A theatre fit for a Queen

Take a comfortable, new theatre, add a fabulous production (Richard III) by a talented author (William Shakespeare) and a great cast. Sprinkle on a bit of stardust in the way of costumes and scenery. But is it enough? How about reminding readers that the stage is “one of the best schools for Morality”? Even Queen Victoria approved, she was amused and enlightened. If it passed muster with the monarch, then how could the people of this rural area resist… especially given their connection with the famous son of strolling players.

The Shakespearean actor Stephen Kemble was born in this Herefordshire market town of Kington.

Stephen Kemble (c) Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund

With a cast from a range of regional theatres and London, it seems hastily assembled, a little like a scratch performance of a musical work today.

Kemble was best known during his acting days for the part of Falstaff, before he became one of the most successful theatre managers of the 18th century English stage - establishing himself in Newcastle-upon-Tyne by the close of the century.

In this playbill some twenty years after Kemble’s death, we see a fellow theatre manager back in his home town of Kington, trying his very best to draw audiences into his newly-refurbished theatre.

The playbill represents Kington theatre manager Mr Clifford’s 'pitch' for his newly renovated and 'commodious', theatre staging Richard III in 1842.

With a cast from a range of regional theatres and London, it seems hastily assembled, a little like a scratch performance of a musical work today.

The season is short because this touring company has 'an imperative… to visit other provincial towns'. But the entertainment on offer is top-notch both in the choice of plays and players, some of whom feature from various Theatre Royals across the country – including Kemble’s Newcastle.

The moral probity and respectability of the venture is emphasized as a suitable pursuit for leisure hours – theatre going is so respectable that even the Queen and the Royal Family patronise the theatre.

Queen Victoria had been on the throne for five years, been married and had given birth to two of her nine children. She loved the theatre and during her reign lots of theatres were built. However her tastes ran mainly to lighter comedies and melodramas.

The young Queen found Hamlet difficult to understand, and deplored King Lear’s madness. However she made an exception for the play featured on this playbill, Richard III, which she spoke of as a 'fine, heart-stirring play'. No doubt Mr Clifford, the manager of the theatre in Kington would agree.