Event Comment: Paid Housekeeper's Bill #6 7s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [
The Public Advertiser carried a two-column account of
Sethona, telling
the story of
the play act by act. It concluded: Such is
the Story of this
new Tragedy which was received with universal Applause by a crowded and brilliant Audience and seems to bid fair to become a Stock Play.
The Parts were judiciously cast, and
the Performers did great Justice to
their respective Characters. Perhaps
Mrs Barry never appeared in a greater or more amiable Point of View than on Saturday Night. In short her Performance beggared Description; and it is impossible to form an adequate Idea of her Merit in
Sethona without seeing her.
Mr Barry was also very great in
the Old Hermit, and exhibited as pa
thetic and as chaste a piece of acting as we remember to have seen.
The Dresses, Decorations and Scenery of this Play are much superior to those of any modern Tragedy;
they do ample Justice to
the Author, and likewise do Honour to
the Taste and Spirit of
the Manager, who seems to have spared no Expence to furnish a splendid and rational Entertainment.
The Scene of
the Temple of
Osiris, and
the View of
the Egyptian Catacombsv were particularly admired, and are worthy of
the Brush of
Mr Loutherbourg.
The Prologue is a very classical Performance, and was well delivered by
Mr Reddish, notwithstanding
the noise and
the frequent Interruption usual on
these occasions.
The Epilogue in
the character of an
Egyptian Fortune Teller was admirably spoken by Mrs Barry, and had an amazing effect. It contains some excellent Strokes of Satire on
the Times and a rich vein of Humour which is finely sustained throughout. From several Circumstances we should suppose this Epilogue to be
the Production of our
English Roscius and it seems to be one of his best."] Receipts: #226 15s. (Treasurer's Book)