In the 1790s you could distract yourself from the French Revolution across the Channel, and all its threats, by indulging in some Chinoiserie. There were books, prints and paintings available to view, and with the great British Embassy to the Qianlong Emperor in Peking, led by Lord Macartney, taking place in 1793, the interest, both public and political remained high through into the start of the 19th C.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the theatre played its part, though not very seriously. In the attached piece, there is a description of a pantomime including Chinese scenes that was performed on February 2, 1798 in the Theatre Royal at Covent Garden in London.  It includes an Inca Harlequin, Don Quixote, a Chinese magician and the Goddess of Silence.  What more could you have wished for.