Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; D 5, by
Benjamin Thompson, altered from
Menschenhass und Reue, by
August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue. Prologue by
William Linley; Epilogue by
Matthew Gregory Lewis (
European Magazine, Mar. 1798, p. 260)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, &c. With Musick [by
Thomas Shaw]. "
Mrs Siddons was succesful in all the impassioned parts; but she cannot sustain a mixed character. She is the Muse of Tragedy herself, and when she descends from her lofty s
tate to the level of familiar dialogue, she instantly ceases to astonish and we to admire" (
Monthly Mirror, Apr. 1798, p. 234). "The dialogue must be considerably abridged, as well for the purpose of preserving the interest of the piece, as for shortening the time of representation, which is at least an hour too long, it being half past ten before the curtain dropt" [see 26 Mar.] (
Morning Herald, 26 Mar.). Receipts: #420 7s. 6d. (378.11.6; 40.18.0; 1.8.0)