Letters and Journals of Lord Byron
Lord Byron to William Sotheby, 15 September 1815
“Sept. 15, 1815. Piccadilly Terrace.
“DEAR SIR,
“‘Ivan’ is accepted, and will be put in progress on Kean’s arrival.
“The theatrical gentlemen have a confident hope of its
success. I know not that any alterations for the stage will be necessary; if any, they
will be trifling, and you shall be duly apprized. I would suggest that you should not
attend any except the latter rehearsals—the managers have requested me to state this to
you. You can see them, viz., Dibdin and Rae, whenever you please, and I will do any thing you wish
to be done on your suggestion, in the mean time.
“Mrs. Mardyn is not
yet out, and nothing can be determined till she has made her appearance—I mean as to her
capacity for the part you
626 | NOTICES OF THE | A. D. 1815. |
mention, which I take it for
granted is not in Ivan—as I think Ivan may be performed very well without her. But of that
hereafter.
“Ever yours, very truly,
Byron.
“P.S. You will be glad to hear that the season has begun
uncommonly well—great and constant houses—the performers in much harmony with the
Committee and one another, and as much good-humour as can be preserved in such
complicated and extensive interests as the Drury-lane proprietary.”
Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841)
Actor and playwright said to have composed nearly two thousand songs; in 1815 he became
manager at Drury-Lane while Byron was on the steering committee.
Edmund Kean (1787-1833)
English tragic actor famous for his Shakespearean roles.
Charlotte Mardyn (1789 c.-1825 fl.)
An actress at Drury-Lane of unsavory reputation rumored to have eloped with Byron in
1815.
Alexander Rae (1782-1820)
English actor who first appeared at Drury Lane in 1812; he became manager upon the death
of James Grant Raymond in 1817.
William Sotheby (1757-1833)
English man of letters; after Harrow he joined the dragoons, married well, and published
Poems (1790) and became a prolific poet and translator,
prominent in literary society.