Interesting to think on how the layout of the bill would be decided. In particular in terms of the use of large type. This could be written into an actor's contract with a theatre - what size their name would be billed as. The size of billing certainly contributed to competition and pecking-orders amongst actors. But, there are interesting examples to be seen where other figures take the top spot. For example, a Patron of a performance could be billed in very large type - in the case of the bill copied below, the patron, CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT ROSS, C.B. OF HIS MAJESTY'S DOCK YARD (I'm keeping with giving the fellow the largest type here!) is ridiculously large - larger than the performance title!
There may be special circumstance - perhaps Ross was newly appointed or retiring; perhaps he had done something of note?
https://www.libcrowds.com/collection/playbills/project/identify_titles_miscellaneous_plymouth_theatres_1796-1882_vol_1/presenter/
Any other striking examples of something or someone seemingly surprisingly taking top billing?