Excerpt from The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A. M, Vol. 2 of 4: Sometimes Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford; From October 14th, 1735 to October 24th, 1790

On Friday, avast multitude of spectators were assembled in the Moot-hall, to see this. It was believed, there could not be less than fifteen hundred people, some hundreds of whom sat on rows of seats, built upon the stage. Soon after the Comedians had begun the first act of the play, on a sudden all those seats fell down at once, the sup porters of them breaking like a rotten stick. The people were thrown one upon another, about five feet forward, but not one of them hurt. After a short time, the 'rest of the spectators were quiet, and the ao tors went ou. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats gave a crack, and sunk several inches down. A great noise and shrieking followed, and as many as could readily get to the door, went out and returned no more. Notwithstanding this, when the noise was over, the actors went on with the play. In the beginning of the third act, the entire stage suddenly sunk about six inches. The players retired with great precipitation: yet in a while they be gan again. At the latter end of the third act, all the six-penny seats, without any kind of notice, fell to the ground. There was now a cry on every side, it being supposed, that many were crushed in pieces. But upon inquiry, not a single person (such was the mercy of God i) was either killed or dangerously hurt. Two or three hundred re mained still in the Hall. Mr. Este (who was to act the Methodist) came upon the stage and told them, For all this, he was resolved the Farce should be acted. While he was Speaking, the stage sunk six inches more on which he ran back in the utmost confusion, and the people as fast as they could out of the door, none staying to look behind him.

Which is most surprising, That those players acted this farce the next week? Or, that some hundreds of people came again to see it 9.

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