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 o
ther 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