Event Comment: "We consider
Madame Mara, to use vulgar phrase, as upon he last legs...[Her]
Polly is downright burlesque; her figure, countenance,
and time of life are directly repugnant to our ideas of the character;
and her foreign accent
and gesticulation complete the absurdity" (
Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1797, p. 299). "Mme Mara is merely a singer; her voice is by no means calculated to give effect to the dialogue of the part;
and her performance, although she appears to have paid considerable attention to the degree of action necessary for the part, is greatly deficient in point of feeling...Her deficiency in person
and performance, however, is amply compensated for in her ability as a singer" (
Morning Herald, 26 Oct.) Receipts: #329 16s. (324.6; 5.10)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Beggars Opera
Performance Comment: Captain Macheath-Incledon; Peachum-Munden; Lockit-Davenport; Mat o' the Mint-Linton; Harry Paddington-Claremont; Jailor-Ledger; Filch-Simmons; Ben Budge-Rees; Lucy-Mrs Martyr; Mrs Peachum-Mrs Davenport; Jenny Diver-Mrs Castelle; Polly-Mme Mara (1st appearance in a Comic Opera).Afterpiece Title: The Honest Thieves
Dance: III: a Hornpipe in Fetters-Blurton