Event Comment: [Full column in Daily Advertiser describing Barry's and Mrs Macklin's acting techniques.] Barry from the Theatre in Dublin, perform'd the part of Othello, at Drury Lane, before a numerous and polite audience; and met with as great Applause as could be express'd.--General Advertiser, 6 Oct. Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole: You have probably been there since I left you, and consequently have seen the Mr Barry you desired some account of; yet as I am not certain of this and should be glad to know whether we agree about him, I will nevertheless tell you what he is, and the impression he made upon me. He is upwards of six feet in height; wdll and prortionably made, treads well and knows what to do with his limbs; in short a noble graceful figure. I can say nothing of his face but that it was all black, with a wide mough and good eyes. His voice is of a clear and pleasing tone, something like Delane's, but not so deep-mouthed, not so like a passing bell. When high strain'd it is apt to crack a little and be hoarse, but in its common pitch, and when it sinks into any softer passion, particularly expressive and touching. In the first scene, especially when he recounts to the Senate the progress of his love and the means he used to win Desdemona, he was quite mistaken, and I took a pique against him; instead of a cool narration he flew into a rant of voice and action, as though he were relating the circumstance of a battle that was fought yesterday. I expected nothing more from him, but was deceiv'd: in the scenes of rage and jealousy he was seldom inferior to Quin in the parts of tenderness and sorrow far above him. These latter seem to be his peculiarly; his action is not very various, but rarely improper, or without dignity, and some of his attitudes are really fine. He is not perfect to be sure, but I think may make a better player than any now on the stage in a little while. However, to see a man in one character, and but once, is not sufficient, so I rather ask your opinion by this, than give you mine.--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Thomas Gray, II, 6-7

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. At the request of several of Mr Bridges' Friends, the Fair Penitent is deferr'd till Wednesday next

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. And several new Decorations of Scenes and Machines never shewn before

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid to Printer's Bill, #8 2s.; Paid towards a Bonfire for the Birthday, #2 2s.; Paid a Bill to Mr Cross, 12s. [probably for writing parts]; Paid Mr Deport for a wig for Eumenes #1 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [The printer's bill was a weekly constant which amounted to #309 2s. for the season and will not be further itemized.] Receipts: #140 (Cross); #103 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Being positively the last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: Never acted before. Sad Farce (Cross). [Afterpiece sent to the Licenser under the title The Kept Mistress; or, The Mock Orators. Larpent MS 125 lists the parts: Harry, Belton, Hempton, Miss Belladue, her Maid; Old Ringworm, Widow Lovephrase, Servant; Lady Whiffle; Old Belladue, First Lady, Second Lady, First Orator, Second Orator, Third Orator, Doorkeeper; Press Gang (Mr Grapling Chart, Mr Anchorstock). The concluding sailor's Song most patriotic: "Our Navy see, spread o'er the Seas..."]. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Portia by Mrs Siddons being her first appearance upon this Stage a good figure rather handsome--wants Spirit and ease her Voice a little course very well receiv'd (Hopkins, Diary). Paid Mr Wrighten on note #100; Mr Garrick 2 nights for Bon Ton and Little Gipsey, #238. Receipts: #197 (Treasurer's Book). Books of the Songs and Chorusses of the Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. [This note appeared on all subsequent bills advertising the Jubilee this season.] The most accomplished actress can display little other abilities in this part [Portia] than a correct elocution, and a knowledge of the author. The lady of last night being thus circumstanced [her first appearance] it is impossible to pronounce what the nature or extent of her powers may enable her to execute when placed in a situation that calls them forth. But from the speciman she gave there is not room to expect anything beyond mediocrity. Her figure and face, although agreeable, have nothing striking, her voice (that requisite of all public speakers) is far from being favourable to her progress as an actress. It is feared she possess a monotone not to be got rid of; there is also vulgarity in her tones, ill calculated to sustain that line in a theatre she has at first been held forth in; but as these observations are formed when the lady laboured under the disadvantages of a first attempt in the metropolis, her future efforts may perhaps entirely remove them (Middlesex Journal, 30 Dec. Quoted in Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: [By John Dennis. Date of premiere unknown. Published 19 May.] Dedication: Falstaffe 's part...was by no means acted to the satisfaction of the Audience, upon which several fell from disliking the Action to disapproving the Play

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies. Mainpiece: that excellent Moral Play. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With all the Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With all the Original Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: With Scenes, Machines, Dances, and all the Original Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: With Scenes, Machines, Dances, and all the Original Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Weekly Packet, 20 Feb., announces forthcoming plays: The Imperial Captives by a gentleman unknown to the town and Sewell's The Lottery. Fenton's Herod and Mariamne is deferred to winter

Event Comment: [By Aaron Hill.] On Shakespear's Foundation. With several Sets of Scenes entirely new and properWto the Play. [In an advance notice in Daily Journal, 6 Nov., the scenes are reported to be designed by Signior Angelo, an Italian.

Event Comment: Benefit Jones (Numberer) and Little (Gallery Boxkeeper). At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. With the Original Musick, Songs, and Dances, Scenes, Machines, and other Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: Benefit Bowman and Paget. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. With all the Songs, Dances, and other Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: Benefit Delane. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality and Distinction. With Vocal and Instrumental Musick, Dances, and other Decorations proper to the Play

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Alter'd from Shakespear. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of the Toy Shop. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 26 Feb.: On Monday Night last a great Disturbance happened at Drury-lane Play-house, occasioned by a great Number of Footmen, who assembled themselves in a riotous and tumultuous Manner, with great Outcries of burning the House, unless they were immediately admitted into what they call their Gallery; and in order to strike a Terror, they began to hew down the Door of the Passage which leads to the said Gallery, of which Col. Deveil, who was then in the House, had immediate Notice, and thereupon came out where they were thus assembled, and notwithstanding they threatened to knock his Brains out, he read the Proclamation to them, admonish'd them to retire, and desist from so unlawful an undertaking. [The footmen soon withdrew.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. [See London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 10 Feb., for a Prologue Occasioned by the Encouragement several Ladies of Quality have lately given to the Revival of Shakespear's Plays at Covent Garden Theatre.

Event Comment: Acted but once these hundred Years. Played at the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: The Sixth Day...at the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Daily Advertiser, 2 Oct.: Last Saturday Night the reviv'd Play of Romeo and Juliet...was acted...to a numerous and polite Audience, with Great Applause. There was an extraordinary fine appearance of Ladies in the Boxes; and every one allow'd Miss Jenny Cibber (who has given Proofs of an uncommon Genius) was greatly inprov'd in the character of Juliet. The Quality and Gentry were all safely guarded to the chairs and Coaches by the Lads of St. James's Market. [Hill was the stage name for Johnson.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire of Several Persons of Distinction. To be played for the last time this season. [But see 25 March.