DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0023
ROBERT COATES, ESQ,
11
formance instantly commenced—for, on this occasion mat-
ters were reversed, as compared with other theatres, the
most prominent performers being before the curtain.—The
boxes, pit, and galleries were filled with actors, mutually
exerting themselves for the amusement of each other; the
galleries were particularly active in punning on the name of
the “ Amateur of Fashion,” and continued to call for him
as eC Long Coates, Driving Coates, Flannel Coates, Petty
“ Coates, Turn Coates 1” &c. until they were interrupted
by a loud crowing of cocks, which was very melodious, and
gave a lively idea of a feeding loft, on the eve of a grand
Welch main. At length the histrionic hero appeared, clad
in silver and satin, and blazing in jewels, towering in ma-
jesty and feathers far above his worthy compeers, and look-
ing as though he bore the whole empire of Thespis on his
Atlantean shoulders. On his entrde he was greeted, or, as
Shakspeare has it, bruited, in a manner which we will not
attempt to describe, and for similar reasons we will forbear
to criticise his acting—we are unable to do so, we have no
standard of comparison ; for we most solemnly assure Mr.
Coates, that though we have seen all the great actors of
the present age, we have never seen one that can even for
an instant stand in comparison with him. The piece went
off very rapidly, and the fourth act did not occupy more than
two minutes, including the death of Lothario, which de-
lighted the assembly (for an obvious reason we cannot call
it audience') so much, that an unanimous encore was the
consequence. The performer, however, was dead to this mark
of favour, and would not comply, and a noise ensued, which
we can only characterise by describing what it surpassed—-
.Billingsgate on Saint James’s day, when delicious oysters
first appear, is quiet-—a bull frog concert, heard in a South
American Savannah, soft music—and an O.P. row absolutely
tame, compared with this wild hubbub and strange uproar.
The fifth act of the play was over in about three minutes ;
c 2
11
formance instantly commenced—for, on this occasion mat-
ters were reversed, as compared with other theatres, the
most prominent performers being before the curtain.—The
boxes, pit, and galleries were filled with actors, mutually
exerting themselves for the amusement of each other; the
galleries were particularly active in punning on the name of
the “ Amateur of Fashion,” and continued to call for him
as eC Long Coates, Driving Coates, Flannel Coates, Petty
“ Coates, Turn Coates 1” &c. until they were interrupted
by a loud crowing of cocks, which was very melodious, and
gave a lively idea of a feeding loft, on the eve of a grand
Welch main. At length the histrionic hero appeared, clad
in silver and satin, and blazing in jewels, towering in ma-
jesty and feathers far above his worthy compeers, and look-
ing as though he bore the whole empire of Thespis on his
Atlantean shoulders. On his entrde he was greeted, or, as
Shakspeare has it, bruited, in a manner which we will not
attempt to describe, and for similar reasons we will forbear
to criticise his acting—we are unable to do so, we have no
standard of comparison ; for we most solemnly assure Mr.
Coates, that though we have seen all the great actors of
the present age, we have never seen one that can even for
an instant stand in comparison with him. The piece went
off very rapidly, and the fourth act did not occupy more than
two minutes, including the death of Lothario, which de-
lighted the assembly (for an obvious reason we cannot call
it audience') so much, that an unanimous encore was the
consequence. The performer, however, was dead to this mark
of favour, and would not comply, and a noise ensued, which
we can only characterise by describing what it surpassed—-
.Billingsgate on Saint James’s day, when delicious oysters
first appear, is quiet-—a bull frog concert, heard in a South
American Savannah, soft music—and an O.P. row absolutely
tame, compared with this wild hubbub and strange uproar.
The fifth act of the play was over in about three minutes ;
c 2