REAL LIFE IN LONDON;
or, The Rambles and Adventures of Bob Tallyho, Esq., and his Cousin, the Hon. Tom Dashall, through the Metropolis. Exhibiting a Living Picture of Fashionable Characters, Manners, Amusements in High and Low Life, by an Amateur. Embellished and Illustrated with a Series of Coloured Prints, Designed and Engraved by Messrs. Heath, Alkén, Dighton, Rowlandson, &c.
As may be readily conceived, the stage soon claimed “Tom and Jerry.” The first drama founded upon the work was from the pen of Mr. Barrymore, and thus announced in the bill:—“Royal Amphitheatre. Extraordinary Novelty and Eccentric Production. Monday, September 17, 1821, at half-past six o’clock precisely, will be presented, never acted, an entirely New, Whimsical, Local, Melo-Dramatic, Pantomimical Drama, with new scenery, dresses, and mechanical changes, founded on Pierce Egan’s popular work, which has lately engrossed the attention of all London, called ‘Life in London;’ or, Day and Night Scenes of Tom and Jerry, in their Rambles and Sprees through the Metropolis.” The piece prepared for stage representation by Mr. W. Barrymore.[30]
“Corinthian Tom, Mr. Gomersal; Jerry Hawthorn, Mr. Jones; and Bob Logic, Mr. Herring.”
The second dramatic version was written for the Olympic Theatre, by Charles Dibden, and thus set forth in the bill:—“Olympic Theatre. On Monday, November 12, 1821, and following evenings, will be presented a New Extravaganza of Fun, founded on Pierce Egan’s highly popular work, and interspersed with a variety of Airs and Graces, called “Life in London.”
“Tom (a Capital of the Corinthian Order) Mr. Baker.
“Jerry Hawthorn (out of Order, and more of the Composite than Corinthian, never intended for the Church, though fond of a Steeple-chase). Mr. Oxberry.
“Logic (a Chopping Boy, ‘full of wise saws and modern instances’)., by Mr. Vale.”