" Our Theatre closed on Monday Evening with the benefit of Mr. BRUNTON, under the worthy patronage of our worthy Chief Magistrate, JOHN HARRIS, Esq.; and the house as we anticipated was fully and fashionably attended on the occasion, - The feelings of the manager must have been highly gratified with the loud and repeated peals of applause with which he and his daughter were greeted on their entrance; indeed many minutes elapsed ere their enthusiastic admirers ceased their loud plaudits of delight and approbation.
".... -Between the Play and Interlude, Mr. BRUNTON came forward, and, in a neat and very appropriate speech, thanked his Friends and the Public, for the liberal patronage, kindness and support received by him, since he had had the pleasure of conducting the management of the Theatre, and at the same time, announced that he had made such arrangements with Mr. BENETT, the Proprietor , that he should have the honor of appearing before them next season, - which information was hailed by the whole house with loud and reiterated cheers.
"The delighted audience, after giving three cheers to the Mayor, unanimously called, a second time , for 'God save the King,' which was sung by the corps dramatique, and, in the chorus of our national air every one in the house appeared to join hand and voice."
Our theatre, our worthy Chief Magistrate, our national air! The Flying Post's and the theatre audience's commitment to civic and national harmony and unity is palpable. Was it justified? No, of course not, George IV was hardly a popular figure, but Yes, in the sense that what people tell themselves is real, has real consequences. There might be no harm in again our singing 'God save the Queen' at least once at the end of a visit to our theatre. Twice might be too much!
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