certificate presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund
Certificate
1806 (made)
1806 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Certificate of thanks presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, London, 1806.
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is the oldest London theatre still in existence, dating from a line going back to 1663. There have been four different theatres built, with the current building constructed in 1812.
The third Drury Lane theatre was destroyed by fire in 1809, after just 15 years of performances. To finance the building, shares were sold to the public with certificates naming them as proprietors, and entitling the holder to benefits. The benefits ranged from free admission to profits from shows. This certificate shows an architectural plan of the theatre, and is ascribed to to James Mitchell, Esq.
After the financial disaster that was Drury Lane's previous incarnation, under manager Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the new theatre was designed and managed to be a profit-making enterprise. There were concerns that the theatre was failing to show legitimate drama, as one of the only theatres in London licensed to do so. The need for revenue, however, led to Drury Lane becoming synonymous with spectacle and more light-hearted drama on a large scale. It has since housed large musical productions.
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is the oldest London theatre still in existence, dating from a line going back to 1663. There have been four different theatres built, with the current building constructed in 1812.
The third Drury Lane theatre was destroyed by fire in 1809, after just 15 years of performances. To finance the building, shares were sold to the public with certificates naming them as proprietors, and entitling the holder to benefits. The benefits ranged from free admission to profits from shows. This certificate shows an architectural plan of the theatre, and is ascribed to to James Mitchell, Esq.
After the financial disaster that was Drury Lane's previous incarnation, under manager Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the new theatre was designed and managed to be a profit-making enterprise. There were concerns that the theatre was failing to show legitimate drama, as one of the only theatres in London licensed to do so. The need for revenue, however, led to Drury Lane becoming synonymous with spectacle and more light-hearted drama on a large scale. It has since housed large musical productions.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | certificate presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Ink on paper with wax seal |
| Brief description | Certificate of thanks presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, London, 1806 |
| Physical description | Certificate of thanks presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, London, 1806. The certificate features the Committee's terms of thanks written in black ink on paper and is stamped with a large red wax seal. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Certificate: 'London / Jan [?] 1806 / This small testimony of Gratitude and Affection is presented by the / Committee for managing the Affairs of the Fund established and incorporated / at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane to their dear Friend and Brother / John Moody Esq.re / To prove the high Opinion they entertain of the unbounded / Capacity, Assiduity and Humanity / he has so frequently shewn in promoting and conducting the said Establishment, / And to declare the said John Moody Esq.re formally and unanimously elected / Master of the said Corporation / And he is hereby empowered to call together, when and as often as it shall to him seem / necessary, the said Committee, and at every Meeting so called, to preside and direct. / In sign and token whereof the said Committee have set their Hands and the / Seal of the Corporation' / signatures of the Committee
Seal: 'THE SOCIETY ESTABLISHED FOR THE RELIEF OF INDIGENT PERSONS BELONGING TO HIS MAJESTY'S COMPANY OF COMEDIANS OF THE THEATRE ROYAL IN DRURY LANE' (On front side in black ink and wax) |
| Summary | Certificate of thanks presented to John Moody by the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, London, 1806. The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is the oldest London theatre still in existence, dating from a line going back to 1663. There have been four different theatres built, with the current building constructed in 1812. The third Drury Lane theatre was destroyed by fire in 1809, after just 15 years of performances. To finance the building, shares were sold to the public with certificates naming them as proprietors, and entitling the holder to benefits. The benefits ranged from free admission to profits from shows. This certificate shows an architectural plan of the theatre, and is ascribed to to James Mitchell, Esq. After the financial disaster that was Drury Lane's previous incarnation, under manager Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the new theatre was designed and managed to be a profit-making enterprise. There were concerns that the theatre was failing to show legitimate drama, as one of the only theatres in London licensed to do so. The need for revenue, however, led to Drury Lane becoming synonymous with spectacle and more light-hearted drama on a large scale. It has since housed large musical productions. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.761-2014 |
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| Record created | November 28, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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