The Constant Couple
Playbill
1744 (made)
1744 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Playbill for The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, 1744.
18th century theatre managements liked to advertise their star actors, rather than their authors. Playwright George Farquhar (1677-1707) is not mentioned on the playbill for this popular comedy, first staged in 1700 and frequently revived. The principal names on the playbill are those of Mrs Woffington, who was playing the male role of Sir Harry Wildair, the singer Mr Lowe and dancer Mr Muilment. These are the names that would have drawn the crowds.
Margaret Woffington (1720?-1760), always known as Peg, had great success in 'breeches roles'. She first played Wildair in Dublin, her place of birth, in 1740. Coming to London later that year she was employed by John Rich, manager of the Covent Garden Theatre. She played a range of roles and was, again, a sensation as Wildair. When she joined the company at Drury Lane in 1742, she continued to appear in the part. Though Farquhar had written the role for a male actor, Mrs Woffington had made it her own.
18th century theatre managements liked to advertise their star actors, rather than their authors. Playwright George Farquhar (1677-1707) is not mentioned on the playbill for this popular comedy, first staged in 1700 and frequently revived. The principal names on the playbill are those of Mrs Woffington, who was playing the male role of Sir Harry Wildair, the singer Mr Lowe and dancer Mr Muilment. These are the names that would have drawn the crowds.
Margaret Woffington (1720?-1760), always known as Peg, had great success in 'breeches roles'. She first played Wildair in Dublin, her place of birth, in 1740. Coming to London later that year she was employed by John Rich, manager of the Covent Garden Theatre. She played a range of roles and was, again, a sensation as Wildair. When she joined the company at Drury Lane in 1742, she continued to appear in the part. Though Farquhar had written the role for a male actor, Mrs Woffington had made it her own.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Constant Couple (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | Letterpress on paper with woodcut |
| Brief description | Playbill advertising The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, 1744 |
| Physical description | Letterpress playbill, advertising The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee, performed by His Majesty's Company of Comedians at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Wednesday, 5 December. The text is printed in fonts of various size, with the name of Mrs Woffington; Mr Lowe the singer, and Mr Muilment the dancer, in larger type. At the top is a woodcut of the Royal Coat of Arms with the monogram 'G II R'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | 18th century theatre managements were keen to advertise their star actors, not their dramatists. Playwright George Farquhar (author of the ever-popular comedy, The Recruiting Officer) is not mentioned on the playbill for The Constant Couple. The principal names are those of Peg Woffington, a well-regarded actress who played the male role of Sir Harry Wildair, and the singer and dancer.(16/08/2016) |
| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Object history | Associated production: The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee. Comedy by George Farquhar. Actors Peg Woffington, Mr Delane, Mr Taswell, Mr Havard, Mrs Griffard, Mrs Bennet, Mr Yates, Mr Lowe and Mr Ray. 5.12.1744, Drury Lane Theatre, London. |
| Summary | Playbill for The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, 1744. 18th century theatre managements liked to advertise their star actors, rather than their authors. Playwright George Farquhar (1677-1707) is not mentioned on the playbill for this popular comedy, first staged in 1700 and frequently revived. The principal names on the playbill are those of Mrs Woffington, who was playing the male role of Sir Harry Wildair, the singer Mr Lowe and dancer Mr Muilment. These are the names that would have drawn the crowds. Margaret Woffington (1720?-1760), always known as Peg, had great success in 'breeches roles'. She first played Wildair in Dublin, her place of birth, in 1740. Coming to London later that year she was employed by John Rich, manager of the Covent Garden Theatre. She played a range of roles and was, again, a sensation as Wildair. When she joined the company at Drury Lane in 1742, she continued to appear in the part. Though Farquhar had written the role for a male actor, Mrs Woffington had made it her own. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.688-1997 |
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| Record created | October 20, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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