Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Benefit Garrick. Boxes and Pit laid together at 5s. Victor to Garrick: My closest attention was never more commanded than by you last night in Othello....I was most inclined to fear for you in your address to the Senate, but there, even there, you excelled your present rival (Quin) whose merit lies chiefly in declamation-I found you had very judiciously applied your study to the great and striking passages in the character--the trance had a fine effect, your manner of falling into it, and recovery from it, was amazingly beautiful...it would be ridiculous to doubt of your ability to act this part in the utmost perfection; but to arrive at that point there are some things to be done.--Genest, IV, 147

Event Comment: A historical note about the patent for May Fair by Edward Shepherd. Daily Advertiser, 1 May: Whereas a Patent was granted by King Charles the First, and confirm'd by King James II, to the Proprietor of Great and Little Brookfield, then in the Parish of St. Martin in the Fields, now in the Parish of St. George, Hanover Square, to hold a Fair during the Space of fifteen Days, to begin the 1st Day of May next, and every May Day forever: the present Proprietor thinks it proper to apprize the Publick thereof, that it may not be thought that he attempts to do any thing but by Virtue of the said Patent, and no Ways to disturb the Publick Peace, or act in Contradiction to the Laws of the Realm. [Alluded to in 2 May news of the Daily Advertiser, as being proclaimed by Edward Shepherd.

Event Comment: MMiddleton's Great Theatrical Booth. Mainpiece: The late facetious Mr. Penkethman's diverting Droll, not acted these thirty years. Note, this is no Puff. [Repeated 13 May. From a news item of 13 May, this piece was probably acted the rest of this week.

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber to Garrick, 26 Feb. 1746: I despise your vanity when you imagine my danger was as great from Mrs Copin, as yours from Perkin Warbeck; my rival met with disgrace the first night of her appearance; and my not naming her when I writ you about Perkin Jan. 1746] was a piece of generosity scarcely to be met with in the female sex, for my rival was then dismissed the house.--Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 39

Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser: Yesterday Morning a Colonel's Guard (by Order) Marched to the Playhouse in Lincoln's Inn Fields, where they are to Continue, in order to be ready to quell any Disturbances that may happen from the Adherents of the Pretender, and the enemies of our present Happy Establishment. The Penny London Post, 7-9 Oct.: On Sunday morning early a party of Guards were detached from Whitehall to the New Playhouse in Lincoln's Inn Fields, of which they took possession; and soon after it was rumored that his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State had received intelligence that a great quantity of amunition & arms were secreted there for the use of the Pretender and his adherents; but whether they were found we know not: however a company of the 2nd regiment went on duty there that night

Event Comment: Profits subscribed to the Veteran Scheme at Guildhall. Mrs Cibber to Garrick, 11 Dec.: Though Mr Rich had no performance at his house...Drury Lane Playhouse was not above half full till the latter account. Then it was a good house but not near so great as we had all last winter to the Orphan. He had built up the stage, but as nobody came there he shut in a flat scene to hide it, and the next day he played the Tender Husband to fifteen pounds.-Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 46

Event Comment: A Musical Drama, in Two Parts...with Dances and other Decorations Entirely new. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day, at the Opera Office in the Haymarket, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty's Command, No Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. The Gallery to be open'd at Four o'Clock. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Six o'clock. A New Opera [composed by Gluck; text by F. Vanneschi]. The Subscribers to the Opera are desired to make the last Payment of their Subscription Money to the Treasurer, at the Opera Office in the Haymarket, where Attendance will be given this and every Day, from Ten till Two, to receive the same, and deliver out the Silver Tickets. [Repeated until 28 Jan.] The new Musical Italian Drama; entitled La Caduta de Giganti, or the Fall of the Giants, writ on Occasion of the expulsion of the Rebels, was perform'd last Night at King's Theatre in the Haymarket. The performance was received and carried on with great Attention, Tranquility, and Applause: and not a little enliven'd by the Presence of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland.--Daily Advertiser, 8 Jan

Event Comment: [Prices 3s., 2s., 1s. in Daily Advertiser; no bill in General Advertiser. Possibly not acted; see 22 Jan.] Benefit a Gentleman and his Family Under great distress. Tickets may be had of Daniel Findon, Union Coffee House, Cornhill

Event Comment: Benefit a Gentleman and his Family under great Distress. Prices. 3s., 2s., 1s. Tickets of Daniel Findon, Union Coffee House, Cornhill. [Blakey was down for Filch in the advance notice of 21 Jan.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Clive. Mainpiece alter'd from Dryden by Colley Cibber. Not acted these 30 years [see 27 April 1722]. Servants will be admitted to keep places on the stage, which will be inclos'd and form'd into Front and Side Boxes. Tickets and places to be had of Mrs Clive, at her House in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields; and of Hobson at the Stage Door

Event Comment: Benefit Ryan. Mainpiece: At the desire of several persons of Quality. Tickets at Ryan's Lodgings in Great Queen St

Event Comment: HHickford's Great Room, Brewer St. Benefit Brown. Tickets 5s. Tickets at Walsh, in Catherine St., Strand; Mrs Wamsley's/Musick/shop the Corner of Picadilly; Simpson's Musick shop in Swithin's Alley, Cornhill; Johnson's Musick shop, Cheapside; Brown's in Margaret St., near Cavendish Square; and at the place of performance

Event Comment: Not Acted these Eight Years [see 24 April 1741]. Benefit Cibber, Jr. Tickets and places of Hobson at the Stage door. Tickets ddliver'd out for All's Well at Covent Garden theatre will be taken to the above mentioned play this night. [Mrs Clive's Prologue recommended the cause of Liberty to the Ladies of Great Britain. Cibber had pleaded in his advance advertisement on 5 April in the General Advertiser.] As I have in justice to my creditors assigned over so much of my salary as reduces the remainder to a very small pittance, I very much depend on the encouragement and indulgence of the town at my Benefit. [On the day of the benefit he inserted in the General Advertiser a long, double column address to the Publick puffing his Benefit, and scotching a rumor industriously and invidiously spread that he came to Drury Lane only to impede Mrs Cibber in her performance there. In this he washes in public the linen of his domestic affairs at some length, professing his virtue, forbearance, and generosity, and Mrs Cibber's unfairness and ingratitude, citing her salary as about #700 per year, not a penny of which would she afford for his relief from creditors, or to bail him out of the Fleet prison where he languished six months. He alleges that she was instrumental in forming a cartel between the rival theatrical managers with precluded his employment by either house, and that she refused to act a benefit for him when he was in debtor's prison.

Event Comment: Benefit Arne. The demand for Places being more than Double what the Boxes will contain, Mrs Arne is oblig'd to lay the Pit and Boxes together, at 5s., where servants will be allow'd to keep places, as likewise on the stage, which will be form'd into front and side boxes. Ladies send servants by 3 o'clock. Tickets to be had, and places for the boxes to be taken of Arne next door to the Crown and Cushion in Great Queen St., by Lincoln's Inn Fields; and of Hobson at the stage door.--General Advertiser. Tom Arne sends his service; He is forced to put his Pit and Boxes together, which I reckon will be no advantage to him, ladies hoops taking up more room than the difference of price.--Mrs Cibber to Garrick, 8 April (Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 40)

Event Comment: Epilogue Of Thanks by Leveridge. Benefit Leveridge. Tune-A Cobler there was. /I The Many great favours I often have known/With greteful acknowledgment proudly I own,/Which prompts me to beg in this musical way,/The Grant of three hours at my Benefit play/Derry Down, &c/II Against which good time give me leave to express/My earnest desire in this humble address/That your wanted indulgence again may promote/Dick Leveridge's play with your Int'rest and Vote./Derry Down, &c/ Tickets to be had at Mr Leveridge's Lodgings in Hanover St, the third door on the Right Hand from Long-Acre, and of Page, at the stage door

Event Comment: Last night at the New Wells in Goodman's Fields there was such a crouded audience to see the Performance that numbers were oblig'd to go away for want of Places. The Proprietor having been at great expence on this Occasion, in representing the Battle near Culloden House and defeating the Rebels, that it has given universal Pleasure to all that have seen it; which will be perform'd this night with several other new Performances.--General Advertiser, 29 April

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd out by Mr Davis will be taken. [Bransby doubled in Oxford and Tyrrel. The General Advertiser quoted a long Epilogue on the Birthday of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland Written by the Farmer (who had taken over the role of Swift's Drapier) and spoken by Garrick in Dublin. It also quoted the following long puff for Ray's Benefit to come]: Sir, As long acquaintance best entitles us to friendly good natured offices, and as no more proper time can be found to confer them than when the person is in the Decline of life, give me leave to recommend (thro' your means) Mr Ray of Drury Lane Theatre, the oldest actor now belonging to that House, to the Favour of the Town, at his ensuing Benefit next Saturday. A person who once agreeably entertained the Public, should always feel the warmth of their Indulgence, tho' the Infirmities of Old age may have render'd him less pleasing than formerly. This Application is therefore meant to those friends of his, whom Distance of time, and change of Situation may have made it impossible any other way to acquaint them, that The Merchant of Venice is to be acted for his Benefit on Saturday next; therefore 'tis hoped they will be so kind as to send for his Tickets to Mr Hobson, in the Playhouse Passage, or to Mr Ray's lodgings, the second Door in Queen's Court, Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and the Favour will ever be greatly acknowledged by him

Event Comment: YYeates's Great Theatrical Booth. 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. A Concert, etc. Boxes 2s. Pit 1s. 6d. First Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. [Notice repeated 6 and 12 May.

Event Comment: Afterpiece An Historical Dramatic Piece of on act (taken from Shakespear) with a representation of the Trials of the Lords for High Treason, in the Reign of King Henry V. The Characters dress'd in the Habits of the times. With proper Scenes and Decorations. On account of the Extraordinary Scenery, &c, and to prevent any interruption in the performance, it's desired no persons will take it ill that they cannot admitted behind the Scenes.--General Advertiser. [This adaption most certainly occasioned by the trial, which began in Westminster Hall on 28 July of Lord Kilmarnock, Lord Cromarty, and Lord Balmerino for participation in the Rebellion of '45! (Hogan, Shakespeare in the Theatre, p. 199).] An Historical Dramatic Piece of one act, taken from Shakespear, will be perform'd, after a play, at Drury Lane; it will be a Representation of the trials of Lord Cambridge, Lord Scroopv, &c for High Treason, in the reign of King Henry the Fifth. The Characters are to [be] dress'd in rich antique Habits of the times.--Daily Advertiser, 31 July. Last night the Dramatick Piece call'd The Conspiracy Discover'd; or French Policy Defeated, with a representation of the Trials of the Lords for High Treason, was acted at dl, with great applause, and will be performed again tomorrow night at the desire of several persons of Distinction.--General Advertiser, 5 Aug

Event Comment: At the Great Tiled Booth on the Bowling Green. Benefit Bennet. A Concert, etc. Prices 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s. This Benefit chiefly design'd for the use of my creditors

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: Benefit Mrs Clive. Mainpiece written by Beaumont and Fletcher, never acted there. Servants allow'd to keep places on the stage which will be form'd into front and side boxes, and so commodiously enclos'd as to prevent the Ladies from taking cold. Ladies send servants by three. Tickets of Mrs Clive at her House in Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and of Hobson at the stage door

Event Comment: Benefit Lowe. Mainpiece at the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Tickets to be had of Lowe at his Lodgings at Mr Venables, Wine Merchant in the great Piazza, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Text by the Rev. Dr Thomas Morrell; Music by Handel. [Dean quotes Lord Shaftesbury as saying the oratorio went off with great applause.