Event Comment: Went off with applause (Cross). Afterpiece: a New Pantomime after the Manner of the Italian Comedy, with New Scenes, Habits, Decorations. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. No Gentleman can possibly be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra, on account of the Machinery and Music. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. The Songs will be printed, and deliver'd at the doors. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted before, a New Dramatic Opera [Bickerstaffe] the Music by Handel, Boyce, Arne, Howard, Baildon, Festing, Geminiani, Galluppi, Giardini, Paradies, Agus, Abos; with a New Overture composed by Mr Abel. Full Prices. Books of the Opera sold at theatre. [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1763, pp. 22-36: Compares Bickerstaff's opera at length with Charles Johnson's Village Opera.

Event Comment: The Music by Handel, Boyce, Arne, Howard, Baildon, Festing, Geminiani, Galluppi, Giardini, Paradies, Agus, Abos &c. The Overture composed by Abel. Books of the Opera to be sold at the theatre

Event Comment: Benefit for Legg, Collett, Miss Davis. By Particular Desire will be performed a Serenata composed by Dr Boyce. Admittance 2s. 6d. each. To begin at 7 p.m

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Mrs Price for Women's cloaths #20; Mr Vernon on note #40; Dr Boyce's Overtures #4 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #252 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Lyric Ode (never performed) "On the Witches, Fairies, and Aerial Beings in Shakespeare. The Music entirely New." [The Westminster Magazine for March commented: "This poem is said to be written by a young gentleman of Oxford, and has many strokes of genius and inagination in it. The music, we hear, is composed by Mr Linley Jr, who has (since his return from Italy) been a student under that most excellent musician Dr Boyce. This composition must be allowed to be an extraordinary effort of genius in so young a man. The Fugue of the overture is masterly. The song of 'There in old Arden's inmost shade,' is well suited to the scene described by the poet....But what we think most deserving of praise is the power our young composer has shown in the chorusses....From the general and sincere applause with which the Ode was received, we may venture to pronounce, that if Mr Linley Jr pursues his studies, he will one day stand foremost in the list of modern composers."

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years [not acted since 20 Apr. 1765]; in [it] will be introduced a Grand Triumphal Entry of Publiusv, with the original Music composed by Boyce. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] This is the first Time that Mrs Yates played since the Paper Quarrel between the Managers and her. Before the Play began Mrs Yates went on, and made the following apology, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope what has been already published has been sufficient to satisfy the Publick that I did not intend to affront or insult them. I have only to add, that it ever has (been) and ever shall be my Study and Endeavour to please that Publick from (whom) I have received so many Favours." The Audience applauded, and the Play went on--Mrs Yates played finely and had great applause (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #145 2s. 6d

Event Comment: "The Pantomime has undergone some curtailment. The last scene was omitted, and Milbank [sic] played Harlequin instead of Boyce, which are alterations certainly for the better" (Public Advertiser, 4 Dec.). Receipts: #242 15s. 6d. (229.11.6; 13.4.0)

Event Comment: Among the Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley (leader of the Band), Sperati, Sarjant, Patria, Reinagle, C. Ashley, Boyce, Mahon, Mountain, Holmes, Lyon, Schram, Kaye, the Leanders, &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The Organ on Fridays by Knyvett, and on Wednesdays by Greatorex. The whole conducted by Harrison and Ashley. The Band will consist of 150 Performers. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon, at the Stage Door. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. No Money to be returned. Places may be taken in the Theatrical Orchestra at 5s. each [i.e. at the oratorios the instrumentalists sat on the stage]. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Books of the Performances, with the names of the performers to their respective songs, to be had at the Theatre. And to prevent imposition in the Streets, the Managers have directed that they should be sold in the Theatre, at 6d. each

Event Comment: Among the Instrumental Performers are Messrs Ashley and Sons, Patria, Sarjant, Billington, Mahon, Boyce, Mountain, J. Mahon, the Leanders, Ware, Kaye, Rawlings, Sharp, Lyon, &c. &c. &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The Whole under the Direction of Harrison and Ashley. No Money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Theatre. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Books of the Performances, with the Names of the Performers to their respective Songs, to be had at the Theatre, Price Six-pence. And to prevent imposition in the Streets, the Manager's Books are printed with the following Words at the bottom of each Title Page: "Printed by H. Macleish, Duke's-Court, Drury-Lane.

Event Comment: Oratorio: Written by Milton. Set to Music by Handel. Among the instrumental performers are Messrs Ashley andSons, Patria, Sarjant, Billington, Mahon, Boyce, Mountain, Howard, Lavenu, Simpson, Gwilliam, Purney, Munro, Leander, Kaye, Sharp, Lyon, &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The whole under the direction of Harrison and Ashley. At Play-house Prices. No money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin precisely at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance, with the names of the performers to their respective songs, price 6d., may be had at the Theatre, and to prevent imposition in the streets, the Manager's books are printed with the following words at the bottom of each title-page, "Printed by H. Macleish, Duke's court, Drury-Lane.