Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; D 5, by Elizabeth Inchbald, based on Das Schreibepult; oder, Die Gefahren der Jugend, by August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue. Prologue by Charles Moore (MS annotation by J. P. Kemble in Kemble-Devonshire copy in Huntington Library); Epilogue by John Taylor (see text)]: With New Dresses and Scenes. Morning Chronicle, 17 Dec. 1799: This day is published The Wise Man of the East (price not listed). Receipts: #323 14s. 6d. (321.12.6; 2.2.0)

Event Comment: "[In Pizarro] the effeminacy of Alonzo's dress, better adopted for a ball-room than for scenes of warfare; the magnificence of the Spanish dungeon, in a country where the Spanish invaders were fain to put up with tents for their own accomodation; the vile manner in which the scene is bungled together, where Cora leaves her infant child to the fury of the pitiless storm, whilst a hut stands most invitingly in sight; the absurd introduction of Cora's song to the accompaniment of thunder and lightning--but, above all, the disgraceful additions made by Mr Sheridan himself, with the farcical termination of this sublime tragedy, by an Irish howl over the dead body of Rolla;--all these glaring defects, sufficient to damn any writer of less notoriety than Sheridan, still continue to outrage good-sense, and the feelings of every spectator of taste and discernment...We are firmly of opinion that the crowded houses this play still continues to draw are principally to be attributed to the masterly acting of the elder Kemble" (Dramatic Censor, I, 23-24). Receipts: #429 9s. (388.1; 40.1; 1.7)

Event Comment: [As afterpiece the playbill announces Of Age To-morrow, but "The Publick are most respectfully informed that in consequence of the accident Miss DeCamp met with in Lodoiska yesterday evening, Of Age To-morrow is unavoidably deferred. This Evening will be presented The Lying Valet" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill). Receipts: #409 16s. (345.11.0; 63.7.6; 0.17.6)

Event Comment: [Following the 2nd piece the playbill lists The Scotch Ghost, but "The Public is most respectfully informed that in consequence of the very sudden and violent indisposition of Signora Bossi DelCaro it is not in her power to have the honour of appearing before them this Evening, and there being no other person who can supply her place, The Scotch Ghost...is unavoidably obliged to be omitted" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Receipts: #188 7s. (127.14; 59.18; 0.15)