Mrs. Sarah Siddons, whose début in London the previous season had been anything but successful, came to Birmingham for the summer season of 1776. Henderson, one of her colleagues here, notwithstanding the Drury Lane veto, declared that she was "an actress who never had an equal nor would ever have a superior"—an opinion quickly verified.
One of Kean's benefits was a total failure. In the last scene of the play "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," wherein allusion is made to the marriage of a lady, "Take her," said Kean, "and the Birmingham audience into the bargain."
Garrick was visiting Lord Lytton at Hagley on one occasion when news was brought that a company of players were going to perform at Birmingham. His lordship suggested that Garrick should write an address to the audience for the players. "Suppose, then," said he, "I begin thus:
"Ye sons of iron, copper, brass and steel, Who have not heads to think, nor hearts to feel."
"Oh," cried his lordship, "if you begin like that, they will hiss the players off the stage, and pull the house down." "My lord," replied Garrick, "what is the use of an address if it does not come home to the business and bosoms of the audience?"
A "Birmingham Garrick," was the name given to an actor named Henderson (1782), whose friends did not think him quite so great a tragedian as he fancied himself.
Kemble made his last appearance on the Birmingham stage July 9, 1788.
Robinson Crusoe, or Harlequin Friday, was the pantomime in 1790.
Madame Catalini first appeared at Royal in 1807.
Incledon, the famous tenor, sang here first time in same year.