*p1776 12 06 cg Caractacus. Characters by Clarke, Lewis, Wroughton, Ward, Whitefield, Mrs Hartley. Druids and Bards-Aickin, Hull, L'Estrange, Fearon, others; Principal Vocal Parts-Leoni, Reinhold, Mrs Farrell; [Cast from text (<i>York</i>: $A. Ward=, 1777 [i.e. 1776]): Caractacus-Clarke; Arviragus-Lewis; Elidurus-Wroughton; Vellinus-Ward; Aulus Didius-Whitefield; Evelina-Mrs Hartley; Modred-Aickin; Mador-Hull.*a1776 12 06 cg Polly Honeycombe. ^see17761119^.*c1776 12 06 cg Mainpiece [1st time in <i>London</i>; DR. POEM 5, by $William Mason=, 1st acted at $Crow Street Theatre, Dublin=, 30 Mar. 1764]: Written on the Model of the ancient Greek Tragedy. The Overture and all the Music composed New by $Dr Arne=. With a New Scene designed and executed by $Dahl= [recte $Dall=]. The Dresses, Decorations, &c. all entirely New. Books of the Lyrical Part of the Drama to be had at the Theatre. 'But I had rather talk of <i>Caractacus</i>; I agree that he will not suffer by not being sputtered by $Barry=, who has lost all his teeth. <i>Covent Garden</i> is rather above <i>Drury Lane</i> in actors, but both sets are exceedingly bad, so bad-that I almost wish Caractacus was not to appear. Very seldom do I go to the play, for there is no bearing such strollers" ($Walpole= [to the author, 8 Oct. 1776], IX, 419-20). "I attended Caractacus last winter, and was greatly interested, both from my friendship for Mr Mason and from the excellence of the poetry. I was out of all patience; for though a young $Lewis= played a subordinate part very well, and $Mrs Hartley= looked her part charmingly, the Druids were so massacred, and Caractacus so much worse, that I never saw a more barbarous exhibition" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 81-82). <i>Public Advertiser</i>, 7 Dec. 1776: This Day is published the Lyrical Part of Caractacus (6d.). [The publisher, $J. Wilkie=, states that he also has the "whole Drama, as altered by the Author, 18d." Ibid., 9 Dec., contains an advertisement from Mason stating that this version is unauthorized.] Ibid., 12 Dec.: This Day is published [by $A. Ward= of <i>York</i>] a new Edition of Caractacus, now altered for Representation at the Theatre-Royal in <i>Covent Garden</i> (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #163 10s. (163.6; 0.4).