David Garrick, Actor

David Garrick (1717-79), who was born in Hereford, made his London debut, appearing in Richard III, at the unlicensed theatre in Alie Street, Goodmans Fields on October 19th 1741. He was so successful that the fashionable London crowds, despite the area being considered quite disreputable, flocked to see him there.

Because the theatre had no licence the managers of Drury Lane and Covent Garden had it closed. Garrick eventually played at both these theatres.

Playbill Collection of theUniversity of Kent at Canterbury:
The Garrick Theatre, Leman Street, Whitechapel, opened in 1831 and closed c. 1881.
Lawrence Levy managed the theatre from 1854-1864 and 1867-1868. In 1856 E.B. Gaston was Stage Manager.

UKC/POS/LDN GTL : 0597355

Playbill advertising THE FOUNDLING OF THE FOREST and THE BATH ROAD and THE HOLLYTREE INN, with a concert and variety entertainments, for the benefit of Louis Levite, the Harlequin, at the Garrick Theatre, Leman Street, 23 January 1856.

MENTIONED ON THE PLAYBILL:-

author : Dimond, William, Mr, fl. 1800-1830

actor : Rayner, A., Mr & Gaston, E. B., Mr & Rayner, -, Mrs (wife of A. Rayner) & Pevensey, -, Miss

author : Poole, John, Mr, 1786?-1872

actor : Lindon, C., Mr & Somerville, -, Mr & Herberte, -, Miss & Bircham, -, Mr

author : Johnstone, J. B., Mr

actor : Rayner, -, Mr & Dale, J., Mr & Sennett, -, Mrs & Williams, -, Miss

singer : Sennett, Ellen, Miss & Pitts, -, Miss & Kell, W. H., Mr & Harvey, -, Mr

musician : Ledger, B., Mr

trapeze artist : Parelli, -, Signor & Boutillier, Jean, Signor

dancer : Levite, Louis, Mr & Waite, -, Miss

performer : Francois, -, Monsieur