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 shocking 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 strengthen 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