Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of Tamerlane, announced on playbill of 23 Dec] Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by Ralph Wewitzer and Frederick Pilon. MS not in Larpent; not published. Synopsis of action in Town and Country Magazine, Supp. 1784, p. 717]: With new Scenery, Music, Dresses and Decorations. The Scenes chiefly designed by Richards, and executed by him, Carver, Hodgins, and assistants. The Overture, Songs, Chorusses and the whole Music of the Pantomime new, and composed by Shield. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. The Words of the Songs, &c to be had at the Theatre. "The performance was such as the first performance of pantomimes generally--machinery and scenery not so perfectly executed as when practice has rendered the movements more familiar to those to whom they belong, which, as the beauty of a pantomime depends on the celerity and adroitness of the scene-men, it seldom is discovered on the first night" (Public Advertiser, 28 Dec)

Event Comment: [Pope is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill.] "By giving in to the mode of recitation which is now prevalent, [Pope] will lose many of the advantages of his powers . . . Indeed, the principal efTect of acting, since the decease of Garrick, has arisen from the art of recital. . . [which] is substituted for acting" (European Magazine, Jan. 1785, p. 60)

Event Comment: The Confederacy and Arthur and Emmeline [the latter announced on playbill of 10 Jan.] are obliged to be deferred a few Days. Receipts: #146 11s. 6d. (108/16/0; 37/10/6; 0/5/0)