Pinkethman-(Cibber)-this is on the whole a very good C.-Vanburgh says, in the preface, that Powell was so drunk the first night, and had worked himself up to such a pitch of vigour, that he once thought it was all over with poor Mrs. Rogers. = World in the Moon-an Opera by Settle, acted at == = = = Old Stanmore Disney: Jacintha Mrs. Verbruggen: Widow Dawkins - Mrs. Powell: Susan Mrs. Andrews-Joe Haines has a considerable part in propriâ personâ he ought to have been mentioned as one of the D. P.-this piece consists of two distinct plots-Widow Dawkins comes up to town to request Wildblood, who is her landlord, to put a fresh name in her lease-she brings up her son Tom-Wildblood and Stanmore take Tom Dawkins to D. G. to see the Rehearsal of an Opera-they tell Joe Haines to have some fun with him in the other plot, Palmerin Worthy and Jacintha are mutually in love-her father, Old Stanmore, opposes their union—but at the conclusion he consents to it-this Opera, considered as a mere vehicle for singing, dancing and scenery, is far from a bad piece-the fault of it is, that the scene changes alternately from the Theatre to Old Stanmore's house, whereas the Rehearsal, after it is once begun, ought to have proceeded (as in other plays) without interruption--this however could not be done according to Settle's plan the Opera, which is rehearsed, is such a mere skeleton, that it would have been impossible for the Carpenters to have changed the scenes without the intervention of the other plot -the first scene of the Opera displays a Moon near 14 feet in diameter-hence the name of the piecethe last set of scenes terminates at 50 feet deep, being the extent of the house. = = = = Female Wits, or the Triumvirate of Poets at Rehearsal-Praiseall Cibber: Awdwell Mills: Lord Whiffle Thomas: Marsilia Mrs. Verbruggen: Mrs. Wellfed Mrs. Powell: Calista - Mrs. Temple :characters in Marsilia's play-Fastin Powell: Amorous Pinkethman: Lord Whimsicall Verbruggen : Lady Loveall Mrs. Knight: Isabella Mrs. Cross : Betty Useful Mrs. Kent:-acted 6 times without intermission this C. was written by W. M.—it was not printed till 1704, after the author's death, but in all probability it was brought out in 1697, as it must have been acted before Verbruggen went to L. I. F., and after the World in the Moonsee p. 33-this play is not badly written, but it is rather an unfair attack upon Mrs. Manley, Mrs. Pix and Mrs. Trotter, who were sadly to blame if they did not quiz their opponent for calling them a Triumvirate of Poets-the Heroine of this piece is Marsilia or Mrs. Manley, whose Royal Mischief must be read in order to understand the satire aimed at her in this play-as Mrs. Verbruggen had a happy turn for mimickry, she probably took off Mrs. ManleyMrs. Wellfed in the D. P. is said to be, one that represents a fat female author, a good sociable wellnatured companion, that will not suffer martyrdom rather than take off three bumpers in a hand-this character is meant for Mrs. Pix, and is said to have been excellently acted by Mrs. Powell-Mrs. Trotter, as Calista, is bantered for pretending to understand Greek, and to set up herself for a Critic, but she is treated less severely than the two others. Act 1st begins with a long conversation between the principal characters at Marsilia's lodgings-the scene then changes to the stage at D. L.-Johnson (seemingly the Prompter)-Pinkethman-Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Cross enter— Mrs. Cross. Where's Mr. Powell, that we may try a little before Marsilia comes? Johnson. At the tavern Madam. Mrs. Cross. At the tavern in a morning? Johnson. Why how long have you been a member of this congregation, pretty Miss, and not know honest George regards neither times nor seasons in drinking? Mrs. Wellfed Calista and Praiseall enter-from a proposal made by Praiseall it appears that what Dryden calls the Scene-room was now called the Green-room-yet at Macklin's trial in 1735, the witnesses speak of the Scene-room, and not of the Green-room. Mrs. Knight enters. Mrs. Cross. Pray dear Mrs. Knight, tell me your opinion of this play: you read much and are a judge. Mrs. Knight. Oh your servant Madam! why truly my understanding is so small, I can't find the Lady's meaning out. Act 2d-Enter Calista and Mrs. Wellfed-and then Powell. Mrs. Wellfed. Your servant Mr. Powell. Calista. Sir, I am your humble servant. Powell. Ounds! what am I fell into the hands of two female poets? there's nothing under the sun, but two bailiffs, I'd have gone so far to have avoided. Calista. I believe, Mr. Powell, I shall trouble you quickly. Powell. When you please Madam. Calista. Pray Mr. Powell, don't speak so carelessly I hope you will find the characters to your satisfaction; I make you equally in love with two very fine Ladies. Powell. Oh never stint me, Madam, let it be two dozen I beseech you. Calista. The thought's new I am sure. Powell. The practice is old I am sure. Marsilia enters and they proceed to the Rehearsal of her piece-in one of her speeches she intimates that Powell was tall, and in another she calls Mrs. Cross little Cherubim. Mrs. Cross throws up her part, and Marsilia declares she will play it herself. Act 3d. Mrs. Cross is prevailed on to resume her part-Powell lies dead on the stage. Marsilia. Mr. Powell will you walk off or be carried off? Powell. I'll make use of my legs, if you please, Madam-your humble servant. Marsilia is grievously offended at a dance not being practised as she likes, and vows that she will carry all her plays to L. I. F. The Actors come forward and conclude the piece with a laugh at Marsilia. This play was not the only attack on the female wits: Gildon, in his Comparison between the two Stages, is very severe on them. Nothing can be more absurd than to censure female writers merely as females-the prejudice against them however arose to such a pitch, that Mrs. Centlivre in the Prologue to the Stolen Heiress thought it advisable to speak of her play as written by a manMrs. Pix in the Conquest of Spain did the same thing. Unhappy Kindness, or a Fruitless Revenge. Valerio = Williams: Alphonso, King of Naples = Verbruggen: Frederick (his brother, and usurper of the throne) Harland: Sorano Disney: Evanthe= Mrs. Rogers: Queen Mother Mrs. Powell:-this is only a very bad alteration of a very good play. = = = Wife for a Month-this T. C. seems to have been written by Fletcher without the assistance of Beaumont-it was revived by Rhodes' Company in 1660 or 1661. Alphonso, the lawful King of Naples, was seized with a deep melancholy at the time of his father's death-this circumstance had enabled his brother, Frederick, to usurp the throne, and to confine Alphonso in a monastery-Frederick falls in love with Evanthe-he is assisted in his attempt to debauch her by her brother, Sorano, who is his creatureSorano gets Evanthe's papers into his possessionhe and the King find a copy of verses addressed to her by Valerio, in which he says he would give his life to possess her for a month-the King sentences Valerio to marry Evanthe on the condition expressed in his sonnet-Valerio marries Evanthe-on the first night, Sorano, by the King's authority, tells Valerio that if he should consummate his marriage, Evanthe's life would be forfeited-the distress of the lovers |