Event Comment: Mainpiece: By
Beaumont and
Fletcher,
reviv'd. Afterpiece: Not acted these three years. [See 8 Aug. 1761.]
Mr Powell made his first appearance this Night in
Philaster. His Reception was very great, he play'd the part amazingly well, & Seems to have Requisites to make a very Capital Performer. N.B.
Covent Garden Theater begun to play every Night (
Hopkins). Philaster by Mr Powell. Prodigious applause (
Cross Diary). This play [
Philaster] was wrote by Beaumont and Fletcher, and is now altered by
Mr Colman. Mr Powell, a young gentleman clerk to
Sir Robert Ladbrook, made his first appearance in the character of Philaster.--A greater reception was never shown to anybody,--he was so very much frightened, he could not speak for some time, and, when he did, the tears ran fast down his cheeks,--but he soon recovered himself, and went through the part with a great deal of nature and feeling,--Continued claps and huzza of bravo! &c. &c. Upon the whole I think him possessed of every requisite necessary to make him an ornament to the stage.--N.B.
Mr D. Garrick instructed him in this part--when I see him in another shall be able to judge better of his capabilities.--
Miss Pope appeared this Night in the character of
Maria in the
Citizen,--by endeavoring to be very fine she overdid it,--and it was plain to see she wanted her master. N.B.--Covent Garden began to play of our nights--the first time they ever begin first since Mr Garrick was manager (
Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #258 11s. 6d. (
MacMillan)