Event Comment: Epilogue by
David Garrick. Second Ballet: with New Scenes [by
deLoutherbourg] and Dresses [by
Lupini]. Two new Grand Ballets, composed by
Gallet, were introduced in this Piece (
The Maid of the Oaks) in which Gallet and
Mlle Dupre made their first Appearance upon the Eng. Stage--the first Dance, which was to be in the 2nd Act, was obliged to be deferred till the end of the 3rd Act, as
Lupini, who made the Dancers Dresses, had not brought them to the House--this put us all into great Confusion, and
Dodd made an Apology to the Audience, that an unforseen Accident had prevented the Dance being done in the proper Place. At the beginning of the 3rd Act most of the Dresses were brought, but not all, and some of the Dancers were obliged to put on what Dresses could be got for them--They were all very much confused--the Music also was not perfect. Gallet went on, and spoke in
French to the Audience, and told the Band that he wished they had any Heads. In the first Dance Mlle
Dupre fell down, and a little after Gallet fell down, but (they) did not hurt themselves, and the Dance went on--and even with all these Disadvantages was much applauded (
Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #181 19s. 6d
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Maid Of The Oaks
Afterpiece Title: Polly Honeycomb
Dance: In II: [but postponed until end of Act III (see following note)]a new grand Ballet, Demie Caractere, composed by Gallet, The Double Festival-Gallet, Mlle Dupre (their 1st appearance upon the English stage), Helme, Slingsby, Sga Vidini, Sga Crespi, Sga Ricci; In V: [a new grand serious Ballet, composed by Gallet, The Triumph of Love-Gallet, Helme, Sga Crespi, Miss Armstrong, Mlle Dupre
Song: In: a Fete Champetre[. The vocal parts-Vernon, Davies, Miss Abrams, Mrs Scott, Mrs Wrighten. [This was included, as here assigned (except on 20 Feb. 1777), in all subsequent performances.