RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON, Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.

1878.

The Mystery and Miracle Plays-Moralities and Interludes-Great

Increase of Actors-The City and the Players-The Seven

Theatres-Size and Prices of Admission-Scenery—Salathiel

Pavy—Dick Tarleton—Anecdotes of his Tricks and “Gags.” 3

CHAPTER II.

THE ORIGINAL ACTORS OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS.

Shakespeare-Richard Burbadge as an Actor-His Epitaph-Will

Kempt and his Adventures-Hemings, Condell and Slye-

Alleyn and Dulwich College-The Closing of the Theatres by

the Puritans-Persecution of the Players- Robert Cox and his

Mummeries-Beginning of the Revival.

22

Part II.

THE ACTORS OF THE RESTORATION AND

THE BETTERTON SCHOOL.

CHAPTER I.

THE ACTORS OF THE RESTORATION.

Killigrew's and Davenant's Patent-Articles of Agreement-Copy

of the First Drury Lane Playbill-Killigrew's Company-Hart—

Anecdotes of Joe Haines-The First English Actress-Nell

Gwynne-Anecdotes-Sir William Davenant.

CHAPTER II.

BETTERTON AND HIS ASSOCIATES.

43

Rivalry-Degradation of the Stage-The Patent bought for £80-

Thomas Betterton-His Style of Acting-His high Position-

His Last Appearance-A Good Story-Will Mountfort-His

Tragical Fate-Kynaston, the Famous Boy Actress-Smith-

A Famous Heavy Villain - Verbruggen Nokes - Leigh-

Cave Underhil-Dick Estcourt-Pictures and Anecdotes of

their Acting.

-

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CHAPTER III.

THE LADIES.

Mrs. Betterton, the First Great Lady Macbeth-Mrs. Mountfort-

Cibber's Wonderful Description of Her Acting-Mrs. Brace-

girdle-Anecdotes of Her Charity and Spotless Character-

Mrs. Barry-Her Early Career-Dismissed the Theatre, three

Times for Incapacity-Otway's Evil Genius-Her Great

Talent

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