*p1775 01 17 cg The Rivals. Parts by Woodward, Shuter, Lee, Lewis, Quick, Lee Lewes, Dunstall, Fearon, Mrs Green, Miss Barsanti, Mrs Lessingham, Mrs Bulkley; With a <i>Prologue</i> and <i>Epilogue</i>. Capt. Absolute-Woodward; Sir Anthony Absolute-Shuter; Sir Lucius O'Trigger-Lee; Faulkland-Lewis; Acres-Quick; Fag-Lee Lewes; David-Dunstall; Coachman-Fearon; Mrs Malaprop-Mrs Green; Lydia Languish-Miss Barsanti; Lucy-Mrs Lessingham; Julia-Mrs Bulkley; <i>Prologue</i> by Sheridan-Woodward, Quick; <i>Epilogue</i>-(Edition of 1775).*a1775 01 17 cg The Chaplet. ^As17741011^.*c1775 01 17 cg Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by $R. B. Sheridan=] never perform'd. New Scenes and Dresses. [<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for Jan. states: "Tuesday 17, Was performed for the first time at <i>Covent Garden</i> a comedy call'd <i>The Rivals</i>, said to be written by Mr Sheridan. Some objections being made both to language and character, the author has thought proper to withdraw his piece for correction, and it has since been played with applause." See 18 and 28 Jan. The <i>Westminster Magazine</i>, Jan., remarked: "This comedy was acted so imperfectly, either from the timidity of the actors on a first night's performance, or from an improper distribution of parts, that it was generally disapproved....The author promised some alterations, which implied that he would be glad the Town would suspend judgment till a farther hearing" See 28 Jan. $John Hampden= quotes from <i>Lloyd's Evening Post</i>, 18 Jan., the <i>Morning Chronicle</i> and <i>Morning Post</i> of the same date, and the <i>London Chronicle</i> of 19 Jan. articles damning the casting and the imperfectness of the actors, the impudence of $Shuter= in particular, and the fatigue of the audience.]