmer (1785–1840), U.S. congressman from New York
* John Palmer (1842–190 ...
as Frederick Mowbray,
John Bannister as David,
Robert Palmer
Robert Allen Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful and soulful voice, sartorial elegance and stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, regga ...
as Mr Wrangle,
Richard Suett
Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language">Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and ...
as Billy Bustler,
Elizabeth Farren
Elizabeth Stanley, Countess of Derby (c. 175923 April 1829), known as Elizabeth Farren, was an Irish actress of the late 18th century. She was born in Cork in 1759 to George Farren, a surgeon. His drinking habits brought on early death and his ...
as Lady Ruby,
Jane Pope
Jane Pope (1744 – 30 July 1818) was an English actress.
Life
Pope was the daughter William and Susanna Pope. Her father was a London theatrical wig-maker for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. (There has been confusion over her date of birth wi ...
as Mrs Wrangle,
Charlotte Tidswell
Charlotte Tidswell (c. 1760 – 3 September 1846) was an English actress.
Life
Tidswell was born in 1759 or 1760 and her father may have been a soldier. She may have been acting for five years when her name was first mentioned when she appeared ...
as Mrs Kate,
Dorothea Jordan
Dorothea Jordan (née Bland; 22 November 17615 July 1816) was an Anglo-Irish actress, as well as a courtesan. She was the long-time partner of Prince William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV), and the mother of 10 illegitimate children ...
as Sabrina Rosny and
Ann Heard as Lady Ruby's Servant.
References
Bibliography
* Hogan, C.B (ed.) ''The London Stage, 1660–1800: Volume V''. Southern Illinois University Press, 1968.
* Mudford, William. ''The Life of Richard Cumberland''. Sherwood, Neely & Jones, 1812.
* Nicoll, Allardyce. ''A History of English Drama 1660-1900. Volume III: Late Eighteenth Century Drama''. Cambridge University Press, 1952.
Plays by Richard Cumberland
1795 plays
British comedy plays
West End plays
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