Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; BALL P 1, by
John Cartwright Cross. Text, i.e. synopsis of ballet, and the songs, in Cross's
Circusiana (
Lackington, Allen and Co., 1809), Vol. I.
Bologna,
Bologna Jun. and
Mrs Parker were from the
Royal Circus]: Invented and under the Direction of Cross. With entire new Scenes, Dresses, Music and Decorations. The Overture and Music principally new, with a Selection of some novel
Irish Air, by
Reeve, composer of the Music to
Oscar and Malvina, &c. The Harp by
Weippert. The Scenery, comprehending a Display of the most Romantic Views in Ireland, painted by
Richards,
Phillips,
Lupino,
Hollogan, and
Blackmore. The Machinery by
Cresswell,
Sloper and
Goostree. The Dresses by
Dick,
Mrs Egan, &c. The Following are a Part of the new Scenes, &c.: The Ancient Temple, dedicated to
Bel, the God of Fire, with the
Flactaga, or Sacred Fire burning; it having been enacted that, on the last Evening of October, no other Fire should be Used thro'out the Kingdom, that all might be derived from that, which being a Fire Sacrifice, would render the rest Propitious and Holy.
The Dargle, where the
Irish Druids consulted their Oracle. A View near
Wicklow. The Salmon Leap. Entrance of a Subterraneous Pass.
Maon's Cavern. Cemetery and Dungeon, appertaining to the Round Tower, Moated Castle, &c. Receipts: #264 2s. 6d. (259.19.6; 4.3.0)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: False Impressions
Afterpiece Title: The Round Tower; or, The Chieftains of Ireland
Performance Comment: Characters of the Ballet: Cobthach (usurper of the Throne)-Bologna; Sitric (a Danish Chief)-Bologna Jun. (Their 1st appearance on this stage); Kildare-Simpson; Danish Soldier-Dyke; Maon-Follett; Child-Master Blackmore; Moriat-Mrs Parker (1st appearance on this stage); [Principal Vocal Characters: Townsend, Linton, Gray, Street, Miss Sims, Mrs Clendining; Text adds: Irish Chiefs-Lee, Abbot, Wilde, Blurton; Danish Chiefs-Goostree, Coombes; Priestesses, Female Peasantry-Mrs Follett, Mrs Norton, Mrs Watts; [and specifies Vocal Characters: Principal Druid-Townsend; Fishermen-Townsend, Linton; Huntsmen-Gray, Linton, Street; Connor-Miss Sims; Saba-Mrs Clendining. [Founded on the following Historical Fact: Cobthach, Usurper of the Throne of Munster, & Murderer of his Sovereign and Brother Laughaire, learns the existence of his Brother's Son Maon, and Moriat, his Wife (who, separated for some time under the Idea of each other's decease, become, the former, the wild Resident of a Gloomy Cavern; the latter, a wandering Fugitive), and employs Sitric, a Danish Chief, adopted as his Heir, to destroy them. Moriat, on consulting a Druid, likewise learns of her Husband's Fate, and dispatches Kildare, a faithful Follower, in pursuit of him. Sitric, by Accident, meets Moriat, is struck with her Beauty and relinquishes his design of Murder, with the Idea of gratifying his Passion. She repulses him, and he is foiled by the sudden appearance of Cobthach. She and her Infant [are] imprisoned in an ancient Round Tower, from which, endeavouring to accelerate her Escape, he is detected and abandoned by Cobthach. In the interim, Kildare finds out Maon, who quits his lurking place, and journeying in pursuit of his Wife, discovers the Place of her Confinement, to which Sitric proffers to lead him by a secret Pass, determining to dispatch him on the road. They enter the Cemetery appertaining to the Roung Tower, where he attempts several times to murder him, but is prevented by the appearance of Laughaire's apparition; at length they reach the Dungeon, time enough to save Moriat; and Sitric, urged by Love and Revenge, stabs Cobthach; but recollecting he destroys one Rival, only to render another happy, accuses Maon of the Murder, and dooms him to Death, which is timely prevented by the intervention of the faithful Kildare, and the Irish Peasantry. Sitric falls by the hands of Maon, who with Moriat, are restored to Happiness and Dominion.Founded on the following Historical Fact: Cobthach, Usurper of the Throne of Munster, & Murderer of his Sovereign and Brother Laughaire, learns the existence of his Brother's Son Maon, and Moriat, his Wife (who, separated for some time under the Idea of each other's decease, become, the former, the wild Resident of a Gloomy Cavern; the latter, a wandering Fugitive), and employs Sitric, a Danish Chief, adopted as his Heir, to destroy them. Moriat, on consulting a Druid, likewise learns of her Husband's Fate, and dispatches Kildare, a faithful Follower, in pursuit of him. Sitric, by Accident, meets Moriat, is struck with her Beauty and relinquishes his design of Murder, with the Idea of gratifying his Passion. She repulses him, and he is foiled by the sudden appearance of Cobthach. She and her Infant [are] imprisoned in an ancient Round Tower, from which, endeavouring to accelerate her Escape, he is detected and abandoned by Cobthach. In the interim, Kildare finds out Maon, who quits his lurking place, and journeying in pursuit of his Wife, discovers the Place of her Confinement, to which Sitric proffers to lead him by a secret Pass, determining to dispatch him on the road. They enter the Cemetery appertaining to the Roung Tower, where he attempts several times to murder him, but is prevented by the appearance of Laughaire's apparition; at length they reach the Dungeon, time enough to save Moriat; and Sitric, urged by Love and Revenge, stabs Cobthach; but recollecting he destroys one Rival, only to render another happy, accuses Maon of the Murder, and dooms him to Death, which is timely prevented by the intervention of the faithful Kildare, and the Irish Peasantry. Sitric falls by the hands of Maon, who with Moriat, are restored to Happiness and Dominion.