Event Comment: First Piece: A Dramatic Satire on the Times. Third Piece: A Farce of two Acts. N.B. As Mr Green could not possibly be sure of the House till Monday Night late, he hopes the Shortness of Time will plead his Excuse for not waiting on his Friends, and that they will favour him with their Company notwithstanding

Event Comment: DDaily Advertiser, 27 Jan.: We are inform'd there is now in Rehearsal at York Buildings (for one Night only) the Fair Penitent, to be acted the 31st instant. 'Tis said that this Play, for the Benefit of an unhappy Person, is cast, and got up by a Set of publick spirited Friends, some of whom have a pretty good Taste and Ability, though no ways inclin'd to the Stage; with a new Prologue and Epilogue adapted to the occasion

Event Comment: Benefit Miller, By particular Desire. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir Richard Steele. Afterpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere.[Tickets at Miller's in Clare Street, Clare-Market.] Daily Post,29 March: The Actors of the several Theatres are in no small Pain about the present Act depending in the House of Commons call'd the Vagrant Act, for fear of being deem'd Vagabonds; and are therefore perpetually soliciting their Friends for a Clause in their Favour,

Event Comment: Benefit the Author of the Farce. Afterpiece: a Farce. [Author not known.] Preface to edition of 1737: The Misrepresentation of this little Piece upon the Stage, and the proper Indifference with which it was received by the Audience, made it necessary, for my Reputation sake, to publish it with all convenient Expedition. My Friends, who had read the Thing, did not know it again, it was in so disastrous a Plight; and they that had not read it (from a Prepossession in my Favour) imputed its Aukwardness to the Mismanagement, or Incapacity of the Players

Event Comment: Benefit Essex. Tickets at Essex's Lodgings, at Mrs Holt's near the Playhouse Passage in Bow Street. Note, As many of my Friends may not appris'd of the hurt I receiv'd in my Performance on the Stage at the beginning of this Season, which still continues

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh. Afterpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere. Lady Stafford to Lord Wentworth, 4 Jan.: I hear their will be a vast riot to night at the Play, for young Cibber is to act and the Templars are resolved to hiss him off the stage. 6 Jan.: Young Cibber was vastly hiss'd a Thursday, but his old friend Impudence kept him from being either out of countenance or in the least disturb'd at the noise.-Wentworth Papers, p. 541

Event Comment: Benefit Bullock. N.B. Mr Bullock hopes his great Age, upwards of Threescore and Twelve, will plead his Excuse, that he cannot pay his Duty to his Acquaintances and Friends, whose Good Nature may engage them to assist him in this Decline of Life, in order to make the Remainder of his Days easy and comfortable to him

Event Comment: Benefit Carey. N.B. And whereas building Benches, &c. on the Stage obstructs the Performance, and gives great Cause of Complaint, Mr Carey chuses rather to relinquish that Part of his Profit than incommode his Friends, and hopes no Person will take it ill, that they cannot be admitted behind the Scenes

Event Comment: A new Tragedy. [By Anthony Brown.] A Compleat List (1747), pp. 182-83: With no Success, which the Friends of the Author imputed in a great Measure to Mr Quin's refusing to act a Part in it; whereupon, to shew their Resentment, he did not appear on the Stage for some Nights without being hissed or houted at

Event Comment: AA Compleat List (1747), pp. 182-83: [After some resentment at Quin's refusing a part in Fatal Retirement, 12 Nov.]. When coming on one Night to play the Part of Pierre...and he was treated in the same Manner, he came forward, and speaking to the Audience said, 'That he had met with Insults of that kind for several Nights past, and that he judged they came from the Friends of the Author of a Play lately acted at that House, called Fatal Retirement; that the Author of it desired him to read it before it was acted, which he did, at his Requests, and likewise, at his Request, gave him his sincere Opinion of it, which was, that it was the very worst Play he had read in his Life; and therefore he had refused to act a Part in it, &c.' After his Speech was ended, he found a thundering Applause from the Audience, and went thro' the whole Play without any farther Disturbance. But we ought not entirely to form out Judgment of its being the very worst Play, from what this Gentleman was pleased to say of it, in the Heat of his Resentment for being ill-treated; nor wonder that an Audience should applaud a Sentence which condemned an Author, at a Time when it was the Fashion to condemn them all, right or wrong, without being heard; and when Parties were made to go to new Plays to make Uproars, which they called by the odious Name of The Funn of the first Night. For the Afterpiece, A Compleat List, p. 183: And on the very Night I am speaking of it, at the End of the Play, was acted for the first [second] Time a new Farce, called, An Hospital for Fools, of which one single Word was not heard that the Actors spoke, the Noise of these First-Night Gentlemen was so great; however, the Actors went thro' it, and the Spectatbrs might see their Mouths wag, and that was all

Event Comment: A concert, etc. Benefit Mrs Careless. The Parts to be perform'd by Persons who intend to play as well as they can, tho' perhaps not so well as they wou'd. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. 6:30 p.m. N.B. Mrs Careless hopes her Friends will favor her according to their Promise, to relieve her from the terrible fits of the Vapours, preceding from Bad Dreams, tho' the Comfort is, they generally go by contraries

Event Comment: Benefit LaLauze. By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Tickets to be had and places to be taken of Page at the Stage Door. None to be admitted without printed tickets, which will also be deliver'd at the Office, and at LaLauze's lodgings, at the Widow Gwinn's, a Silk Dyer in Drury Lane, near the Castle Tavern. Servants will be allowed to keep places on the stage, which (for the better accommodation of the ladies) will be enclos'd and formed into an amphitheatre. N.B. As I had the Misfortune to break the great tendon of my leg, when dancing on the stage at the above theatre in January last, I think it highly incumbent on me to acquaint the public in general and my good friends in particular, that I am in a fair (but not speedy) way of recovery; and as Mr Rich has kindly granted me a benefit sooner than usual, towards supporting me in my unlucky situation, I take this opportunity to interest the good-natured town to dispense with my personal application, and favour me with their company as usual, which will add to the many obligations I have already received, and shall be ever acknowledged with a sincere sense of gratitude, by their most humble and obedient servant, LaLauze

Event Comment: Ever studious for Public Amusement, I...strayed last Week, to a place near the Haymarket in Westminster, and Temple Bar in Middlesex, call'd James's St., where at the New Theatre, a Play called the Miser, with an Entertainment called the Old Man Bit, or Harlequin Skeleton, I saw rehears'd. J. W. Gray's Inn 12 Oct.-Theatrical Clippings, Folger Library. Benefit Julian Late of Goodman's Fields Theatre. At the New Theatre in James St., near Haymarket...a Concert. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6 p.m. Note, Mr Julian taken this Opportunity to acquaint his Friends, that these Performances will be done with the utmost Regularity and Decoration, most of the Performers having belong'd to the Theatres. [This customary notice about the concert, time and prices will not be included unless changed.

Event Comment: Benefit Shepard. Tickets of Hobson at the stage Door. Mr Shepard humbly hopes his friends will not be offended at the Alteration of the play, he being oblig'd to change it on account of the Indisposition of a Principal Performer. The Tickets deliver'd for Henry VIII will be taken this night (London Daily Post and General Advertiser). Shepard belonged for many years to the House. Fleetwood dismissed him. Let him have a benefit for the money accrued to him. Beard ill and did not act. (Winston MS. from Dyer MS.)

Event Comment: On Saturday Morning early died, after a few days Illness, Mr Francis Forcer, Master of Sadler's Wells, near Islington. He was a kind and indulgent Husband, a tender and loving Father, a generous Friend, and a Good Master. In short he had all the necessary Qualifications to render a Person a Compleat Gentleman, which makes his death universally lamented by all those who had the pleasure of his Acquaintance. We hear the usual Diversions will be carried on by his Widow

Event Comment: No Money will be taken behind the scenes, nor any money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. The following Letter, signed A By-Stander was inserted in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser: As I am absolutely unconcerned in all the now subsiding Theatrical Disputes, I hope the following observations upon what happened last Tuesday Night at Drury Lane will not be thought unworthy the Publick attention. The Manager of a theatre is to regard the General sense of the Town, and not any Faction form'd thru pique or resentment; Such a Faction may be Noisy, it may be Insolent, but never can be Considerable enough to force either the Manager or the Publick into their terms. Their outrages are equally insults upon the Understanding of the Town, as they are injuries to the Property of the Manager. Therefore if the Manager shall at any time give way to such proceedings, Then and not till Then, the Publick has a right ot find fault with him. The stage Then becomes a property to the insolence of a few misled people; and all theatrical diversions, which in this and other countries used to be directed by Decency and Publick Approbation are sacrificed to a pitiful Personal Resentment. If the above propositions are undeniable, the following Queries are submitted to the Publick, and the answer to them will determine the Reasonableness of the Tuesday Night Riot: I. Whether the Rioters were not Inconsiderable in their numbers and Circumstances? II: Whether any Gentleman can answer to himself, for doing in a Body, a thing which no Gentleman can justify for doing by himself? III. Whether the Rioters can justify their breaking into the Boxes, and taking possession of the seats, which were taken by many persons of Quality and Distinction, at the same time refusing to pay anything; thereby robbing the Manager of all the money of the Boxes, and most part of the Pit? IV. Whether the Manager ought to suffer in his property for the private quarrel between any two actors, as was the case...? V: Whether if such insolences are not discountenanced in the most effectual manner by the Town, any publick diversion can continue longer than a noisy inconsiderable Cabal pleases? VI. Whether any other motive than a regard to Public Decency would have hindered the Manager and Mr. Garrick's friends (who were treble the number) from treating the rioters as they deserved? I should be glad to see the above questions fairly and impartially answered

Event Comment: Author's Night. The Author labouring under a severe and dangerous illness, hopes his friends will excuse his personal Application, and send for tickets to Mr Watts, at the Printing Office in Wild Court; or to Hobson at the Stage door of the theatre at Drury Lane Mahomet translated from the French of Voltaire; but I have no great opinion of the subject, or the original author as a poet; and my diffidence is rather improved by the testimony of those who have seen it.-Letters of William Shenstone, p. 89

Event Comment: t foot of Bill]: Whenever a Pantomime or Farce shall be advertised, the advanced prices shall be returned to those who do not choose to stay; and on Thursday next will be published the Manager's reasons for his conduct in the present dispute. Winston MS.: Fleetwood, the manager, and servants driven from doors & all rushed in. Genest, IV, 137-38: A country gentleman was taken from an upper box and carried before a magistrate. This step when known by the audience occasioned much mischief. Acting the play not allowed. General Advertiser, 22 Nov.: An Address to the Public, dl Theatre 20 November. As the extraordinary disturbances which have lately happened at this theatre greatly affect the diversions of the publick, as well as the property of the manager, he thinks it incumbent on him to justify his conduct by giving a fair statement of the case....The reasons of complaint assigned, he apprehends, are the exhibition of Pantomimes, Advanced Prices, and Insults on the audience--as to the first, he submits it to be considered that however distasteful such pieces may be to the delicacy of some judgments, yet there are others to whose taste they are suited; as the playhouse may be considered as the general mart of pleasure, it is only from the variety of entertainment, the different tastes of the public can be supplied--of this the receipts of the house are a sufficient evidence, it being notorius, how necessary the addition of such pieces is towards procuring the best play a numerous audience. With regard to the advanced prices, the Manager hoped he should in some measure be justified by the great increase of the charges of the theatre which, notwithstanding any reduction that has been made, are still at least a fourth part greater than usual--but as in this point he has already submitted, he conceives it can no longer remain the subject of their displeasure, especially as by an advertisement handed about the theatre it was said that every objection would cease, when the manager consented to return the advanced prices to those, who did not choose to be tortured with entertainments. As to insults on the audience...last week upon some persons flinging the sconces and candles on the stage a quarrel arose, in the confusion of which a Gentleman was secured, but by whom the Manager knows not, nor ever gave any order, or was any acquainted with the affair till after he was discharged, for the truth of which he refers to the affidavit annexed. As to the accusation of several bruisers (as they are termed) being employed on Saturday night to insult Gentlemen, the Manager declares, that there was none but the Peace Officers, Carpenters, and Scene-men (which on account of the Entertainments are very numerous) and other servants belonging to the theatre; nor did they appear till urged by the tumult, by tearing up benches and threat'ning to come on the stage and demolish the scenes; nor could the Manager apprehend this legal precaution to prevent mischief and defend his property would ever be construed as an infringement on the liberty of an audience, especially when it is considered, what great damages he sustained some years ago on an attempt of the like nature--if any such persons appeared in the pit, the Manager presumes, they must have come in with the multitude, after his doorkeepers were drove from their posts, and the house was open to all; which was evident from several hundred persons more being present at the disturbance than were at the performance that night, who then came to a determination to prevent any performance on the Monday. After this impartial account of his conduct, the manager appeals to the judgment of the publick what foundation he has given for the outrageous disturbance on Monday night; and cannot help thinking, the real injuries he has sustained, too severe a punishment for an imaginary offence, having lost several hundred pounds already, by people being terrified from frequenting the theatre. A total exclusion is now insisted on, the Manager to resign his property, the Publick to be deprived of their diversions and the players of their subsistence; And all this after every concession, becoming one gentleman to ask, or another to make, has been submitted to. [Affidavit of Constable followed. See Genest, IV, 139-40.] The following three pamphlets came out expressing points of view concerning Fleetwood and his policy and management: I. The Disputes between the Director of d.l. and the Pit Potentates, 20 Nov. As a Letter to a Friend it tells the resolution: not to have old Pantomimes (so execrably bad that they were damn'd when new) imposed on them, unless the manager would take no more than common prices; reports how Fleetwood stocked the pit with Men of doughty valor...disguised in the habits of Gentlemen, to throw out all who protested; protests the system of casting employed whereby 2nd rate actors appeared in good parts; discusses hardship cases of certain actors (Mrs Roberts, Mrs Horton, Mrs Mills) and asks why Theophilus Cibber is not on the stage. 2. An Impartial Examen of the Present Contests, by Mr Neitherside, 1744: harks back to Fleetwood's finacial policies of the previous year, deploring his relations with the actors and with manager of cg; scourges him for miscasting his plays around one prominent actor, rather than giving a balanced performance; deplores his paying Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive so much; revives the 1743 dispute which led to secession; dislikes the casting for 2 Nov. of Love's Last Shift; suggests better casts for many plays; scores the Licensing Act for reducing players to slavery; hopes for resumption of balanced performances. 3. Stage Policy Detected, or some Selcet Pieces of Theatrical Secret History Laid Open, in a Letter to a Certain Manager, 1744: takes apart Fleetwood's Defense, statement by statement, giving him the lie at each point. Suggests the real money from the house comes from Pit and Box, which are protesting his pantomimes; shows full attendance at Rehearsal and Macbeth with no afterpieces. Especially dislikes the hired bruisers, and the cast of the Alchemist for 6 Nov

Event Comment: Benefit Carney. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit and First Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. Tickets at Carney's Lodgings at Mrs Comer's the bottom of Lemon St.; at the Taphouse of the Wells. As Mr Carney's long Illness has prevented him from waiting on his Friends in a proper manner, he humbly hopes that Gentlemen and Ladies will continue their Favours to him, without any further Application

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Giffard. Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of Several Persons of Quality. Servants will be admitted to keep places on the stage; and the ladies are desired to send their servants by 3 o'clock. Mr Giffard having receiv'd directions for places at his benefit takes this opportunity of acquainting his friends he shall desist from troubling them on that occasion this season. Tickets to be had of Mrs Giffard at No. 11, in Craven Buildings, Drury Lane; and of Hobson at the Stage door

Event Comment: Tragedy never acted. By James Thomson. Characters New Dress'd. But as it is rather more fashionable to run mad about Mr Thomsons's play, I will change my theme and talk to you of Tancred. I want much to know how you like it, at this distance I would lay any wager you do not like it so well as your sister does, who certainly cannot be your sister and not have been to see it long ago. Everybody agrees that no play was ever so much improved in acting, at least since the Booths and Bettertons. That first scene expecially, where Siffredi discovers to Tancred who he is, pleased me almost beyond anything I ever saw, indeed even before I saw it, that scene was my favourite. But what do you think of the story, and what of the style?-A Series of Letters between Mrs Elizabeth Carter and Miss Catherine Talbot, I, 60 (dated strangely 2 March). [On 26 April, the Daily Post published a letter by Bellario on Tancred and Sigismunda, discussing the kind of support it received]: A very remarkable new Lord of the Treasury was proud of appearing its Foster Father, and attended at the public rehearsals; the first night of the performance this celebrated person and his friends in the Box with him (all very lately most flaming Patriots) were seen clapping their hands at the following remarkable speech: First of You All...To Quit Mistakes. [The letter also discussed political aspects of the play, then the poetry of the lines. The author heard that three hundred lines were cut out after the first performance, and was of opinion that double that amount would have been beneficial.

Event Comment: Benefit Muilment. Mr Garrick's Indisposition not suffering him to play, I have prevail'd upon Mr Mills to endeavour to play his part, as well as the shortness of the time will permit, which I hope will be more agreeable to my Friends than changing the Play. Being the last time of performing till the Holidays. [Craftsman No. 580 this day, quoted in the Gentlemen's Magazine, included a brief plea for the present ministry to get the Play-house Act repealed.

Event Comment: Benefit Turbutt and Neale. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Afterpiece: not acted these 5 years. [See 29 March 1742.] Tickets and places to be had at the Swan in Smithfield; and of Hobson at the stage door. The severe Indisposition of Mr Garrick continuing, we hope our friends will accept of his part being perform'd to the Best Advantage the shortness of time will permit, which we imagine will be more agreable than changing the play

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of the Turkish Ambassadour. Benefit Phillips, in confinement in King's Bench. [Prices 3s., 2s., 1s.] Mr Phillips humbly begs leave to inform his Friends, being under Confinement in the King's Bench, He has not at present an Opportunity to wait on such Gentlemen and Ladies, as he may have hopes to esteem his well wishers. But in order to render Mrs Phillips's Entertainment as agreeable as possible to the Publick, Mr Phillips will be there on that Night. Tickets at Mrs Phillips's / Lodgings, at Mrs Norman's in Ayliffe St.; and of Mr Phillips in the King's Bench Prison, Southwark

Event Comment: Benefit Mr and Mrs L. Hallam. L. Hallam having broken his ankle cannot solicit his friends in person. [Prices 4s., 2s., 1s.