The Old Showmen and the Old London FairsFrost, Thomas
History
The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs
Frost, Thomas
Fairs -- England -- London; London (England) -- Social life and customs
In 1733, Fielding and Hippisley's booth again stood in George Yard, where
they presented the romantic drama of _Love and Jealousy_, and a ballad
opera called _The Cure for Covetousness_, adapted by Fielding from _Les
Fourberies de Scapin_ of Molière. In this piece Mrs. Pritchard first won
the popularity which secured her an engagement at Drury Lane for the
ensuing season, as, though she had acted before at the Haymarket and
Goodman's Fields, she attracted little attention until, in the character
of Loveit, she sang with Salway the duet, "Sweet, if you love me, smiling
turn," which was received with so much applause that Fielding and
Hippisley had it printed, and distributed copies in the fair by thousands.
Hippisley played Scapin in this opera, and Penkethman, announced as the
"son of the late facetious Mr. William Penkethman," Old Gripe. There was
dancing between the acts, and the _Ridotto al fresco_ afterwards; and the
advertisements add that, "to divert the audience during the filling of the
booth, the famous Mr. Phillips will perform his surprising postures on the
stage."
The newspapers of the time inform us that they had "crowded audiences,"
and that "a great number of the nobility intend to honour them with their
presence," which they probably did. All classes then went to Bartholomew
Fair, as in Pepys' time; the gentleman with the star on his coat in
Setchel's print was said to be Sir Robert Walpole.
Cibber, Griffin, Bullock, and Hallam again appeared in partnership, and
repeated the performances which they had found attractive in the preceding
year. Cibber played Bajazet in the tragedy, and Mrs. Charke, his youngest
daughter, Haly. This lady appeared subsequently on the scene as the
proprietress of a puppet-show, and finally as the keeper of a
sausage-stall. Griffin played Lovegold in the _Miser_, as he had done the
preceding winter at Drury Lane; but none of the Drury actresses performed
this year in the fairs, and Miss Raftor's part of Lappet was transferred
to Mrs. Roberts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account