BIB_ID
126774
Accession number
MA 9519.3
Creator
Elliston, R. W. (Robert William), 1774-1831.
Display Date
[circa 1803].
Credit line
Purchased, 1891.
Description
1 item (4 pages) ; 23.6 x 19.2 cm
Notes
Elliston does not date the letter. Pencil notes in an unknown hand place it in 1803 or 1804. Based on its contents, the letter appears to have been written in the period beginning in 1796 when Elliston was acting at the Haymarket during the summers, before his move to London and his debut at Drury Lane in 1804.
The letter contains many crossings-out and additions in Elliston's hand.
Part of a collection of three letters from R. W. Elliston to the playwright and theater manager George Colman. Each item has been described in an individual catalog record.
Removed from an extra-illustrated volume from the series Dramatic Memoirs (PML 9505-9528).
The letter contains many crossings-out and additions in Elliston's hand.
Part of a collection of three letters from R. W. Elliston to the playwright and theater manager George Colman. Each item has been described in an individual catalog record.
Removed from an extra-illustrated volume from the series Dramatic Memoirs (PML 9505-9528).
Provenance
Purchased from Henry Sotheran & Co., London, 1891.
Summary
Concerning the next season at the Haymarket and the actors to be engaged for it; writing that he had felt no need to write earlier ("I knew your company as to principals was compleated for the most part for next season, & I did not think the hour for dunning you for the promised assistance was due") but "you have however given me my cue & the latter part of Decr shall serve as well"; saying that Mr. Jewell (probably a reference to the treasurer of the Haymarket) has "counterproofs of all the agreements that were sign'd"; discussing the language of the agreements; listing the actors engaged so far, among them Mr. & Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Archer, Mr. Grove, Mr. Denman, Mr. & Mrs. Mathews, Mr. J (or T.) Palmer, Mr. de Camp, Mrs. Ward, Miss Grimani, and Mrs. Woodfall; discussing minor players; writing of a singer: "Miss Daniels whom I was so strenuous about, & was afraid we had lost, I have been treating with, & can get for 7 & 8.. & 9 & a benefit, & I know from the present great dearth of singers she will be valuable"; making suggestions for a "majestic looking woman [...] to strut the Queens, & play the high tragedy" and an actor with a good singing voice; writing that he intends to spend all of Passion Week in town to arrange the delivery of the daybills; adding that he is willing to come to London earlier if Colman would like to consult with him personally.
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