Event Comment: Benefit for Baddeley. Miss Sherry made her first appearance upon this Stage in Lady Macbeth, a Sensible Speaker pretty good voice Short Clumsy Figure met with Applause--The Farce very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Afterpiece: A Farce by George Downing. Paid 6 day's salary at #82 19s. 9d., #497 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington on Cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #135 1s. 6d. Charges: #68 12s. Profits to Baddeley: #66 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: To the Printer of the Public Advertiser, Mr Woodfall: Why don't you constantly, every day, print a list of the Mistakes which the guessing Messieurs Ledger and Gazatteer make in their account of the playbills? Woodward, says the Gazetteer, is to play Harlequin, and Miles the Clown this evening [Friday 14 Oct.] in Harlequin Sorcerer; Tenducci and Brent the Shepherd and Shepherdess. The Ledger informs me that Woodward will play Lissardo in the Wonder, when you say Dyer; and that Mrs Younger is to play Inis, when you advertise Mrs Green will play that character. I dare say, Mr Garrick very shortly will make his appearance in the Gazetteer or Ledger. Your Humble Servant, &c. [Garrick was in France at this time.

Event Comment: This piece was greatly Cut & Alter'd. the 5th Act Entirely left out & many Airs interspers'd all through; got up with a vast deal of trouble to everbody concern'd in it but particularly to Mr Coleman, who attended every Rehearsal & had alterations innumberable to make. Upon the Whole, never was anything so murder'd in the Speaking. Mr W. Palmer & Mrs Vincent were beyond Description bad; & had it not been for the Children's Excellent performance, (& particularly Miss Wright who Sung delightfully) the Audience would not have Suffer'd'em to have gone half thro' it. The Sleeping Scene particularly displeas'd. Next day it was reported, The Performers first Sung the Audience to S leep, & then went to Sleep themselves (Hopkins). Fairies pleas'd--Serious parts displeas'd--Comic between both (Cross Diary). This piece of Shakespear's was greatly cut and altered,--the fifth act entirely left out,--and many airs introduced--got up with a vast deal of trouble to all concerned, but particularly to Mr Colman, who attended every rehearsal, and had alterations innumerable to make. Upon the whole, I believe, never was piece so murdered as this was by the singing speakers, in which Mrs Vincent and Mr W. Palmer were beyond description bad; and had it not been for the children's excellent performance (particularly Miss Wright, who ran away with all the applause and very deservedly) the audience would not have suffered them to have gone half thro' it.--The sleeping particularly displeased. The next day it was reported, the performers sung the audience to sleep, and then went to sleep themselves (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Overture and airs composed by the most eminent English masters. Book of the play sold at the theatre, 1s. [See "A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Hands of Garrick and Colman," PMLA, June 1939.] Receipts: #98 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: A few hisses at the End of the Farce (Hopkins Diary). [Public Advertiser: A correspondent, who was at Drury Lane Theatre Thursday evening, remarks that the Ridicule of the Head-Dresses in Mr Garrick's last Epilogue, and in his performance of Sir John Brute, has had its proper Effect; for the Ladies have lowered their Main Top-Gallant Sails from nine inches to twelve; so that they are not present above three quarters of a yard higher than they ought to be.] Paid salary list 4 days #416 4s. 4d.; Tallow chandler #35 9s. 9d.; Mr Parsons on note by order #25; Settre and Co., Mercers #9 6s. 10d. Receipts: #252 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Farce in two acts never performed before. Full prices. [See advertisement to Reed's 1761 edition where he accuses Foote of taking the character of Mrs Cole in the Minor from Mrs Snarewell.] A new farce wrote by one Reed, a ropemaker, brought out by Mr Foote--went off tolerable--hissed a little at the end (Hopkins MS Notes). [See advertisement for the Universal Register Office General Advertiser 18 Oct. 1750: This Office being much approv'd and encouraged especially by Ladies and Gentlemen in the Country, we have daily enquiries by those who are just come to town, and many letters from those in the country to procure houses and lodgings, both furnished and unfurnished, for single Gentlemen, Ladies, and Families for the winter; and also boarding houses as well in French Families as in English Families." Announces its books open to any who wish to register there. The afterpiece met with trouble from the Licenser. Larpent MS 189 and 196, indicate the exceptionable passages to be those using profanity, and those of Mrs Snarewell's capable of double entendre, principally about the comfort she received from Mr Watchlight who was called twice out of bed to pray-"so ernest in his ejaculations, &c."

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #67 2s. (Treasurer's Book). N.B. Dido is oblig'd to be deferr'd a few days (playbill). Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #29 18s. 6d.; Paid Mr Pinto for 3 sets of symphonies #1 11s. 6d. B. Jonson's Head #1 19s. 1d.; Mrs Pritchard's gratuity #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Put on my old clothes and at 5 went to Drury Lane, found the Pit and 2s. gallery quite full, at last had myself squeezed into the Pit, where I was most woefully pressed, but saw very well and got a seat ere the farce began. The play was Cymbeline, with The Deuce is in Him. This play pleases me. The dresses were tolerably proper, ye scenes (particularly that of Imogen's chamber and the Cave) pretty and ye performance of ye principal characters good, but having never read the play, lost a great deal of the effect. Imogen, Mrs Yates, she is very hoarse. In Act II a Masquerade Dance, with singing by Mrs Vincent. After Act III the Vintage. After the play, King in the character of Linco, with Dorcas and others of his neighbors, asking him questions, partly spoke and partly sang, for this night only,-a new very humorous little piece called Linco's Travels, particularly in England. Glad I did not go to the other House, tho I wished to see Macklin, who played there this night only for his daughter's benefit. When the Farce began, the Gods (as those in the Upper Gallery are called) called for the Prologue, on which Packer came on and said, Mr King has not spoke the Prologue this winter, and is now dressing to play in the Farce and hopes the Audience will excuse him." Miss Pope and Miss Plym coming on again were hissed off, and after we had waited some minutes longer, King spoke the Prologue, which was lucky for me who had never heard him speak it. The gods called for it on Monday last, but desisted on the above excuse being made. Almost eleven ere all was over. I now know all the entrances into the Pit and Gallery at Drury Lane (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Beaumont and Fletcher, reviv'd. Afterpiece: Not acted these three years. [See 8 Aug. 1761.] Mr Powell made his first appearance this Night in Philaster. His Reception was very great, he play'd the part amazingly well, & Seems to have Requisites to make a very Capital Performer. N.B. Covent Garden Theater begun to play every Night (Hopkins). Philaster by Mr Powell. Prodigious applause (Cross Diary). This play [Philaster] was wrote by Beaumont and Fletcher, and is now altered by Mr Colman. Mr Powell, a young gentleman clerk to Sir Robert Ladbrook, made his first appearance in the character of Philaster.--A greater reception was never shown to anybody,--he was so very much frightened, he could not speak for some time, and, when he did, the tears ran fast down his cheeks,--but he soon recovered himself, and went through the part with a great deal of nature and feeling,--Continued claps and huzza of bravo! &c. &c. Upon the whole I think him possessed of every requisite necessary to make him an ornament to the stage.--N.B. Mr D. Garrick instructed him in this part--when I see him in another shall be able to judge better of his capabilities.--Miss Pope appeared this Night in the character of Maria in the Citizen,--by endeavoring to be very fine she overdid it,--and it was plain to see she wanted her master. N.B.--Covent Garden began to play of our nights--the first time they ever begin first since Mr Garrick was manager (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #258 11s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Barry. King Arthur oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of Mr Barry's illness. Tickets deliver'd for The Distressed Mother will be taken. Pit and Boxes are laid together. Send servants by Four o'clock. Afterpiece: Not acted these seven years. [See 21 April 1760.] The Farce hiss'd. Mrs Barry Sir Harry (Hopkins Diary). Paid Salary list #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths Acct, #1; Mr S. French 6 days, #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #296 14s. Charges: #65. Profit to Mrs Barry: #231 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Author of the Farce. Rec'd Stopages #29 18s.; Paid 6 days salary at #87 11s. 4d. per diem, #525 8s. Mr King 6 night's extra salary #3; Mr Clinch 30 nights not on the list #12 10s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #185 2s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to author of Farce: #101 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With New Dresses and Decorations. N.B. After this night the Meeting of the Company will be laid aside for sometime. The Play was New drest in the Habits of the time & they look'd very well & was applauded (Hopkins Diary) Paid 3 days salary list at #91 16s. 4d. per diem, #275 9s.; Sundry salaries not on list last week as per partners in Memorandum Book, #44 8s.; Mr Granier for last week 12s. 6d.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #226 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Marine Society. Boxes & pit 10s. 6d.; Gal: 3s. up: Gall 2s.; Stage 5s. (Cross). Tickets to be had of Mr Brogden at Mr Fieldings; Mr Stephens, 1st Secretary to the Society, in Princes's St. near the Bank, and of Mr Box, 2nd Secretary to said Society, in Duke St., York Buildings; and places of Varney at Stage-Door. [Advertisements for this performance for "clothing Friendless Boys and Men for the Sea" appeared in the Public Advertiser from 26 April to this day. The long Notice for the day pointed out that benefactors who attended would enjoy the satisfaction of seeing about 100 men and boys, all volunteers, clothed by the Marine Society appear on stage to thank them. The next day they would march to Portsmouth to go on board the Fleet. "As Britannia herself is to make her appearance on the scene in behalf of her warlike offering, it is pleasing to reflect that so many of her lovely daughters will attend her. It is not doubted but there will be the most Brilliant House that has been seen for sometime."] Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for furnishing the new Wards in the Middlesex Hospital. Paid Charlotte Lane for altering a cloth coat, and green corded silk waistcoat lac'd with silver for Mr Wm. Smith, 5s. 6d.; shalloos back & bod lining to coat & stiffening, 3s. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick II, 332). [The Occasional Prologue, written by Mr Boyce was publish'd in the Public Advertiser 19 Dec. 1755]: @And, Britons, Godlike charity is yours...@'Tis yours to silence Misry's plaintive moan@And make the grief of others all your own...@Give balm to Nature's accidental woes,@And sooth th'impovrish'd matron's pregnant throes...@ [The Epilogue, written by C. Smart, and spoken by Shuter in the character of a Man-midwife, was published in the same paper: Shuter enters with a child]: @Whoe'er begot thee has no cause to blush:@Thou'rt a brave chopping boy (child cries) nay, hush, hush, hush.@.......................@Nay if you once begin to puke and cough@Go to the nurse. Within, here, take him off.@Well Heav'n be prais'd, it is a peopling age,@Thanks to the Bar, the Army, and the Stage...

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted for 14 years, altered from Shirley. [See 7 Feb. 1758.] Characters New Dress'd in the Habits of the Times. This Comedy is reviv'd with Alterations. It is well perform'd & had great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Half year's paving &c. to Mich. last for Drury Lane & Russel St. #14. Mr Godfrey for women's cloaths, #15. Mr Clutterbuck's last summer's balance #57 15s. 2d.; Mrs Foster for men's cloaths, #25 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #121 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by John Home. Prologue by the author (London Chronicle, 16 Feb.). Epilogue by David Garrick (ibid.)]: New Scenes, Dresses, &c. Account-Book, 26 Jan.: Paid Wild for [obtaining] license for Alfred #2 2s. Public Advertiser, 14 Feb. 1778: This Day is published Alfred (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #246 (241.17.6; 4.2.6)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door of the Theatre. [Only sagnificant changes from this regular notice will be recorded hereafter.] Paid Mrs Margaret Lamb 6 months interest on #315 due 8 Sept. #7 10s. (Account Book). Receipts: #155 15s. (Account Book). Estimate of a Constant@N.B. The Ground Rent and Taxes is calculated to be Paid in 150 Days.@Per Annum Per Day@To 50 Old Shares at 2s. --- #5@To 50 New Ditto at 2s. --- #5@T 50 New Ditto at 2s. --- #5@To Ground Rent for the Theatre #100@To Ditto for Buildings in Harte St. #30@To Ditto for Mr Thurmond's House in Bow Street Passage #25@ #155 #1 0s. 8d.@ #11 0s. 8d.@Taxes (Viz)@To Land and Window Taxes for Theatre #98 2s.@To Do for a House in Bow St. Passage #5 15s 6d.@To Poor's Rate for the Theatre #20@To Do for a House in Bow St. Passage #1 10s.@To Watch rate for the Theatre #8 6s. 8d@To Do for a House in Bow St. Passage 10s. 6d.@To Rector's rate for the Theatre #6 13s. 4d.@To Do for a House in Bow St. Passage 8s. 4d.@To Scavenger's Rate for the Theatre #6 17s. 4d.@To Do for a House in Bow St. Passage 6s. 4d.@To Water for the Theatre #4@ #152 10s.@ #1 4d.@To Renters, Ground Rent & Taxes #12 1s.@To Gawrds [sic] per Day 14s.@To Barbers Do 5s. 4d.@To Scenemen Do #2 10s.@To Music as Per List #4 9s 2d.@For 150 Days To Candles #3 3s.@Do To Coales 10s 10s.@Passages, Stage Etc. To Lamps #1 12s.@To Bills #1 7s.@To Advertisements 5s.@To Billsetters 4s. 6d.@#16 6s. Sallery [sic] #14 6s. Estimate To Wardrobe bill about #1 11s.@#2 Sallery #5 Estimate To Property Bill Do 7s.@To Chorus Singers Do 10s.@To Mr J. Rich #5 5s.@To Mr C. Rich #1@ #36 1s.@Nightly Charge@Musick List@Messrs Wood 5s.@Gillier 5s.@Miller 5s.@Chapman@ 3s. 4d.@Goodman 3s. 4d.@Woodson 5s.@Ward 6s. 8d.@Rolland 5s.@Rawlings 3s. 4d.@Vincent 6s. 8d.@Wrexell 5s.@Beale 5s.@Jones 4s. 2d.@Biche 3s. 4d.@Heron 4s. 2d.@Stockdon 3s. 4d.@Scovell 3s. 4d.@Lampe 3s. 4d.@Smart 3s. 4d.@Assistant Writer 10d.@Harpsicord 5s.@#4 9s. 2d.@Men Dressers Charg'd in the Wardrobe Bills@Messrs Mearns 2s. 6d.@Cason 2s.@Esbury 1s.@Fenwick 1s.@Winterton 1s.@Besford 1s.@Francis 1s.@Cawder 1s.@Hays 1s.@Hollingsworth 1s.@Cabell 1s.@Nicholls 1s.@Norris 1s.@Cole 1s.@16s. 6d.@Billstickers as per List@Messrs Abbott 2s.@Mislebrook 2s.@Dymuck 2s@Tidd 2s.@Gale 2s.@Cole 1s. 6d.@11s. 6d.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bradshaw, Mrs Johnston and Mrs Millidge. Paid half year's paving &c. to Lady Day last, #14 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #151 6s. Charges: #67 11s. 6d. Profits to Mrs Bradshaw, Johnston and Millidge: #83 14s. 6d

Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser: This day is publish'd at 6d. An Apology to the Town, for Himself and the Bottle. By J. Nick-all. N.B. Mr P- was mistaken in the name. To which is prefix'd an exact representation of the scene of Harlequin's Escape into the Bottlev , introduc'd into the Pantomime of Apollo and Daphne, or the Burgomaster Trick'd, the Character of Harlequin by Mr Phillips. Printed for B. Dickenson, the corner of Bell Savage Inn, Ludgate Hill

Event Comment: Notice is hereby given, that the Annual Feast of the Shakespeare Society will be held on Wed. 2nd of March next, at the Shakespeare's Head Tavern in Covent Garden; and that tickets are left with the Master of that House to be disposed of to the Gentlemen who subscribed for Tickets for the last Feast, and who are to call for them at any time within thirty days from the date thereof. Such tickets as are not in that time called for will be delivered to the Stewards to be otherwise disposed of. The person's name to whom a Ticket is deliver'd will be endors'd thereon, and no other person can be admitted thereby. E. B. Secretary (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 4, but published in 5, by Richard Bentley. The assignments of Fearon, Booth, Mahon (who are not listed in the text) are my own conjecture. Prologue and Epilogue by Richard Bentley Jun. (Public Advertiser, 18 Dec.)]: New Dresses, &c. Words of the Epithalamium will be given at the Box Doors. Public Advertiser, 11 Jan. 1783: This Day is published Philodamus (1s. 6d.). Afterpiece: Never performed at this Theatre. Receipts: #203 2s. (198/16/6; 4/5/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Leonard Macnally; words to some of the songs by Edward Lysaght]: With new Music, Scenes and Dresses. The Music composed by Shield [with selections from Sacchini, Bertoni, Lord Mornington, &c. (Public Advertiser, 19 Apr.); overture by Baumgarten, being the same as that used by him in William and Nanny at CG, 12 Nov. 1779 (Town and Country Magazine, Apr. 1784, p. 171)]. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 30 Oct. 1784: This Day is published by J. Almon Robin Hood [listing cast for season of 1784-85] (1s. 6d.). [In the season of 1789-90 this was reduced to an afterpiece of 2 acts.] Receipts: #206 4s. (204/3; 2/1)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by James Cobb]: Some of the Airs compiled from the best Masters [Purcell, Sacchini, et al.]; the rest of the Music, the Overture, Accompaniments, &c. by Linley [Sen.]. [The scenery by Greenwood {Public Advertiser, 15 Dec). In 1792 this opera was altered by the author as The Algerine Slave.] Public Advertiser, 11 Jan. 1786: This Day is published The Strangers at Home (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #200 1s. (183/6/0; 16/10/0; 0/5/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by James Cobb]: Some of the Airs compiled from the best Masters; the rest of the Music, the Overture, Accompaniments, &c. by Linley? Sen. With variety of new Scenery ["A view of Calcuttav, from a painting done on the spot by Hodges, opens the piece" (Public Advertiser, 26 Feb.)], Dresses and Decorations. Public Advertiser, 6 Mar. 1788: This Day is published Love in the East (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #207 8s. 6d. (172.8.0; 33.9.6; 1.11.0)

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Paid salary list #305 15s. 6d.; Mrs Hobson a bill 14s. 9d.; Paid Mr Mattocks as per order #1 1s.; Paid Mr Cartony for 12 yds. silver lace #9 12s.; Bought 12 lbs. Lampwicke #1 (Treasurer's Book). Next Monday will be reviv'd a Comedy (not acted these 30 years) call'd Friendship in Fashion, written by Otway. Receipts: #160 (Cross); #162 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Daily Advertiser: To Mr W-d, Sir, After the many defeats you have already suffer'd in the Mimical War between us, to which Ireland as well as England have been laughing witnesses; I was greatly surpris'd to hear that you again intended to provoke my future vengeance, by dressing at me in the character of Malagene, which you are to perform in the reviv'd play Friendship in Fashion. Whatever you may think, Mr W-d, these public exhibitions of particular persons by no means become the dignity of the stage, & though a disorder in my Finances may occasionally have urged me to some Pleasant attacks in this way, yet give me leave to say, I never was abandoned enough to think 'em justifiable...Your intended attack on me...as the character you are to represent is...indeed not that of the most nice Morality; who knows but that...some may cry, "Tis he from head to Foot." As you are sensible this would be doing me great Injustice, & in my present circumstances might be particularly injurious to me, I expect you will alter the Design