Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[graphic][merged small][subsumed]

present designation, Quiet-Street, by way of a contrast or set-off to the above fashionable promenade, Wood-Street continues in the same line (passing by Queen-Street on the left, and St. John-Street on the right,) till Queen-Square appears; this elegant monumental remembrance of the talents of its architect, the senior Mr. WOOD. Turn down into Barton-Street, in the middle of which is Harrington-Place, exciting no particular interest. At the bottom of Barton-Street, on the right, is Beaufort-Square. As a place of residence it has no pretensions whatever, the houses being small and irregularly built, and the inhabitants, chiefly tradespeople, This square, as it is termed, is only important from its containing the grand entrance to the NEW THEATRE ROYAL, which has an elegant and attractive appearance, and is enclosed with iron rails, with a large open space gravelled before it.

What though our stage some few recruits may own,
As senseless as the boards they tread upon;
Though here, at times, some heroes may be found,
Who bid defiance both to sense and sound!-
Confounding every passage they rehearse,
Bad by degrees and miserably worse;
Yet in this soil, by favour's sunshine reared,
Some buds of real talent have appeared;

And splendid STARS* now grace the London sphere,
Whose earliest rays were nursed and kindled here.

*It was upon the Bath stage that Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Abingdon, Miss Brunton, Miss Wallis, Mrs. Siddons, and Miss Smith, first developed their great talents; as did also Mesrss. Henderson, Incledon, Edwin, Lovegrove, Murray, C. Taylor, and Elliston and of a more recent date, the above theatre has been distinguished with some performers of rising merit, among whom may be noticed, Mrs. W. Chat

[ocr errors]

The first regular erected Theatre in Bath was in the year 1730, and which, it appears, did not, when well filled, hold more than £30; but it was a most miserable concern, and so badly attended, that many of the principal performers were compelled to retire to rest with appetites not of the most enviable description. Such has been the vicissitudes of many of the great heroes of the Sock and Buskin, if their present eminence does not refuse the recollection of such days of poverty and nights of sorrow. However, when theatricals became rather more attractive, a New Play-House was erected, in Orchard-Street, by subscription; but this speculation soon met with an unexpected opposition from a Mr. Simpson, who patched up a sort of Theatre under the Great Ball-Room. This rivalry, as might be anticipated, did not last any great length of time, as ruin stared both the Managers in the face; when Mr. Simpson, with much propriety, ceased all opposition upon a substantial pension of £200 per annum. In 1767, it became a THEATRE ROYAL, under the direction of the late JOHN PALMER, Esq. From this period, theatrical amusements rose rapidly into estimation, and obtained considerable patronage at Bath; and under the various managements of Messrs. ARTHUR, LEE, KEASBERY, and the late W. DIMOND, Esq. the performances not only arrived at such a degree of excellence, but ultimately proved a nursery for several of the greatest actors, both male and female, that have for the last fifty years adorned the stages of the

terly, and Messrs. Ward, Woulds, Mallinson, Blisset, W. Chatterley, &c.

metropolis with the highest specimens of histrionic talents. The late W. DIMOND, Esq. added to his abilities as a manager, was also an actor, both in tragedy and comedy, of the first rank. His son William, the author of the Hero of the North, the Foundling of the Forest, Adrian and Orrilla, and several other popular dramatic pieces, independent of various poetical productions, has succeeded him in a share of the property and management of the Theatre; but which at present is placed under the able conduct of Mr. Charlton.

The Theatre, in Orchard-Street, was at length found too small for the accommodation of the great increase of fashionable company; and the present NEW THEATRE-ROYAL in BeaufortSquare and in Saw-Close, was opened in October 12, 1805. Its classical front, in the above square, was designed by Nath. Dance, Esq. and built under the direction of Mr. Palmer, à most ingenious and able architect, who has happily united convenience with elegance. The situation is central, and its approach extremely safe from its three distinct entrances. The exterior is handsome; but its interior is finished in such a high state of excellence, as to vie with any building of a similar description. Its cieling, which is divided into four compartments, has to boast of some rich paintings by Cassalie, purchased at the memorable sale of Fonthill, by Mr. METHUEN, and who made them a present to the proprietors of the Theatre. The decorations are very splendid; and the colouring and gilt mouldings executed with much taste and effect. There are three tier of boxes. The private ones,

which are twenty-six in number, are enclosed with gilt lattices. The tout ensemble of the Theatre has a light, elegant, and classical appearance, in consequence of the pillars (which are of cast iron) being placed at the distance of two feet from the front, by which the first row of each circle of the boxes appear as a balcony, and not connected with the building. The private boxes have also an elegant suite of retiring rooms; and the entrance to which is by a private house. The length of the grand front in Beaufort-Square is about 125 feet; 60 wide, and 70 high: there are also various other buildings connected with the exterior, such as dressing and scene rooms, wardrobes, &c. The scenery is also excellent; and the machinery is equally good; in short, the above Theatre, from its size not being so extensive as those of CoventGarden and Drury-Lane, both the eye and the ear derive the necessary gratification of seeing, hearing, and comprehending the performances before them. It will hold nearly £350, at 5s. to the Boxes; 3s. to the Pit; and 1s. 6d. to the Gallery. The days of performance are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

On quitting Beaufort-Square the visitor finds himself in Trim-Street, conspicuous in no other respect, but merely containing the Unitarian Chapel, which is rather a handsome erection. It is distinguished for its excellent singing, and also for the neatness of its pews and galleries. Divine service is performed twice every Sunday. To the left of the above street is Gascoyn-Place, and the BLUE SCHOOL soon appears in sight. This most excellent charity, it seems,

1

« VorigeDoorgaan »