Theatrical Mistakes
A LAUGHABLE blunder was made by Mrs. Gibbs, at Covent Garden Theatre, in
the season of 1823, in the part of Miss Stirling, in The Clandestine
Marriage. When speaking of the conduct of Betty, who had locked the
door of Miss Fanny's room, and walked away with the key, Mrs. G. said,
She had locked the key, and carried away the door in her pocket.
Mrs. Davenport, as Mrs. Heidelberg, had previously excited a hearty
laugh, by substituting for the original dialogue, I protest there's a
candle coming along the gallery with a man in his hand; but the
mistake by Mrs. Gibbs seemed to be so unintentional, so unpremeditated,
that the effect was irresistible; and the audience, celebrated the joke
with three rounds of applause.