Event Comment: Full Prices. Afterpiece: A Pantomimic dance by
Love (
Biographia Dramatica). Much followed and brought several crowded houses, and the success chiefly owing to the reports our newspapers were, at that time, daily filled with, of the French wild Beast that was devouring (and yet pursued by) children. This wild beast was happily introduced in this pantomime, pursued by boys led on by a
Frenchman. At last the Beast made his Re-entry, and ran across the stage with the poor Frenchman in his mouth, to the great joy of the Pit, Box and Galleries (
Victor,
History of Theatres, III, 72).
Dorilas for the first time by
Mr Cautherly--very decent, but wanted spirit. This pantomime is fathered by
Mr Lowe [?]--went off with applause, --
Mr Garrick made most of the Business to it, which is very good (
Hopkins Diary). [Letter from
C. V. Theatricus on ladies' removing their hats in the theatre. A Gentleman had requested it and a debate ensued in the
Public Advertiser, as to whether he wished to see the play better or to gaze more audaciously on many pretty faces. Long letter also from
G. F. Theatricus to the
Public Advertiser, commenting on the excellence of
Powell,
Mrs Yates,
Holland,
the Palmers,
Cautherly and
Bensley for their performance in
Venice Preserved,
Romeo and Juliet, and
Mahomet respectively.