The Stage Mutiny

by John Laguerre, printmaker
1733

Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University Library, Folio 75 H67 800 v.1 (Oversize)

Satire on the dispute between the managers of the Drury Lane Theatre and its players. Seated on the far right and smiling with his bags of money is former theatre manage Colley Cibber, who had sold his shares in the theatre to John Highmore (to the left, holding a scroll lettered "it cost £6000"). Behind him stand two women: on the right, weeping, is Hester Booth, widow of the former patentee Barton Booth who died on 10 May 1733, and to the left holding a banner lettered "We'l starve em out" is Mary Wilks, who had inherited her husband Robert Wilks's share of the patent in 1732. At the centre, challenging Highmore, stands Theophilus Cibber in his role as Pistol (Henry IV and V). At the back of the scene is the sign of the Rose, which was located at the corner of Brydges Street and Russel Street next to the theatre. Perched on the signboard is a monkey holding a flag lettered "I am a Gentleman" (quoting Highmore).