A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Table Entertainment

by William Henry Husk

TABLE ENTERTAINMENT. A species of performance consisting generally of a mixture of narration and singing delivered by a single individual seated behind a table facing the audience. When or by whom it was originated seems doubtful. George Alexander Steevens gave, about 1765, entertainments in which he was the sole performer, but such were probably rather lectures than table entertainments. In May 1775, R. Baddeley, the comedian (the original Moses in 'The School for Scandal'), gave an entertainment at Marylebone Gardens, described as 'an attempt at a sketch of the times in a variety of caricatures, accompanied with a whimsical and satirical dissertation on each character'; and in the June following George Saville Carey gave at the same place 'A Lecture on Mimicry,' in which he introduced imitations of the principal theatrical performers and vocalists of the period. John Collins, an actor, in 1775 gave in London a table-entertainment, written by himself, called 'The Elements of Modern Oratory,' in which he introduced imitations of Garrick and Foote. After giving it for 42 times in London he repeated it in Oxford, Cambridge, Belfast, Dublin, and Birmingham. He subsequently gave, with great success, an entertainment, also written by himself, called 'The Evening Brush,' containing several songs which became very popular; among them the once well-known 'Chapter of Kings'—'The Romans in England once held sway, etc.'^[1] Charles Dibdin commenced in 1789 a series of table entertainments in which song was the prominent feature, and which he continued with great success until 1801. Dibdin's position as a table entertainer was unique. He united in himself the functions of author, composer, narrator, singer, and accompanyist. [See Dibdin, Charles, in which article it was by mistake stated that Dibdin was the originator of this class of entertainment.] On April 3, 1816, the elder Charles Mathews gave, at the Lyceum Theatre, his 'Mail Coach Adventures,' the first of a series of table-entertainments which he continued to give for many years, and with which he achieved an unprecedented success. Into these his wonderful power of personation enabled him to introduce a new feature. After stooping behind his table he quickly reappeared with his head and shoulders in costume, representing to the life some singular character. The old Scotch-woman, the Thames waterman, and the Milton-struck ironmonger were a few only of such personations. Mathews's success led to similar performances by others. Foremost among these were the comedians John Reeve and Frederick Yates, whose forte was imitation of the principal actors of the day. W. S. Woodin gave for several seasons, with very great success, table-entertainments at the Lowther Rooms, King William Street, Strand; a place now known as Toole's Theatre.—Henry Phillips, the bass singer, and John Wilson, the Scotch tenor, gave similar entertainments, of a more closely musical kind: and Edney, the Frasers, and others, have followed in their wake. [See Phillips, Henry; and Wilson, John.]

[ W. H. H. ]

1. See a copy of the words in 'Notes and Queries' for 1866.