Oil picture. 15 by 10¾ in.
Sadler’s Wells, between the New River Head and St. John Street Road,
Islington, was so called from a spring of mineral water discovered
there by a man named Sadler, who in 1683 opened a music-room connected
with it. In course of time rope dancing, tumbling, pantomime, and
other entertainments took place there. About 1790 it became a theatre,
being still among fields. The New River flowed by, and water was
introduced from it to a large tank beneath the floor of the stage—used
for naval spectacles, etc.
Here in 1832 T. P. Cooke made his first appearance as William in
“Black-Eyed Susan.” The theatre fell into disrepute, but was revived
by Phelps who, 1844-62, made it “the home of the legitimate drama.”
Closed for some years, it was rebuilt in 1879, and for a short time
was under the management of Mrs. Bateman. This picture agrees with
the view of the old house in Wilkinson’s “Londina Illustrata.”
By R. C. ANDREWS, 1792.
_Lent by the Hon. Lady Lyttelton._