The Mogul Tale and the Little Theater in Haymarket Essay -- Mogul Tale

The Mogul Tale and the midget Theater in HaymarketThe pocket-sized Theater in Haymarket was one of the more prominent venues in London during the latter half of the 18th century. Built and opened in 1720, the Little Theater, so it was called to distinguish it from the larger Kings opera house located nearby, was originally designated as a playhouse for French performers.2 Its proprietor John Potter obtained permission for its construction from the Lord Chamberlain doubting Thomas Pelham with the help of the influential Duke of Montagu.1True to its name the Little Theaters original measurements were 48 feet wide and 136 feet long. It was reported to be at to the lowest degree three stories, with a basement, a gallery and several small shops in the front of the building.1 The seating arrangement, like most theaters during this time, consisted of long benches with no backs.2 Because of this the Little Theater could seat anywhere from 600 to almost 1500 patrons.1 Performance du ring the hot summer months required that their be a ventilation system to allow sweet-smelling air into the theater.2 Unlike other theaters in London, the Little Theater was not adorned with elaborately painted ceilings or walls.2 The Little Theater would sustain many changes during its hundred years as an entertainment venue, including three remodeling projects surrounded by 1739 and 1760 and an almost complete rebuilding in 1767.1 To better understand the advantage of the Little Theater, an overview of the summer theatrical seasons that began in the Restoration period is necessary. in the first place the Interregnum period in England, theaters in London operated nearly year round, and did not specify the summer season as a separate offset of the theatrical year.1 When Charles II reinstate... ... lost some of its popularity due to some tensions amongst the members of the company that had affected performance.1 Colman decided to separate himself altogether from the Haym arket Company, and in 1820 the Little Theater was abandoned for the companys new location at what is now the present day Theatre Royal, Haymarket. The last performance held at the Little Theater was on October 14, 1820.1 Notes 1. Burling, William J. Summer Theatre in London, 1661-1820, and the progression of the Haymarket Theater. (New Jersey Associated University Press, 2000), 21-215. 2. Hogan, Charles Beecher. The London Stage, 1776-1800 A Critical Introduction. (Illinois Southern Illinois UniversityPress, 1968), xliii, xlvii. 3. Stephen, Leslie and Sidney Lee, eds. The Dictionary of guinea pig Biography. (London Oxford University Press, 1921), 424.