Chaos is come again! [graphic]

"The interior of Drury Lane Theatre which is collapsing during a performance. The theatre is seen from the side of the pit, the stage and curtain being on the extreme left, and the orchestra receding diagonally in perspective from left to right. Large blocks of stone fall from the roof, with men and women clinging to them; others have already fallen and are crushing the occupants of the pit, who try to escape. On the right a gallery falls from the roof, covered with falling figures and shattered by blocks of stone. The pillars of the tiers of boxes which form a background are breaking. Tiny figures in the boxes are freely sketched in attitudes of terror. On the stage (left) is an actress holding out a goblet; an actor in Roman armour falls into the orchestra under a huge block of stone."--British Museum online catalogue