The Secret of the Green-Room Containing Authentic and Entertaining Memoires of the Actors and Acresses in the Three Theatres Royal (2 Volume Set)
London: For J. Haslewood, 1795. Octavo. Item #029046
In two volumes. A new edition, with improvements to which is prefixed A sketch of the history of the English stage. Volume I: lx, 361 pages, with an index of the performer's names. Volume II: 391 pages with a similar index of additional performers. Many were spouters (the tradition of amateurs who memorized parts of the major plays and occasionally rose to prominence). Chapter I has a long section on the controversial Mrs. Harriet Esten. Haslewood complains about actors who strut in an unnatural way that loses the theme of the drama. Bound in 3/4 dark blue cloth over marbled paper covered boards, original spine labels gilt, marbled endpapers. Not a professional binding but quite serviceable. A clean copy with only an occasional spots of scattered foxing.
Price: $175.00