Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the
Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years,
and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music,
and great humour
and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been;
and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints
and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery,
and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery,
and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new
and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat
and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering
and matting the benches, painting
and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house,
and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following
Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres,
and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c