Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy [by
William Kenrick] never performed before. [The play failed to succeed. Kenrick accounts for the failure in his Preface to the 1773 edition by reference to the
Macklin affair (See 23 Oct., 30 Oct.
and 18 Nov.) He quotes from the
Public Advertiser (22 Nov.): "On Saturday last a new comedy called the
Duellist was performed, for the first time, at
Covent Garden Theatre. Previous to the curtain being drawn up, the following written h
andbill was dispersed about the house. '
Mr Macklin has been pursued by a malicious party to such a pitch of rancour, that at last they have succeeded so far in their cursed designs, as to get him discharged this theatre,
and thereby have deprived him of the means of a livelihood; therefore if the public have any spirit, they will not suffer the new play to begin till
Mr Colman promises that Mr
Macklin shall be engaged again.' This h
andbill found its way into the green-room,
and had a very visible effect on the performers, as was plainly evident from their confusion. The piece was received with great marks of approbation,
and given out again for Monday, which was attended with some hissing, but that was greatly overpowered by the general applause of the audience. The overture to
Thomas and Sally being attended to with silence, the greatest part of the author's friends quitted the theatre; which being taken advantage of by a party in the gallery, a riot ensued,
and the entertainment was not suffered to go on till another play was given out for Monday." Kenrick agrees with this account, then analyses several other objections which he dismisses, to wit, in the play (a) too lengthy a satire on lawyers, (b) an indelicate passage in
Latin (omitted from the printed version); in the audience, a conspiracy of
Garrick and Bickerstaffe against him;
and lack of a claque of his own friends to carry through their suport of him.
Macklin's name appears on the playroll this night, but only for a accumulated 4 days of pay #8 16s. (Account Book).] Receipts: #221 3s. 6d. (Account Book)