Pickwick Papers

Mentions "new music."

“The fresh girlishness and dashing spirit which la petite Jennie inspires into all her characterizations render her exceedingly popular. She sang a sneezing song in the second act which was loudly applauded.”

“…New scenery and music were presented with every care to detail and effect.”

“A piece that commenced at eight o’clock and did not terminate until after twelve, may be fairly considered susceptible of being improved by judicious curtailment of the dialogue. The writing is at times smart and epigrammatic, but it occasionally retards the action and impedes what interest is felt in the progress of the play. The patience of the audience was severely tested by long waits between the sets, but the inconveniences of a first night were fairly understood to be of only temporary continuance on both sides the footlights. Mr. Daly’s practical acquaintance with the stage and its resources renders his treatment of sensational scenes peculiarly happy, and some of his local pieces will long be popular; but his latest production is not destined to a protracted dramatic existence . . . . Harry Byner made a capital Pickwick, both in make-up and action.  C. Peters’ Tupman was not a satisfactory impersonation. W. Carlton, the Irish comedian, who was expressly engaged for Winkle, appeared to a decided disadvantage, but his singing at ‘Bob Sawyer’s Party’ was most deservedly encored. John Mortimer was cast for the role of Jingle, but . . . Mr. Studley appeared as Jingle . . . . Mr. Studley did very well, considering the short time he had to study it. Charley Parsloe’s Sam Weller was the life of the whole piece. He carried off the honors of the evening.”