 |
| The Theatrical BubbleJames Gillray January 7, 1805 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This satirical print is entitled 'The Theatrical Bubble: being a new specimen of the astonishing powers of the great politico - Punchinello, in the art of dramatic puffing.” It depicts early Nineteenth Century Irish playwright and poet Richard Sheridan as Mr. Punch, on stage blowing a bubble that contains the image of Master Betty (William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), one of the most popular child actors of his day) under which is written "Exit Garrick, Kemble, Cooke.”
The audience pictured watching the scene includes
the Duke of Clarence (later King William
IV), Dorothea Bland (Mrs. Jordan), and Charles Fox. The print satirizes
Sheridan for repeatedly putting juvenile actors, like Betty, on stage at Drury
Lane. It is marked as having been published “7th January 1805” in London. The image was drawn by James Gillray (1757-1815).
No comments:
Post a Comment