A playbill (180 mm x 340 mm approx) on pink paper, advertising Miss Clara Seyton's 'Lecture on Comedy' with songs and recitations illustrative of the subject 'under the distinguished patronage of the Right Honourable Lord Francis Egerton, M.P.' The evening is divided into two parts with an interlude of piano music from Miss Emily Hudson, seven years of age (a pupil of Miss Clara Seyton). Part one opens with 'a brief historical view of the rise and progress of Comedy', then moves through Jonson and Shakespeare and into the eighteenth century with songs by Linley and Dr Arne. The second part again refers much to Shakespeare, and introduces the female writers, Aphra Benn and Mrs Centlivre. The evening's patron, Lord Francis Egerton, was well-known as a benefactor of the arts as well as something of a philanthropist. Clara Seyton was born Clara Eliza Margaret Corbyn in 1818 in Charmouth, Dorset, the daughter of Royal Navy Commander Joseph Corbyn (died 1850) and his wife Clara. From a young age, she demonstrated musical talent and an affinity for languages. By the 1840s, she was performing in public, teaching music, and lecturing on literary topics (especially Shakespeare). She toured England and even acquired royal patronage while contributing to periodicals as an author and translator. She adopted the stage name "Clara Seyton" She married at least once before marrying teacher Alfred V. Sicard, but the relationship appears to have been short-lived. Before marrying Alfred, she had a daughter, Florence, who followed her mother on stage. Sicard's last years were marred by poor health, and she died on 5 September 1876 in London. VG condition, central horizontal fold.