Fifth Viscount Torrington in Biggleswade - 15 June, 1791
from Tour into Lincolnshire, 1791, pages 308-310:
After tea, at seven o’clock, I set off home, in a dull dripping evening, and was return’d, going my best speed, in 50 minutes. I then bethought me of the playhouse; and to it I went; more barnish misery exists not; the company seem starving: one fiddle―and 13 candles composed our music and lights. I could not laugh; I could not cry; or stay more than two acts. Except the pronunciation the acting was of the nature of the lordly theatres. Three acts, only, were finish'd at 9 o'clock.
John Byng, Tour into Lincolnshire, 1791. In C. Bruyn Andrews (ed.), The Torrington Diaries Containing the Tours Throughout England and Wales of the Hon. John Byng (Later Fifth Viscount Torrington) Between the Years 1781 and 1794, volume 2 (London, 1935), p. 308-310. https://led.kmi.open.ac.uk/entity/lexp/1546535399070 accessed: 4 December, 2024
Listeners
Listening to
hide composers| incidental music to 'Romeo and Juliet' |
Experience Information
| Date/Time | 15 June, 1791 |
| Medium | live |
| Listening Environment | in the company of others, indoors, in public |
Notes
The handbill advertising the evening of theatre is reproduced in the book (p. 309). The programme included 'Romeo and Juliet'; 'The Waterman', a ballad opera by Charles Dibdin; and comic songs sung by Mr. Hobson and Master Crisp. It appears that John Byng arrived late for the performance, which began at seven o'clock, hence missing the first act of the play. He remained for two further acts, and left the theatre at about nine o'clock.