| Citation |
BNL.759.021
27 Dec 1759:33 (2052)
Boston, December 27. 1759. At the desire of a number of
the principal inhabitants of this town the following Act of
the Province (now in force) is here inserted, viz.
An Act to prevent State-Plays and other Theatrical
Entertainments.
For preventing and avoiding the many and great mischiefs
which arise from publick stage plays, interludes and other
theatrical entertainments, which not only occasion great and
unnecessary expences, and discourage industry and frugality,
but likewise tend generally to encrease immorality, impiety,
and a contempt of religion:
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governour, Council and House
of representatives, That from and after the publication of
this act no person or persons whosoever shall or may for his
or their gain, or for any price or valuable consideration,
let or suffer to be used and improved, any house, room or
place whatsoever, so acting or carrying on any stage-plays,
interludes or other theatrical entertainments, on pain of
forfeiting and paying for each and every day or time such
house. room or place shall be let used or improved contrary
to this act, twenty pounds.
And be it further enacted, That if at any time or times
whatsoever, from and after the publication of this Act, any
person or persons shall be present as an acto in or
spectator of any stage-play, interlude, or theatrical
entertainment in any house, room or place where a greater
number of persons than twenty shall be assembled together,
every such person shall forfeit and pay for every time he
or they shall be present as aforesaid five pounds.
The forfeitures and penalties aforesaid to be one half to
his Majesty for the use of the government, the other half to
him or them that shall inform and sue for the same. And
the aforesaid forfeitures and penalties may likewise be
recovered by presentment of the Grand Jury; in which case
the whole forfeiture shall be to his Majesty for the use of
this government.
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