March 1830: Mr. Macarthy’s Benefit at the Theatre Royal, York Street; Mr. Vandenhoff at Dunlop Street

On page 3 of the Glasgow Herald Monday March 15 1830 are two theatre advertisements: one for Mr. Macarthy’s benefit at the Theatre Royal, York Street; the other for Mr. Vandenhoff, the distinguished tragedian, in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, and other roles, including Knowles’s Virginius, at the New Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street.

 

There are notices on page two of the Herald:

 

Theatre Royal, York Street – Mr. McCarthy [sic], Stage Manager, takes his Benefit this evening. Mr. McCarthy [sic] is a man of literary abilities, and a clever actor, and having a large family we trust he will meet with the support of the citizens of Glasgow on this occasion.”

 

Dunlop-Street Theatre – Since the opening of this beautiful little Theatre, Mr. Alexander has been unceasing in his efforts to gratify the public; and he has had a fair share of their patronage. – We observe, from an advertisement in another column, that the celebrated tragedian Mr. Vandenhoff is engaged, and performs to-night in one of his favourite characters. This gentleman has always been a particular favourite in Liverpool and Edinburgh, and we have no doubt his talents will also be appreciated by a Glasgow audience.”

 

John M. Vandenhoff (1790-1861) was born in Salisbury, where he made his first stage appearance in 1808. He was a favourite in Edinburgh, where he played the role of Coriolanus in 1826, Macbeth in 1826, then Cassius and Othello in 1830.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, January 2020.