CHAPTER XXIX.

THE THEATRES.

Besides the Assembly Rooms at the Castle Tavern and the Old Ship Hotel, and the Libraries, the Theatre has been, and still is, a place of fashionable resort in Brighton. The remnant of the first Theatre ever erected in the town has recently been restored to public notice in consequence of the premises undergoing alterations in the process of converting them into ale and porter stores, by Messrs. Charlton and Co. They are situated in North Street, and are approached by a doorway between the shops of Messrs. Cunditt, jewellers, and Mr. Pritchard, confectioner. To the old inhabitants they are better known as Wallis's wine and spirit vaults; and at a recent date they were occupied by Mr. Cordy, the son-in-law and successor of Mr. Wallis. In 1789 they were used as the printing office of Messrs. William and Arthur Lee, who in a few years removed their establishment to Lewes, and then Mr. Wallis took possession of them.

In this building David Garrick displayed his inimitable histrionic talent. The main structure and its original front have long since passed away: but the stage yet remains entire, with its several traps and appointments. An excellent portrait of Garrick till lately graced the wall, but the modern destroyer of many a work of art, whitewash, has entirely obliterated every feature of it.

Annexed is a copy of the "Bill of the Play," in the possession of Mr. Cunditt, referring to this Theatre:--

Theatre, North-Street, Brighthelmston, On WEDNESDAY, October 5, 1785, will be presented, A COMEDY, called THE SUSPICIOUS HUSBAND.

_Ranger_, by Mr. GRAHAM, Jun. _Frankly_, by Mr. WEWITZER. _Bellamy_, by Mr. WILLIAMS. _Jack Meggott_, by Mr. FROST. _Tester_, by Mr. FOLLETT, Jun. _Buckle_, by Mr. PHILLIPS. _Simon_, by Mr. DANIELL. And Mr. by Mr. LESTRANGE. _Strickland_, Mrs. _Strickland_, by Mrs. WALCOT. _Jacintha_, by Mrs. BOLTON. _Lucetta_, by Mrs. EDGAR. _Millener_, by Miss STEVENSON. And _Clarinda_, by Mrs. ELLIOTT.

(From the Theatre Royal, Dublin, Being her First Appearance on this Stage.)

Dancing, between the Acts, by _Master_ and _Miss_ Michel.

To which will be added a FARCE, called,

WHO'S THE DUPE?

_Old Doiley_, by Mr. FOLLET. _Sandford_, by Mr. FROST. _Granger_, by Mr. WILLIAMS. And _Gradus_, by Mr. GRAHAM, Jun. _Miss Doiley_, by Mrs. BOLTON. _Charlotte_, by Miss EDGAR.

TICKETS and PLACES for the BOXES to be taken of Mr. _Baily_, at the _Theatre_.

_Doors to be opened at_ SIX, _and to begin exactly at_ SEVEN.

The Tragedy of RICHARD III, and the New Pantomime of ROBINSON CRUSOE, or, HARLEQUIN FRIDAY, (as performed for _Eighty Nights_, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) is obliged to be postponed till _Friday_ Evening, on account of the machinery not being quite ready.

The following are extracts from the Diary of Mr. Bew:--

1778.--Tuesday, September 1.--_The Settle_.--STEINE.--Mr. Griffith, of Drury Lane playhouse, with much civility, conducts me to the Theatre, in North Street, in which _company_ he is _concerned_, am fearful the manager is most _concerned_, at--the badness of the season, for there seems a _plentiful lack_ of company. But, not to play too much upon words, it is a pretty building, something larger than that at Richmond, and seems well adapted to its intended uses.

Friday, 4.--_At the Theatre_.--In the evening went to Griffith's benefit, the _West Indian_, by desire of Lady Mills; much, but pleasingly disappointed, because the company performed a great deal better than from information I had been taught to expect; the ladies also were, what all stage-ladies not always are,--extremely decent.

Previous to 1774 there was no other temple dedicated to Thalia and Melpomene, than a barn. The first theatre was built by the late Mr. Samuel Paine, and let in 1774, to Mr. Roger Johnstone, formerly the property-man at Covent Garden Theatre, who, having continued it for three years only, it was then leased to the late Mr. Fox, of Covent Garden Theatre also, in 1777, for the term of fifteen years, at the annual rent of sixty guineas.

It was understood, however, between the lessor and the lessee, that the former, in addition, was to have the _net receipts_ of the house on one night, to be called his benefit night, clear of all expenses, in every succeeding year; and that _his family_ should be free of the theatre, or possess the right of witnessing the performances there, at all times, without being liable to any charge as the consequence of their visits.

The latter stipulation was correctly introduced into the covenants of the lease, but not so the former, _net profits_ being there stipulated instead of _net receipts_; the issue of which was, that Mr. Paine was called on to defray the expenses of his first benefit night, contrary to what had previously been understood, and orally agreed upon, between him and Mr. Fox.

This circumstance had nearly given rise to an unpleasant litigation between the parties; in which Mr. Paine, in all probability, would have been the sufferer, for the want of a document to establish the propriety of his claim; but such a mortification and injury he preserved himself from, by having recourse to the following expedient:--

The right of gratuitous admission to the theatre, to himself and family, as above specified, was undisputed; and as no place in the house was stipulated as the only part they should be permitted to enter in their visits, he determined to avail himself of his privilege to the full extent of its bearing. He, therefore, collected his family together, and with them entered the theatre for a succession of nights, resolutely occupying the best seats in the boxes, to the exclusion of other and more profitable applicants.

The manager, thus opposed, and law and equity pronounced by the public as both in favour of Mr. Paine, consented to ratify his first agreement, and the system of warfare adopted to harass and punish him, ceased. Before the expiration of the fifteen years' lease the house was found inadequate to the accommodation of the increased population of the town, and a new one was erected in Duke Street. The license for the theatre was yearly obtained from the magistrates at the Quarter Sessions at Lewes; and Mr. Fox, on finishing the house in Duke Street, applied for the removal of the license to that place. His application was granted, no opposition being offered to the measure by Mr. Paine.

The latter, however, discovered the error of his non-resistance before the next application for the license became requisite, when his opposition to it was a matter of course; but which proved ineffectual from the delay, and the license was granted to the same house, on which, without opposition, it had been bestowed the year before. The family of Paine were, therefore, pecuniary sufferers of several hundred pounds per annum by this event, and for which the only compensation ever received fell short of one hundred and twenty pounds, or guineas.

On the death of Mr. Fox, the Duke Street Theatre was purchased by H. Cobb, Esq., of Clement's Inn, who built the present house in the New Road, 1807, and removed the license thereto, having first satisfied the ground-landlord in respect to the measure.

The building had a plain front of wood, drawn out to imitate blocks of stone, unpierced with windows, and was approached by a semi-circular carriage and foot-way from the street, as it was set back from the main road to nearly the present frontage of Mr. Patching's house, on the site of which the Theatre then stood. The projecting entrance to the Boxes, in the centre of the front, was by a Grecian portico supported by four Tuscan pillars, from which branched brackets supporting two round shaped oil lamps. The buildings abutting east and west had also similar lamps. The Pit and Gallery entrances were on the east side, approached by an external passage, that had a door, over which was painted "Pit and Gal." The stage door was a little to the west of the principal entrance, where the word "Boxes" was conspicuously painted. Five posts divided the footway on each side of the portico. A print of the Theatre was published in London, April 1st, 1804, by T. Woodfall, Villiers' Street, Strand, and several figures therein exhibit the peculiar fashion of the day in dress. The license to this Theatre Royal was granted by a special Act of Parliament, which passed in the year 1788.

An anecdote connected with this Theatre, and noted in "Brighton Past and Present," by Mrs. Merrifield, is worthy of quotation:--"It was during the time that Fox was manager that the celebrated Mrs. Jordan trod these boards as an actress. A friend of mine, who sometimes visited the green room, one day found her in great distress, threatened by a Sheriff's Officer, on account of the debt of an extravagant brother. Mrs. Jordan solicited my friend to become surety for her. 'When I went into the room,' said my friend, 'I thought her one of the plainest little women I had ever seen, but I had not been in her company half-an-hour before I thought her charming.' It is almost unnecessary to say that he complied with her request, and relieved this fascinating actress from her embarassment; nor had he cause to repent of his goodnature, for Mrs. Jordan paid the debt as soon as she was able, and thus released him from his engagement."

Annexed is a copy of a bill of the performance at this theatre:

For the Benefit of Mr. PALMER, JUN., The last night but Two of performing this Season.

* * * * *

Theatre, Brighton,

On WEDNESDAY, October 15th, 1794, will be presented, the popular play of

THE JEW.

_Sheva_ (for that night only,) by Mr. BANNISTER, jun. From the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. _Sir Stephen Bertram_ by Mr. DORMER. _Charles Ratcliffe_ by Mr. PALMER, jun. _Jabel_ by Mr. SIMPSON. _Frederick_ by Mr. PALMER. From the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane,--positively the last time of his performing here this Season. _Eliza_ by Mrs. SIMPSON.

(End of the Play.)

A COMIC MEDLEY, by Mr. EDWIN.

After which, the Farce of

THE VILLAGE LAWYER.

_Sheepface_ (for that night by Mr. PARSONS. only,) From the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. _Snarl_ by Mr. SIMPSON. _Scout_ by Mr. BANNISTER, jun.

The whole to conclude with the favourite Entertainment of THE LYAR.

_Young Wilding_ by Mr. PALMER. _Papillion_ by Mr. PALMER, jun. _Miss Grantham_ by Mrs. PALMER, jun. Being her first appearance.

*** The Nobility, Gentry, and Public are respectfully informed that, on account of the great call for places, part of the PIT will (for that night) be laid into the Boxes.

Tickets to be had, and places for the Boxes taken, of Mr. PALMER, jun., No. 11, Russell Street, and at the Theatre, from Ten till Three o'clock.

The returns for the house on the occasion were:--

. s. d. Six Box Tickets 1 4 0 Fifteen Pit ditto 1 10 0 Two Gallery ditto 2 0 Taken at doors 7 8 0 Total 10 4 0

The "Brighton New Guide," 1800, published by Fisher, Old Steine, says: "The scenes are painted by Mr. Carver, of Covent-Garden Theatre, and they do honour to the abilities of that ingenious artist; and if the abilities of the actors are not sufficiently powerful to excite the enthusiasm of applause, they are not so contemptible as to create disgust. Candour must acknowledge, that the theatrical business at Brighthelmston is conducted with great regularity, and that if perfection is not reached, mediocrity is surpassed."

In 1672, a tax on plays was proposed; but the court party objected to it. They said the players were the King's servants, and administered to his pleasures. Sir John Coventry pleasantly asked, "Whether the King's pleasures lay among the male or the female actors?" Charles, who, besides his other mistresses, entertained two actresses, Mrs. Davis and Nell Gwynne, was hurt by this sarcasm, and took an unworthy revenge. Some of his guards attacked Coventry, and slit his nose. The Commons expressed their indignation, by passing what is called the Coventry Act, by which maiming and deforming were made capital crimes, and those persons who had assaulted Coventry were rendered incapable of receiving the King's pardon.

In July, 1805, when the Prince of Wales bestowed his patronage upon the Duke Street Theatre, and first attached to it the gracious adjective, "Royal," great improvements were effected in the house, those in his Royal Highness's box particularly so: blue panels, with sparkling gold stars, on a dark ground, and ornamented with festoons of roses, superbly distinguished it; a crimson curtain of velvet depending from the ceiling also heightened the effect, and gave an indescribable appearance of grandeur to the whole. The box was also carpeted throughout, and handsome painted chairs with cushions in lieu of fixed seats, made part of its furniture.

On the 13th of August, 1805, a piece was produced in honour of the birthday of the Prince of Wales, and was called _The Twelfth of August_. The plot of the piece was: "Sofa Hazleby," the daughter of an opulent farmer, a resident of Brighton, who has numerous suitors, has promised to become the bride of him who can give the best solution to a question which she will submit to their consideration on the Green, on the Twelfth of August; and the reason she assigns for choosing that day for a decision so momentous to her, is because it gave birth to England's Heir,--a Prince whose suavity of manners, benevolence of heart, and mental endowments have rendered him the pride of his country and the admiration of Europe. "That auspicious morn," she continues, "could but appear to me as most grateful and best adapted to my purpose, in which every honest countenance I might gaze at should be brightened with exulting smiles."--The preceding part of the drama being over, in which her eccentric suitors afforded much mirth to the audience, the final scene presents a supposed view of the South Downs, and the entrance of Brighton, the latter brilliantly illuminated, the initials P. W., the feathers, and a blazing star, being appropriately conspicuous.

In 1799, Mr. Alexander Archer was manager of the Duke Street Theatre. Upon stripping the paper from the walls of 34, Bond Street, on the 20th of May, in the present year, to effect some alterations, a relic in the character of a "play bill," was brought to light. It is thus worded: "Engagement of Mr. Quick. Doors open at half-past six. Begin precisely at 7 o'clock. Mr. Quick's fifth night. Theatre Brighthelmston. On Tuesday, July 13th, 1802, will be performed the admired comedy of _She Stoops to Conquer_; the part of 'Tony Lumpkin,' by Mr. Quick. After which will be added _St. Patrick's-Day_, _or the Scheming Lieutenant_. Lee, Printer, Brighton." The house had just been vacated by the descendants of Johnson, who for many years was the bill-sticker of the town. The first stone of the present Theatre was laid on the 24th of September, 1806, by Mr. Brunton, senr.; and the building was opened on Saturday, the 6th of June, 1807, with the tragedy of _Hamlet_, when Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kemble represented the Prince and Ophelia.

The _Brighton Ambulator_--a publication almost extinct,--thus speaks of the present theatre as it was when opened by the first lessee, Mr. Trotter:--

THE THEATRE.

This place of public amusement is situated in the New Road, leading into North Street. It is a very handsome structure, having a colonnade, which runs along its whole front, supported by neat stone pillars. The entrance into the Boxes is in the centre; and that to the Pit is on the right, and the Gallery on the left of the building.

The interior has two tier of boxes. The Prince Regent's box is on the left of the stage, divided from the other boxes by an iron lattice work, gilded, which gives it a pleasing and private appearance. The pit and gallery are well constructed for the audience, particularly the latter, which has a prominent view of the stage.

The house is illuminated by nine cut-glass chandeliers, and a range of patent lamps at the foot of the stage. The stage is exceedingly convenient, and has a length proportioned to the structure. The whole is fitted up with a tasteful elegance, and we must acknowledge, that it reflects honour on the discriminate judgment of Mr. Trotter, the manager.

This account of the theatre describes it as it was more than half a century since; as of late years it has been, externally and internally, greatly modernized: although the chief lighting attraction in its transition from oil and wax to gas, a noble and well supplied chandelier, which was lowered and raised at pleasure over the centre of the pit, has long since been removed, the light from it detracting from the scenic effect, and the great heat which it disseminated militating against the comfort of the audience, especially the "gods."

The present Owner of the property is George Cobb, Esq., an Alderman of the Borough of Brighton, who, a few years since, purchased of the executors of the late Sir Thomas Clarges the moiety which that baronet held.

Sir Thomas, in his latter days, was what is modernly termed, a little "cracky" in the cranium. Just about the period of the murder of the Italian boy, by Bishop and Williams, when pitch plasters were in vogue, and were as much terrors in the public mind as garottings now are, Sir Thomas had a pony which he imagined was unwell, and beyond the aid of veterinary skill. He therefore, with the manual service of his groom, undertook to cure it himself, and thus proceeded:--He procured a sheet of canvass, which he spread with a composition of pitch, tar, and tallow, and in this cere-cloth he encased the body of the animal, and twice daily, in the midst of Summer, took it, with merely a horse-cloth over it, on the Race-hill and submitted it to severe exercise, the groom walking it briskly, and himself riding beside it on horseback for two hours at a stretch. His intention was to pursue this course till all the virtue in the composition would become absorbed by the afflicted system of the animal, when its cure would be effected and the canvass would of its own accord drop off. The severity, however, of the process, was too much for the poor creature; for having borne the punishment somewhat more than a week, one morning, when Sir Thomas and his man went to the stable in Rock Mews, where a box had been specially fitted up, the straight-jacketed small edition of a horse was a stiffened corpse.

Immediately previous to her retirement from the stage, Mrs. Siddons filled an engagement here for three nights, namely, Tuesday, August 8th, 1809, as "Mrs. Beverley" in _The Gamester_, {214} Tuesday, 15th, as "Lady Macbeth," and on Thursday, 18th, as "Isabella," in the tragedy of that name. The receipts of the house for the 15th, amounted to 172 16s, a sum by far exceeding that which the Theatre could boast of having held on any night previous. On August 29th, she also appeared as "Margaret of Anjou," in the tragedy of _Earl of Warwick_, for the benefit of Mr. Murray, on which occasion the receipts amounted to 150 5s; and on September 12th, as "Lady Macbeth," for the benefit of Mr. Cresswell. On the last occasion Mr. Charles Kemble, for the first time on any stage, made his appearance as "Macbeth." Every actor of celebrity has trodden the boards of the Brighton Theatre, which has been the nursery for supplying many first-rate performers to the patent houses of the Metropolis. At a Masquerade which took place here, October 8th, 1812, a great disturbance arose in consequence of Theodore Hook and his friends appearing unmasked.

The several lessees have been Mr. Trotter, Mr. Grove, Mr. Brunton, sen.,--father of the late Dowager Countess of Craven, who at the time of her marriage was acting on the stage of this Theatre, in her father's company,--Messrs. Jonas and Penley, Mr. (Romeo) Coates, Mr. John Brunton, jun., Mr. (Jerry) Russell,--when the house was open only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,--Messrs. Bew and Vining, Mr. Charles Hill, Messrs. Walton and Holmes,--a commonwealth,--Messrs. Saville and Harroway, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Poole, Captain Belcour, Mr. H. Farren, and the present respected lessee, Mr. H. Nye Chart. Formerly, the season extended from July to October; now the house usually continues open from the latter end of July until the beginning of March.

Upon the completion of the present Theatre in the New Road, a permanent building for a Circus was erected on the Grand Parade, between Carlton Street and the weigh-bridge, which, for obtaining the weight of the loads in the waggons and carts that traversed the turnpike road to Lewes, stood at the spot that forms the bottom of Sussex Street. It was completed by Messrs. Kendall and Co., and opened in August, 1808. The building had a frontage of neat design, in width one hundred feet, which was also its depth, that extended into Circus Street. A wing to the north of the Circus was appropriated for a billiard lounge, confectionary, &c.; and the corresponding wing to the south for a coffee-house and hotel. The representation of a prancing horse surmounted the centre of the structure.

The only incident worthy of record which took place in this building during the few years that it was devoted to equestrian exhibitions, was an accident which befel the daughter of the lessee, Mr. Saunders, on the evening of Monday, August 28th, 1809, on the occasion of a bespeak of the Duke of Marlborough, when, while riding round the ring, which was thirty-six feet in diameter, Miss Saunders lost her equilibrium and fell. She was borne away insensible, amidst the intense anxiety of a most fashionable audience. The announcement, however, of the Acting Manager, Mr. Clark, that she had received but a slight injury, gave a salutary relief to all present. At her benefit, which took place on the previous Thursday, under the patronage of Lord and Lady Somerset, the house was crowded in every part.

In 1812 the Circus closed from want of support, and for a few years the premises were occupied as a Bazaar, a speculation which was quite a failure, although every inducement in the way of loos, lotteries, and lucky-bags, was introduced, with occasional displays of fireworks and the ascents of fire-balloons from the parade ground opposite, now the extreme north Enclosure. At that period, and for some years afterwards, the land northward from the Pavilion boundary wall to the Level was enclosed with posts and rails in areas like the present, and formed a public promenade, and the parade ground of the military. How it became enclosed with iron railings and planted with trees and flowers, to the exclusion of the inhabitants, has never been satisfactorily explained. Occasionally attempts have been made to investigate the business; but inasmuch as money is required for such a purpose, and the majority of the ratepayers are contented with the excellent manner the Enclosures are conducted, they allow the Trustees who have possessed themselves of the right, to continue in undisturbed possession.

From time to time since the demolition of the Grand Parade Circus, various troupes of equestrians have visited Brighton. Saunders's was the first, his exhibition, which took place on the present site of St. George's Place, being termed a Mountebank performance, and consisting, besides feats of horsemanship, of such tricks as are witnessed in shows at fairs and races. On Thursday evening, June 21st, 1821, from six to eight thousand persons assembled to witness the equestrian exploits, &c., of this company. In the midst of the amusements one of the scaffoldings, on which were nearly a hundred persons,--men, women, and children,--gave way, and the whole fell to the ground, a depth of about four or five feet. Many persons received severe bruises, and Mr. Siller, of His Majesty's private band, had his leg broken in two places. The chief prop of the scaffolding was some slight paling, the yielding of which to the great pressure above occasioned the accident, which, under the circumstances, might have produced far more serious results, as many persons were immediately under it at the moment. Cook and Bridges--familiarly known to the juveniles of the time as "Cook and Breeches,"--afterwards came and took up their position on the Level; and then followed Ryan, Cooke, Batty, Tournaire, &c., in more or less permanent buildings; followed by the flying visits of troupes in mammoth tents. The last erection for the exhibition of horsemanship, and that still in existence, is the affair in Sussex Street, the hitherto success of which is evidence that the intelligent portion of the community have not failed to appreciate the talent which has been produced.