Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted
these 16 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1758]. With Alterations [by
Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by
David Garrick].
The Characters new dressed. This Play is revived with Alterations (by R. B. Sheridan Esq)
and a new occasional Prologue written by Mr Garrick?
and spoken by
Dodd, both well received.
Miss Essex made her first Appearance upon this stage in
Silvia, a small mean Figure
and shoc
king Actress, so bad that she is to do
the Part no more.
Reddish was very imperfect in
Vainlove from
the Beginning, but was so very much so in
the last Act, that
the Audience hissed very much,
and cryed out, 'Off, Reddish, Off!" He went forward,
and addressed
them as follows, 'Ladies
and Gentlemen, I have been honoured with your Favour
and Protection for
these ten years past,
and I am very sorry to give any cause for your Displeasure now; but having undertaken
the Part at a very short Warning, in order to streng
then
the Bill,
and having had but two Rehearsals for it, puts it out of my Power to do Justice to
the Part, or myself.'
The Play
then went on. So great a Lye was never delivered to an Audience by any Actor or Actress before. He had
the Part at least six weeks in his Possession,
and repeated Notice to be ready in it,
and six Rehearsals was called for it,--indeed, he attended but three.
Vernon undertook to study
the Part at eleven o'clock to-night,
and to perform it to-morrow (
Hopkins Diary). [
Miss Essex was from
the hay.] Receipts: #209 6s