Event Comment: Benefit for Staunton and Lamash. 2nd piece [1st time; INT I, by Charles Stuart. "A speaking Pantomime of ten minutes" (Public Advertiser, 15 May). 3rd piece: Not acted these 4 years. Public Advertiser, 12 May: Tickets to be had of Staunton, Gloucester-street, Queen-square; of Lamash, Queen-court, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Receipts: #271 11s. (37.0; 15.17; 0.14; tickets: 218.0) (charge: #108 7s.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, ascribed variously to John O'Keeffe and to James Foord; adapted from La Gageure Imprevue, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Text prints a Prologue "Supposed to be written by G. Colman, Esq., and intended to be spoken by Bannister Jun.," but "it arrived, by accident, too late at the theatre to be studied and recited" (London Chronicle, 25 Aug.)]. "A new afterpiece was...attempted to be represented, [but] it was not heard out" (Public Advertiser, 19 Aug.). Public Advertiser, 8 Oct. 1788: This Day is published A Key to the Lock (1s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Kemble. "Kemble? Sen. performed the Miller...Here and there we could perceive the liberty of the country performer, by saying more than was set down by the author" (Public Advertiser, 27 Aug.). [Address by John Taylor (European Magazine, Sept. 1788, p. 217).] Public Advertiser, 21 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Kemble, No. 26, Villiers-street, York-buildings, Strand

Event Comment: Tragedy never acted. By James Thomson. Characters New Dress'd. But as it is rather more fashionable to run mad about Mr Thomsons's play, I will change my theme and talk to you of Tancred. I want much to know how you like it, at this distance I would lay any wager you do not like it so well as your sister does, who certainly cannot be your sister and not have been to see it long ago. Everybody agrees that no play was ever so much improved in acting, at least since the Booths and Bettertons. That first scene expecially, where Siffredi discovers to Tancred who he is, pleased me almost beyond anything I ever saw, indeed even before I saw it, that scene was my favourite. But what do you think of the story, and what of the style?-A Series of Letters between Mrs Elizabeth Carter and Miss Catherine Talbot, I, 60 (dated strangely 2 March). [On 26 April, the Daily Post published a letter by Bellario on Tancred and Sigismunda, discussing the kind of support it received]: A very remarkable new Lord of the Treasury was proud of appearing its Foster Father, and attended at the public rehearsals; the first night of the performance this celebrated person and his friends in the Box with him (all very lately most flaming Patriots) were seen clapping their hands at the following remarkable speech: First of You All...To Quit Mistakes. [The letter also discussed political aspects of the play, then the poetry of the lines. The author heard that three hundred lines were cut out after the first performance, and was of opinion that double that amount would have been beneficial.

Event Comment: [The Public Advertiser published a long New Historical Epilogue, intended by the Author as a proper sequel to the Tragedy of the Brothers. It speaks of the authentic history in the play, and of the effective moral lesson, closing: @As public woes a Prince's crimes pursue,@So public blessings are his Virtues' due.@Shout Britons, shout!--auspicious Fortune Bless!@And cry, Long live--OUR title to success!@ This was followed by a Letter from Mr Booth in the Shades to Dr Young, on his Tragedy call'd the Brothers (an elaborate puff). In it Booth forgives Young for withdrawing the play from rehearsal thirty years earlier, and thus precluding his playing the part of Demetrius: "And I the more readily pardon you, as you have not disgraced me by giving the part to any of my successors, till this Garrick appeared, whose reputation, I can assure you, is by no means confined to your world, and who, I am told, hath more than supply'd my place, hath rendered the loss even of Betterton himself very supportable." He then lets Young in on a secret that there will be a performance of his play in the shades by all the old actors as soon as Curll can steal a copy of it for them.] We are assured that on Thursday the 22nd instant will be publish'd a Comedy in 2 acts, call'd The Rehearsal; or, Bayes in Petticoats, witten by Mrs Clive, and to be performed that evening, after the Mourning Bride, for her Benefit at Drury Lane. Mr Yates's Benefit will be on Thursday the 5th of April, when the tragedy of the Gamester will be played, being the twelfth day. A new farce will be added to it, the preparing of which has oblig'd Yates to defer his Benefit till the above day. Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: [The following notice appeared in the Public Advertiser]: Whereas a very unjustifiable disturbance happened last night at this theatre; the managers think it incumbent upon them to acquaint the Publick that when the Opera of Artaxerxes was in rehearsal it was determined that no expence should be spared to render the performance as elegant as the nature of so peculiar an Entertainment would admit. This desire occasioned so considerable an increase of the nightly charge 'twas thought by many disinterested persons would justify additional prices; but to avoid giving the least umbrage, and in gratitude for the Public indulgence on other occasions, no such advance was attempted. When it is known that the extraordinary nightly expence attending this performance amounts to upwards of Fifty Pounds it is humbly apprehended no persons of justice and candour will think the Full Price an exorbitant gratification for such unusual disbursements. The Management therefore flatter themselves that a resolution to oppose the arbitrary and illegal demands of a particular set of persons, contrary to the general sense of audience, will not be deemed arrogant or unreasonable, especially when those demands are enforced by means subversive to Private Property, and in violation of that decorum which is due to all public assemblies

Event Comment: Sga Sestini thinks it her Duty to assure, in this Public Manner, the English Nobility Gentry and Public, of her unfeign'd Gratitude for their numerous appearance on Thursday Night 28 March at her Benefit as she looks upon it as the most convincing Proof of their honouring her with the continuance of their kind Indulgence and Protection, which she will always use her utmost Endeavour to deserve as long as she shall continue in England, and retain the most grateful Rembrance of wherever her Profession may call her (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time at a public theatre; C 3, by Elizabeth Craven, Baroness Craven, afterwards Margravine of Anspach, 1st acted privately at the Town-Hall, Newbury, 6 Apr. 1780. Text (G. Riley, 1781) assigns no parts. Prologue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Epilogue by Joseph Jekyll (see text)]: With new Dresses, &c. "The Prologue [the first 30 lines and the concluding couplet of which were used by Sheridan as the Prologue to Pizarro (see dl, 24 May 1799)] was so much admired that at the request of the Duchess of Devonshire and several other of the nobility it was respoken after the piece; but as King was absent from the theatre, it was delivered by Palmer" (Town and Country Magazine, May 1780, p. 23 ). "The chief singularity was that [Lady Craven] went to it herself the second night, in form; sat in the middle of the front row of the stage-box, much dressed, with a profusion of white bugles and plumes, to receive the public homage due to her sex and loveliness. The Duchess of Richmond, Lady Harcourt,...Mrs Damer, Lord Craven,...and I were with her. It was amazing to see so young a woman entirely possess herself-but there is such an integrity and frankness in her consciousness of her own beauty and talents, that she speaks of them with a naivete as if she had no property in them, but only wore them as gifts of the gods. Lord Craven on the contrary was quite agitated by his fondness for her and with impatience at the bad performance of the actors, which was wretched indeed, yet the address of the plot, which is the chief merit of the piece, and some lively pencilling carried it off very well, though Parsons murdered the Scotch lord, and Mrs Robinson (who is supposed to be the favourite of the Prince of Wales) thought on nothing but her own charms, or him. There is a very good though endless prologue written by Sheridan and spoken in perfection by King, which was encored (an entire novelty) the first night: and an epilogue that I liked still better and which was full as well delivered by Mrs Abington, written by Mr. Jekyl. The audience, though very civil, missed a fair opportunity of being gallant, for in one of those ----logues, I forget which, the noble authoress was mentioned, and they did not applaud as they ought to have done, especially when she condescended to avow her pretty child and was there looking so very pretty...Yet Lady Craven's tranquillity had nothing displeasing;...and it was tempered by her infinite good nature, which made her make excuses for the actors instead of being provoked at them" (Walpole [28 May 1780], XI, 178-80). Public Advertiser, 14 July 1781: This Day at Noon will be published The Miniature Picture (price not listed). Receipts: #144 9s. (94.9; 48.3; 1.17)

Event Comment: For a Public Benefaction. [Perhaps for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, to which Young gave #1,000 on 14 March, according to the Public Advertiser.] Tickets for the Benefaction to be had of Mr Dodsley, in Pall Mall; Mr Miller in the Strand and at the Stage Door. Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: A new Opera. [But not performed.] 'Twas with inexpressible Concern that Mr Vanneschi found the Nobility and Gentry disappointed last Night, by the new Opera's not being then performed; a circumstance wholly owing to Sig Ricciarelli's being, on a sudden, taken extremely ill Yesterday, at an hour too late for its being made known to the Public (Public Advertiser, 11 Feb.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece by Mr Foote (Cross). [Foote advertised that persons in the Author were fictitious, some having said his past friends were introduced. See Theatrical Review, 1757, and Public Advertiser this day: "Whereas it has been represented to the Managers of Drury Lane that Mr Foote in his new Farce call'd the Author, intends introducing the Character of a Gentleaan for whom he has the greatest esteem and regard, he thinks it incumbent upon him to assure the Public, that all the persons in that piece are fictitious and general. Samuel Foote."] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: On Monday Next Douglas a Tragedy. [The Public Advertiser includes a full column extract from David Hume's Letter to Rev John? Home concerning Douglas: "I have the Ambition to be the first who shall in public express his Admiration of your Noble tragedy of Douglas; one of the most interesting and pathetic Pieces, that was ever exhibited upon any theatre. Should I give it preference to the Merope of Maffei, and to that of Voltaire which it resembles in its subject; should I affirm that it contained more Fire and Spirit than the former and more Tenderness and Simplicity that the latter; I might be accused of partiality....But the unfeighned tears which flowed from every eye, in the numerous representations which were made of it on this theatre; the unparalleled command which you appeared to have over every affection of the human breast; these are incontestable proofs that you possess the true Theatric Genius of Shakespear and Otway, refined from the unhappy Brabarism of the one, and Licentiousness of the other." The reference was to earlier performances in Edinburg.

Event Comment: It having been reported that Sga Frasi has refused to sing for the Benefit of the Decayed Musicians, she thinks it her duty to take this public method of clearing herself of that charge by informing the Nobility, Gentry, &c., that being applied to for her assistance, she readily consented (as she has always done for these fourteen years past) but that a few days after a number of the Managers called upon her to let her know that Giardini had undertaken to conduct the performance, and that they would not want her assistance. For the truth of this she appeals to those Gentlemen who called upon her with that message (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lowe. [See following "puff" from the Public Advertiser. "Sir: Perhaps there never was a period when the members of the stage were more respected than at present; and this favour consequently proceeds from the decency of their behaviour, and an emulative pride to please that public, whose generosity is an ample reward for their assiduity and perseverance; and when we consider the many qualifications, as well natural as acquired, requisite to constitute a player, surely the most rigid judge will be of opinion that the encouragement is not more than equal to the excellence. An actor must feel, that is, have the most refined idea of his part, to make an audience feel likewise; and adequate to the pleasures he enjoys in the applause of his approvers, will rise his degree of unhappiness, if by accident or sickness he is obstructed in the execution of his Genius; and should this happen at the era of his benefit, it must then be his misfortune to supplicate that interest which otherwise his merit would have commanded. "I was led to these reflections by accidentally perusing an advertisement prefix'd to a bill for the benefit of Mr Lowe; a performer too well known to need encomiums here; from whom the Town receive no inconsiderable Satisfaction at the theatre, and whose harmonious performance at our deservedly frequented summer scene of pleasure, has long obtained their highest approbation. We are told that a severe cold and Hoarseness have hindered his performing for some weeks past, and that he is now incapable of going abroad." Follows an elaborate plea for Lowe's friends to excuse his not calling on them, and for them to support his Benefit Night. Signed Veritas.

Event Comment: MMr Mossop having receiv'd a letter from several Upholsterers, takes this method of acquainting the Writer, that he shall be very ready to give full Explanation with respect to the contents, upon receiving notice how he may convey an answer; but he must beg leave to decline any further reply in the Public Papers, being unwilling to treat seriously what very possibly may have been intended only as a joke (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: [The following puff appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Yesterday about twelve the Races began on the Bowling Green, Southwark. There were several started for the Plate called Public Approbation, amongst the Rest was a celebrated Theatrical Horse, and two or Three Racers belonging to the same Stable, and some young Colts and Fillies, lately bred in the Stud of an eminent Sportsman in the Haymarket. The dispute laid principally between the noted Don Quixote and the Little Female Minor. The contest was warm, and several Heats were ran [a number of performances during the day?] before it could be decided; which at length was given by a small Majority of the Subscribers and the Clerk of the Course, in favor of the latter. However, her Antagonists being Bloed, they have challenged her to run again, play or pay, for three Days sucessively; and she will start This Day, tomorrow and Monday next, exactly at Twelve. Bets are laid, the Little Minor against the Field; and Eight to Six that in the end she distances the famous Old Horse, and beats him absolutely hollow."

Event Comment: The Sixth Night. N.B. The public may be assurred for the future that the performances will be on the days advertised (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: The Tenth Day. N.B. Tne managers deferred performing last night, on account of the Benefit for a public charity at ranelagh (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: [Puff for the afterpiece]: As this Pastoral was not originally designed for the theatre, it is thought proper to give the public some account of it, and by what means it has now found its way to the stage. The Chorusses and Airs were selected from Mr Handel, and several other eminent masters, by a gentleman whose taste and knowledge in music is perhaps his least merit. Having conceived the design of a musical entertainment of this miscellaneous nature he found himself oblig'd...to connect them [the airs] by a Recitative of his own composition: This naturally produced a kind of a little drama, and the ease and elegance of the whole is the more to be admired when it is considered that the words were of necessity composed in perfect subservience to the music. The piece has been several times performed at Salisbury and greatly admired by many of the first Rank. The author, upon Mr Norris being engaged at the theatre, was applied to for leave to bring it on the stage, to which he has most obligingly given his consent. [Cast given] After an agreeable Overture, the curtain rises and discovers a rural scene, and a troop of nymphs and shepherds assembled to celebrate the Spring. Their rejoicings open with a grand cheerful chorus. We cannot say enough of the taste and execution of Mr Vernon and Miss Young in this scene. The united sprightliness and simplicity of the duet was truly admirable. [Song given, followed by a brief description of the parting of the shepherds, the announcement of Peace so they won't have to part, and special commendation for the various songs of Mr Vincent, and Mr Norris.] We will venture to prophesy that it will be more and more admired at every representation; though perhaps it may not fall in with the Taste of the Groundlings, who, like Polonius, are for a Jig or a Tale of Bawdry, or they sleep (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author. [At the half-price riots (25 Jan.) Moody had stopped a man from setting fire to the house. When called upon to apologize for interfering with a gentleman and for taking the manager's part he thought to restore good humor by assuming the tone of a low-bred Irishman, saying he was sorry he had displeased them by saving their lives and putting out the fire. The reply inflamed the rioters more (Genest, V, p. 15). On 5 Feb. Moody inserted the following apology in the Public Advertiser: Mr Moody begs leave to inform the Public that the impropriety of his behavoir at the theatre was intirely owing to the confusion of mind he was then under; which unhappily for him was misconstrued into disrespect; tho' nothing could at that, or that, or at any other time, be farther from his thoughts. He therefore earnestly hopes and entreats that he may be permitted to appear before them again; as he hereby most humbly asks their pardon for whatever he inadvertently said or did to incur their displeasure."

Event Comment: It having been maliciously reported that the return of money was refused on the night of the late disturbance at this theatre, the managers think it necessary to assure the public that [the] principal part of the money was returned the same evening, as the remainder would have been, had it not been prevented by some hundreds of persons forcing in, and the office-keepers being drove from their posts by the violence of the tumult. Upwards of #40 have since been repaid to those who have been pleased to apply for it, and the residue remains in the hands of the Stage Door-Keeper for the same purpose (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Author's Day. [Publication of the play announced in the Public Advertiser this day, along with the following "puff" by Censor Dramaticus: "Sir: I have just given the new comedy, the Double Mistake, its first reading, and must confess I never was better pleased at a first reading than at present: It is chaste, sententious and genteel in its dialogue, interesting in its plot, the characters all of consequence, strongly marked and happily kept up, and even the virtuoso entertaining without being tiresome. I heartily wish it success, and congratulate the author on such a production, which shows that virtuous principles in high life render the persons that possess them doubly charming, and add real grace and dignity to their appearance in public life....I hope I may be believed when I say I have not the most distant knowledge of the author, and that impartiality shall ever be, and ever was my constant plan in observations of this kind."

Event Comment: [Messrs Vincent and Gordon beg the Nobility and Gentry that intend honouring them with their protection the ensuing season of Opera will pay their subscriptions to Messrs Drummonds, Bankers, Charing Cross. The subscription is for 50 nights only. A letter from Timotheus in the Public Advertiser: "I repeatedly see in your paper an advertisement from the managers of the opera to solicit subscriptions from the Nobility and Gentry to enable them to carry it on. Surely, from the specimin they have already given us of their performance in the serious way, never had managers less claim to the countenance and favour of the public. In the whole company but one voice, and that just tolerable and no more; compared indeed to the rest a nightengale. Then, Sir, for their dancers, they seem so perfectly so well suited to the singers, that 't is difficult to pronounce to which of them the palm should be allotted. For the Figurers, one only excepted, they seem in that article to have paid a due attention to their want of every Talent requisite, by reducing them to so small a number that they look like so many mice scudding about an empty barn. In short, Singers, Dancers, Figurers, Cloaths, Decorations, etc., etc., are all so much of a piece, that if the directors either can't or won't engage better performers, the sooner an end is put to the exhibition of Operas the better it will be." See comment in reply, 8 Nov.