Event Comment: HHandel to Jennens: I have taken the Opera House in the Hay-marketh, engaged, as Singers, Signora Francesina, Miss Robinson, Beard, Reinhold, Mr Gates with his Boyes's and several of the best Chorus Singers from the Choirs, and I have some hopes that Mrs Cibber will sing for me. She sent word from Bath (where she is now) that she would perform for me next winter with great pleasure if it did not interfere with her playing, but I think I can obtain Mr Riches's permission (with whom she is engaged to play in Covent Garden House) since so obligingly he gave leave to Mr Beard and Mr Reinhold.--Deutsch Handel, pp. 591-92

Event Comment: At common prices. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Distinction who attend the Instalment of the Knights of the Bath, this Play is not to begin till exactly at half an hour after six, at which time the Curtain will be drawn up

Event Comment: We hear that Mrs Cibber is so extremely ill at the Bath, that her life is despaired of (General Advertiser). Receipts: #107 4s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [Lee had returned to Covent Garden. See Winston MS 7.] Notwithstanding the reports of Mrs Cibber's Indisposition, we hear that she is not ill at Bath. We hear that the Comic part of the Little French Lawyer is alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher, and will be acted very soon at Drury Lane, the part of the little French Lawyer will be perform'd by Woodward (General Advertiser). [See 7 Oct.] Receipts: #170

Event Comment: MMrs Green went to Bath to play & left us-O fool. Mr Mossop from Ireland play'd Richd -the House was crowded in ten Minutes, he was receiv'd with great Applause but happening to crack towards the end a few hiss'd. but were overpower'd by the Claps--he is very young has been upon ye Irish Stage but two years--his performance was so well, that we cou'd find no want but--Garrick (Cross). Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: RRichard by Mr Brown from Bath very bad but no hissing (Cross). The Genii oblig'd to be deferred till Tomorrow (Winston MS 8). Receipts: #50 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Ryan. Quin did Falstaff for Ryan (Cross). The Nobility and Gentry at Bath gave Quin 100 guineas, and desir'd him to send them down so many tickets for this benefit (Gentleman's Magazine, 1753, p. 147). Pit and Boxes together at 5s. [with an Amphitheatre on stage]

Event Comment: MMrs Cowper did Sylvia, for her first appearance here (she came from Bath, Richmond &c.)-Toll. Afterpiece as originally perform'd (Cross) [i.e., without the burlesque scenes of The Fair (see 6 Nov. 1752).] This piece [Harlequin Ranger] was now acted as originally written. It is surprising that Mr Garrick should be the first to introduce Pantomime Entertainments (this season) especially as his own universal talents are seconded by a good company of performers. We suppose he does it to gratify the taste of the town; but such Smithfield exhibitions should certainly be banish'd from all regular theatres; and as Mr Woodward is an excellent comedian, it would be more eligible in him if he chuses to wear the motley dress any more to appear in the character of a speaking Harlequin, after the manner of the Italian Comedy; and indeed it is not a little surprising that nothing of this kind has yet been admitted upon our stage (Gentleman's Magazine, Oct., p. 493, from Grays' Inn Journal, 13 Oct. 1753.). Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. Benefit for Pritchard, treasurer. Tickets at his house in York St., and at Pritchard's Warehouse, Tavistock St. Mrs Cibber went sick to Bath in Passion Week, & plays no more this season (Cross). Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Palmer of Bath 2 bills for spermecetti candles #91 3s.; Rec'd of Mr Blagden One Year's rent due at Xmas #3 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #190 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Baddeley. House charges #67 9s. 6d. [Profits to Baddeley family 16s. plus tickets.] Tickets deliver'd for this night will be taken. Paid Palmer of Bath for Spermecetti candles #128 4s. Paid Mr Deeble (chorus singer) omitted 3 nights 15s.; Chorus singers 1 night #2 10s. 6d.; Salary list #435 19s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #68 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). I find ye corner of ye orchestra is ye best place to stand in...Holland played Iago very well, and Mrs Baddeley Desdemona pretty well, being her 1st appearance in that character...End of ye play Baddeley spoke a composition of his own, called "Search after Scrubs," to hear which Garrick came into ye orchestra. He looks healthy and strong, and should oftener entertain ye Public to which he owes so much. Entertainment Daphne and Amintor. Daphne (for ye first time) Mrs Baddeley, who does not shine in the singing part, as Mrs Arne does (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: The Fifth Performance of the Mainpiece. The Music by Mr Linley of Bath. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid James Abbott for Flowers etc. for the Garland Dance #5 11d. and paid Mrs Winter for flowers etc. for the same #2 13s. 4d. (Account Book). [See 14 Dec.] Receipts: #211 2s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [The Young Gentleman who played Zaphna was Wroughton. "His real name was Rottan, but altered euphonia gratia. He was designed for a surgeon and served his apprenticeship at Bath. The following playbills show that he met with approbation on the stage. He remained with Covent Garden from this time till the end of the season 1785-86. He then played in Ireland one Winter, and was engag'd at Drury Lane Theatre in the beginning of the season 1787-88. This was the occasion of Mr Wroughton's leaving Covent Garden, I mean it was thus conjectured. Mr Lewis had been appointed manager of that theatre for Mr Harris. Mr Lewis and Mr Wroughton lived next door neighbors in Broad Court at the top of Bow Street, and were sworn friends:--they laughed together, lived together--In the season 1784-85 two new performers Mr Holman and Mr Pope, appeared on the Covent Garden Stage--these young men were great favorites with Mr Harris; Mr Holman, attracting at this time very crowded audiences, stood so particularly high in his regard, that his partiality made him guilty of some injustice to older and abler actors in the theatre. Mr Henderson had really cause to complain of neglect; and Mr Wroughton thought himself equally oppressed. At this time we had a Club and met every Wednesday fortnight during Lent at the Long Room in Hamstead at dinner. Our Club consisted of a certain number of us belonging indifferently to either theatre, and two or three other gentlemen who were not actors. Mr King, Mr Quick, Mr Farren, Mr Mattocks, myself, etc., etc. When the bottle had a little warmed Mr Wroughton he threw out some sarcasms on his Friend Mr Lewis's management; Mr Lewis retorted; Their tempers grew hot, their words grew aggravating; Mr Wroughton struck Mr Lewis; Mr Lewis returned the blow. They were parted; all the pleasures of the day were over, and the Club broke up in confusion. I was not present this day, but have related what Mr Siddons told me of this Quarrel, and I imagine that Mr Wroughton's attack on Mr Lewis sprang from a suspicion that he was too willing to execute Mr Harris's designs in favour of Mr Holman. Be this as it may, Mr Wroughton was discharged from cg at the expiration of his Articles with Mr Harris."--Hopkins MS Notes.] Receipts: #186 3s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Mianpiece. Garrick to Bath apparently to recover from an illness (Winston MS 10). From the Public Advertiser: To Mrs Barry, upon her acting the part of Rivine in the new Tragedy [The Fatal Discovery]: Grosvenor-Square, March 8

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. [Query: Lady Townly a Miss Burton who [died] the following year at Bath? (Winston MS 10).

Event Comment: Garrick left Hampton for Bath (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. Garrick return'd last night from Bath (Dr Burney's News Clippings-Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Mr Garrick's first appearance this Season having been at Bath for his health. Play'd finely--called for Prologue, an Apology (Hopkins Diary). Benedick, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: On 21 Feb. Brereton broke his collar bone in fall from a horse at Bath (Winston MS 10). Paid five day's salary, #417 8s. 9d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French 12 days, #3 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #182 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: N.B. The above opera is oblig'd to be perform'd this day instead of Saturday on account of the preparations making for the entertainment given the Knights of the Bath