SHERIDAN'S SATIRE THE CRITIC 1781.

SHERIDAN, RICHARD BRINSLEY. The Critic or A Tragedy Rehearsed. A Dramatic Piece in Three Acts as it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. London, printed for T. Becket, 1781.
8vo. 96 pp. Engraved title. Some browning to the last leaves. Occasional unnderlinings with pencil. A bit worn marbled later paper cover with handwritten label.

Title engraved by S. J.Neele. Second edition. The play premiered in 1779 at Sheridan's Drury Lane Theatre. It builds on a 17th century play on the same theme, "The Rehearsal" by George Villiers. It's Sheridan's play that has survived the test of time, considered a burlesque classic it's still frequently staged.