Event Comment: MMr Rich's Entertainment call'd ye fair came out this Night at Cov. Garden (Cross). Paid Mr Kynaston 4 renter's shares 100 nights #46 13s. 4d.; Blandford (Tallow Chandler) #19 6s. 5d.; Wax and Brick dust 3s. 11d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #80 (Cross); #97 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Whereas several Ungenerous aspersions have been cast on me, with respect to an Advertisement published in the London Gazetteer of Tuesday last, directed to the Friends of the Manager of Covent Garden Theatre, I declare that I was in no way consenting, or privy to the said Advertisement. John Rich (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Prologue, Epilogue and Pastoral Dialogue. Mainpiece: Written by Mr Addison. A New Pastoral Dialogue for the benefit of ye Author of ye Dialogue, Cook ye Poet (Cross). [The Prologue was on comic poetry (spoken by Ryan); the Epilogue was on the Comic Characters of Women (spoken by Mrs Bland). See published version (London, 1753 "to which is prefixed an Ode to John Rich, Esq:"--British Museum 11795 K 31).

Event Comment: Receipts: #115 9s. Paid Blackmore for the following Cloaths: A Blue velvet Coat & Breeches, with white sattin waistcoat emb. with gold, #18; a Light cloath coat & waistcoat (yellow) emb. with silver #12; A Blue & Silver stuff suit, #8; a crimson velt suit #6; a black velvet suit #4 10s.; a scarlet cloath suit trimm'd with black, #1 10s.; Paid into the hands of Mr Forrest [attorney] by John Rich #200. Mr Austin advanc'd 6d. each acting night form 29 Oct. for snuffing the candles

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Clive. Part of the Pit railed into Boxes and Stage will be formed into Amphitheatre, where servants will be admitted to keep places. Afterpiece: Farce of Two Acts never before acted. [MacMillan lists the characters from the Larpent MS and points out that no indication of assignment appeared: Sir John Bayfield , Sir Charles Freelove , Sir James Trueman , Mr Lovenight , Captain Squander , Lady Bayfield , Miss Croston , Lady Di Clatter , Miss Gibberish , Mrs Lovenight , Miss Prue , Mrs Goodfellow , and servants . Two deputy licensers seem to have been operating at this time, for Garrick sends his plays to Edward Capel, and Rich his to Chetwyn.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clendining. The Poetry of the additional Songs [in 1st piece] by Peter Pindar, Esq. [pseud. for John Wolcot]. Morning Herald, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Clendining, No. 19, Martlett-court, Bow-street, Covent-garden. "Mrs Clendining's endeavours to entertain were successful, and Fitzroy by Incledon gave a rich feast to the musical amateur. The air beginning, 'Dear Tom, this brown jug,' had a fine effect by the music being omitted" (Diary, 18 May). Receipts: #273 17s

Event Comment: Mainpiece:In I A Grand Masqueradev. Afterpiece [1st time; M. INT 1, by Thomas John Dibdin]: To conclude with a new Scenic Representation of Britannia Triumphantv. Interspersed With a Variety of favorite old Airs, popular Songs, Parodies, &c. The Overture and new Songs composed and the Music in general arranged by Moorehead. The Machinery invented and executed by Cresswell. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre, price Six-pence. Morning Chronicle, 16 Oct. 1799: This day is published The Naval Pillar (price not listed). The afterpiece had reference to the contemplated erection of a "Naval Pillar" on Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth, in commemoration of the recent victbries of the English navy. A plain pillar is at the last introduced, with the names of the most celebrated admirals on a scroll, round which the sailors and their sweethearts dance with peculiar festivity. The pillar now flies open, and displays a most magnificent and appropriate spectacle--consisting of Britannia, personated by Mrs Chapman, under a rich canopy, with the figures of a sailor and a soldier for supporters, pointing to the letters G. R. over a brilliant sun, which turns on the center; shrouded in clouds above, and surrounded by angels, is a medallion of Lord Howe, and on columns on each side of the canopy are medallions of your great living naval commanders" (Monthly Visitor, Oct. 1799, p. 180). Receipts: #284 10s. 6d. (277.18.6; 6.12.0)

Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: I saw acted the Indian Queene a Tragedie well written, but so beautified with rich Scenes as the like had never ben seene here as happly (except rarely anywhere else) on a mercenarie Theater

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Newly Corrected. Katherine Tofts, in Daily Courant, 8 Feb.: I was very much surpriz'd when I was inform'd that Ann Barwick, who was lately my Servant, had committed a Rudeness last Night [5 Feb.] at the Playhouse, by throwing of Oranges, and hissing when Mrs l'Epine, the Italian Gentlewoman Sung. I hope no one can think that it was in the least with my Privity, as I assure you it was not. [The statement, addressed to Christopher Rich, was dated 6 Feb.

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [Rich's Register lists Lady Jane Gray.

Event Comment: Not Acted these Fourteen Years. Written by the late Mr Farquhar. N.B. In Consideration of the Diversion the French Children have given the Town, Mr Rich has engag'd their Stay in England for some time longer, and on Thursday next they will perform again. Receipts: #25 1s

Event Comment: Receipts: #205 2s. Benefit J. Rich. Probable attendance: boxes and pit, 524 paid and 4 orders; slips, 44 paid; first gallery, 422 paid and 1 orders; second gallery, 193 paid

Event Comment: Receipts: #163 18s. 6d. Probable attendance: boxes, 230 paid and 3 orders; stage, 28 paid; balcony, 4 paid; pit, 273 paid and 3 orders; slips, 57 paid; first gallery, 420 paid and 4 orders; second gallery, 195 paid. Daily Journal, 28 Feb.: Whereas Mrs Barbier has advertized that the Beggar's Opera is to be performed, for her Benefit, on the 16th of March next; This is to inform the Publick, That such Advertisement was published without Consent of Mr Rich, and that the same will not be allow'd of

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Younger. [There is some confusion concerning this performance. Daily Journal advertises The Fortune Hunters for its second performance, but Rich's Register gives The Beggar's Opera, 33d time; this numbering is recongnized in the bills by 16 March.] Receipts: money #35 2s.; tickets #115 17s. Probable attendance: boxes, 41 by money and 247 by tickets; stage, 12 by money; pit, 59 by money and 203 by tickets; slips, 6 by money; first gallery, 66 by money and 203 by tickets; second gallery, 74 by money. Tickets for Volpone will be taken

Event Comment: [The Bill calls this the 33d performance; Rich's Register labels it the 34th. See 11 March.] Receipts: #183 3s. Probable attendance: boxes, 246 paid and 5 orders; stage, 73 paid; pit, 292 paid and 4 orders; slips, 65 paid; first gallery, 435 paid and 2 orders; second gallery, 192 paid. Daily Journal, 12 March: N.B. During the Course of the Benefits, this Opera will be performed every Tuesday and Saturday

Event Comment: Receipts: #176 14s. Probable attendance:'boxes, 224 paid and 3 orders; stage, 75 paid; pit, 279 paid and 5 orders; slips, 60 paid and 1 orders; pidgeon holes, 3 paid; first gallery, 444 paid and 4 orders; second gallery, 193 paid. [Both Daily Journal and Rich's Register call this the 35th performance; see 11 March.

Event Comment: The Fifty-Sixth Night. Tickets for A Bold Stroke for a Wife taken. Receipts: #87 8s. Probable attendance: boxes, 120 Paid and 11 orders; stage, 7 paid; pit, 211 paid and 15 orders; slips, 17 paid and 1 order; first gallery, 163 paid and 25 orders; second gallery, 9 paid and 2 orders. [Rich's Register also lists #10 18s. in tickets for Mrs Chianova.

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: #106 7s. 6d. Rich's Register: Bespoke by the Dutchess of Richmond

Event Comment: Receipts: #32 4s. [Universal Spectator, 16 Jan., reports that the subscription for Rich's new playhouse in Covent Garden has reached #6,000 and that James Sheppard, the architect, has completed the plans for the structure.

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Norsa. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Written by the late Mr Gay. Receipts: money #55 4s.; tickets #86 19s. [For a discussion of Rich's treatment of The Mock Lawyer, see Grub St. Journal, 26 April.

Event Comment: No receipts listed in Rich's Register

Event Comment: Benefit Taylor, Beau, Cooper, Widow Cook [Rich's Register)