Tom and Jerry
Put into Shape, exclusively for this Theatre, by Pierce Egan.
Who trusts it will not be deemed unfair that he should take a Leaf or Two out of his own Book, several other persons having made free with the Work. The Piece now prepared for representation is not entitled to the appellation of Tragedy, Comedy, Opera, Play, Farce, Ballet, or Melodrama, yet partaking of the Qualities of all, and possessing scenes High and Low in abundance, from the “Sky Parlour” to the “Diamond Vault.” Out and Out, Rambles and Sprees, East and West, and Lots of Characters, Up and Down. A variety of Swells but no Dons: Corinthians and Costard-mongers of many Hues and Colours: Flats and Sharps without a Note—Pinks and Tulips, but no Flowers, yet always in the Hot Houses: and Hells without Devils, only having Black Legs: Muslin and Hopsacks, according as the creatures wear them: the whole forming a “Bit of Good Truth,” en passant, in a Review of Life in London, developed by a precious Trio, in the Persons of a Top-of-The-Tree-Hero Up and Dressed in all suits: seconded by a slap-bang countryman, that neither hedge nor ditch baulk his pursuits; and in unison with a prime piece of Logic without Premises, yet always so much at Home, that Locke and Bacon were muffs to him: also representing the Noble, Respectable, Mechanical, and Tag Rag and Bob-tail part of Society, which constitute the Corinthian Capital, and the Base of the Pillar.
The Overture, with the New and Selected Music, by Mr. Nicholson. The Scenes from Drawings taken on the spot, by Mr. Greenwood, assisted by Mr. Milldenhall and others. The Sporting Subjects, by Mr. George Cruikshank, from designs by himself and Brother, Mr. I. R. Cruikshank. The Quadrilles and Country Dances, by Mr. Kirby. The Machinery, Platforms, and Race Course, by Mr. Copping. Dresses by Mr. Townley and Mrs. Balding.
| Corinthian Tom | Mr. Elliott. | |
| Jerry Hawthorn | Mr. Keeley. | |
| Bob Logic | Mr. Vale. | |
| Dusty Bob | Mr. Walbourn. | |
| African Sal | Mr. Brady. | |
| Little Jemmy | Mr. Cooper. | |
| Billy Waters | Mr. Hartland. |
To Start from the Winning Post on the Stage; Run three times Round the Course.
Separate Matches, and afterwards for the Grand Sweepstakes.
PONY RACES.
Passing Into and Round the Pit.
| Ponies. | Colours. | |
| 1.—The Corinthian | Pink. | |
| 2.—Bob Logic’s Miss Sly | Stripe. | |
| 3.—Jerry’s Never to be beat | Blue. | |
| 4.—Dusty Bob | Black. | |
| 5.—Touch and-Go | Blue and Pink. | |
| 6.—The Out-and-Outer | Scarlet. | |
| Stewards of the Race | Logic, Tom, and Jerry. | |
| Clerk of the Course | Dusty Bob. |
☞ The eagerness of several Ladies and Gentlemen to Promenade the Course during the Race, having at times produced a temporary delay and inconvenience, they are respectfully intreated to observe the directions of the Clerk of the Course, who will attend with Mrs. Dusty Bob (African Sal) in their Carriage from Maiden Lane, Battle Bridge, for the purpose of preserving order.
The Corinthian’s Diary.
A Celebrated Comic Song, written by
T. GREENWOOD, Esq.
And Sung by Mr. Vale, at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, in the Character of Bob Logic.
SUNDAY, got floor’d, in groggy plight,
MONDAY, quite stale, took anti-bilious,
Pester’d by nausea, nerves not quite right,
And noisy duns quite supercilious:
A dish of Mocha, ’chovy toast,
Remov’d the spasms—increased attrition,
So started, when I’d skimm’d the Post,
To Tattersall’s, in high condition.
TUESDAY, got clean’d at Rouge et Noir,
And, done quite brown, was forc’d to toddle;
So then I vow’d to play no more,
Lest, like a lame duck, I should waddle.
WEDNESDAY, reflected; curs’d each star,
Swore never more a card to handle:
Went to the Fives Court, saw them spar,
And patronis’d Cribb, Neat, and Randall.
THURSDAY, bowl’d down to Ascot Heath,
To sport my blunt upon the races:
Rode my own mare almost to death,
For I had won three steeplechases:
Clean’d out again, I came away
Quite undismay’d, though out of feather,
At night I bolted to the play,
To drown ill-luck and care together.
Met with a spree, two glorious frays,
So went to work—I hate long parleys;
Kick’d up a row, then starr’d the glaze,
And mill’d, in style, a brace of Charley’s:
Morris’d away to Almack’s Rooms,
Danc’d a quadrille, alert and showy,
Call’d at the Finish, mops and brooms,
And tumbled to bed as drunk as Chloe.
FRIDAY, I went to see dear Nancy,
But found a Covey there before me,
Was forc’d to bolt, I’d lost my chance,
But Kate, I knew, would still adore me:
So off I set, stay’d SATURDAY,
My comforts took, then home departed;
Book’d for next week, with spirits gay,
I for a fresh game, on SUNDAY started.
SADLER’S WELLS.
PIERCE EGAN,
The Author
of
TOM & JERRY;
or,
Life in London.
Most respectfully informs the Public, and his numerous Friends in the
Sporting World, that:
(Before “all the Gold is taken off the Gingerbread,” being contented
with a Small Slice of it,) his
BENEFIT
is fixed for
Wednesday
The 25th September, 1822.
When a Variety Entertainment, will be performed, in which
THE AUTHOR
Will make his First and only Appearance on this Stage, in a
PRINCIPAL CHARACTER.
LIFE IN A SPREE.
A Spree’s the thing, with potent port made merry,
“Go it Bob Logic,” “Keep it up,” cries Jerry.
The Upper Story all abroad—Mr. Lushington at Work; and when the Wine is in, the Wit is out—Ripe for any thing—How to make a Stop—Watch go—And getting the best of the Timekeepers—Must make a noise in the World:—
No way but this left to obtain renown,
Kick up a Row, and knock the Charlie’s down!
LIFE IN THE EAST.
All-Max...... A bit of good Truth!
Tickets not necessary—Any Port in a Storm—Never a Jack without a Jill—All happiness: no questions asked: and one half the world don’t know how the other half lives—(or dies!)—No matter! Plenty of Taste—Patter without ceremony—And not particular to a shade about Lingo. Spoting a toe without a shoe, and no enquiry after the Snob’s Bill—Reeling without steps—Flooring instead of Waltzing, and nothing the matter. Country or colour no objection—Ladies in mourning not prohibited—Black Sall don’t blush for her appearance—And Dusty Bob not uneasy about his toggery—All the same One Hundred Years hence!—Philosophy.
⁂ To prevent the trouble and fatigue of ascending the numerous Steps to the Author’s Sky Parlour, (in Days of Yore, denominated a Garret, as well as Tumbling over lots of Kids,) Tickets to be had of Messrs. Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, Paternoster Row; Office of the Weekly Dispatch, Wine Office Court, Fleet Street; at all the Sporting Houses; and Places for the Boxes can be taken of Mr. Parker, at the Box Offices, Sadler’s Wells, from 10 till 4.
Full Particulars will be duly Announced.
Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s.
Glendinning, Printer, 25, Hatton Garden, London.
Brighton, of course, in common with all other large provincial towns had its version of “Life in London.” The theatre was then under the management of Mr. Samuel—or, as he was commonly known, Jerry Sneak Russell, from the inimitable manner in which he personated that character in Foote’s farce of “The Mayor of Garrat.” We have a copy of the play-bill before us, and as we think the manager’s remarks and the selection of criticisms are in their way curious, we here append them, including the cast of characters:
THEATRE ROYAL, BRIGHTON.
LAST NIGHT BUT ONE.
TOM AND JERRY.
In announcing the successful piece of “Tom and Jerry” for this evening, the manager feels great satisfaction in being able to quote in its favour the following observations from the critiques in the London and other newspapers. “The scenery, dresses, &c., are good throughout, and much credit is due to the manager for the style in which it is got up. It is with pleasure we remark that this piece has been most judiciously freed from the impurities of dialogue, which rendered it improper to meet the delicate ear of the gentler sex. We therefore venture, without subjecting ourselves to reproach, to recommend our readers to see ‘Life in London,’ to witness an exposure of many impositions practised in real life, and be made ‘fly’ (the plain English of au fait) to the multum in parvo phrases which are now introduced into passing conversations.”
“Brighton.—The theatre at this place has just produced its ‘Tom and Jerry’ with great success, and, we may say, deservedly—every objectionable point that might be thought to infringe on decorum having been most ingeniously suppressed, without any diminution of the whim and fire of its varied and entertaining scenes. This regard to propriety argues much discretion, and seems to meet the approbation of the beau monde resorting hither, for the theatre is graced with abundance of fashion and beauty.”
“The ‘Tom and Jerry’ of the Brighton Theatre has good scenery, good acting, and, what in such a piece is perhaps still better, good and chaste dialogue to recommend it; it has been cleansed of its impurities without injuring its life and spirit. As thus represented, it cannot raise a blush on the cheek of the most fastidious female.”
On Wednesday Evening, September 12, 1822, will be reproduced the highly popular and amusing Burletta of