Whose theatre?

Around 1800 probably in excess of twelve thousand people visited the theatre weekly. Hundreds would gather early, especially on popular nights, and when the doors finally opened there was a brutal scrum involving shoving, elbowing, fisticuffs and brute strength to pay and enter the gallery. For pickpockets, it provided almost unparalleled opportunities, and entry to the pit which was not much more civilised, also offered prime rewards. Once inside, spectators sang, whistled, stamped their feet, hollered their friends (or enemies), ate, drank and generally enjoyed themselves as raucously as they liked. It was soon hot, stuffy and smelly – almost a Saturnalia.