Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. The great concourse of people at this theatre before the usual time of opening the doors, having been so great as to overpower the persons who were placed to receive the tickets; and as many were forced into the Theatre without an opportunity of paying for their admittance, Mr Giardini is under the greatest concern lest offence should be taken by those not being able to get in, who had sent for tickets to this office. He has given orders that those tickets shall be admitted tomorrow, as the opera of Siroe (by particular desire) is to be performed (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.). [Pickpockets, including one former soldier, took three diamond earrings, and one hair-ornament set with brilliants, from members of the audience on this night (Daily Advertiser). Found, a new Silver Sword in the Opera House Lobby on S. 21 Jan.; the Owner, by describing the Sword-Knot, may, on applying to the Orange-Woman at the House, have it restored (Daily Advertiser, 24 Jan.).] Lost on going to the Opera a Brilliant Diamond Cross composed of nine brilliants, by Lord Conyngham. Reward of 10 Guineas for Return (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.)

Event Comment: Paid salary list 3 days at #72 4s. 1d. per diem #216 12s. 3d.; Mr Weston on his note #5 5s.; Mrs Abington 3 first days not on list #2 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [From a long review in the Public Advertiser 3 Oct.: Two new performers in parts very difficult to execute-Mr Cautherly a pupil of the greatest master of the art of acting that ever graced the English stage (if not European)...has this summer convinced us that he is susceptible of the most refined instructions of his great patron and tutor. Of the Lady, I can say nothing prior to her appearance 30 Sept. as I am noways acquainted with her history any more than that by declaration of common report; she is the spouse of the brother of that Mr Barry who has so greatly pleas'd the town this summer at the Opera House." [Comments on her figure, voice and countenance well adapted to express the stronger passions.] She seemed to be so much in love with Romeo as to forget she represented a young and inexperienced virgin unused to men...The first scene of consequence is the Masquerade scene, which was as to business very badly conducted; but this, I doubt not will be rectified another night, they were discovered in disorder and they went off in confusion. It appeared a tumultous assembly rather than a Masquerade of nobility in an Italian Palace. Romeo stayed so long behind the crow that he was oblig'd to run to his station opposite Juliet to be in time for "Cousin Benvolio, do you mark that lady." [A long and detailed review of the stage action act by act.] In the Garden scene an unlucky accident happened to Cautherly...his nose ran with blood and he was oblig'd to keep his handkerchief to his nose all through, which was a great loss to the audience...The Apothecary is the best figure I ever saw, and spoke more sensibly than I ever heard an apothecary speak in my life. Mr Castle has rescued that character from ridicule, and worked by pity what buffoonery used to run off with-applause." Receipts: #145 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book.

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Tickets to be had of Shuter at Number 2, in Martlet Court, Bow St. Covent Garden; and of Mr Sarjant, Book-Keeper. Charges: #65 2s. [Profits to Shuter #150 6d., plus #70 11s. from tickets (Box 233; Pit 82).] Paid Miss Elliott the balance of her two nights Jan. 13 and Feb. 18, #90 13s. 6d. and gave her as a present from the managers by deducting the charge of the Farce for her 2nd night, Feb. 18th, #21 (Account Book). Receipts: #215 2s. 6d. (Account Book). About 5 with great difficulty got into the Pit at Covent Garden to see...the benefit for Mr Shuter. Stood all night at the bottom of the Pit in a most disagreeable situation, though I saw very well and heard too, unless when prevented by the noise on occasion of which Shuter very smartly applied the Passage, But if we all speak together, how shall we hear one another," and again when a great noise was made about someone in the Gallery, he cried 'Give him a knock o' the head and make him quiet,' and another bawling Silence," he cried Silence, Silence why don't you be quiet.'At the end of Act II, the Cries of London', with additions by Shuter. In going off he shook his head on hearing it encored, but was oblig'd to comply by repeating the greater part. End of Opera Shuter entertained us with his Serious, Comic Post-Haste Observations in his Journey to Paris, to hear which was a principal reason of my not dining at Holliss's. The Barber in the Upholsterer inimitably played by Woodward (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy never performed before. This Tragedy was written by Mr Murphy & has great Merit, it is very carefully got up & well perform'd, & receiv'd uncommon Applause Mrs Barry Display great Tragick powers & receiv'd the vast Applause She merited--She will gain great Reputation in the part (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations. Theatrical Review, 26 Feb.: Mrs Barry rose beyond herself, if we may be allowed the expression, in the laborious Character of Euphrasia....The scenes and decorations were well adapted to the importance of the piece. The representation of the city of Syracusev, with a view of the sea; and the Temple scene, with the mausoleum, in particular are extremely well executed, and do credit to the theatre, and honor to the artists who designed and painted them. Paid two notes for Mr J. Aickin, per order #12 1s. 8d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #251 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Housekeeper's Bill #6 7s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [The Public Advertiser carried a two-column account of Sethona, telling the story of the play act by act. It concluded: Such is the Story of this new Tragedy which was received with universal Applause by a crowded and brilliant Audience and seems to bid fair to become a Stock Play. The Parts were judiciously cast, and the Performers did great Justice to their respective Characters. Perhaps Mrs Barry never appeared in a greater or more amiable Point of View than on Saturday Night. In short her Performance beggared Description; and it is impossible to form an adequate Idea of her Merit in Sethona without seeing her. Mr Barry was also very great in the Old Hermit, and exhibited as pathetic and as chaste a piece of acting as we remember to have seen. The Dresses, Decorations and Scenery of this Play are much superior to those of any modern Tragedy; they do ample Justice to the Author, and likewise do Honour to the Taste and Spirit of the Manager, who seems to have spared no Expence to furnish a splendid and rational Entertainment. The Scene of the Temple of Osiris, and the View of the Egyptian Catacombsv were particularly admired, and are worthy of the Brush of Mr Loutherbourg. The Prologue is a very classical Performance, and was well delivered by Mr Reddish, notwithstanding the noise and the frequent Interruption usual on these occasions. The Epilogue in the character of an Egyptian Fortune Teller was admirably spoken by Mrs Barry, and had an amazing effect. It contains some excellent Strokes of Satire on the Times and a rich vein of Humour which is finely sustained throughout. From several Circumstances we should suppose this Epilogue to be the Production of our English Roscius and it seems to be one of his best."] Receipts: #226 15s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The play went off with Great Applause and the Opera till begining of the Second Act. when they hiss'd very much and a very great Noise ensued and with very great difficulty we got to the end of the Farce (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Mr Hurst (by order) on Note #13 13s. Receipts: #109 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Garrick's last time of performing Ranger (playbill). Rec'd Sga Paccini's Debt in full #75; Condell's 3rd payment: Fruit Office #20. Paid Blandford, Chandler's bill (after deduction) in full #14 12s. 2d.; Balance of Mad. Paccini and Martini's acct. in full #6 10s.; Bensley in full; Everard's debt and costs #5 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Publish'd this month, Garrick's Looking Glass; or, the Art of Rising on the Stage. Price 2s. 6d. Printed for T. Evans By S. J. Pratt. Informative on most stage fundamentals. A poem in three cantos. Publish'd in July, A Lecture on Mimicry, as it was deliver'd with great applause at the Theatres in Covent Garden and the Haymarket, and the Great Room in Panton St. In the course of which were introduced a great variety of theatrical Imitations, to which is added Jerry Sneak 's return from the regatta and a Lecture upon Lectures. By G. S. Carey. Price 1s. @"I'll...on myself depend.@Inever yet found manager my friend.@By you supported boldly I'll oppose@My mimic powers against a host of foes.' Foote, Barry, and toothless Macklin, singers and dancers.] Receipts: #226 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: 1st piece [1st time; PREL 1, by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 958; not published]. Without insisting on the great Expence that has been incurred in re-building this Theatre (in the erecting of which no other Object has been attempted but the greater ease, safety and accomodation of the Spectators) it appears upon the Books that the Annual Disbursements of the past Seasons have gradually been encreasing from Year to Year, under the Direction of the present Proprietor, to nearly the sum of #10,000 per Annum more than the usual Expenditure of any of his Predecessors; it is therefore trusted the Necessity of the following small Advancement of the Prices of Admission to the Boxes and the Pit will be sufficiently apparent to the Justice of that Public whose Liberality has never yet been doubted. E. Barlow, Treasurer. Boxes 6s. 2nd Price 3s. Pit 3s. 6d. 2nd Price 2s. Gallery 2s. 2nd Price 1s. No Money to be returned. The Office for taking Places for the Boxes is removed to Hart-street. The principal new Entrance to the Boxes is from the Great Portico in Bow-street; from the Small Portico are Entrances to the Pit and Gallery only. In the Old Passage from the Piazza are new Entrances to the Boxes, Pit, and Gallery. Carriages coming to Bow-street Entrances are desired to set down and take up with the Horses' Heads towards Hart-street. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [see 12 Nov.]. [The audience objected vociferously to the increased prices of admission and to the absence of a 2nd gallery (and see under 19 Sept.). "The Prelude passed off without a syllable of it being heard...Two acts of The Road to Ruin displayed the performers' skill in pantomime, for not a word was heard...The Irishman in London then walked over the stag amidst the same riot and confusion which attended the preceding pieces" (Times, 18 Sept.).] Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To Blackfryars [presumably a slip for Whitefriars, Salisbury Court] (the first time I ever was there since plays begun), and there after great patience and little expectation, from so poor beginning, I saw three acts of The Mayd in ye Mill, acted to my great content. But it begin late, I left the play

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To Sir William Davenant's Opera; this being the fourth day that it hath begun, and the first that I have seen it. To-day was acted the second part of The Siege of Rhodes. We staid a very great while for the King and the Queen of Bohemia. And by the breaking of a board over our heads, we had a great deal of dust fell into the ladies' necks and the men's hair, which made good sport. The King being come, the scene opened; which indeed is very fine and magnificent, and well acted, all but the Eunuch, who was so much out tha he was hissed off the stage

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: Against my judgment and conscience (which God forgive, for my very heart knows that I offend God in breaking my vows therein) to the Opera, which is now newly begun to act again, after some alteracion of their scene, which do make it very much worse; but the play, Love and Honour, being the first time of their acting it, is a very good plot, and well done. Downes (pp. 21-22): This Play was Richly Cloath'd; The King giving Mr Betterton his Coronation Suit;...The Duke of York giving Mr Harris his...and my Lord of Oxford gave Mr Joseph Price his...and all the other Parts being very well done: The Play having a great run, Produc'd to the Company great Gain and Estimation from the Town

Event Comment: Boswell, (Restoration Court Stage, p. 280) lists this as by the King's Company, which had given it on 23 July 1662. Pepys, Diary: Hearing that there was a play at the Cockpit (and my Lord Sandwich, who came to town last night, at it), I do go thither, and by very great fortune did follow four or five gentlemen who were carried to a little private door in a wall, and so crept through a narrow place and come into one of the boxes next the King's, but so as I could not see the King or Queene, but many of the fine ladies, who yet are really not so handsome generally as I used to take them to be, but that they are finely dressed. Here we saw The Cardinall, a tragedy I had never seen before, nor is there any great matter in it. The company that came in with me into the box, were all Frenchmen that could speak no English, but Lord! what sport they made to ask a pretty lady that they got among them that understood both French and English to make her tell them what the actors said

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: I away before to White Hall and into the new play-house there, the first time I ever was there, and the first play I have seen since before the great plague. By and by Mr Pierce comes, bringing my wife and his, and Knipp. By and by the King and Queene, Duke and Duchesse, and all the great ladies of the Court; which, indeed, was a fine sight. But the play being Love in a Tub, a silly play, and though done by the Duke's people, yet having neither Betterton nor his wife, and the whole thing done ill, and being ill also, I had no manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the House, though very fine, yet bad for the voice, for hearing. The sight of the ladies, indeed, was exceeding noble; and above all, my Lady Castlemayne. The play done by ten o'clock. I carried them all home, and then home myself, and well satisfied with the sight, but not the play

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: Here my Lord Bruncker would have made me promise to go with him to a play this afternoon, where Knipp acts Mrs Weaver's great part in The Indian Emperour, and he says she is coming on to be a great actor. But I am so fell to my business, that I, though against my inclination, will not go

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: With my Lord Bruncker and his mistress to the King's playhouse, and there saw The Indian Emperour; where I find Nell come again, which I am glad of; but was most infinitely displeased with her being put to act the Emperour's daughter, which is a great and serious part, which she do most basely. The rest of the play, though pretty good, was not well acted by most of them, methought; so that I took no great content in it. But that, that troubled me most was, that Knipp sent by Moll [Mary Meggs] to desire to speak to me after the play; and she beckoned to me at the end of the play, and I promised to come; but it was so late

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: I walked to the King's playhouse, there to meet Sir W. Pen, and saw The Surprizall, a very mean play, I thought; or else it was because I was out of humour, and but very little company in the house. But there Sir W. Pen had a good deal of discourse with Moll Meggs?; who tells us that Nell Gwyn? is already left by my Lord Buckhurst, and that he makes sport of her, and swears she hath had all she could get of him; and Hart, her great admirer, now hates ner; and that she is very poor, and hath lost my Lady Castlemayne, who was her great friend also: but she is come to the House, but is neglected by them all

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the King's playhouse, and there saw The Black Prince again: which is now mightily bettered by that long letter being printed, and so delivered to every body at their going in, and some short reference made to it in heart in the play, which do mighty well; but, when all is done, I think it is the worst play of my Lord Orrery's. But here, to my great satisfaction, I did see my Lord Hinchingbroke and his mistress, with her father and mother; and I am mightily pleased with the young lady, being handsome enough--and, indeed, to my great liking, as I would have her. I could not but look upon them all the play

Event Comment: Pepys, Diary: I to White Hall; and there got into the theater-room, and there heard both the vocall and instrumentall musick, where the little fellow [Pelham Humphrey] stood keeping time; but for my part, I see no great matter, but quite the contrary in both sorts of musique. The composition I believe is very good, but no more of delightfulness to the eare or understanding but what is very ordinary. Here was the King and Queen, and some of the ladies; among whom none more jolly than my Lady Buckingham, her Lord being once more a great man

Event Comment: The Travels of Cosmo the Third (Thursday 25 April 1669 NS; Thursday 15 April OS): After dinner, he recommenced his visits to the ladies; going towards evening to the King's Theatre, to hear the comedy, in his majesty's box. This theatre is nearly of a circular form, surrounded, in the inside, by boxes separated from each other, and divided into several rows of seats, for the greater accommodation of the ladies and gentlemen, who, in conformity with the freedom of the country, sit together indiscriminately; a large space being left on the ground-flobr for the rest of the audience. The scenery is very light, capable of a great many changes, and embellished with beautiful landscapes. Before the comedy begins, that the audience may not be tired with waiting, the most delightful symphonies are played; on which account many persons come early to enjoy this agreeable amusement. The comedies which are acted, are in prose; but their plots are confused, neither unity nor regularity being observed; the authors having in view, rather than any thing else, to describe accurately the passions of the mind, the virtues and the vices; and they succeed the better, the more the players themselves, who are excellent, assist them with action, and with the enunciation of their language, which is very adapted for the purpose, as being a variation, but very much confined and curtailed, of the Teutonic idiom; and enriched with many phrases and words of the most beautiful and expressive description, taken both from ancient and modern languages (London, 1821, pp. 190-91)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: And my wife being gone abroad with W. Hewer, to see the new play to-day, at the Duke of York's house, Guzman, I dined alone.... I thence presently to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there, in the 18d. seat, did get room to see almost three acts of the play; but it seemed to me but very ordinary. After the play done, I into the pit, and there find my wife and W. Hewer...[and] here I did meet with Shadwell, the poet, who, to my great wonder, do tell me that my Lord of Orrery? did write this play, trying what he could do in comedy, since his heroique plays could do no more wonders. This do trouble me; for it is as mean a thing, and so he says, as hath been upon the stage a great while; and Harris, who hath no part in it, did come to me, and told me in discourse that he was glad of it, it being a play that will not take

Event Comment: Journal of the Earl of Anglesey, 25 Jan. 1671@2: At eight of the clock The King's playhouse took fire, and most of that side of Russell Street and many other houses thereabout were burnt down, and we in Drury Lane and all about in great danger; but the Lord had mercy, and by great industry and blowing up houses the fire was overcome: I had no rest, but sat up almost all night, even till six in the morning. The Lord pardon sin, which brings judgements (HMC, 13th Report, Part VI [London, 1893], p. 270. The Bulstrode Papers (I, 217): About 8 hapened a sad and violent fire, which begun in the King's Theater, and in a few howers burnt down that...severall were hurt and killed, amongst which was Mr Bell, one of the actors in that house. For a poem, On the Unhappy Conflagration of the Theatre Royal, January 25th, 1672, see Fitzgerald, A New History of the English Stage, I, 137

Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: [I] heard Signor Francisco on the Harpsichord, esteem'd on[e] of the most excellent masters in Europe on that Instrument: then came Nicholao Matteis? with his Violin & struck all mute, but Mrs Knight, who sung incomparably, & doubtlesse has the greatest reach of any English Woman; she had lately ben roming in Italy: & was much improv'd in that quality: Then was other Musique, & this Consort was at Mr Slingsbys Master of the Mint, my worthy friend, & great a lover of musique. [For a contemporary account of Matteis, see Roger North on Music, ed. John Wilson (London, 1959), pp. 307-11.

Event Comment: [Newdigate newsletters (Folger Shakespeare Library), 4 Feb. 1674@5: Tuesday night after Counsell their Maties & Court were present at the Rehearsal of the great Maske wch is to be publiquely acted on Shrove Tuesday; by wch tyme her Royall Highness will be able to be present at it, being already very well after her Lying in, as is also ye young princess (Wilson, Theatre Notes, p. 79). The Bulstrode Papers (1, 277): 8 Feb. 1674@5: On Wed night after Councell their Maties and Royal Highnesses were present at the rehearsall of the Great Maske wch will be publiquely acted on Tuesday 7 night next. [The two sources agree on the intended date of the performance but disagree upon the date of the rehearsal.

Event Comment: The True News; or, Mercurius Anglicus, 4-7 Feb. 1679@80: On Munday night last happened a great dispute in the Duke's Play-house, some Gentlemen in their Cupps entring into the Pitt, flinging Links at the Actors, and using several reproachfull speeches against the Dutchess of P. and other persons of Honour, which has occasioned a Prohibition from farther Acting, till his Majesties farther pleasyre. A letter written by the Dowager Countess of Sunderland to Henry Sidney, dated 6 Jan. 1679@80 [possibly misdated] refers to disorders which are similar to those recorded in The True News: You must needs hear of the abominable disorders amongst us, calling all the women whores and the men rogues in the playhouses--throwing candles and links--calling my Lord Sunderland traitor, but in good company; the Duke of York?, rascal; and all ended in "God bless his Highness, the Duke of Monmouth. We will be for him against the world." I am told they may be fined a great deal if they are prosecuted. Two of these are knights of shires, Sir Scroope How, and my Lord Wharton's@eldest son; the only sufferer yet is Porter. They are ashamed, I hear, and afraid (R. W. Blencowe, Diary of the Times of Charles the Second by the Honourable Henry Sidney [London, 1843], I, 237)