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 state 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)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Stranger
Performance Comment: Characters-Kemble, Barrymore, Palmer, Wewitzer, Suett, R. Palmer; Aickin, Webb, Evans, Fisher, Mrs Siddons, Mrs Goodall, Miss Stuart. Cast from text (T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1802): The Stranger-Kemble; +Count Wintersen-Barrymore; +Baron Steinfort-Palmer; +Mr Solomon-Wewitzer; +Peter-Suett; +Francis-R. Palmer; +Tobias-Aickin; +George-Webb; +Count's Son-$Master Wells; Stranger's Son-$Master Tokely; Mrs Haller-Mrs Siddons; +Countess Wintersen-Mrs Goodall; +Charlotte-Miss Stuart; +Annette-$Mrs Bland; Savoyard-$Miss Leak; Maid-$Mrs Jones; Stranger's Daughter-$Miss Beton; unassigned-Evans, Fisher; Prologee-Barrymore; Epilogue-Suett. [These were spoken, as here assigned, at the 1st 9 performances only (see17980416), except Epilogue again on 15 May.]These were spoken, as here assigned, at the 1st 9 performances only (see17980416), except Epilogue again on 15 May.]Related Works
Related Work: The Successful Strangers Author(s): William Mountfort
Afterpiece Title: The Prize
Song: Incidental: Vocal Parts-Mrs Bland, Miss Leak their songs; To welcome mirth and harmless glee-Mrs Bland, Miss Leak; I have a silent sorrow here-Mrs Bland
Dance: Incidental to mainpiece: Principal Dancer-Sga Bossi DelCaro. [These were the same in all subsequent performances, except on 5 May.