Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years [acted 7 Oct. 1791].
Middleton, after performing the first scene of
Nerestan, retired abruptly into the wardrobe, pulled off his coat,
and telling the dresser he should be back in ten minutes, left the theatre; he did not return, however, according to his appointment,
and Davenport read the remainder of the character: a fit of insanity is supposed to have seized him" (
Monthly Mirror, Jan. 1797, p. 55). [Middleton did not appear on the stage again until 27 Feb. 1797.] Afterpiece [1st time: P 2 (?), by
James Wild and John Follett. MS of Songs only:
Larpent MS 1148; synopsis of action in
Pocket Magazine, Dec. 1796, p. 412]: With entire new Scenery, Machinery, Music, Dresses. The Overture
and Music by
Reeve. The Scenery painted by
Phillips,
Blackmore,
Hollogan,
Thorne,
Byrn. The Machinery, Trick
and Changes of Scenery invented
and executed by
Cresswell and Sloper. The Dresses by
Dick,
Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "Among the changes are a trunk into a gingerbread nut-man's wheel-barrow--a poor man's hut into an old oak, with a group of Gypsies boiling their kettle under it--one of the clowns into a thick c
andle,
and the c
andle afterwards into a green-house tub, with a large shrub in it" (
Oracle, 20 Dec.). Receipts: #193 5s. 6d. (183.4.6; 10.1.0)