1750 – The Curtain Rises

The Orchard Street Theatre opened on October 27th 1750. The prologue for the first performance, delivered with great gusto by Mr Watts, a good friend of the late John Hippisley, was as follows:

“As some young Shoot, which by the Planter's Hand, Is gently mov'd into a kinder Land;
If the warm Sunshine spread its genial Rays, Soon a fair Tree its verdant Leaves displays,
And rears with Blossoms its luxuriant Head, Whilst all the Warblers' wonton in the Shade.
'Tis Steadiness alone can fix the Root, And rip'ning Autumn gives the Golden Fruit,
But if the nipping Blast, or dead'ning Frost, Too fierce advance, the hopeful product's lost.
So will it be with Us, whose Art and Care, Have raised this Structure, to what we call fair;
With ev'ry varied Art have strove to charm, If Painting please, or Harmony can warm.
Shine forth auspicious, our Endeavours crown, And fire Us, by Success, to gain Renown.”

Clearly, these words recognised that the new venture was also in direct competition with Simpson’s establishment, which had re-opened two days earlier and continued to stage rival performances. The rivalry between the two establishments continued for over five years.