Event Comment: By Command of
their Majesties.
Mr Garrick played
Lusignan and
Lord Chalkstone. It is almost impossible to express how finely he played both characters. The
Prologue was called for. Mr Garrick went on directly to speak it--as soon as he appeared a general clap and a loud huzza,--and there was such a noise from the House being so crowded, very few heard anything of the prologue.--As soon as the play began there was a great disturbance in the Gallery, and some called out, Guards Guards! that they could not go on.--
Mr Lacy went on the Stage, and looked up to the gallery, and came off again without saying anything.--They soon grew quiet, and the play went on.--Monsr Rousseau sat in Mr Garrick's box (
Hopkins Diary). [Account in the
Public Advertiser of the original story upon which
VanBrugh founded some circumstance in his
Provok'd Wife, signed
Heartfree.
The Gentleman's Magazine, January, in the Historical Chronicle section noted that
Jean Jacques Rousseau arrived in
England on 13 Jan. and "was at the play on the 23rd, and presented himself in the upper Box fronting
his Majesty."
Performances
Dance: End: New Tambourine-Aldridge, Miss Baker