Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 216. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 348. The date on the list seems to be "3," but as this is a Sunday, it is more likely "9." This performance may well be the one to which Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 31) refers: Note, Mr Cademan in this Play [The Man's the Master], not long after our Company began in Dorset-Garden; his Part being to Fight with Mr Harris, was Unfortunately, with a sharp Foil pierc'd near the Eye, which so Maim'd both the Hand and his Speech, that he can make little use of either; for which Mischance, he has receiv'd a Pension ever since 1673, being 35 Years a goe. [For a discussion of this accident, see William VanLennep, Henry Harris, Actor, Friend of Pepys, Studies in English Theatre History (London, 1952), p. 16, and the entry under 20 Aug. 1673.

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@142, p. 81: At the Virtuoso. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 348. Nell Gwyn also attended this performance; see VanLennep, Nell Gwyn's Playgoing, p. 407. The Diary of Robert Hooke, 25 May 1676: Mr Abraham Hill gave J. Hoskins, Aubery and I an account of Vertuoso play. A song, How retched is the slave to love, the music by Francis Forcer, is in Choice Ayres and Songs, The Second Book, 1679. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 37): The Libertine and Virtuoso: Both Wrote by Mr Shadwell; they were both very well Acted, and got the company great Reputation

Event Comment: On this date, L. C. 5@16, p. 101 (Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 10n) Nathaniel Lee's The Duke of Guise was banned. John Drummond to Marquis and Duke of Queensberry, 16 July 1682: Ther is a play hear to be acted that maks a great business, for the Duke of Munmuth has complained of it, and they say that notwithstanding it is to be acted sometime nixt weik. They call it the Duke of Guise, but in the play the true story is cheinged to the plott time hear (HMC, Buccleuch-Queensberry MSS., 1903, II 108). Newsletter, 29 July 1682: A play by Mr Dryden, termed the Duke of Guise, wherein the Duke of Monmouth was vilified and great interest being make for the acting thereof, but coming to His Majesty's knowledge is forbid, for though His Majesty be displeased with the Duke yet he will not suffer others to abuse him (HMC, 15th Report, Part VII, 1898, p. 108). Newdigate newsletters, 29 July 1682: A play having been made [by] Mr Dryden termed ye Duke of Guise supposed to Levell att the villifying the Duke of Monmouth & many other protestants & great Interest made for the Acting thereof but bringing to the knowledge of his Matie the same was forbidd for though his Maties pleasure is to be dissatisfyed and angry with the Duke of Monmouth, yet hee is not willing that others should abuse him out of a naturall affection for him (Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81)

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 30 May: On Saturday last died Mr Francis Leigh, one of the Comedians of Drury-Lane Playhouse, and Partner with Mr Bullock in the Entertainments of Southwark Fair, &c. He was Son of the Celebrated Tony Leigh, so fam'd heretofore for his Mastership in Comick Performances

Event Comment: Not Acted these Ten Years. As it was alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher, by C. Cibber. Daily Journal, 5 Jan.: Last Night the Rival Fools...was violently hiss'd, upon which Mr Cibber, in a very civil manner, address'd himself to the Audience, and told'em, 'That they did not offer that Play as one of their most polite Entertainments, that they had been reflected on by the Town for not pushing forward their young Actors; that this Play had been revived for no other Purpose, that it was impossible for the old ones to last forever, and therefore he beg'd the Audience to be silent, and give those who were desirous of it the liberty of hearing.' This Speech was interupted by a thundering Clap, and produced a good effect for an Act, and then the hissing began again, and grew so violent towards the latter end, that they were obliged to give the Play out two or three times, and much ado had the ingenious Mr Penkethman to be heard at last. (See also Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 6 Jan.

Event Comment: UUniversal Spectator, 11 Jan.: Last Wednesday his Highness the Prince went to...Drury-Lane, to see Mr Cibber's new Pastoral....The Actors were for a while prevented from performing, by the great Disturbance some of the Audience made. But on a Speech from Mr Cibber, with a Promise it should not be acted again, the Catcalls, &c. ceased, and they were suffered to go on and end the same. See also Applebee's, 11 Jan.; Egmont, Diary, III, 325; Whincop, p. 198

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. Afterpiece: Set to Musick by Mr Arne. [See Daily Post, 13 Nov., and London Evening Post, 13 Nov., for the trial of Harper. Daily Post, 13 Nov.: It was design'd also to prevent the Company acting last Night, by taking away so principal a Performer in the Play, which was advertis'd, he being conrin'd, &c. and his Hearing by Counsel deferr'd till between Five and Six o'Clock; but the Audience being duly acquainted with this Prosecution very kindly accepted Mr Cibber's reading the Part.]

Event Comment: An Organ is Erected on the Occasion. Performance By Desire. Being the last time Mr Arne can have the Theatre to perform it this season. Mr Arne being inform'd that some persons have objected to the small addition of Prices, will (notwithstanding he performs at above #70 Expence) oblige the Town with this Performance at the Usual Benefit prices, viz: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. To begin at half an hour past Six. Tickets to be had of Arne Next door to the Crown &c. [see 20 March]

Event Comment: fterpiece]: A Masque by Mr Dodsley. Went off Toll (Cross). New Dresses, Scenes, Decorations, &c. Music compos'd by Mr Arne. Nothing under Full prices will be taken. [Customary note for all subsequent performances this season. Will not be repeated.] Receipts: #170 (Cross); #161 19s. (Powel)

Event Comment: At the Request of several Scotch Nobility, as benefit for Mr Gibson, who perform'd Donald MacGregor in The Orators 38 Days...will be performed a Concert of Music...after which, &c. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Tickets to be had of Mr Gibson, next Door to the Golden Star in Lower Cross St., near Hatton Gardens...He will make it his chief care to conduct the whole with Regularity. To begin at 6:30 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Young. Afterpiece: Not acted in 20 years. Music by Dr Arne. [See John Lockman's Reflections concerning Operas, &c." in his introduction to his edition of Rosalinda (London, 1760), p. iv: 'A gentleman, well known for his musical compositions, is of opinion, that the reason why the Opera Rosamond tho' adorned with all the graces of lyric poetry, does not please from the stage, so much as might be expected, is owing to a circumstance that forms a beauty in the drama itself; I mean the suppos'd poisoning of Rosamond at the end of the second act, and her appearing no more upon the stage. Whilst this sheet was at press, I was told that Mr Arne has reduc'd this opera into one act, and set the whole anew; and so managed matters, that Rosamond appears throughout the whole drama. Tis said that the music of this new Rosamond is as delightful as that of another performance of Mr Arne's which now affords the town so agreeable an Entertainment."

Event Comment: This Comedy was written by Mr Kelly as soon as the Curtain was drawn up they began to hiss--a party was made against it--because he was suspected of Writing for the Court party. Much hissing. Mr Garrick call'd for. No play &c. Cry'd out, at last the play was got thro' with much hissing and Groaning When the play was given out again One Party was for it no more and Kelly's party was for it again so that no play at all was given out (Hopkins Diary). [See Criticism in "British Theatre" article, London Magazine, March, also an extended account of the attack upon the piece. This occurs also in the Town and Country Magazine, which mentions that since the curtain was not drawn up for the farce the audience received a refund.

Event Comment: This New Comedy [Mainpiece] written by Mr Cumberland receiv'd with the greatest applause imaginable particularly Mr Moody's part. He play'd finely--it will have a great run (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations, &c. (Winston MS 10). [A six and one-half column review of the plot appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine for Feb. 1771.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Performed as an Oratorio, though only a Serenata. Words by Gay...set to music by Mr Handel for that princely nobleman the Duke of Chandos...This being too short for a whole evening's entertainment, Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode, also set by Handel, was performed after the Serenata. End of Part I Concerto on French Horn, by Ponta. End of Part II, Solo on Violincello-Janson (Theatrical Review, 18 March). Ross and Mossop engag'd for Haymarket for tragedy, also Bannister; Aickin, Baddeley, Parsons, Dibdin, Mrs Baddeley, Evans, Miss Miller, Miss Ambrose &c. (Winston MS 10). [For Summer season?]