Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 11 May 1772.] [Young gentleman identified by
Hopkins MS Notes.
Genest, V, 517, also calls attention to the fact that the text lists
Douglas as
Norval and
Old Norval as
Stranger (1757) or
Prisoner (1768).
Webster first named as Douglas on bill for 27 Feb. 1776. Review of Webster's acting appeared in the
Westminster Magazine for Jan.: "
His person is rather elegant;
his voice is full and harmonious,
his pronunciation distinct and correct, and
his delivery graceful and unembarassed. Those are
his excellencies, and considering it was
his first performance, he seems to possess them in a degree far superior to the various candidates for theatrical fame which the managers of both houses have brought forward for some years past. On the other hand he is aukward, and in some parts unanimated.
His arms are too long, or he flung them about in a very disgusting manner. He seemed to express the sense of
his author much better than
his own feelings.
His voice though full, wants variety and modulation; not but on some occasions he managed it with infinite grace and judgement. But if t
his want of variety of tones and extent of voice, which is so indispensibly necessary to constitute a first rate actor, be not the effect of Nature, the Public may behold with less anxiety their decayed veterans giving nightly proofs of their increasing infirmities, and quick approaching theatrical dissolution."
Performances
Afterpiece Title: The Cheats of Scapin
Dance: End Tragedy: Mirth and Jollity, as17760102