Event Comment: [MS note in hand of Colley Cibber (in R. J. Smith, History of the Stage, Vol. IV. BM 11826r)]: December 25, 1750 Sr. Tho' Death has been cooling his his [sic] heels at my door these three weeks, I have not had time to see him. The Dayly conversation of my friends have kept me so agreeably alive, that I have not passed my time better a great while. If you have a mind to make [?] us, I will order Death to come another day--to be serious I long to see you, and hope you will take the first opportunity. And so wish as merry a Christmas, as many New Years as your heart can hope for, I am Your real friend and Serv't C. Cibber Xmas Day

Event Comment: The Last time of the Company's performing this season. The Oxonian in Town, cannot be perform'd on account of the indisposition of a performer. Doors open at Half past 5. To begin at Half past 6. [Account Book indicates the following as paying up their deficiencies or half value of tickets: Perry, Gardner, Legg, Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones, Wignell, Barnshaw, Wild, Mrs Hartle, Miss Brown, Ellis and Sherratt. Master Harris receiv'd #5 5s. for his performances this season. The Salary list for 25 May, recording payments for a ten day Period, amounted to #639 2s. 2d., or about #63 per day. Basic house charges of #63 may have been based on this salary figure, with the extras of candles, music, wardrobe, &c. added. See 6 June.] Receipts: #67 12s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 1 May: Last Night The Conscious Lovers was perform'd [at GF] in Honour of the Royal Marriage, when there was a very splendid Appearance of Ladies and Gentlemen, to whom Mr Giffard had distributed Tickets. The Stage was decorated in a particular Manner with several Glass Lustres. And the Outside of the House illuminated with a great Number of Candles, a large Quantity of Liquor given to the Populace. [The Prologue is in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 1 May; in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 26 April, an announcement had been made that no money would be received on this night.]

Event Comment: Whereas it was first intended to lay the pit and boxes together, for the better accommodation of the ladies, who are desirous of having their places kept, the boxes will be enclosed as usual. -General Advertiser. The songs added to the farcical opera call'd the What D'Ye Call It to be performed tomorrow night at cg, were wrote some years ago by a Gentleman since deceased, whose pieces of the Lyric kind have been often admir'd by people of Taste; there is a pleasing variety in them, and they are thought to be well adapted to the several characters in which they are introduced. The Music, which is entirely new, and compos'd by Mr Lampe, is allow'd by all who have heard it, to be an agreeable mixture of humour, spirit, and harmony. -Daily Advertiser. General Advertiser, 4 April: Yesterday was a rehearsal of The What D'Ye Call It

Event Comment: [In 1st and 3rd pieces the playbill retains Wewitzer, but "Previous to the drawing up of the curtain Bannister Jun. solicited the indulgence of the audience for Benson, who had in the course of the day studied two characters for which Wewitzer (who was indisposed) was announced in the bills" (Thespian Magazine, Feb. 1794, p. 88).)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 20 years. [See 11 Nov. 1752.] Characters New Dressed in the Habits of the Times. This play is alter'd by Mr Colman and receiv'd with Some Applause, but it don't seem to hit the present Taste a few hisses at the End (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid salary list #630 1s. 6d.; Widow Hunter #2 2s.; King's glass bill #3 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Mainpiece reviewed and contrasted with the original in the Westminster Magazine for Jan.: "Upon the whole we cannot esteem this a striking comedy, even with the assistance it has now received,--the fine manner in which it is got up, and the great expence which the managers have been at in habiting the whole dramatis personae in splendid and characteristic Old English dresses. All the actors except Mr King and Mr Parsons performed but indifferently. Bensley is the worst Old Man we ever saw. He presents the countenace of a sickly old woman; and the uniform goggle of his eye, by which he means to express infirmity and distress is the look of a man in anguish from the colic. Mr Palmer, Mr Brereton, and Mr Davis have a bloated vulgarity about them, which should ever deter the manager from assigning them the parts of cavaliers or men of fashion. Baddeley, as usual, overdid his part, and Mr Yates, as usual, was not very perfect in his."] Receipts: #192 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. If the run of The Wits occurred as it is outlined above, this would presumably be the first day of Hamlet. Pepys, Diary: To the Opera, and there saw Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, done with scenes very well, but above all, Betterton did the prince's part beyond imagination. Downes (p. 21): The Tragedy of Hamlet: Hamlet being Perform'd by Mr Betterton, Sir William (having seen Mr Taylor of the Black-Fryars Company Act it, who being Instructed by the Author Mr Shakespear) taught Mr Betterton in every Particle of it; which by his exact Performance of it, gain'd him Esteem and Reputation, Superlative to all other Plays...No succeeding Tragedy for several Years got more Reputation, or Money to the Company than this

Event Comment: London Gazette, No 3346, 2-6 Dec. 1697: The Song Composed by Mr Jeremiah Clark, and Sung on St Cecilia's day will be performed on Thursday next, at Mr Hickford's Dancing-School in Panton-street, or in James-street over against the Tennis Court, just by the blue Posts, there being a door out of each street to the Room; and for the benefit of the said Mr Clark and Mr Le Riche, late Stewards of the said Feast, the Musick begins at 8. [See 22 Nov. 1697.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Arne. An Historical Musical Drama. The Musick composed by Command of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and never perform'd in England, but at his Royal Highnesses Palace at Cliefdon. The Poem was written by Mr Thompson and Mr. Mallet. The Musick by Mr Arne. To conclude with a Celebrated Ode in Honour of Great Britain in imitation of those formerly sung at Banquets of Kings and Heroes. Boxes 6s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. The above Day is fix'd on to avoid interfering with Mr Handel. Mrs Arne hopes humbly the Town will not be offened at this small advance of the Price, this performance being exhibited at an extraordinary expence, with regard to the number of Hands, Chorus singers, building the stage, and erecting an organ; besides all other incidentals as usual. Ladies desired to send servants by 4 o'clock. Tickets of Mrs Arne, next door to the Crown in Great Queen St, by Lincoln's Inn Fields, and places taken of Hobson at the stage Door, with whom Tickets are left

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Bridges. Tickets to be had of Mr Bridges at Mr Courteen's in Bow St., Covent Garden; and of Hobson at the stage door. Publish'd this day at 1s. Miss in Her Teens; or, the Medley of Lovers, a Farce in Two Acts, as it is performed at Drury Lane. Written by Mr Garrick. Printed for J. and R. Tonson. Receipts: #140 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill omits Anna, but "Mrs Rock was a wretched Anna" (Thespian Magazine, Feb. 1793, p. 195). Miss Morris is identified in European Magazine, Jan. 1793, p. 69; and see 14, 16 Nov.] Afterpiece [1st time; P 2(?), author unknown. Text (i.e. synopsis of action), For the Booksellers, 1793. Larpent MS 964 contains Songs only]: Partly New, and partly a Selection of Scenery, Machinery, Tricks, and Business, from the most approved Pantomimic Productions of Lunn, Rich, Woodward, Messink, Rosamond [i.e. Rosoman], Lalauze, &c. The Music chiefly compiled [by Thomas Goodwin] from Pepusch, Galliard, Dr Arne, Vincent, Dibdin, Dr Arnold, Fisher, the rest by Shield. The selected Scenery and Machinery re-painted, and the several new ones designed and executed by Hodgins, Pugh, Walmsley, Lupino, &c. The Dances by Byrn, who will for the first time introduce a Burlesque Pas de Russe. With new Dresses, Machinery and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [In afterpiece the playbill lists Follett, but he "having received an injury at the morning's rehearsal, afforded that excellent actor, Munden, the opportunity of giving the Public an additional proof of the versatility of his talents: -he undertook the part of the Clown [i.e. Clodpole ], and performed it so well that he will probably be obliged to retain it" (Morning Herald, 21 Dec.). He was probably omitted from the Vocal Characters (see 21 Dec.).] Receipts: #258 10s. 6d

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 2. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 347. It is uncertain, however, just when this performance occurred. The L. C. lists at Harvard (see VanLennep, Plays on the English Stage, p. 19) suggest that the three performances at the head of this list belong to the spring of 1672 rather than the spring of 1671. If this is correct, this performance of Sir Solomon is out of place in the list, for it can hardly be placed at 14 Nov. 1672, yet it is surprising that, so soon after the opening of dg, the Duke's Company should act at court, especially when the King and Queen attended dg on the following day, 15 Nov. 1671. This performance of Sir Solomon should be judged as an uncertain one

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@149, p. 368: The Queene a Box, and a Box for the Maids of Honor at the Spanish Fryer. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 352. A warrant, dated 8 June 1689, L. C. 5@149, p. 154 (see Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356), calls for a payment of #25 to Mrs Barry and presumably represents payment for this performance. Daniel Finch, ca. June 1689: The only day Her Majesty gave herself the diversion of a play, and that on which she designed to see another, has furnished the town with discourse for a month. The choice of the play was the Spanish Fryar, the only play forbid by the late K@@. Some unhappy expressions, among which those that follow, put her in some disorder, and forc'd her to hold up her fan, and often look behind her and call for her palatine and hood, and any thing she could next think of, while those who were said. (Sir John Dalrymple, Memoirs of Great Britain [London, 1771-88], in the pit before her, whenever their fancy led them to make any application of what was Volume II, Appendix, Part II, pp. 78-80.) Henry Purcell's new setting for whilst I with grief did on you look may have been made by this date. It is in Deliciae Musicae, 1695

Event Comment: This day publish'd at 3s. The Actor; or, A Treatise on the Art of Playing. A New Work written by the Author of the former [See dl 30 Oct. 1753]; and adapted to the present state of the Theatres. Containing impartial Observations on the Performance, Manner, Perfections, and Defects of: Garrick, Barry, Woodward, Foote, Havard, Palmer, Ryan, Berry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Pritchard, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Gregory, Mrs Clive, Mrs Green, Miss Nossiter, Mrs Bellamy, &c., &c., in their capital parts. Printed for R. Griffiths

Event Comment: Several Advertisements in ye Papers this day for meetings to redress Injuries done by the Boxes &c., &c. All quiet at ye Theatre (Cross). Last time of performing the afterpiece this season. Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Hannah Cowley. Prologue by the author (Knapp, p. 134). Author of Epilogue unknown]: With new Dresses, Scenes, &c. Morning Chronicle, 18 Feb. 1795: This Day is published The Town before You (2s.). Genest VII, 205: In this play as printed in 1795 Fawcett's and Munden's names stand to the wrong characters. Receipts: #314 8s. (310.17; 3.11)

Event Comment: Benefit for Simpson, Powel, Rees & Mrs Henley. 3rd piece [1st time; P 1]: Selected from The Rape of Proserpine, Lord Mayor's Day, Harlequin's Museum, Harlequin Skeleton, Harlequin Sorcerer, Aladin, &c. In the course of the Compilation will be introduced: The Birth and Emancipation of Harlequin from the Egg-shell-the Dying Scene-the Skeleton-His Renovation-the celebrated Gladiator Scene, &c. In particular, among many surprising Escapes, the Jump through the Tea-chest; Flight from one Balcony to the other; a Leap over twelve Soldiers with fixed Bayonets; the Flight back and Jump through a Tamborine-and (for that night only) Simpson will run perpendicular up the Wall of a House, 30 Feet High. To conclude with a View of the Grotto of Magic. There are some imitations which almost identify the originals, but [Rees's as Dromio] was a vile caricature, which would never have been recognized but for the specification in the play bills" (Monthly Mirror, June 1798, p. 371). Receipts: #269 19s. 6d. (48.19.0; 20.17.6; tickets: 200.3.0, of which Simpson took #72 5s. 6d., Powel #27 10s. 6d., Rees #36 11s., Mrs Henley #61 16s., leaving #2 to be accounted for)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Joseph George Holman. Prologue by William Thomas Fitzgerald; Epilogue by John Taylor (see text)]: With new Dresses, Scenery, &c. [Afterpiece in place of The Farmer, advertised on playbill of 11 Jan.] Morning Chronicle, 26 Mar. 1799: This Day is published The Votary of Wealth (2s.). Receipts: #326 10s. 6d. (321.2.6; 5.8.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Charlotte Smith. Prologue by the author (Knapp, 202). Author of Epilogue unknown]: With new Scenery, Dresses, &c. Morning Chronicle, 26 July 1799: This Day published What is She? (2s.). Receipts: #161 11s. (158.2.6; 3.8.6). pking's Ines de Castro. As 16 Feb

Event Comment: Written by the late Mr Dryden. Set to Musick by Mr Handel. Pit and Boxes half a Guinea. Galleries 4s. and 2s. 6d. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 20 Feb.: Last Night his Royal Highness the Duke, and her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia were at. . . Mr Dryden's Ode, set to Musick by Mr Handel. Never was upon the like Occasion so numerous and splendid an Audience at any Theatre in London, there being at least 1300 Persons present; and it is judg'd that the Receipt of the House could not amount to less than 450l. It met with general Applause, tho attended with the Inconvenience of having the Performers placed at too great a distance from the Audience, which we hear will be rectified the next Time of Performance. [Egmont also present.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Palmer. Tickets at his lodgings, at Mr Watson's Linnen Draper, Corner Charles St., Covent Garden; and at Stage Door of Theatre. [Ray inserted a long plea for benefit support on the General Advertiser, saying that Mr William Barton, who keeps the Black Swan Tavern on Bartholomew Lane, will do his visiting and deliver his tickets for him since he, Ray, is so ill.] Receipts: #78 (Cross)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece extended to 5 acts from 3 (Winston MS 9). See Murphy letter to Garrick 2 Aug., in Boaden, Private Correspondence, I, 119, re his attempt to get Garrick to accept this play.] Way to Keep Him enlarged from the piece of 3 acts into 5, by the author, received with universal applause. Prologue by Murphy, heavy (Hopkins MS Notes)