Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth centuryAshton, John
History
Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth century
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs
The Ballet was a special feature at the Pantheon Theatre (the site of
which is now occupied by Messrs. W. & A. Gilbey of Oxford Street),
which was built as a counter attraction to Carlisle House, then
popularly conducted by Madame Cornelys, of whom more anon.
"The _Pas Trois_, introduced into the Ballet at the Opera House
on Tuesday night, for the first time, had a very pretty effect.
It goes to the tune of 'God save the King,' and is intended as a
compliment to his Majesty."--(_Times, Feb. 16, 1793._)
* * * * *
"Simonet, the dancer, and Grenier, who keeps the hotel in Jermyn
Street, were, last week, ordered to depart the
kingdom."[11]--(_Times, March 26, 1793._)
[Footnote 11: Probably for political reasons.]
The centre figure in this illustration is M. Didelot--and the danseuse
on the left, is Miss Rose, an English-woman, who was not bewitchingly
handsome, though a good ballerina. The lady on the right is probably
Mdlle. Parisot.
"The OPERA.--The mania of expectation was, on Saturday night, at
the very acme of curiosity. The Pit was so crowded even before
the drawing up of the curtain, that it was not possible to edge
another face into the area. Stars, garters, feathers, and
turbans, were so jumbled, and intermixed, at the doors, that all
sex and identity were indistinguishable. The stage itself was
crammed on all sides, and in such a manner, as to render the
shifting of the scenery 'a work of labour, and a service of
danger.' So eager, indeed, was the desire of seeing Didelot and
Rose, that the wings were crowded with Ladies. Amongst those
Ladies who thus made their _first appearance_ on the stage, we
heard some very respectable, and titled names.
"The new Ballet of _Les Trois Sultanes_ taken from _Marmontel
Hillisberg_, is the '_Cock-nosed English-woman_,' yet while we
remember _Abingdon_ and _Jordan_ in Roxalana, with all the
roguishness of language, mere action must appear dull, and
unentertaining. It were injustice, to be sure, to decide what
effect the Ballet might have produced, could it have been
fairly exhibited: but the stage was so very full, that figure
dancers could scarce round a horse-shoe to trip in, and no
performer could make an exit. _Didelot_ and _Rose_ appeared
again in the Ballet, lugged in without character, merely to shew
themselves. We hope that some Ballet will be got up wherein they
may display the fulness of those powers, and talents, which the
great world allow them to possess."--(_Times, Feb. 22, 1796._)
* * * * *
"The Stage at the Opera is so crowded, that Madame Rose, in
throwing up her fine muscular arm into a graceful attitude,
inadvertently levelled three men of the first quality at a
stroke."--(_Times, May 9, 1796._)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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