“August 22nd. Heard that enemy had gone into Cadiz. We steered direct for that port. Here we remained blockading the place until the arrival of Lord Nelson in the Victory. During this time the officers and ship’s company amused themselves with dramatic performances. Our first drama, acted in the Admiral’s cabin, was as appears in the following playbill:—
This evening, September 4th, 1805, will be performed a drama called
‘LORD HASTINGS.’
- Duke of Gloucester, Mr. Hurst.
- Earl of Derby, Mr. Martin, assistant surgeon.
- Ratcliffe, Mr. Rattray.
- Catesby, Mr. Thorndyke, midshipman.
- Hastings, Lieut. Halloran.
After which will be performed a drama called
‘THE TRIUMPH OF FRIENDSHIP;
or,
DAMON AND PYTHIAS.’
- Dionysius, Mr. Hurst.
- Gelon, Lieut. Halloran.
- Palnurius, Mr. Austen.
- Argus, Mr. Rattray.
- Damon, Mr. Martin.
- Pythias, Mr. Thorndyke.
Doors to be opened at 6.30. To begin at 7.
“Wednesday, September 4th. Off Cadiz. The ship’s company also performed two or three plays on the main deck, one of them called ‘Miss in her Teens’: very well done.
“Thursday, September 12th. We acted another play, called The Siege of Colchester, in which Rattray, Wilson, Bowden, and I took part. Between the acts I recited the romance of Alonzo and Imogene. On this occasion, the Admiral’s fore-cabin being found too small to hold stage and audience both, the fore bulk-head of the cabin was taken down, and the cabin itself turned into a stage, leaving the two side doors for the stage exits, and the cabin open to the main deck. The stage being decorated with colours, festoons, wings, etc., with front lights, had a very pretty effect. The main deck, fitted up with seats, made a capacious theatre, and all the officers and ship’s company attended. All the future performances will be represented in the same manner.