Event Comment: Paid Housekeeper's Bill #6 7s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [The
Public Advertiser carried a two-column account of
Sethona, telling the story of the play act by act. It concluded: Such is the Story of
this new Tragedy which was received with universal Applause by a crowded and brilliant Audience and seems to bid fair to become a Stock Play. The Parts were judiciously cast, and the Performers did great Justice to their respective Characters. Perhaps
Mrs Barry never appeared in a greater or more amiable Point of View than on Satur
day Night. In short her Performance beggared Description; and it is impossible to form an adequate Idea of her Merit in
Sethona without seeing her.
Mr Barry was also very great in the
Old Hermit, and exhibited as pathetic and as chaste a piece of acting as we remember to have seen. The Dresses, Decorations and Scenery of
this Play are much superior to those of any modern Tragedy; they do ample Justice to the Author, and likewise do Honour to the Taste and Spirit of the Manager, who seems to have spared no Expence to furnish a splendid and rational Entertainment. The Scene of the Temple of
Osiris, and the View of the
Egyptian Catacombsv were particularly admired, and are worthy of the Brush of
Mr Loutherbourg. The
Prologue is a very
classical Performance, and was well delivered by
Mr Reddish, notwithstanding the noise and the frequent Interruption usual on these occasions. The
Epilogue in the character of an
Egyptian Fortune Teller was admirably spoken by Mrs Barry, and had an amazing effect. It contains some excellent Strokes of Satire on the Times and a rich vein of Humour which is finely sustained throughout. From several Circumstances we should suppose
this Epilogue to be the Production of our
English Roscius and it seems to be one of his best."] Receipts: #226 15s. (Treasurer's Book)