*p1774 11 05 dl The Maid of the Oaks. Parts by King, Dodd, Weston, Moody, Aickin, Brereton, Bannister, Lamash, Burton, Wright, Messink, Mrs Baddeley, Mrs Bradshaw, Mrs Abington. Dupely-Dodd; Old Groveby-King; Sir Harry Groveby-Brereton; Hurry-Weston; Oldworth-Aickin; Painter-Moody; Druid-Bannister; Maria-Mrs Baddeley; Lady Bab-Mrs Abington; Shepherds and Shepherdesses-Lamash, Burton, Wright, Messink, Mrs Bradshaw; ($Genest=, V, 442) In the Course of the Piece will be introduced a <i>Fete Champetre</i>-; Vocal parts-Vernon, Davies, Legg, Kear, Fawcett, Carpenter, Master Blanchard, Mrs Wrighten, Mrs Scott, Mrs Smith; The <i>Dances</i>-Slingsby (first appearance here in 7 years), Atkins, Como, Giorgi, Sga Crespi, Mrs Sutton, Sga Hidou (first appearance on <i>English Stage</i>); The <i>Ballets</i>-M. Larevier; <i>Prologue</i>-; <i>Epilogue</i>-.*a1774 11 05 dl The Miller of Mansfield. ^As17741008^.*c1774 11 05 dl New <i>Overture</i> and Pieces of Music Between the Acts. Music by $Barthelemon=. New Scenes, Habits and Decorations. The Scenes designed by $DeLoutherberg=, and painted by Messrs $French=, $Royer=, and $Greenwood=. Books of the songs and Chorusses to be had at the Theatre. This piece is got up in a most Superb manner. The Scenery is beyond description fine -& the whole Performance tho' the most complicated upon the stage went off with uncommon Applause. $Mrs Abington= played finely--$Mr Slingsby= & $Sga Hidou= danc'd for the first time & were Amazingly well Rec'ed. The Ballets are very Grand (<i>Hopkins Diary</i>). [$MacMillan='s note from $Kemble= differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #17 18s.; Paid salary list #567 16s.; $J. French= on Acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: Never performed before, by $John Burgoyne=. [The review in the <i>Westminster Magazine</i>, Nov. 1774, tells the plot, and concludes: "After some superb exhibitions of transparent scenery, several characteristic airs, and elegant dances, <i>Mr Oldworth</i>r...proclaims <i>Maria</i>r his only daughter and gives her to <i>Sir Harry</i>r. After a dance of <i>Cupids</i>r, <i>Hymen</i>r, &c....offering them eternal wreaths, the <i>Druid of the Oaks</i>r, freed by the present powers of Beauty from that sequestered habitation to which by mystic spells he had long been doomed, appears to ratify their union, and astonishes the spectators by his magic influence, in a glorious vision of that felicity the virtues of the happy pair had so justly insured. An admirable vaudeville, and a grand dance, conclude the dramatic entertainment....Had it not appeared obvious that the whole was intended as a mere vehicle for the splendid spectacle, we do not suppose, in spite of the managers Orders and Puffs, that the author's labors would have been tolerated. The very excellent scenery, however, of the ingenious Mr Loutherbourg preserved this piece from that damnation, which as a dramatic production, it justly merited."] Receipts: #263 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book).