Event Comment: Benefit for Fawcett. 3rd piece [1st time; F 1, by George Colman, ynger, based on L'Anglais; ou, Le Fou Raisonnable, by Joseph Patrat]. Times, 6 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Fawcett, No. 41, Frith-street, Soho, and at Brook-Green, Hammersmith. Receipts: #501 18s. (226.13.0; 3.0.6; tickets: 272.4.6)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece: Epilogue by George Colman, ynger.

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Public Advertiser, 25 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lewis at his house in Broad-court, Bow-street. Afterpiece [1st time in London; co 2. MS: Larpent 620; not published]: Written by the Author of The Castle of Andalusia, The Agreeable Surprise, Son-in-Law, &c &c. [John O'KeefFe, 1st acted at the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 15 Apr. 1777, and altered in the CG season of 1783-84 as The Poor Soldier]. The Airs Select [ed by the author from] Irish [airs]. With a New Overture and Accompaniments by Shield, who composed the music of Rosina. The Words of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #256 9s. (201/10; tickets: 54/19) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. 1st piece [1st time; MD 2, by Samuel Birch]: The Musick by Attwood. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. 2nd piece [1st time; INT 1, by George Colman, ynger. This was the 1st scene from Colman's New Hay at the Old Market, slightly revised; in subsequent seasons it was acted under the title of Sylvester Daggerwood]: By Permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal Hay-Market. 3rd piece: With a Sea Fight. [The playbill assigns Sneer to Palmer, but "The Public are most respectfully informed that Palmer being too ill to perform this Evening, the character of Sneer will be attempted by Benson, who humbly hopes for their usual indulgence" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Oracle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 65, Gower-street, Bedford Square. Receipts: #613 12s. (332.0.6; 45.19.6; 4.3.0; tickets: 231.9.0) (charge: #221 19s.)

Event Comment: The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 3 May 1790]. Paid Say for Tallow Candles last Season #88 6s. 3d. "That beautiful and best drawn character that the world ever saw, Sir John Falstaff, was mangled by Ryder. He substitutes savageness to jollity, and stiff mimicry to the natural debauchery that should hang as easily on Sir John as the Roomy mantle he moves in...Lewis gave us more the manner of the pretty man of fashion than of a dissipated hero" (Prompter, 4 Nov.). Receipts: #168 1s. 6d. (164.12.6; 3.9.0)

Event Comment: Mainpicce [1st time; burl 3, by Charles Dibdin]: Taken from [Amphitryon, by John] Dryden. [MS: Larpent 573; not published.] With new Scenery, Dresses, &c. The Music by several eminent Composers [Charles Dibdin, William Shield, &c.]. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #153 15s. 6d. (151/8/0; 2/7/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; c 5, by Hannah Cowley. Prologue by Henry Bate (European Magazine, Mar. 1782, p. 210, which also gives name of speaker)]. 2nd piece [1st time; prel I, by Henry Bate (later Sir Henry Bate Dudley). Epilogue by John O'Keeffe (O'Keeffe, 11, 301)]: With New Dresses, Scenery, &c. Public Advertiser, 19 Feb. 1782: This Day is published The Dramatic Puffers (6d.). Receipts: #222 9s. 6d. (219/4/6; 3/5/0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by John O'Keeffe. MS: Larpent 608; not published. CG playbill of 16 Nov. 1795 has a detailed synopsis of the action]: Intermixed with Songs and Dialogue. With new Music, Scenes, Dresses, Machinery, and Decorations. The new Music composed by Shield. The new Scenes designed by Richards, and executed by Richards, Hodgins, and assistants. To conclude with a Representation of the Lord Mayor's Show on the Water. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. "As to the Pantomime it wanted nothing on the first Night but Abbreviations . . . [which should be] omission of the Doctors, the two Women of the Town, and the whole of Edwin's Character" (Public Advertiser, 27 Nov.). Gentleman's Magazine, Jan. 1783, pp. 29-31, contains a detailed synopsis of the procession, and adds, "The personages of this procession were all dressed in the characters of the time in which they lived, and before each of them a label, a scroll, or a pageant was carried, bearing their name, or some allusion of the poets to their occupation. The figures in transparency were all painted as large as the life, and had a most grand and beautiful effect . . . The idea of the paintings was furnished by Mr Richards and Mr Smirk [sic], and all of them executed by the latter in a style of so much taste and excellence that it is a matter of some wonder to us, where an artist of Mr Smirk's abilities has been so long concealed . . . The glee introduced with so much applause is the composition of the late Dr Rogers (who lived in 1600); the other airs in the pantomime and procession arc by Handel, Lord Kelly, Abel, Stamitz and Shield, and have very great merit. The expense of preparing this splendid spectacle must have been very great, and the cost of continuing its representation cannot be inconsiderable, since more than 200 supernumeraries are employed to walk in the procession." Receipts: #215 3s. (206/3; 9/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Hannah Cowley. Author of Prologue unknown. Epilogue by John O'Keeffe (O'KeefFe, II, 301); it included a song, music by Carter, When I was a little baby, written by Hannah Cowley]: New Scenes and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 26 Jan. 1784: This Day is published A Bold Stroke for A Husband (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #199 5s. 6d. (194/13/0; 4/12/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time in London; co 3, 1st acted at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 30 Jan. 1784. MS: Larpent 703, not published]: Written by [Robert] Jephson [with lyrics by Sir Nathaniel Barry (Larpent MS). In 1787 abridged by John O'Keeffe as Love and War]. With new Scenes and Decorations. A new Overture by the celebrated Haydn. The Airs by David Rizzio, [J. C] Bach, Paisiello, Duni, Carolan, Shield and Tenducci [i.e. "The Music partly compiled by Tenducci; the new Airs composed by Shield" (notice on playbill of 11 May)]. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [Afterpiece in place of The Lying Valet, announced on playbill of 11 May.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Leonard Macnally, adapted from the same, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct. For text of abridged version see 21 Oct.]: Taken from the celebrated French Opera of that Name. With the original Overture, Airs, Duetts, Trios, Chorusses and Finale, by the celebrated Gretry. To which are added Compositions by the following Masters; Anfossi, Bertoni, Duni, David, Rizzio, Carolan, Tenducci, and Shield. With new Dresses, Scenery and other Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [The printed score (Longman & Broderip, c. 1786) indicates that the music was adapted by Shield; it does not refer to Duni, Rizzio or Tenducci, but includes Philip Hayes and John Wilson. After the 1st 4 performances the mainpiece was reduced to an afterpiece of 3 short acts; see 21 Oct.] Account-Book, 28 Nov.: Paid Macnally in full for Coeur de Lion #121 18s. 6d. "Inchbald we thought [was] rather hardly dealt with. His voice happened to fail him in a particular turn of the tune he was singing, and some of the audience were ungenerous enough to disconcert him so far that he made a modest bow and retired [leaving his part unfinished. In consequence of this] a duet that was to have been sung by the King from the battlements of the castle, and Blondel without the walls, on which the turn of the fable hinged, was omitted; a circumstance that could not but materially affect the intrinterest, as it destroyed the connexion of the fable" (Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct.). [The following day Inchbald withdrew from his engagement at cg.] Receipts: #249 12s. 6d. (247.11.6; 2.1.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; BO 2, by the Hon. John St.John. Prologue by the author (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Overture, new Songs and Accompaniments by Shaw. The Scenes by Greenwood. Receipts: #172 16s. (117.11.0; 53.9.6; 1.15.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With Alterations in the Dialogue and New Music [i.e. 6 new songs by John O'Keeffe with music by Michael Arne: 3 sung by Fairfield, and 1 each by Theodosia, Farmer Giles and Fanny. They are printed in London Chronicle, 26 Sept. and in Town and Country Magazine, Sept. 1782,p. 452]. The Words of the New Songs will be given at the Boxes. Afterpiece: 6th time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the previous season]. [Brett was from the HAY.] Receipts: #271 10s. 6d. (269/4/6; 2/6/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wilson. 1st piece [1st time; PREL I, by John Dent. On 16 Aug. acted at HAY under its 2nd title]. 2nd piece: As altered in 3 acts by Garrick. [Kean was from the HAY.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer and Meadows. Morning Chronicle, 20 May: Tickets to be had of Palmer, No. 36, Bow-street, Covent Garden; of Meadows, John-street, Golden-square. Receipts: #208 10s. (36/19/6; 9/11/6; tickets: 141/19/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Edwin

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; co 3, by George Colman, the younger. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, III, 252)]: The new Airs, and a New Overture by Dr Arnold. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [One of the songs, beginning "Adzooks, old Crusty," sung by Edwin, is set to the tune of Yankee Doodle, and in the musical score (Harrison, 1784) it is so entitled. This is believed to be the first time this song, as it is now sung, appeared in print.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 18 Jan. 1782]. [In afterpiece the playbill retains Edwin, but "At the conclusion of the play an apology was made for Edwin's non-appearance, owing to indisposition, and Palmer and Meadows announced as his substitutes in the two songs in Omai" (Morning Post, 6 Feb.).] Receipts: #231 15s. (229/7; 2/8)

Event Comment: The last Night of the Season. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Edwin as Trudge, but "Young Edwin supplied the place of his father in the part of Trudge" (London Chronicle, 16 Sept.).

Event Comment: [As mainpiece the playbill announces the 5th night of The School for Arrogance (see 14 Feb.), but it was "set aside, on account of the indisposition of Johnstone, and The Provok'd Husband was the substitute, in which Holman and Mrs Esten represented the characters of Lord and Lady Townly." In afterpiece the playbill retains Johnstone as Edwin, but "Incledon warbled the airs allotted to the part of Edwin" (Diary, 14 Feb.).] Receipts: #205 1s. 6d. (195.16.6; 9.5.0)

Event Comment: "[Henderson] appears to have cultivated the gifts of nature, with great industry; he promises better to attain the character of a player of consummate judgment than a great player, properly so called. Edwin, in spite of his thin voice and disgusting articulation, is at least equal to half his London contemporaries; and exhibited proofs that neither his conception, nor style of playing, is limited to a particular cast of parts, or mode of acting" (London Magazine, June 1777, p. 288). [ Miss Barsanti was from the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin.

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Justice Woodcock to Parsons, and as afterpiece announces Tony Lumpkin in Town, but "In consequence of Parsons' illness, Edwin played the part of Justice Woodcock, with which he seems well acquainted; and he plays it with great pleasantry in his own particular style of humour....Parsons' illness also prevented the performance of Tony Lumpkin in Town, and Nature will Prevail was substituted" (Gazetteer, 8 June).

Event Comment: Tickets delivered for this Evening [Account-Book: by Alfred, Benson, Kirk, Maddocks, Walker, Whittow, Whitmell, Mrs Booth, Miss Daniels, Mrs Davies, Mrs Edwin, Mrs Gaudry, Mrs Jones] will be admitted. Receipts: #69 9s. (47.0; 19.12; 2.17; tickets: none listed)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Afterpiece: As performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket [beginning 6 Aug. 1779]; by the Author of the Son-in-Law, the Agreeable Surprise, &c. [John O'Keeffe]. [Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #195 9s. 6d. (161/11/6; tickets: 33/18/0) (charge: #105)