The première was under rehearsed, as several critics noted, and the work was also evidently in need of cutting: Gaiety management had advised that carriages should be called for 11:00 p.m., but "Thespis" was still playing past midnight. "The Orchestra" reported that "scarcely one player... was more than 'rough perfect' in his part." "The Observer" commented that "the acting, as well as the business, will want working up before it can be fairly criticized... the opera... was not ready". The "Daily Telegraph" suggested that "It is more satisfactory for many reasons to look upon the performance last evening as a full dress rehearsal... When "Thespis" ends at the orthodox Gaiety closing hour, and the opera has been energetically rehearsed, few happier entertainments will be found."