Packet Boat," acted 1794 ; "The Adopted Child," 1795; "The Smugglers," 1796; Fast Asleep," 1797; condemned, to wake no more! These are all musical entertainments, and, except the last, were produced on benefit nights. As the author generously takes a considerable number of tickets on the occasion, he always finds some eminent performer ready and willing to accept his services. BIRCHALL, (Miss) actress, a great favorite at Stirbitch, where she is the heroine in tragedy. BLAKES, (Mr.) actor, was a peruke-maker by trade. His forte lay in personating the French fop or valet, which he did with consummate chasteness and accuracy. He died in May 1763. See Fleetwood. Mr. S. Kemble, was determined to keep him, if possible, sober, till the first night was over. He accordingly brought him home to dinner, and leaving a proper allowance of wine before him, took his usual nap; but Tomi, having finished his pint of Port, made free with a bottle of brandy on the sideboard. The manager awoke, found his guest insensible, and was obliged to dismiss an overflowing house! This unfortunate, but excellent comedian, finished his days in Dublin. At BLANCHARD,(WILLIAM) actor, is a native of York, born in 1769, where his uncle is an eminent printer, and proprietor of a newspaper, to whom the nephew was apprenticed. the age of seventeen, he left his uncle, and, under an assumed name, joined a company of comedians, when his success was so great, that he resumed his own name, and became a theatrical hero. In 1793, he was engaged by the manager of Norwich. His first appearance in London was at Covent Garden, Oct. 1, 1800, when he performed in both play and farce-Acres, (Rivals), and Crack, (Turnpike Gate). He is a married man, with a family. BLANCHARD, (THOMAS) actor, being of theatrical parentage, was brought up to the stage from his infancy, and introduced to the public in juvenile characters. His munly representations were at Plymouth, Exeter, &c. and his abilities soon recommended him to the Bath managers, where he became a favourite performer. He here married Miss Wright, formerly of Drury Lane Theatre. In 1787, he accepted an engagement, which had been repeatedly offered, at Covent Garden, and his first appearance on this stage was in Hodge, (Love in a Vil-sister's departure from the Irish lage). He acquired considerable fame; but an unfortunate attachment to the bottle, deprived him of this and other situations, and he was, at length, BLAND, (Mr.) actor, brother to Mrs. Jordan, (which see); he was in St. Patrick's choir, Dub. lin, but left that kingdom on his stage. He became actor in the country, and made his first appearance at Drury Lane, in Se bastian, (Twelfth Night), Feb. 10, 1790. He married Miss obliged to accept of an engage-Romanzini, of the same theatre, ment at the Circus. Being invited to Edinburgh, the manager, and was a member of the Hay. quence quence of a separation from his wife, he retired from the London boards, and, occasionally, performs at provincial theatres. BLAND, (Mrs.)actress,maiden name Romanzini, is daughter of || Jewess, and was articled to the Royal Circus, having, while young, discovered a fine voice. She gradually acquired fame, and soon became the greatest favourite of the place. On the expiration of her articles, she aspired to a regular stage, and was engaged by the Dublin manager, where she was well received, though not always brought forward in those chaPacters which were most adapted to her abilities. She succeeded Mrs. Wrighten at Drury Lane, and soon became a favourite with the public. The succeeding summer season, she was employed at Liverpool; but was afterwards engaged for that period by Mr. Colman. This lady, both as actress and singer, affords much pleasure; an unfortunate malady, occasioned by the accidental loss of a child, for about two seasons, deprived the public of her performances. BLISSET, (Mr.) actor, was (and indeed deservedly) a great favourite on the Bath stage; but, having acquired a competency for life, he has lately retired from the profession. He was, however, persuaded to accept of a temporary engagement at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in' 1803, where he made his appearance in the arduous character of Falstaff (Henry IV). Notwithstanding this character had been the preceding winter attempted by Mr. S. Kemble (who, in truth, looked the part in corpulence, being," ayé, as fat as but ter,") and by Mr. R. Palmer, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, yet the superiority must be given to Mr. Blisset; whose chaste and just representation of the knight, had not only the nearest alliance to Quin's, but tended most to convey to the mind those beauties of Shakespeare, which so enraptured the Queen of his day. BOADEN, (JAMES) dramatist, was born at Whitehaven, Cumberland, May 23, 1762. His father, the late Mr. Wm. Boaden, was many years in the Russia trade. Young Boaden, when very young, was brought to London, and placed in the counting-house of Peter Perchard, Esq. alderman for Candlewick Ward. He wrote " Osmyn and Daraxa," a musical entertainment, 1793; "Fontainville Forest," tragedy, 1795; "The Italian Monk," musical drama, 1798; "Aurelio and Miranda," drama, 1799; "The Voice of Nature, play, 1802; the ori-' ginal piece is French, and the story is the Judgment of Solomon. It was intended for Covent Garden, by Mrs. Inchbald; but the success of Mr. Boaden's piece at the Haymarket, prevented this second translation. The author of "The Voice of Nature" was, however, so polite as not to publish his piece till 1803, And "The Maid of Bristol,"play, 1803. His plays are generally founded on popular romances. This gentleman was the first who attacked the MSS. which were imposed upon the public as Shakspeare's, and in a spirited and well-written pamphlet, 1796, anticipated the most considerable remarks that were afterwards made by Mr. Malone in a vo luminous luminous work on the same subject. BODENS, (CHARLES) author of a comedy called "The Modish Couple," 1732: which was reduced to an afterpiece, and acted for Mrs. Yates's benefit, 1760, under the title of Marriage A-la-mode." He had a commission in the foot guards, and for many years, was one of the gentlemen-ushers to George II. seventeen, when about to be sent to the University, he eloped from school, and went over to Ireland with Mr. Ashbury, then master of the company at Dublin. Here he was soon distinguished by his theatrical abilities, and after a stay of three seasons, he returned to England, and was recommended to Mr. Betterton. His first character on the English stage was MaxiBOLOGNA, (Sen. and Jun.) mus, in the tragedy of "Valen actors of pantomime, to which tinian" in this and other parts the whole family have been he acquired considerable fame brought up. Mr. Bologna, jun. which was afterwards stamped is the chief support of the Cir- by his performance in the trage cus, where he has long practised.dy of " Cato," which He is, at present, the motley hero of Covent Garden. BOND, (WILLIAM) altered and revised a play written by a gentleman deceased, called, The Tuscan Treaty; or, Tarquin's Overthrow," 1753. Mr. Hill gave him his tragedy of "Zara," which, having been offered to the managers of both theatres, and delayed for two years, was acted at the GreatRoom, in York-buildings, for the benefit of Mr. Bond, who, himself, represented Lusignan; but, was brought on the stage in 1712, His reputation procured him a share in the management of the theatre, and a new licence being procured, his name was added to those of Cibber, Wilkes, and Dogget; but the last gentleman was so chagrined at the addition that he threw up his share. He was now in the highest reputation as an actor; but his health beginning to decline, though only in the thirty-third year of his age, he could not perform as often as usual, and, consequent being in a very weak state, hely, when he did, he drew crowdfainted on the stage, was carried' home in his chair, and died next morning, 1735. BOOTH, (BARTON) actor, who chiefly excelled in tragedy, was born in the county palatine of Lancaster, 1681. He was put to Westminster-school at the age of nine years, where he soon discovered an excellent genius. His first theatrical attempt was in a Latin play at school, which gained him universal applause, and gave him an inclination for the stage. He was intended for the church; but at the age of ed audiences. He died of a complication of distempers, May, 10, 1733. See Harper. BOOTH, (Mrs.) actress, has, for some time, filled the characters of trifling old women, at Drury Lane and the Haymarket. Her husband, who is a taylor, is employed at the former house. BOWDEN, (W.) actor, was born in Manchester, where he was put an apprentice to a cotton manufacturer. After he had served his apprenticeship, he set up business for himself; but, not meeting with the expected sucE 2 cess, |