|
|
|
Stage Name |
Birth Name |
| Beau
Nash |
Richard
Beau Nash |
Beau Nash, Dance master of Court was one of the most interesting
dance figures of the eighteenth century. He was the son of a Welsh
country gentleman, he entered the Army while still in his teens,
but after a short period of magnificent riotousness resigned his
commission because "he did not care to be trammeled by the
narrowness of a military life." Even at this time he was
one of the acknowledged leaders of the day, and his horses, clothes,
and dinners, had begun to set their mark on the "beau monde."
--Living, as he did, upon no apparent
income whatever, it is little wonder that at times his companions
suspected him of being a highwayman. Probably he won large sums
by gambling, and he would also have been merely following the
custom of the day in owing his tradesmen for everything. In whatever
way his income was derived, he certainly stands out as one of
the greatest "chevaliers d'industrie" in an age when
this was almost one of the fashionable professions.
|
--Moving with certain other society leaders to Bath (SW England),
his wonderful organizing powers soon found scope for themselves
here also, and he started those famous evening functions and balls
with which his name will always be connected. It was he who engaged
the band of musicians, who at a sign from him at the close of the
evening instantly stopped playing, thus causing all dancing to end;
and so much was his name feared, that no one would have dared to
go against his wishes. He was appointed by his own desire, "Master
of the Ceremonies," around 1704 and once being elected he ruled
the assemblies with an iron hand. The well-known "Code of Etiquette
at Bath" was drawn up by him, and was posted in the dancing
rooms, and woe betide any hapless person who broke its rules.
--He himself started all the balls
by taking a lady out to dance the Minuet, the rest of the evening
being always carried out on the lines of a fixed precedent. At eleven
o'clock to the minute, he held up his finger, and the music stopped,
and after a short interval for final refreshment, all the guests
left the building. Brewer describes him in three words as a "notorious
diner-out," but so great was the wonderful personality of the
man, that I have no doubt, had he chosen to devote his fine organizing
powers to the services of the country instead of to the fads of
society, he would have become one of the leading statesmen of the
time.
--However, his name, as Beau Nash,
Master of the Ceremonies of Bath, has been handed down to us in
a perhaps more permanent manner than it would have been had he been
a statesman only, and will probably last longer. As a dramatic contrast
to this life of almost regal magnificence, he ultimately died, destitute,
friendless, and in rags. (St. Jackson) |
Birth Place |
Birth Date |
Spouse |
Offspring |
| Swansea,
SC Wales |
1674
- 1762 |
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
Night Clubs |
Theaters |
Stage |
| n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Films |
Television |
(Other) |
| |
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
