Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 3, by
Samuel Birch, adapted from
Camille; ou, Le Souterrain, by
Benoit Joseph Marsollier des Vivetieres, and from
Les Victimes Cloitrees, by
Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel; the songs written by
Thomas John Dibdin.
Larpent MS 1236; not published. The playbill states that this was "Taken from the
German," but
London Chronicle, 12 Dec., says that its source is the same as that of
The Captive of Spilburg (see
dl, 14 Nov.). An examination of the MSS of these two pieces (
Larpent 1230 and 1236) proves that such is unmistakably the case]: With entire new Scenes, Machinery, Dresses & Decorations. The Music composed and selected by
Steibelt and
Attwood. The Action of the Chorusaes, Finales, &c. under the Direction of
Farley, and the Action of the Overture by
Bologna Jun. A new Descriptive Overture, composed by Steibelt, on a Plan never before introduced on the English Stage, accompanied by Action. "The overture is...nothing more than music adapted to pantomime; and, in the present instance, the dumb shew is an unnecessary anticipation of the procession with which the piece opens" (
Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 369). The Scenery painted by
Richards,
Phillips,
Lupino,
Hollogan,
Blackmore, &c. The Dresses by
Dick and
Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #338 17s. 6d. (325.14.6; 13.3.0)