Event Comment: This day is publish'd Judas Macchabaeus: a Sacred Drama as it is performed at Covent Garden. Set by Mr Handel. Printed for J. Watts. This day Publish'd The Oracle, a Comedy of one act as it is perform'd at Covent Garden, at 1s. By Mrs Cibber printed for R. Dosdley in Pall Mall, &c

Event Comment: By command. P. of Wales & Broth &c. (Cross). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Macklin. Afterpiece: A New Dramtic Satire in two acts. N.B. As several of the Town have prejudged the Pit the Boxes and Galleries acting their own parts themselves for their diversion, to be of the same species of the Lick at the Town last year; and that it can mean only the ordinary Approbation or Disapprobation of the Audience, Signor Pasquin thinks it incumbent on himself to assure to Publick that all those conjectures are groundless; And farther, he assures them that the Pit, &c. acting their parts has no other meaning than the common literal sense; and that the Audience are really interwoven in the piece; and are to be bona fide part of the Dramatis Personae; and he makes no doubt but that he shall make them perform their parts to a numerous and polite audience, and with universal Applause. But he begs that those Ladies and Gentlemen who intend to perform in the Pit and Galleries will be at the Theatre betimes, for particular reasons; and those who are to act in the Boxes are requested to send their servants to keep their places by three o'clock. Signor Pasquin has received the letters sent by the Town and the Village, and they may depend upon having Places kept for them upon the Stage. The Hiss concerning the Robin Hood Society will be complied with (General Advertiser). [The parts were: Pasquin, Marforio, Sir Eternal Grinn, Sir Conjecture Positive, Sir Roger Ringwood, Bob Smart, Soloman Common Sense; Count Hunt Bubble, Sir John Ketch, hic and Hac (Scribblers), Hydra, Lady Lucy Loveit, Miss Diana Singlelife, Miss Brilliant, Miss Bashfull (Larpent MS 96).

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs James and Miss Minors. No building on stage. Tickets of Mrs James at her lodgings at Mr Saunder's Carpenter, in Little Wild St., Lincoln's Inn Fields; Miss Minors' at Mr Nicholl, a Baker in Catherine St., and at stage door. An Information was given to Henry Fielding, Esq; that a Set of Barber's apprentices, journeymen staymakers, maid-servants, &c. had taken a large Room at the Black Horse in the Strand, to act the tragedy of The Orphan; the Price of Admittance One Shilling. About eight o'clock the said Justice issued his warrant, directed to Mr Welch, High Constable, who apprehended the said actors, and brought them before the said Justice, who, out of compassion to their youth, only bound them over to their good behavior. They were all conducted through the streets in their Tragedy Dresses, to the no small Diversion of the Populace. (General Advertiser). Receipts: #138 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Barnard, Driscoll, Trott (Lobby Doorkeeper Doorkeeper) and Widow Banks. Tickets deliver'd by Ross, Brown, Elliott &c. will be taken

Event Comment: By particular Desire. A Concert, &c., Benefit for Hallam at the New Wells, Lemon St., now open only upon this occasion. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit and First gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. [Prices repeated.

Event Comment: [Both pieces by command of the] Prince of Wales, &c. (Cross). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

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: [M$Murphy in caustic comment in the Gray's Inn Journal this date laid out a set of rules for actor decorum for both Managers, but apparently directed it mostly towards Rich]: I. That no player shall during the performance stand with a vacant face, making a tour with his eyes around the House, or ogling the ladies in the Green Boxes, but that he shall to the best of this power, be attentive to the business of the scene in which he is engag'd. II. That no player shall come on imperfect in his part, or take liberties to insert his own jokes and witticisms in the Productions of those Geniuses, for whom he should have the proper respect due to the superiority of their parts. III. That no one shall mistake bawling for Expression; strutting and swaggering for deportment; twisting the body and looking cunning for sprightliness; pinching of hats and standing on tiptoe for graceful attitude; wry faces for Humour, &c., but that each player who cannot arrive at excellence, shall at least pay some regard to decency. IV. That Murder shall always be committed on stage without being comical

Event Comment: New Scenes, Music, Habits, Decorations, Machines &c. Nothing under Full Prices. A new Pantomime-went off with great Applause (Cross). [The afterpiece dealt with in high irony by Murphy in Gray's Inn Journal (29 Dec.): It is writ entirely upon the Grecian plan, so much admired by the French critics, and of course does not bid very fair to please the multitude in this country, whose taste is too much vitiated by Shakespeare's monstruous irregularity, to relish the simplicity of this piece. Mr Ranger will only observe that he is highly pleased with the Fable, the Morality, the University, and Integrity of it, and as the writing is equal all through, he looks upon it to be one of the best Pantomimes in the English language.] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Last time of performing [the afterpiece] this Season. Tickets deliver'd out by Vernon, Sanderson, &c. for a Bold Stroke for a Wife will be taken this night. Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: At the chapel of the Foundling Hospital. [Beard and Ch. Smith gave their services free. Deutsch notes that this is the first list of Messiah performers preserved at the Foundling Hospital. The treasurer of the Hospital recorded receipts from 1,219 tickets and by cash-#666 15s. and an outlay of #58 17s. 6d., for Musicians, singers, constables, &c. Net to Hospital: #607 17s. 6d.

Event Comment: MMrs Midnight's Concert Vocal and Instrumental Music after which for one night only will be given [Sack Posset, &c.] gratis. Benefit for Mrs Midnight. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. To begin exactly at 7 p.m

Event Comment: MMiss Midnight will give Tea. &c. Benefit for Pittard le Charpentier and a Free Mason

Event Comment: The contest finally determined between that Gentleman [the Inquisitor], Dr R-, and Tiddy Doll, and as it is presumed the election will fall upon Frontinbras, his investiture with the Inquisitorial dignity will be triumphantly executed, after the manner of a St Giles's Oration. [Macklin had dropped the contest, this night lecturing on the Constitution of the French and British Theatres, &c.

Event Comment: Benefit for Redman, R. Smith, Mrs Griffiths and Miss Ferguson. Tickets delivered out by Hurst, Paddick, Miss Cokayne &c. will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Driscol, Wilford, Prince, and Trott (Lobby Doorkeeper). Tickets delivered out by Ross, Browse, Elliot, &c. will be taken

Event Comment: DDrury Lane Theatre open'd Sat: Sept 13th. The House new Gilt, Painted & ornamented wth Festoons &c. Mr Mossop left us. Mr Wilder discharg'd. Mrs Mills is gone to end her Days in Wales, wth an Allowance of #20 per An: from the Managers (Cross). Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money returned after the Curtain is up. No Persons to be admitted behind the Scenes. Places for Boxes to be had of Mr Varney at the Stage Door. [Notice customarily repeated and will not be further noted.] Receipts: #109 (Cross)