Dramatic Table Talk, Or, Scenes, Situations, & Adventures, Serious & Comic, in Theatrical History & Biography Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830 edition. Excerpt: ... purchased, in 1790, by Charles Henry Hunt, Esq. and it is now the property of Messrs. Battersbee and Morris, Bankers, of Stratford. Ooodman's Fields Theatre. The Goodman's Fields Theatre, in Leman Street, was erected by Mr. Thomas Odell, in 1729, who, in 1730, waited on the King, George II., to request his license for acting there, but he met with a decisive refusal. In 1731, Odell's Theatre was purchased by Henry Giffard, who, in the following year, opened a subscription for rebuilding it, and obtained 2300 for that purpose. It would appear to have been raised by 100 shares, as Giffard, soon after, assigned twenty-three shares of the property, by indenture, to the subscribers, granting them free admissions, and Is. 6d. per night, on every night's performance. He next contracted with Sir William Leman for the ground for 61 years, at an annual rent of 45: having so done, he proceeded with the building, on which, including dresses and decorations, he expended several thousand pounds.--Garrick first appeared there on October 19th, 1741, and whilst he continued on that stage produced " The Lying Valet," and Lethe." SHAKSPEARIANA. Joan Shakspeare. Shakspeare's affection for his sister Joan was proved by his bequeathing her a life-interest in the houses in Henley-street, and his wardrobe; and also, by his leaving legacies of five pounds to each of her sons. That her descendants are the only legal heirs of Shakspeare is evident, from their being seized of the houses in Henley-street, after the death of Shakspeare's grand-daughter. Itis probable, that the numerous Shakspeares in Warwickshire are descended from Shakspeare's ancestors. They may be of one original stock; but not descended from Shakspeare's father, as...