Playbill for 'The Merchant of Venice'

Another early playbill from the theatre in Richmond. The bill advertises The Merchant of Venice, with Samuel Butler as Shylock, and Miss Wallis as Portia. This is followed by Gretna Green, a musical farce that was popular in the 18th century. This playbill shows the relationship between the Richmond Race course and the theatre: the patrons for the evening are “the Right Honourable the Earl of Pomfret, and Cuthbert Johnson Esq., stewards of the races”.