Event Comment: With New Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations for the Afterpiece. This Farce is brought on the Stage by
Mrs Abington--it is very dull--It is vastly well got up and was receiv'd with Applause (
Hopkins Diary). [
MacMillan's note from
Kemble differs slightly, mentioning
Bickerstaff as the author.
Larpent MS 397 contains elaborate stage direction at opening: "An interior apartment in the Seraglio. An arch in the middle of the back scene, which is shut with a curtian. On the right hand toward the front is a sopha in the
Turkish manner, low deep, and long, covered with carpets and cushions. A little gold table about eight inches high and a foot and a
half square. Upon it a rich or gold saver set with jewels, with two cups on porcelain, and a spoon made of the beak of an
Indian bird, which is redder than coral, extremely rare and of extensive price." This may have been intended for a reading audience. In the piece Mrs Abington, an
English slave , rebels in the confines of the Seraglio, and start a reform movement wherein men are to please the women. Concludes with demostration of the nobility of
English women who will not be enslaved, who will not flatter, who will preserve their liberty and dignity, and who are capable of returning love for honor and respect. Reviewed in
Westminster Magazine for Dec.: "The Audience appeared to be divided in their opinion of the merit of the
Sultan, some loudly applauding, and others as loudly condemning it, when the curtain dropped. The Majority however, stood firmly for it, and a verdict was returned in its favor. The managers not only well dressed this dramatic trifle, but bestowed three new scenes on it: The Outer Gate of the Seraglio--An Interior view of it--and a Garden terminating in a prospect of the sea. The first was but la! la! The last two were beautiful and picturesque. Five airs were introduced
into this piece which had a very good effect....The music of the two first was the composition of
Mr Dibdin, and was exceedingly pretty."] Receipts: #143 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)