Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy by
Robert Jephson. New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy having been read by
the Author's Friends in most of
the great Family's in Town & puff'd up in Such a Manner that
the Expectations of
the Audience were so much rais'd that it fell far short of what
they imagin'd-
the four first Acts are heavy & want incident & Plot,
the Writing is Clear & Nervous-
the 5 Act has more incident & Plot but Writing not so Nervous: No Play had ever more Justice in
the getting of it up
Mr G. was not Sparing of his Labour & Attendance nor was any Expence deny'd for
the Cloaths & Scenery both of which were Superb and it receiv'd with very great applause (
Hopkins Diary). [
MacMillan's note from
Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid
Mr Wright per order #6 5s.;
Mr Wallis on note #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [
The Westminster Magazine for Feb. outlines
the plot of
Braganza, and comments favorably: "Upon
the whole, Braganza, met with general and deserved applause; and we cannot help congratulating
the Public on
the acquisition of a truly dramatic Genius."
The author, Colonel Jephson, was Aid-de-Camp to
the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Walpole wrote to
Mason: "Braganza was acted with prodigious success.
The audience,
the most impartial I ever saw, sat mute for two acts, and seemed determined to judge for
themselves, and not to be
the dupes of
the encomiums that had been so lavishly trumpeted. At
the third act
they grew pleased and interested; at
the fourth
they were cooled and deadened by two unneccessary scenes, but at
the catastrophe in
the fifth
they were transported.
They clapped, shouted, hussaed, cried bravo, and thundered out applause." Commends
Mrs Yates, and hopes this will spark a new era in dramatic writing. Sweepingly condemns that of last fifty years.] Receipts: #250 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)