Event Comment: Theatres closed, also Sadlers Wells and all the public gardens for the death of the Duke of York (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: DDon Felix pretty well by Powell....Lissardo inimitably by Woodward (the first time these 9 years). Read his part and that of Gibby. The play on the whole was pretty well performed. Baker does Beard's part in Midas. His not acting is a great loss to the public, as he was inimitable in some things. Stood in the well all night (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #163 4s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity. [Specified in Account Book, as the Lock Hospital, which received #11 3s. over and above house charges and sundries (candles, kettle drum, side drum, wardrobe) plus #23 5s. for disposing of 93 Box tickets.] @Receipt #97 15s.@House Charges #84@Candles #1 5s.@Kettle Drum 5s.@Side Drum 2s.@Wardrobe #1@Total #86 12s.@Balance due the Hospital #11 3s.@93 Box Tickets valued at #23 5s.@Money #97 15s.@Total in House #121 (Account Book).@ N.B. Received of Mrs LaRoche her half value of Tickets for 12th Inst. #59 13s

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Event Comment: [The Interlude (by Isaac Bickerstaffe; Music by Arnold) in Honor of His Danish Majesty. It concludes with a Large Coronet of Flowers and a Garland Dance. Done apparently to speed the departing guest and cement good public relations.] Receipts: #120 19s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Younger. Tickets deliver'd for Macbeth , by Branson and Miss Helme, will be taken. Mr Younger being oblig'd by Mr Powell's illness, to change his play of Macbeth to the above tragedy, humbly hopes for the Indulgence of his Friends and the Public in general. Charges #67 9s. Balance to Younger #18 3s. 6d. plus #48 9s. from tickets (Box 97; Pit 110; Gallery 77). [Branson and Miss Helme seem to have borne none of the charges and to have received full value for their tickets]: Branson #33 (Box 29; Pit 99; Gallery 109); Miss Helme #16 14s. (Box 1; Pit 63; Gallery 70). Receipts: #85 12s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by Richard Cumberland] never performed. [Genest, V, 282, reports that Garrick was in the House this night and was agreeably surprised at the complimentary reference to him in the Epilogue: Who but has seen the celebrated strife Where Reynolds calls the Canvass into life: And, 'twixt the Tragic, and the Comic Muse, Courted of both, and dubious where to chuse, Th'immortal Actor stands?' A long retelling of the plot appeared in the Freeholder's Magazine for Dec., concluding: This comedy was received with great applause by the Audience. It is said to be written by Mr Cumberland, who has already oblig'd the Public with a musical piece, called the Summer's Tale. The Performers, particularly Mr Smith, Mr Woodward, Mr Yates, Mrs Green, Mrs Bulkley, and Mrs Yates, did great justice to their characters. The Prologue was spoken by Mr Smith, and the Epilogue, which alluded to the celebrated picture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, where Comedy and Tragedy are contending for Mr Garrick, by Mrs Yates." Receipts: #215 18s

Event Comment: Benefit for City of London Lying-In Hospital in Aldersgate Street. Charges #85 5s. Balance to Hospital 8s. 6d. plus income from tickets #142 3s. (Box 402; Pit 203; Gallery 112). Paid Dunstall balance for Theatrical Fund #120 6d. (Account Book). [The Occasional Prologue is Larpent MS 303, ending in anti-Mandevillian fashion; Private virtue leads to Public good."] . Receipts: #85 13s. 6d

Event Comment: FFreeholder's Magazine, Jan., p. 247: A Card. The frequenters of Drury Lane playhouse present their compliments to Mr Garrick, and take the liberty of reminding him, that as he has now no capital performer, besides himself, belonging to that house, to engage Mr Lee, if at liberty. As Mr Garrick's reputation as a player, and a fortune, are now established upon a basis sufficiently firm and solid, he need not entertain those jealous apprehensions of Mr Lee he formerly did. And as the Public have encouraged Mr Garrick so far, as to acquire an immense fortune, they esteem it incumbent upon him, in point of gratitude, to oblige them in whatever may contribute to their satisfaction and pleasure

Event Comment: marly Benefit for Hook. Price 3s. Vocals in Concert by Mas. Cheney, Two Young Ladies who never appeared in public, and Mrs Barthelemon

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Musical Entertainment [by Isaac Bickerstaffe] never acted before. This Piece was performed last Summer at Ranelagh; but though very much approved by the best judges of Musical Composition, by being performed in an Orchestra, lost the better part of its effect. It was thought it would please more in action upon the Theatre; and with the Addition of a New Scene, and Chorus and Ballet suitable to the subject; is now accordingly once more presented to the Public, with the necessary Advantages of Dresses and Decorations (Edition of 1770)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Masque (in three parts) [by George Colman] never perform'd, in which will be introduc'd the Principal Solemnities at the Installation of the Knights of the Garter. With New Music, composed by Dr Arne, Habits, Decorations and Scenes. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #220 10s. 6d. (Account Book). The greater part is borrowed with some variation from Ben Jonson [Masque of Oberon]. The same liberty has been taken with a few passages of Shakespeare, and a Chorus of the late Gilbert West, Esq. The final chorus is from Dryden...an effort to entertain the public by the combined powers of the most eminent proficients in the arts of Music, Painting and Poetry (Adv. to Printed Edn., Colman's Dramatic Works, IV, London, 1777)

Event Comment: Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Mrs Slaughter's Bill #9 14s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Public Ledger, 11 Dec., contains a three column discussion of the play Cymbeline.] Receipts: #133 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A Favourite Comic opera. Music by Galuppi, with new dances and decorations. N.B. Mlle Heinel will dance every night performance when the public have not previous indication to the contrary. [Probably cancelled on account of the death of the Princess Dowager of Wales.

Event Comment: Mr Reddish who has to perform the part of Alonzo was not come to begin the 3d Act, which put us in great Confusion, at Length Mr J. Aickin consented to read the part, & we Cut Mr Aickins part quite out-An Apology was made to the Audience that Mr Reddish was not come, nor had he sent any Message-The Play went on;-before the play was finish'd Mr Reddish came to the House when the Play was over Mr King & Mr Reddish went on the Stage Mr King apologis'd the Audience in behalf of Mr Reddish & told them that Mr R. was ready to make oath that he had entirely forgot that it was a play Night, & that it was by meer chance he came to the House at all-his looks were so truely pitiable, the Audience had Compassion & excus'd him (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. Genest, V, 353, notes that the rebellion of the audience was quelled by an offer of return of entrance money to those wished to leave. He also notes that Reddish on the eleventh published an affidavit in confirmation of his statement, begging Pardon for disappointing the public.] Paid Mr Wright per order Mr G. G. #13 5s. 2d. Receipts: #143 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. For one night only. Benefit for Brunsdon. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. (Public Ledger)

Event Comment: A sacred Oratorio never performed in public. Composed by Handel

Event Comment: This Musical Interlude call'd The Election was Written by Mr Andrews & Set by Mr Barthelemon it is a Local piece & met wth great Applause (Hopkins Diary). What nauseous potions will not music wash down the throat of the public (Biographia Dramatica). [Interlude reviewed in the Westminster Magazine, Oct.: We shall dismiss this musical trifle by observing, that if the writer was serious, he has been ridiciulous: if he meant to be jocose, he should have it upon some expedient to discover his intention.--The Member chanting his patriotic promises was highly laughable. It was preceded by a lively overture of Mr Barthelemon's, who composed the rest of the music; in which, however, we observed no peculiar novelty.'] Receipts: #137 15s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In three acts altered from Shakespeare. Afterpiece, a New Pastoral Masque and Pantomime interspersed. The Music composed by Fisher. The scenes painted by Messrs Dahl, Richards and Carver. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. Books of Songs, &c. sold in Theatre. The words of the Masque taken chiefly from Ben Johnson (playbill). [DNB s.v. "Jonson," suggests The Haddington Masque, 1608, with the "Hue and Cry after Cupid" material as the source. The reviewer for the Westminster Magazine commented on the performance of 25 November, after outlining the story: "Such are the outlines of The Druids, whick is a hetereogeneous jumble of monstrous absurdities; and if considered merely as a vehicle for music, dances, and decorations, is, in our opinion, far inferior to the dramatic monstrum horrendum of the other House [The Maid of the Oaks]. Both pieces, however, are equally an insult on the understanding and judgments of the Public, and exhibit striking proofs of the miserably depraved state of the English theatre, whose entertainments are at present conducted by Managers either destitute of taste and abilities or actuated by no other than the paltry, despicable motives of vanity, prejudice, and avarice,"]

Event Comment: This Comis Opera is Written by the Revd Mr Bate. It is very Pleasant & the Music pretty. It is admirably Perform'd & was receiv'd with very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). The Music of the Afterpiece by Mr Carter. New Scenes, Dresses, Decoartions for afterpiece. Paid for Licences of Matilda & Rival Candidates #4 4s.; Mr Baddeley on note #10 10s.; Miss Berkley #2 2s. on note (Treasurer's Book). [A long rewiew of the plot of the afterpiece appeared in the Feb. Westminster Magazine, concluding: "In point of dialogue, poetry or music, it is inferior to few, if any, of the modern attempts of a similar kind; amongst which number, however, we desire to be understood not to include the ribald, unmeaning, sing-song compilations of the monotonous Mr Dibdin. The Fable, indeed, is too light and trival to endure the severity of a critical analysis; but it is at least sufficiently important to serve as a vehicle for the music; and the catastrophe has peculiar vivacity and theatrical spirit. Upon the whole the author has fully answered the end he proposed of introducing a deserving young composer whose name, it seems is Carter, to the public and who more than promises to be a composer of taste and genius. In this his first performance he both received and deserved the greatest encouragement and applause. Mr Weston spoke a humorous Epilogue accompanied by a large dog named Dragon, which had a very good effect, but as it was poor Dragon's first time of appearing on the stage, he, like all young performers of true feeling, seemed a good deal frightened...but having conquored his fears, and recovered himself a little, he performed his part very chastely and to the entire satisfaction of all present." Epilogue ends with a satirical remark upon Sg Rossignol, the "bird imitator" at Covent Garden. See 6 Jan. cg.] Receipts: #204 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy by Robert Jephson. New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy having been read by the Author's Friends in most of the great Family's in Town & puff'd up in Such a Manner that the Expectations of the Audience were so much rais'd that it fell far short of what they imagin'd-the four first Acts are heavy & want incident & Plot, the Writing is Clear & Nervous-the 5 Act has more incident & Plot but Writing not so Nervous: No Play had ever more Justice in the getting of it up Mr G. was not Sparing of his Labour & Attendance nor was any Expence deny'd for the Cloaths & Scenery both of which were Superb and it receiv'd with very great applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid Mr Wright per order #6 5s.; Mr Wallis on note #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine for Feb. outlines the plot of Braganza, and comments favorably: "Upon the whole, Braganza, met with general and deserved applause; and we cannot help congratulating the Public on the acquisition of a truly dramatic Genius." The author, Colonel Jephson, was Aid-de-Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Walpole wrote to Mason: "Braganza was acted with prodigious success. The audience, the most impartial I ever saw, sat mute for two acts, and seemed determined to judge for themselves, and not to be the dupes of the encomiums that had been so lavishly trumpeted. At the third act they grew pleased and interested; at the fourth they were cooled and deadened by two unneccessary scenes, but at the catastrophe in the fifth they were transported. They clapped, shouted, hussaed, cried bravo, and thundered out applause." Commends Mrs Yates, and hopes this will spark a new era in dramatic writing. Sweepingly condemns that of last fifty years.] Receipts: #250 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Wrighten, who continuing ill and unable to sing, humbly hopes that her friends and the Public will excuse her. Receipts: #142 16s. Charges: #65 6s. Profits to Mrs Wrighten: #77 10s. (Treasurer's Book)