Event Comment: The Provoked Husband and
Rival Candidates was given out for Tuesday. On Sunday Morning
Mrs Yates sent word she was ill and could not play--sent to
Miss Younge, and she sent word that she was ill in bed--
King sent word he had a sore Throat, and could not play--so that we could do no Play but
the Committee and
Rival Candidates. On Monday
the Managers met, but nothing was settled. At twelve o'clock
Mrs Baddeley sent word she had a sore Throat, and could not play in
the Riv[al] Can[didates] (
Hopkins Diary).
The Hypocrite and
The Christmas Tale are obliged to be deferred. "[
Smith] has a good figure, is gentlemanlike, and decent in everything he undertakes. When we allow that, we have said all; he wants both feeling to be affected, and powers to convey his feelings, if he had
them. In fine, in spite of all
the partiality of his friends, or
the ignorant prejudices of those who never judge but at second hand, his performance of
Richard was little more than a strong union of judgement and industry, unaided by nature. He should woo genteel Comedy oftener; and not that coy sister of hers, who certainly holds Smith at
the point of her lance" (
London Magazine, Oct. 1776, p. 511). Receipts: #186 18s. 6d