We use cookies to improve your experience, some are essential for the operation of this site.
Tragedy of Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd
You searched for: More Like: 'The ballad of Lizzie Higgins'
of 12

Tragedy of Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd

Historic Documents
Leo Franks
This item is active and ready to use
Tragedy of Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd
Historic Documents
488
Tragedy of Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd
This broadside advertises a play on Saturday 20th November 1813 at the Theatre Royal on Marischal Street. The play is Douglas; or, The Noble Shepherd. Printed locally by John Booth of North Street, the broadside modestly declares the play to be of equal quality to any production outside of London.

Accompanying the play were comical songs, a ballad, and a reworking of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew by David Garrick, titled Catharine & Petruchio.

The broadside indicates locations that tickets may be bought, the "Public Library" and the "Musical Repository", and other productions available for viewing. The play's cheapest ticket, for the gallery, cost 1 shilling. This was approximately half a shilling shy of the cost of a loaf of bread (Aberdeen Journal, 7th July 1813).

Douglas was a five-act tragedy authored by John Homes. Performed first in 1756 Edinburgh, it was a resounding success, with productions put on across the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, travelling as far a field as North America. That being said, that week's edition of Aberdeen's Journal only gave the announcement of the play's arrival one line, buried in the third page.

The play's contents was often changed by Home, depending on its audience. The play examines the deep tension between Scotland's people and its nationhood, particularly in regard to Scotland's cultural independence from Britain. On the play's first night in 1756, the play so inspired one playgoer with patriotism that he shouted "Whar's yer Wully Shakespeare noo!" in the middle of the performance. (Megan Stoner Morgan, Scottish Literary Review, vol. 4, no. 1 (2012)).

The play also left a deep impression on the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher David Hume. Regarding the broadside, it is interesting to note that Douglas, not the Shakespearean comedy, was the headline act.

The play's protagonist, Douglas, is played by an H. Johnston, most likely a 36-year-old Henry Erskine Johnston. A portrait of him playing the title role is held at the National Portrait Gallery. Impressively, he also serves as Petruchio in Garrick's Catherine & Petruchio. Likewise, other actors play characters in both productions.
Broadside
HD04_16
Theatre Notice
Aberdeen Local Studies
Yes
Other Items Like This
Treasure 22: Aberdeen Public Library - Children's Book Week Programme, May 1945