A Buz in a Box, or the Poet in a Pet–with a Chip of the Block; mounted on Papa's Pegasus, vide opening of New Drury Lane Theatre
London's Drury Lane Theatre reopened in 1812 after a damaging fire, and a few days later, on October 15th, the evening performance was disrupted when G. F. Busby stepped onto the stage from an adjacent box and began to recite a "Monologue Addressed to the Management of the Drury Land Theatre." That text had been written by his father, Thomas Busby, who also appears in this print standing in a third tier box. The latter had submitted his monologue to the theater reopening committee but it had not been given serious consideration. Both Busbys were soon drowned out by the audience and Busby junior was escorted from the stage by a constable. Attempt to conciliate public opinion, the management then published "The Genuine Rejected Addresses Presented to the Management for Drury-Lane Theatre: preceded by that written by Lord Byron, and adopted by the Committee (1812).
Artwork Details
- Title: A Buz in a Box, or the Poet in a Pet–with a Chip of the Block; mounted on Papa's Pegasus, vide opening of New Drury Lane Theatre
- Artist: Charles Williams (British, active 1797–1830)
- Publisher: S. W. Fores (London)
- Subject: Thomas Busby (British, 1754–1838)
- Subject: G. F. Busby (British, active 1812)
- Date: October 21, 1812
- Medium: Etching, hand colored
- Dimensions: Sheet: 10 9/16 × 14 1/16 in. (26.9 × 35.7 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.888-249
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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