Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by
R. B. Sheridan] never perform'd. New Scenes and Dresses. [
Gentleman's Magazine for Jan. states: "Tuesday 17, Was performed for
the first time at
Covent Garden a comedy call'd
The Rivals, said to be written by Mr Sheridan. Some objections being made both to language and character,
the author has thought proper to withdraw his piece for correction, and it has since been played with applause." See 18 and 28 Jan.
The Westminster Magazine, Jan., remarked: "This comedy was acted so imperfectly, ei
ther from
the timidity of
the actors on a first night's performance, or from an improper distribution of parts, that it was generally disapproved....
The author promised some alterations, which implied that he would be glad
the Town would suspend judgment till a far
ther hearing" See 28 Jan.
John Hampden quotes from
Lloyd's Evening Post, 18 Jan.,
the Morning Chronicle and
Morning Post of
the same date, and
the London Chronicle of 19 Jan. articles damning
the casting and
the imperfectness of
the actors,
the impudence of
Shuter in particular, and
the fatigue of
the audience.
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Rivals
Related Works
Related Work: The Rival Modes Author(s): James Moore Smythe
Afterpiece Title: The Chaplet