WXDA Record #1152
No title.
22 October 1802
Summary
Antisemitic and (probably) homophobic account of a performance of The Merchant of Venice at a boys school in Reading. "It is no great accomplishment in a youth about to enter the world, to be able to mimic the pronunciation of a Jew, or to run away with a Jew's daughter [Portia] upon the Stage. The young gentlemen who perform in petticoats are not likely to derive much advantage from their successful efforts in effeminacy; nor is any preparatory school necessary to educate our youth in this way for the world. The sentiments of grown characters must often be misplaced and dangerous in childish mouths. The Stage is for men and is often found to corrupt even them. For boys to learn to lisp love, or to mouth passion, appears, in our present morals at least superfluous and unnecessary."
Full Title
22 Oct 1802. No title. Times p. 2 c. D.
Publication
Times of London(Times)
Full Record
- Date
- 22 October 1802
- Locations
- ReadingView on map
- Primary source topic
- Dressed as a woman; Theatre
- Item format
- News report; Editorial
- Attire
- Petticoats; Theatrical
- Social rank
- Gentry
- Sex Perceived by Others
- Male
- Sex Perceived by Recorder
- Male
- Sexuality
- Homosexuality
- Tone of Report
- Negative
- Venue
- Preparatory School
- Report Scope
- Central
- Column(s)
- D
- Page Numbers