Against vain sports and pastime: The theatre dance in Philadelphia, 1724–90

Abstract

A city of flourishing arts and commerce, pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia was not only populous,l affluent, well planned, and strategically located for both commerce and politics, but also intellectually stimulating as the home of university, library, and philosophical society. In such city rich theatre life would seem likely, and yet theatrical amusements-in fact, diversions of any sort-were slow to take root in city dominated by peaceful but stern Quaker brethren. Although Philadelphia did eventually develop into major colonial theatre center, before 1749 only three newspaper notices give evidence of theatrical activity in the City of Brotherly Love.2 The very earliest theatrical notice is of interest to dance historians, for in April of 1724, Roap dancing was announced at the New Booth, the city's first theatre, located on Society Hill. Little is known about the New Booth as theatre except that it featured performances on the stage and charged for tickets in three areas: on the stage, in the pit, and in the gallery.3 Among the acts announced on this bill were a little Boy of seven years old,