Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Receipts: #185 1s. 6d. Barry's 1!3 of profits came to #35 0s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: As Mrs Cibber is not quite recover'd of her illness, the new Tragedy of Agis is deferred for a day or two longer. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Written by Mr Hume. Author of Douglas. Went off wth. great Applause (Cross). A New Tragedy. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. As this is the 1st night of representation, and much depends upon keeping the scenes clear, 'tis hoped no gentleman will be offended that he cannot be admitted upon the stage or into the orchestra. [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758 for contemporary comment on source, and at act-by-act progress of play. Judicial but appreciative. Finds some rant and bombast, as well as inconsistency, in Lysander 's characterization: "If...not...known that the author of Agis is the same to whom we are indebted for Douglas, one would not have suspected those two tragedies to have sprung from the same pen...Agis inspires us with admonition; Douglas speaks forcibly to our softer feelings. In Douglas he has shown himself perfect master of nature and the human heart: in Agis of contrivance in point of plot and incidents. What a masterpiece may not we expect from such talents when united in one tragedy!"] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: For ye Author. Prince of Wales & 5 of ye Fam. Mrs Cibber taken ill in the Play, but made shift to finish-Mrs Yates did ye Part on Monday-(Well). Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: [B$Barry's one-third of surplus came to #40 16s. 4d. The fourteen Renters who received payments on 23 Feb. were New Renters (i.e., they had purchased shares only since the beginning of the current season). The Hutchison Mure Esq Account (See cg 1757 Estimate of Constant Expenses) lists forty shares outstanding for Old Renters at 2 shillings per night. Rich, during the next thirty days, sold new shares until by 27 March 1758 he had on his books forty-five New Renters in addition to the 40 old ones. Their names will appear as they bought in. On this night (25 Feb.) George Wolley purchased one share. This was an appropriate time to sell stock in the theatre since Rich could now show a favorable balance on his nightly Account Books of #620 3s. 9d. with all bills paid, including interest to Old Renters.] Receipts: #202 9s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Command of the Prince of Wales. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: For the Author (Cross). Box Tickets for the Benefit of the Author of Agis...are to be had of Mr Miller, in the Strand, Dodsley in Pall Mall, and Varney at the Stage Door. This Day at Noon will be publish'd, Price 1s. 6d. Agis, by the author of Douglas. Printed for A. Miller, where may be had the tragedy of Douglas as it was acted at Covent Garden. Price 1s. 6d. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Arne. In the Manner of an Oratorio. The Music composed by Arne. Boxes Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. To begin exactly at half an hour after Six. Tickets to be had and places to be taken of Varney at the Stage Door; and of Arne, next door to the Passage, in Charles St., Covent Garden. The Book is sold at R. Francklin's in Covent Garden, and at the Theatre the night of the performance. Price 1s. [Cross lists no receipts.

Event Comment: By Command of the Prince of Wales. Prince of Wales & 5. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Last Time of performing it. Receipts: #153 14s. 6d. Barry's 113 of surplus came to #24 11s. 6d. Paid George Lambert (scene painter) 3 months' salary #25. The following additional Renters came in this night at 1 share each: Thomas Fludyer, John Calcraft, Charles Lanoe, and Samuel Berkeley. Richard Vincent Sr bought in at 2 shares (Account Book)

Event Comment: Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Tickets to be had of Dodsley in Pall Mall: Miller in the Strand; Chapelle in Grosvenor St.; and Varney at the Stage Door, where Places may be taken. Mrs Cibber's Benefit, on account of her illness, is oblig'd to be deferr'd till the 7th of next month. Cross For ye Author. Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bellamy. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets delivered for The Humorous Lieutenant will be taken. Receipts: #113 5s. Charges #63. Income from Tickets #152 5s. (boxes 339; pit 364; gallery 129). Profit to Mrs Bellamy #202 10s. [Her daily salary was #2 2s.; on this night she cleared more than 4 months' wages at 24 acting days per month.] Two New Renters came in: Solomon Paul Juliot and Francis Wilson at 1 share each. Rec'd of Benj. Read for 6 Box tickets for the 2nd inst. #1 10s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: not acted 6 years. [See 21 April 1752.] Afterpiece: By Desire. Benefit for Mrs Hamilton. Receipts: #87 15s. 6d. Plus Tickets #167 13s. [box 229; pit 514; gallery 333). Charges #63 Mrs Pudsey entered as a New Renter for 1 share (Account Book)

Event Comment: MMiss Pritchard did the Lady-Oh! for Mrs Pritchard's Benefit. She advertised Jane Shore, but Mrs Cibber being ill it was changed (Cross). Benefit for Mrs Pritchard. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Tickets delivered for Jane Shore will be taken. Mainpiece: From Shakespear. Afterpiece: Never acted there. Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Afterpiece: By MacNamara Morgan. Receipts: #133 14s. 6d. plus Tickets #163 3s. (boxes 479; pit 230; gallery 89). Charges #63. Total value of House: #296 17s. 6d. Profit to Barry #233 17s. 6d. Paid Samuel Wale for painting figures Boys & other decorations in a scene designed by Servandoni #5 5s. Paid Matthew Pearce, Bricklayer, #230, on account of the New Building. Paid Thomas Pervil for sundry cloaths as specified below, #112, 17s.: A Bloom Colored Brocade coat & Breeches with silver flowers & a Gold & Silver Brocaded Waistcoat & Coffs, #8; A Pompador Velvet Coat, Waistcoat & 2 pr. Breeches shot with silver, #11 11s.; A Blue cut and uncut Velvet Suit, Flower'd and Gold Ground, #10 10s.; A Dove colored Brocade Coat & Breeches, Gold & Flowers & a Gold & Silver Brocade waistcoat & Cuffs, #10 10s.; A Blue & Silver Brocade Coat & Breeches & Silver Brocade waistcoat & Cuffs, #10; a light color'd coat & Breeches & a blue silk waistcoat with gold lace, #14; A copper color'd velvet coat & breeches, and yellow waistcoat, embroider'd with gold, #20; A blue velvet suit, plain, #4 10s.; A crimson velvet Roab Surcoat, belt sword & Bonnet worn by a Peer in Parliament, & a Green velvet Roab, purple velvet surcoat & hood-a Knight of the Thistle's dress, #17 16s.; a plain crimson velvet suit, #6 (Account Book)

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber play'd. Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Mainpiece: not acted these 4 years. No building on stage. Receipts: #60 12s. 6d. plus tickets #222 5s. (boxes 458; pit 605; gallery 170). Charges #63. Mr Robt. Lewis came in for 1 share (Account Book). [Smith advertised, and it appeared his house at his benefit was too full & [there was] confusion in getting to places (Winston MS 8). See Smith's note in Public Advertiser, 16 March.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sparks. Receipts: #83 2s. 6d. plus Tickets #184 12s. (boxes 335; pit 551; gallery 182). Advanced Mrs Bellamy on her salary #105. Two new Renters came in at 1 share each: Sir Thomas Robinson and Robert Hassell (Account Book). Mr Smith takes this earliest opportunity to return thanks the Ladies and Gentlemen who honoured him with their presence at his Benefit on Tuesday Night, and is very sorry for any interruption that might happen in the performance. The indulgence of his friends that night far exceeded his most sanguine exceptations; otherwise he should have provided proper accomodations for them on the stage (Public Advertiser). [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758, for contemporary comment on mainpiece: "It is not paying it a very great, much less an underserved compliment to give it the preference over all the dramatic pieces that have been presented at either house these six or seven years...Tears were the first praises I gave it...no play except Lear ever make such a strong constant impression on my feelings."

Event Comment: Part of Pit laid into Boxes. For Miss Macklin (Cross). Receipts: #250 (Cross)

Event Comment: Being the last time of performing till the Holidays. Receipts: #119 5s. Rec'd 10 nights' rent from Mr Handel's Oratorios at #25 per night, #250, plus #2 2s. for Coals used for the Oratorios. Barry's 1!3 of the surplus this night came to #13 1s. 8d. Paid 54 Old Rentners' interest on 54 shares for Handel's Oratorios at 1s. 8d. per share, or #5 8s. per night, for 10 night, #54. [Mrs Lecuss came in as a regular renter for 1 share.] (Account Book)

Event Comment: Account Book: Receipts: #224 10s. 6d. Paid Ridout 1!3 of the surplus above the House Charge of #80 (#48, 3s. 6d.). Paid Mr Finny in full of the New Building pursuant to an agreement, #131 8s. [Two New Renters came in for 1 share each: Mr Lacam and Mrs Lacam.] Paid out #25 14s. to shareholders of 43 new shares for the Oratorios: By Rent of New Shares for the Oratorios at 2 shillings per share @No. Shares No. Nights Interest@9 10 #9@1 9 #0 18s.@4 8 #3 4s.@1 7 #0 14s.@8 6 #4 16s.@1 5 #0 10s.@14 4 #5 12s.@1 3 #0 6s.@3 2 #0 12s.@1 1 #0 2s.@Total 43 58 #25 14s.

Event Comment: Benefit for Ross. Upon Account of the Triumphal Entry there will be no building on the stage. Receipts: #65 15s. 6d. plus tickets #84 9s. (boxes 228; Pit 183). Charges #63 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Tickets of Beard next door to Old Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane, and of Varney at stage door. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Amphitheatre on stage. Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: A Free Benefit for Ryan. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late Mr Hughes. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [Ryan had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be The Siege of Damascus and a new Dramatic Satire called The Anniversary, being a Sequel to Lethe. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the Siege of Damascus and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but Ryan judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of Lethe; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."