The History of Oswestry / Comprising the British, Saxon, Norman, and English eras; the topography of the borough; and its ecclesiastical and civic history; with notices of botany, geology, statistics, angling, and biography: to which are added sketches of the environs

by William Cathrall

THE THEATRE

Is a small neat building in Willow-Street, but is not often occupied. It is the property of William Ormsby Gore, Esq., who, when he built it, doubtless considered he was providing means of rational entertainment for the inhabitants. But Melpomene and Thalia have lost their charms in this district; and the immortal works of Shakspeare, Jonson, Fletcher, Massinger, Colman, Sheridan, Knowles, Bulwer, and others, are doomed to shed their fragrance only in the library or study. Thirty years ago the acted drama was deemed a genial and instructive amusement, and the boxes, pit, and gallery of Oswestry Theatre were frequently crowded with fashionable and attentive audiences. About the period to which we refer the Theatre was under the careful and clever management of Mr. Charles Stanton, who, with his family, “gained golden opinions,” and a more than decent competence, by his histrionic labours. During the time he presided over the Thespian realm, he succeeded in attaching to his corps theatrique many ladies and gentlemen of talent and high principle, who afterwards figured with advantage in more extended spheres of their profession; and whilst he held the reins of government, he deserved and received the good opinion of his supporters. After having thus briefly adverted to theatricals in Oswestry, it will not be inappropriate to mention, that on no occasion, perhaps, in the history of provincial dramatic performances, were more brilliant and exhilarating scenes displayed than in 1822, when a number of ladies and gentlemen, most of them residents of the town or neighbourhood, kindly volunteered their services as dramatis personæ in a series of dramatic productions. Three performances were determined upon, that a fund might be raised for establishing in the town a Public Library. The first took place February 15th, when the comedy of “Speed the Plough,” and the afterpiece of “The Review,” were presented. An original Prologue, from the pen of William Ormsby Gore, Esq., was spoken by the characters. The receipts of the night were £76 12s. 6d. On the evening of May 23rd, in the same year, Colman’s comedy of “The Heir at Law,” and the afterpiece of “The Review,” were performed. Mr. Alderman Salisbury, a hale octogenarian, spoke a Prologue to the play, attributed to Garrick. Colman’s Epilogue was spoken by the characters. The receipts on this occasion were £47. The third performance, May 25th, consisted of “Speed the Plough,” and the afterpiece of “High Life below Stairs.” Receipts £24. The late J. F. M. Dovaston, Esq., who had taken much interest in these performances, wrote a Prologue to “The Heir at Law,” and it was intended that he should enact the part of Lord Duberly, and deliver his own witty effusion. Some differences, however, arose, and he did not therefore take any part in the performances. Although the total receipts amounted to the handsome sum of £147 12s. 6d., yet the expense of scenery, &c., exhausted nearly all the fund, and the original design, of establishing a Public Library, failed.

Mr. Dovaston’s Prologue is given in his volume of Poems, published in 1825. It forms part of the literary history of Oswestry, and we therefore make no apology for transferring it to our pages:—

“PROLOGUE,

“To a Play for the Benefit of a Public Library; spoken in the character of
Lord Duberly (formerly Old Daniel Dowlas, the Grocer).

Oswestry Theatre, 1822.

“Though here I struts, a lord so great and gay,
I was but tallow-chandler t’other day;
I’ve riches, dress, good dinners, rank, and station,
But what are all these without headication?
If I dines out, and says but aye or no, Sir,
As sure as figs is figs—out peeps the Grocer.
I sees as clear as is in glass or varnish,
Wealth without larnin is—but tawdry tarnish:
Poor men, of Manners, Sense, and Wit all handy,
Are to Society—bright Sugar-candy;
While ev’n in Senate, Bar, Church, Tabernacle,
Brass without Brains is—Brimstone without Treacle.
“I to the Playhouse goes, to see their vainery,
And (tho’ enraptured with their fine new Scenery)
I knows not what their wit or weeping takes there,
Nor what they means by Sheridan or Shakspeare.
“We’ve got no Books—and this our show’s all brib’ry
To ax good-natur’d folks to fill our Librey.
We gives books to the poor—and all approves them;
Then why not by example shew we loves them?
“Knowledge, in this world’s counting-house’s mass,
Is good store candle, mould, or brilliant gas,
To keep our day-book faithful; which, when furl’d,
Will post us fitter for a future world.”

It is worthy of notice also, that in the same year in which the performances were given in behalf of a Public Library, the celebrated actor, distinguished as “The Young Roscius,” Mr. William Henry West Betty, appeared on the Oswestry Stage, and played several of his popular characters. Mr. Betty soon afterwards retired from public life; and for many years past has been residing in London, having earned a handsome fortune, enjoying his otium cum dignitate. He was a native of Shrewsbury, and in right of his mother was heir to the extensive estate of Hopton Wafers, in Shropshire.