The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)
Cibber, Theophilus
English drama -- 18th century
Of critical interest in looking at the engravings along with the dramas
they inspired is the evidence provided of significant visual-verbal
reciprocities in the period. In particular, it shows one aspect of the
interrelationship operative between (1) creation of the prints, with the
artist often relying perceptibly on dramatic literature and theatrical
sets,[4] and (2) inspiration from print to theater, as playwrights
generated new stage pieces based on the graphic works. Moreover, these
two dramas underscore the importance of music in eighteenth century
theater where the use of songs in pantomimes and new lyrics for old
tunes in ballad opera were alike commonplace by mid-century.[5] The
plays lend support to Bertrand Bronson's observation that, in an age
which "thought Man the proper study of Mankind," it is not surprising
that the "major emphasis (and accomplishment) in music should be
dramatic and, in a broad sense, social."[6] These dramas add visual and
musical insights to literary concerns of the time.
In "A Harlot's Progress" (1732) Hogarth's six prints recount a few years
in the young life of "M. Hackabout" from her innocent arrival in London
(from Yorkshire) through debauchery, prostitution, and theft to death
from venereal disease at the age of 23. Hogarth's engraved sequence
shows about 12 characters, including Moll's child and supernumerary
harlots at her funeral. The stage piece by Colley Cibber's son entitled
_The Harlot's Progress_ consists solely of stage directions and verses
set to six "Airs." It has 27 characters, including a "little Harlequin
Dog." The harlot's new name, "Kitty," probably refers to the actress
(Mrs. Raftor, later Kitty Clive) who initially played this role. The
music for the songs seems to be lost, though many tunes can be
identified.[7] Furthermore, Roger Fiske reports that later in 1733 this
work was offered at Bartholomew Fair with a band that included "oboes,
bassoons, horns, trumpets, drums and strings." Though traditionally _The
Harlot's Progress_ has been treated as pantomime, Fiske considers it a
"mixture of masque, ballad opera and pantomime."[8] Actually Cibber's
piece, with its concluding "Masque," more closely fits Paul Sawyer's
definition of pantomime as "a mixture of comic (sometimes called
grotesque) elements" concerning the love adventures and misadventures of
Harlequin and Columbine, "largely in dumb show," but "occasionally
interspersed with songs and dances."[9] In addition, Sawyer notes, there
is a "serious part," usually drawn from mythology, featuring dancing,
recitative, song, and some dialogue. In the present case, this would be
the masque of "The Judgment of Paris" which concludes _The Harlot's
Progress_ (p. 12).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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