Event Comment: [2nd piece in place of
The Orphan; 3rd piece of
Blunders at Brighton [i.e.
The Irish Mimic], both advertised on playbill of 9 Oct.] "Where [
Lewis] absolutely exceeded all expectation, even from spirits like his own, was in
the first scene of
the fifth act, where he meets with
Cacafogo, who has been Cozened, too, and by a woman also (indeed
the same woman);
the convulsive joy of his laugh, frequently renewed, and invariably compelling
the whole audience to a really painful sympathy, was one of
the most brilliant exploits of
the comedian...[Lewis] had one peculiarity, which was
the richest in effect that could be imagined, and was always an addition to
the character springing from himself. It might be called an attempt to take advantage of
the lingering sparks of gallantry in
the aunt, or
the mo
ther of sixty, or
the ancient maiden whom he had to win, to carry
the purposes of those for whom he was interested. He seemed to throw
the lady by degrees off her
guard, until at length his whole artillery of assault was applied to storm
the struggling resistance; and
the Mattockses and
the Davenports of his attentions sometimes complained of
the perpetual motion of his chair, which compelled
them to a ludicrous retreat, and kept
the spectator in a roar of laughter. In short, whe
ther sitting or standing, he was never for a moment at rest--his figure continued to exhibit a series of undulating lines, which indicated a self-complacency that never tired, and
the sparkling humour of his countenance was a signal hung out for enjoyment" (
Boaden,
Siddons, II, 364-66). Receipts: #365 4s. 6d. (357.6.6; 7.18.0)