| Citation |
MG-A(G.772.069
17 Sep 1772:11 (1410)
London. June 5. Tuesday night was performed the play of
King Richard the Third, at Drury Lane Theatre. Numbers know
this, no doubt, since numberless numbers attended to see
Roscius act the bloody scene. The passage leading from
Bridges-street was crowded full soon after three o'clock. .
. [12 lines, doors finally opened to relieve the crush to
get in.]
A very diverting scene was exhibited. The eagerness every
one shewed to get up stairs, was visible in many respect: a
lady, on the point of falling over the rail, fastened on the
tail of a gentleman next her, but it being an unnatural
queu, afforded her no assistance, separated from the head,
and over she would certainly have gone, had not some more
substantial men shewed their friendship. It was not less
diverting to see women clamber up stairs, without shoes,
stockings, hats, caps, and even petticoats. When the
gallery was filled, and company seated, several who had
found shoes, hats, aprons, &c. &c. began to make
proclamation of them. A gentleman offering a leather shoe
with a metal buckle in it, to a young woman, she mobbed him
for his impertinence in offering her such rubbish; another,
without a cap, having one shewn her, spit upon it, and
wondered the fellow knew no better manners than to offer her
such rags. The curtain drawing up, finished the scene, and
little of the first act of the play was heard, on account of
interlopers cramming down to the seats, which forced the
audience to rise and beat them back with sticks, which
exhibited a scene not much unlike what Smithfield presents
us with on a market day. Roscius now began to command
attention, and the Gods became a little peaceable.
|