The theatres of the eighteenth century often suffered from audience riots, and popular dancers failing to appear was often the trigger event.
An example is recounted in the 'Life of Mr James Quin', [1] Quin was a well-known actor-manager who retired to Bath.
"A new pantomime brought out at Drury Inne Theatre, which was to end with a grand dance; Madam Chateauneuf, the head dancer at that time was to have been the principal performer; but she being taken ill, the dance was necessarily set aside, though the managers published her name three successive nights, without making any apology for the omission. The first night the audience remained pretty quict: the second, they only hissed; but on the third night, they ushered out the ladies and began demolishing the house. The first motion that was made, and by a noble marquis, was to fire it, but that being carried in the negative, they began with the orchestra, broke the harpsichord and bass viols, together with the looking glasses, scenes and chandeliers, pulled up the benches in the pit, broke down the boxes, and even the royal arms."
Madam Chateauneuf was born in France on 15 April. 1721 and was orphaned while very young. She was adopted and brought up by. a dancer named Chateauneuf, who later married her.
She first appeared in London under the name "Mlle" Chateauneuf, dancing in the French company managed by Francisque Moylin, which played at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket about 116 times from 26 October 1734 through 3 June 1735. How many times did Mlle Chateauneuf dance that season is not recorded
1. Quin, James. The Life of Mr. James Quin, Comedian, with the History of the Stage from His Commencing Actor to His Retreat to Bath Illustrated with Many Curious and Interesting Anecdotes of Several Persons of Distinction, Literature and Gallantry. To Which Is Added a Supplement of Original Facts and Anecdotes Arranged from Authentic Sources Together with His Trial for the Murder of Mr. Bowen. London: Reader, 1887. Print.
