Birmingham Theatre Royal playbill (1823) 4
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'Harlequin and the Three Wishes; or Puck and the Black Puddings' was an instant hit with the Birmingham audience. Grimaldi's memoirs note that after performing the show "he felt infinitely better than he had done for a long time, and was so greatly restored that he was induced to accept an engagement for one additional night." This was to be on Monday 1 September and resulted in the equally delighted Mr Bunn, theatre manager, to reward Grimaldi with £186.12s as his own share of the profits. But Grimaldi soon fell ill again and his memoirs explain that, "with the exception of his two final benefits, this was his last appearance… the last occasion of his calling forth those pearls of merriment and approbation which, cheerfully as they sounded to him, had been surely ringing his death-knell for many years."
Location: Theatre Royal Playbills. Archives and Heritage
"In consequence of the unprecedented reception, from a brilliant and overflowing audience, of the comic pantomime, Mr Grimaldi and Mr. J S Grimaldi have been prevailed upon to extend their engagement for this one night.
First night of the engagement of the celebrated Miss M Tree, and first appearances in Birmingham of Miss Hallande (of Covent Garden Theatre).
This present Monday, Sept. 1, 1823, will be performed Shakespeare's celebrated Play of the Tempest. Alonso, Mr. CORDELL, Prospero, Mr. SALTER, Hippolito, Miss KENNETH, Ferdinand, Mr. BALLS, Antonio, Mr. HILL, Gonzalo, Mr. RICHARDS, Trinculo, Mr. COLLIER, Stephano, Mr. SHUTER, Caliban, Mr. BUTLER, Miranda, Miss HALLANDE, Dorinda, Mrs. WAYLETT, Ariel, Miss M. TREE.
In the course of the evening, Mr GRIMALDI will sing two comic songs called "One of every sort" and "Tippety Witchet". And Mr. J.S. GRIMALDI and Mr. PAYNE will dance the celebrated Pas De Deux from Mother Goose.
To conclude with a comic pantomime, comprising a selection of the most successful scenes from various Harlequinades for the last fifteen years called Harlequin and the Three Wishes; or Puck and the Black Puddings.
Characters in the opening, Sir Brushwood Breakcover, Mr. YARNOLD, Joshua Rentroll (his Steward) Mr. DALY, Robin Homespun, Mr. SHUTER, Dorcas (wife of Robin) Miss SCHOLEY, Titania (Queen of the Fairies) Miss ROBERTS, Fairy Puck, Miss CRISP. Characters in the Harlequinade. Harlequin, Mr. PAYNE, Pantaloon, Mr COLLIER, Columbine, Miss WORGMAN, The Two Clowns by Mr. GRIMALDI and Mr. J.S. GRIMALDI.
Order of Scenery. Scene 1. Village at sunset. Scene 2. Outside of Cottage. Scene 3. Inside of Cottage. Scene 4. Village. Whoop! Whoop! You can't catch us - so off we are again. Scene
5. View and Cottage - pursued into cottage - run! run! run! - a light pair of heels never pay toll.Clown's Song - "One of every sort" Is it You or Me, or Which is Which? - not at home - Constables in the wrong box. Scene 6. Inside of Barber's shop - Harlequin turns barber - shaves in a new style - straps Clowns - take care of my nose - Harlequin discovered - Clown makes barber's block light-headed, and escapes detection - follow my leader - off once more in pursuit. Scene 7. Street - Dandyism's the order of the day - so is Waltzing - here goes. Scene 8. Country View and Doctor's - "Throw Physic to the Dogs."
QUACK, QUACK, QUACK. Clown turns sportsman - shoots Pantaloon in mistake. Scene 9. Street - Clown extracts ball and cures Pantaloon. Song "TIPPITY WITCHET." Scene 10. Lodging House - Dance From Mother Goose - Clown shews his requisites for milling - proves himself a hard hitter - all retire to rest - the watch is set - be vigilant - noise- row - rumpass - bustle - running - fighting - and all the delights of a Night Frolic. Scene 11. Harlequin and Columbine secured, when the Fairy enters, and puts an end to their labours, by producing the Last Scene, A HALL OF FANCY.
On Friday next will be performed a variety of entertainments, under the patronage of Col. Kearney and the Officers of the Second Dragoon Guards."
