Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time in
London; 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 ra
ther talk of
Caractacus; I agree that he will not suffer by not being sputtered by
Barry, who has lost all his teeth.
Covent Garden is ra
ther above
Drury Lane 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).
Public Advertiser, 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
York] a new Edition of Caractacus, now altered for Representation at
the Theatre-Royal in
Covent Garden (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #163 10s. (163.6; 0.4)