SLHS Theatre2 - Jubilee Booth

● These items have aspects that uniquely contribute to national or world history.

A Publicity Plan

John Payton, the flamboyant proprietor of the White Lion Pub, reminded Stratford’s Council that it was soon to be 200 years since the birth of their playwright and whilst his name was known for dramatic stage plays it wasn’t celebrated.

He contacted a number of people in the London theatre scene to see what could be done.

David Garrick

David Garrick was a mild mannered and very respected stage actor. His performances were revered by the public. He very much enjoyed the works of Shakespeare and so when he was approached he readily agreed to take charge.

Going Forward

In his own lifetime Garrick became one of Britain’s greatest actors - these days we’d call him a star. The town conferred upon him Freedom Of The Town Of Stratford-upon-Avon.

He retired and when died he was the first actor to be buried in Westminster Abbey -on Poet’s Corner no less.

Indeed, his acting and influence was so great that many memorials to him exist to this day.

To return to Master page click on ‘Theatres’ above.

Construction Of The Jubilee Booth 1769

A Jubilee ticket.  Note who signed this.

Click icon for more..

Garrick’s Idea

Garrick was aware of the spectacular rococo rotunda theatre in Ranelagh Gardens, Chelsea, which could hold up to 1000 spectators in comfort (see below). It had been used by Mozart and painted by Caneletto. When no longer needed it’s magnificent organ was moved to Evesham’s All Saints Church.

David proposed a massive three day festival with its centrepiece being an octagonal building like his favourite Rotunda. Events were to happen all around the town.

Discussions were held and as word spread it was realised that the town needed to be spruce up. Many of the tired oak façades were replaced by more modern looking brick and most of the willows in the Recreation Ground were felled to allow the fireworks to be seen (this was abortive as the downpour had dampened them and they wouldn’t light !)

Birthday Bard

A Great Festival

It true to say that organising so many events and such a large new building in such a short space of time did not seem to be in the town’s gift but they had some ideal land by the river on which to stage it. In the end the event was 5½ years late.

The land was stabilised, the new multi-storey booth was constructed and acts were booked.

Publicity went out to cities around the country. Transport was laid on. Every hotel, guest house and put me up was booked for the service.

Jubilee Booth

On 6th September 1769 Garrick opened the festivities with a 30 canon salute ! Speeches were made and drinks served. The tickets cost One Guinea -a vast amount of money in those days. Everyone agreed that the performances were worthy (actually no Shakespeare was performed but we’ll skip that).

In a speech made on the second day Garrick thanked the Shakespeare Ladies Club for “restoring Shakespeare to the Stage".

Sadly by the third day the intermittent rain had become a deluge and most people deserted the then washed out event. However it set a course for fame, fortune and eventual ‘Bardolatory’ for the little town.

David Garrick delivers his impassioned speech to Shakespeare at the statue sculpted by John Cheere.

Future Set

The Garrick Pub by the Town Hall

Statue on Town Hall (restored)

Interior - a painting in Stratford Town Hall on the staircase

Click on picture to go to a full page view.

You will need to hit ‘Back’ to return here.

Construction

O heaven, that one might read the book of fate and see the revolution of the times

Banks Of River Avon - 6-8th September 1769 five years too late to be called a centenary !

Click on either picture to go to a full page view.

You will need to hit ‘Back’ to return here.

The Rotunda at Ranelagh Gardens, Chelsea 1769

Festival Highlights

According to the V&A:

1. “The first day of celebrations went well, with processions and a performance of Thomas Arne’s oratorio Judith at Holy Trinity Church, conducted by the composer. At night there were fireworks and a display of transparencies (paintings on silk back-lit by lamps) which showed scenes from Shakespeare’s plays.
   

2. By the second day, heavy rain had set in; the intended pageant could not take place and it was too wet for more fireworks. However, Garrick performed his Dedication Ode with great success, and there was a masquerade ball with dancing until dawn, when the rising river forced revelers to abandon the Rotunda. The wooden building was surrounded by water and came close to collapse when it settled in the soft earth. The rain stopped at noon on the final day and the horse racing went ahead despite the waterlogged ground. More fireworks and dancing rounded off the event.
   

3. Garrick lost £2,000 on the event, but offset his losses by writing a play, The Jubilee, in which the rained-off pageant featured. It was staged in London at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1769 and 1770 and had spectacular success.”

Criticisms

It is true to say that a great deal of the event was about Garrick himself and his colleagues. Indeed no Shakespeare was spoken here at all. That would have to wait until one of the minor celebrations of 1830. There were hundreds of criticisms written. Charles Dibdin had composed some of the most popular scores and he described how shamefully transparent it was:

1. “The whole business was concerted to levy contributions on his friends, retainers, dependents and the public in general for no other motive upon earth than to fill his own pockets…
   

2. The tomb of Shakespeare was stript of laurels to adorn the brow of Garrick’.
   

3. See Aftermath of the Jubilee below