
| 
| 
y 
¥796.] 
fpoken by Mr. Bannifter, jun. informed . 
us, that the farce, Alive and Merry, is the 
firft production of a young writer: it 
hinted the performers’ apprehenfions, and 
we dare ‘fay the managers themfelves 
were in doubt’ of its fuccefs, as it 
was given to Mr. Suet for his benefht. It 
contained fome broad humour—without 
plot ;--fome incidents—without conneétion, 
Jt was liftened to with great patience, 
though many parts, unfortunately, towards 
the conclufion, were, fpite of the title, 
dead and dull. It was given out during 
"an oppolition, and has been fince three 
nights repeated. 
May 23. The Roman AG@or—Celadon and 
Florimel, or the Happy Couaterplot—-and No 
Song no Supper. —Thefe entertainments. 
were annovneed for the benefit of Mrs. 
Kemble (wife of Mr. J. Kemble’) and her 
laf appearance on the ftage. Matfinger’s 
Roman AGor was comprefled to two acts, 
~ not with great judgment, as too much de- 
clamation was retained. The play of Ce- 
ladon and Florimel was firt altered by 
Cibber from Dryden—it was now reduced 
to three acts, and though well fupporred, 
was not much approved of.—Mrs. Kem- 
ble’s Occaficnal Addrefs was written by 
Mr. Greathead, but its merit confiderably 
- injured by the lady’s agitation in deliver- 
ing it.—Mrs. Kemble (who was the late 
Mrs. Brereton) has been on the ftage 
from her infancy, and has taken with 
her, what many great adtreffes have lofi— 
A GOOD NAME! 
CovENT-GARDEN. 
April o. The Lad of the Hills—The 
Point Herqui, or Britifh. Bravery Trium- 
phani—and Three Weeks afler Marriage. 
The Point of Hergui is a mere fing-fong 
interlude, which though it did not charm 
_—did not offend. \ 
23d. The Lad of the Hills, and The Dol- 
drum, vr 1803.—The farce of The Del- 
drum is one of O’Keefte’s extravaganzas. 
Sir Septimus, whem the author ftyles the 
Doldrum, is perfuaded. that he has flept 
feyen years, and is confequently furprifed 
at the feveral made-up changes of fafhion 
during that time. No doubt, O'Keeffe 
took the idea from the fiory of Epimeni- 
des, the Cretan philofopher, who was fatd to 
have flept feven years. The farce was pre- 
ceded by a fupplicating prologue. It has 
been fince repeated with fuccels. 
Mowturty Mage, No. IV, 
View of the Dramas 
321 
30th. Artaxerxcs—and The. Doldrum— 
Madame Mara’ made her firft appearance 
this feafon in theopera. Having introduced 
an air in the place of “ Monfer away,” 
the original was called for, which veca- 
fioned much embarraff_nent on all fides. 
May 4. Captain Cook— Artaxerxes and 
St. Patrick's Day, or The Scbheming Licu- 
teuant. The farce of St. Patrica s Day 
was firft revived by Mr. Holman this fea- 
fon for his benefit. It was originaily 
written by Mr. Sher.dan for a benef, the 
fame featon that he brought out his comes 
dy of the Rivals. 
ih. The Mafqued Fitend—Way to get Un- 
married—and The Farmer. Tbe Majqued 
Friend is Mr. Holeroft’s comedy of Du- 
plcity reduced to three aéts, an! witha 
new title. The interlude of the Way ¢o 
ge Unmarried, though cailed a comic ba- 
gatelle, has no merit but its title. —Quyax - 
tie not guality is the obje& of a benefit 
nL! 
roth. The Caftle of Andalufia—and The 
Witch of the Wood, or the Nutting Girls.-— 
Mrs. Mountain’s benefit.—The Wuch of 
the Wood was a mufical piece—the mufic 
by Spoffart.—The piece was heard, but 
hot repeated. 
17th. Romev—Recitations, and Netley Ab- 
bey. When Romeo and Juliet (Mr. Mid- 
leton and Mifs Wallis) had fallen vic- 
tims to love and defpair—on letting dowa 
the curtain—-fome tin, &e. fell on the 
ftage. The lovers fuddenly came to life, 
and made their efcape—Mifs Wallis faint- 
ed behind the fcenes.—The Recitatrous 
were difapproved of this evening, Mr, 
Holman, who attempted to read The Er- 
rors of ibe Prefs, on being interrupted, 
begged to know, if it was the matter or 
manner of reading it, which they cenfured. 
—Some replied the mailer , at which he 
declared himfelf furprifed, as it had been 
approved of by the firft judges in the 
kingdom. — No great compliment to the 
prefent audience ! | 
OprERA-HOUSE. 
No novelty has as yet appeared, though 
much is promifed.—Banti had_a crowded 
houfe for her benefit, and is faid to have 
netted 1500 guineas.—The Scotch ballet 
of Litile Peggy's Love, is fill a favourite. 
are LAW, 
