COURT OF COMMISSIONERS, BASINGHALL-STREET, TUESDAY, JAN. 22.

Summary

Trial report about the bankruptcy of Mr. Monck Mason. Among the creditors, Signora Tosi's claim was contested. "The bankrupt opposed the claim, on the ground that the lady had committed a breach of her contract by refusing to play in a new opera, in which a man's part was allotted to her." "Mr. WILCOX appeared to support the claim of the lady. He contended that by the terms of the contract Signora Tosi was not called upon to appear in man's attire. The learned gentleman cited a decree that had been passed in Milan, by which ladies were not to be called on to appear in male attire or take male parts. The lady, when she saw the part that was allotted to her, threw up her engagement on the ground that her contract with Mr. Mason had been infringed." "Mr. Commissioner WILLIAMS said he had frequently seen prima donnas in male attire; if the lady had a good ankle she might have been engaged to "draw," as it is termed."

Full Title

23 Jan 1833. COURT OF COMMISSIONERS, BASINGHALL-STREET, TUESDAY, JAN. 22. Times p. 4 c. A.

Publication

Full Record

Date

23 January 1833

Provisional Category

Breeches Actor

Cross-dressing activity

Work

Cross-dressing occupation

Actor

Locations

WestminsterView on map

Primary source topic

Dressed as a man; Theatre; Legal proscription

Item format

Trial report

Motive

Livelihood

Attire

Breeches part

Sex Perceived by Others

Female

Sex Perceived by Recorder

Female

Racialization

Unmarked

Tone of Report

Neutral

People Mentioned in This Record

• Tosi(Subject of study)Mentions