Theatre
Blowing up the Pic Nic's; - or - Harlequin Quixotte attacking the puppets (D12786) shows an attack by professional actors, led by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, on the amateur performers of the Pic Nic Society. Sheridan, often in heavy debt, felt that the performances of these wealthy amateurs amounted to unfair competition. The tricolour cockade in his hat reflects his earlier support for the French Revolution, but may also symbolise his antagonism towards the wealthy and titled performers on stage. As always, Gillray seems to treat the professional and amateur actors equally satirically.
'Blowing up the Pic Nic's; - or - Harlequin Quixotte attacking the puppets'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 2 April 1802
NPG D12786
'Despair' (Richard Bateman Robson; John Horne Tooke; Thomas Tyrwhitt Jones; Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 8 April 1802
NPG D12787
'Hope' (William Dickinson; Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool; Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 8 April 1802
NPG D12788
'The Pic-Nic orchestra'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 23 April 1802
NPG D12789
' - "All Bond-Street trembled as he strode" - '
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 8 May 1802
NPG D12790
William Pitt ('The national parachute, - or - John Bull conducted to plenty and emancipation')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 10 July 1802
NPG D12791
Joseph Wall ('Governor Wall's ghost!')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
published 21 July 1802
NPG D12792