Event Comment: [Advertised as performed but once, but see 18 Jan.
Sheridan in Preface to Edition of 1775 (2nd) refers to withdrawing the piece to remove those imperfections in the first representation which were too obvious to escape reprehension, and too numerous to admit of hasty correction." He blames his inexperience and want of judgment in theatrical effects, the extreme length of the play act by act, and haste in writing. From the
Westminster Magazine Feb., which outlined the plot in five columns: The present state of the Rivals is widely different from that in which we found it on the first night's representation.
Sir Lucius O'Trigger being re-touched, has now the appearance of a character; and his assigning
Beverley's reflection on his country as the grounds for his de
sire to quarrel with him, is a reasonable pretence, and wipes off the former stigma undeservedly thrown on the sister Kingdom. An alteration of a principal incident gave a very favorable turn to the fable and the whole piece: that where young
Acres now delivers his challenge to his friend
Absolute, begging him to carry it to his Rival Beverly, not knowing the two characters composed but one man; its being at first given to
Sir Lucius, the person who indited it, was highly inconsistent...we should be induced from many evident traits of literary genius to pronounce the
Rivals a good comedy."