Event Comment: Benefit Ridout and Dupre. [Rich's Register adds Livier and Miss Brunette.] Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Receipts: money #11 19s.; tickets #104 16s

Event Comment: Benefit the Prompter. Mainpiece: Written by Sir J. Vanbrugh. Receipts: money #10 9s. 6d.; tickets #62 2s. Rich's Register: Benefit Steed, Bencraft, Dupre

Event Comment: Benefit Glover. [Tickets at Glover's, Chandos Street, cg. See Grub St. Journal, 11 March, for a discussion of Rich as a manager.

Event Comment: LLondon Daily Post and General Advertiser, 17 March: This is to inform the Publick, that the new Tragi-Comedy, intitled The Free-Thinker; or, The Fox uncas'd, which was last Summer rehearsed and was to have been play'd at [lif], but by Mr Rich's letting that House to Mr Giffard, for that Season, was prevented, will be acted on the 14th of April next [at yb], by Mr Hallam's Company of Comedians. The Play is writ much in the same Stile and Manner of George Barnwell....The Author hopes that the Generous and Judicious will encourage the Performance, tho' the Company of Players are not dropt down from the Clouds, nor does the Play libel the Government. [No further announcement of the performance has been noted before 28 April.

Event Comment: Benefit Lacy. Afterpiece: A new Satyrical, Allegorical, Political, Philosophical Farce, [Apparently by Lacy.] Daily Advertiser, 30 April: Yesterday I accidentally call'd in at the Theatre in the Hay-Market, and saw the Rehearsal of a new Farce call'd Fame...Which is to be acted there on Wednesday next...for the Benefit of Mr Lacy the Author. As I am neither acquainted with him, nor the Master of the Playhouse, I cannot be accus'd of Partiality, in affirming, that I think this the best Farce this Age has produc'd. It seems to be writ in Imitation of Shakespear, and entirely calculated for the present Taste. The Characters are strong, lively, majestic, and just; the incidents natural and moving; the Conduct regular; the Distresses extremely affecting; the Stile sublime; the Sentiments grand, full of Patriotism; and the Catastrophe so masterly wrought up, that, I am persuaded, no Farce whatsoever, now acting, will draw more Tears than this. But what affected me beyond all, was, the Zeal, the exemplary Zeal of a worthy Magistrate, who so strictly adheres to the very Letter of the Law, as to send a rich and honest Merchant, and Freeholder, to the House of Correction, as a sturdy Beggar, or Loiterer. I could enlarg in its Praise, but fear I may do the Author wrong, in raising your Expectations too high. See it, and I am convinc'd you will entertain the same Sentiments of it, as does Your Humble Servant, James Lacy. Alias Fustian, alias Sour-Wit, alias--But hold:--If I should be arraign'd for the Murder of this Farce, so many Alias's will half condemn me before I am heard

Event Comment: N.B. Whereas it has been industriously reported that the French Comedians are to perform in One of the Theatres belonging to Mr Rich, this is to certify to the Publick, that nothing of that kind Was ever intended, or wou'd have been permitted by him, unless the same had been with the general Consent of the Town

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 18 Jan.: Whereas a Bottle was flung out of one of the Galleries into the Pit...on Saturday Night last, during the Time of Performance, which struck a Gentleman on the Head, and very much hurt him, I hereby promise to pay to any one that shall discover the Person who threw the same, so that he may be brought to Justice, the Sum of Twenty Guineas, to be paid on Conviction....John Rich

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. [See Mlle Auguste's letter to the Public in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 7 Dec., accusing Fleetwood of putting her name in the bills after she had renounced his employment, and had gone over to Rich. For her actual 1st appearance see cg 7 Dec.] Receipts: #90

Event Comment: [Letter from Mlle Auguste to the Public stated that Fleetwood had refused to answer her letter, whence she had withdrawn and engaged with Rich, of which fact she appraised Fleetwood who still kept her name on the bills. Her reason for leaving Fleetwood was her having heard that on 4 Dec. he had read a letter on the stage at dl to her discredit. See London Daily Post and General Advertiser.] Receipts: #80

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: Benefit the Widow Milward and her 4 children. N.B. Mrs Milward greatly acknowledges the Favour of the Town to her on her former Benefit; and as a considerable number of persons, who had taken tickets for that night, could not find room, she has made application to Mr Rich who has generously given her at his theatre, a Day which he had reserved to himself; where tickets given out for her former benefit will be taken. The consideration of 4 fatherless children is the only apology she can plead for intreating this further indulgence from the public. Note If any persons are dispos'd to send for tickets on this occasion, they maY be had at Mrs Milward's, No. 15 in Craven Buildings, Drury Lane. Tickets to be had and places to be taken at the stage door in Bow st

Event Comment: FFawkes and Pinchbeck's Great Theatrical Booth, facing the Hospital Gate, West Smithfield. Taken from Shakespear. [Possibly a puppet show.] The occasion is the Retaking the English Standard belonging to Sir Robert Rich's Regiment of Horse by George Darraugh

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: Yesterday Mr Rich paid into the Chamberlain's Office at Guildhall, the sum of #602 7s. to the Veteran's scheme, being the three night's receipts arising from the Beggar's Opera, performed at cg: And he thinks it incumbent on him in justice to the several persons interested in the Said theatre, to declare, that when the above scheme was by him proposed, they all most generously subscrib'd their demands for these three nights in order to enlarge the sums to be rais'd for the above purpose.-General Advertiser. [The Gentlemen's Magazine, Dec. 1745, states the idea of this gift was proposed by Mrs Cibber, and that the tallow chandlers also gave the candles.

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: Paid Quin on account #100. Gilbert Walmesley to Garrick, 3 Nov,: I see by the prints you are engaged with Mr Rich. I hope you will take care not to hurt your health by playing more than you can well bear....But I must not forget to tell you what Lord Chesterfield says of you. He says you are not only the best tragedian now in the world, but the best, he believes, that ever was in the world; but he does not like your comedy, and particularly objects to your playing Bayes, which he says is a serious solemn character and that you mistake it. He spoke much in praise of Barry's handsome figure, but made a joke of his rivaling or hurting you.-Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 44. Receipts: #170 9s

Event Comment: Adapted for the stage, as alter'd from Milton's Masque at Ludlow Castle (General Advertiser). Benefit for Beard. Ready Money #94 15s., plus #102 9s. from tickets. Charges #60. Paid Mrs Lane for Rent of Cowley in full to Michaelmas last #41. (Account Books, Egerton 2268) [Cowley was Rich's estate at Uxbridge. Notice about Amphitheatre (see 23 March) repeated.] Tickets of Beard at his house in Red Lyon Square

Event Comment: We hear that the play Venice Preserv'd is in Rehearsal at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, and is to be perform'd on Friday next; and that the part of Pierre will be attempted by a Gentleman who never appear'd on any stage before (General Advertiser). [This month was published A Letter to a certain Patentee, in which the Conduct of Managers is impartially considered, and a few Periods bestowed on those darlings of the Publick, Mr G k, Mr F te, Mrs P d, &c." Addressed to Rich it is criticism of his personnel policies as manager, with side comments on his morals, and some on his performances: of his Orpheus and Eurydice, the author agrees that three flaming scenes of Hell, now left out, should have been omitted from the beginning. The Serpent, however, generally behaves himself so well, that "I have had more real pleasure in his appearance than if he had been a living one." Dislikes his replacing Ryan with Hallam, dislikes his abuse of Mrs Pritchard, criticizes his casting Hippisley as Polonius, since Polonius requires more than Hippisley can give, the latter being able to act only in the comic way.

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser: Sir: I beg leave by means of your paper, to acquaint the friends of Tom Harbin, that he intends shortly to have a Benefit at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden: Having in consequebce of the advice of many of them, apply'd himself to Mr Rich, on that account who very generously and readily said he would contribute anything in his power to serve him; and as one night of the week might be better than another, (as his Interest lay) he gave him his choice, whereupon he chose Wednesday, as being a night of most leisure amongst people eminent in trade, on whom the city depends. He persuades himself that those who have laughed with him, will not laugh at him for requesting a favour (which his circumstances could never be supposed to put him above accepting) from persons of affluent fortunes, which the generality of his friends are; and who Experienc'd good nature, he doubts not, will serve him on this occasion. In a few days Publick notice will be given of the time, the Play, &c. I am &c. Jack Friendly, Grigsby's Coffee House, Nov. 7, 1748. [See General Advertiser, 8 Nov. See also 14 Dec.

Event Comment: [M$Mr Carata the Turk, 2nd Week's salary #26 5s. A Dancer on the slack rope. Met general approbation in London two years earlier. Engaged this season at the Haymarket, where he first perform'd "after the Turkish Manner with surprising execution on the slack wire" 31 Oct. 1749. Rich took him over in December and kept him on the payroll at #26 5s. weekly for thirteen weeks until 10 May 1750. His salary included pay for this equipment and apparently a small company of assistants, as the Account Book refers to him often as Carata the Turk & Co.] Receipts: #105 14s

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: Benefit for LaLauze, who deliver'd #87 10s. in tickets. Total House value #151 2s. Charges #60. [By arrangement with Rich he received only half of the night's profits (i.e., above the house charges) or #41 19s. [Account Book).] Receipts: #63 12s