Plymouthhistory

Two Theatres
A theatre was opened in Dock, later known as Devonport,
on the site of what was then Cumberland Gardens. In
1793, Messieurs Bernard and Barrett argued and Barrett
opened yet a third theatre, an improved wooden structure
on George Street, which he called “The New Theatre” but
this was soon abandoned. Mr Bernard’s company then
performed alternate nights at the Plymouth and Dock
Theatres.
In 1801, both the Plymouth Theatre and the Dock Theatre
were taken over by Mr S. Foote (formerly known as
Freeman). He re-named the Plymouth establishment the
Theatre Royal, though no-one knew on whose authority,
but he declared “it’s a good travelling name and avoids
troublesome enquiries”. To his credit, King George III had
visited in 1789, and Mr Foote actually bothered to apply
for a licence and performed in all the shows himself. His
pretty daughter also became a popular actress, playing
Juliet at just twelve years old. (For a time, the Dock
Theatre was also called the Theatre Royal which must
have caused some confusion!)
George III visited the Plymouth Theatre in
1789
Meanwhile the Dock Theatre became notorious for drunken behaviour, with the sailors passing
bottles of rum to the women who sat segregated in the audience. In the pit, tradesmen were
assailed with insults and pelted with orange peel. Riots regularly broke out in the aisles. In 1808, a
lady was ‘insulted’ as the lights went down and officers fought in the upper boxes. Police were
called, and the naval officers used their whips and bludgeons against the police. The ringleader
was publicly stripped of his uniform and sentenced to two years in solitary confinement. Local
magistrates asserted their right to free tickets so they could attend to preserve the peace, but they
failed to prevent the debauchery.
One performance of Othello at Dock was so good that when Desdemona was being strangled by
Othello, one man in the audience raced to her rescue, tearing Desdemona from Othello’s grasp.
The poor actor playing Othello bolted home terrified, still in black-face, his dagger in hand.
Smith and Winson took over Plymouth’s Theatre Royal and tried to attract a better clientele, but
local patrons preferred buffoonery to high drama. The next manager Mr Sandford increased the
prices by a shilling to pay for improvements, but the actors and the audience rebelled, defiantly
blowing trumpets and singing lewd songs throughout the show. A crowd of sailors took over the
stage and in the mayhem the manager reduced the prices.
Theatre Royal patrons particularly enjoyed the performances of Mr. Hayne, a local actor of
tragedies, because he would interrupt his speeches with attacks on the misbehaving audience. As
Othello, played by Hayne, addresses the Senate in the play, Hayne would repeatedly turn to
members of the audience and shout abuse: “I'll have everyone of you in custody before you are
aware of it.” And “That young woman with blue ribbons is as bad as any of you” and “What, are
you at it again?”. Before the speech was over, he’d be calling for the constable, much to the
amusement of the crowd. Some ladies in the audience got their own back when Hayne was
playing Richard the Third, sewing beneath his robes a long and curly demonic tail which protruded
as he sauntered across the stage. As he began his opening speech “Now is the winter...”, it stood
erect like a giant phallus. The audience were apoplectic with laughter.