Event Comment: Mainpiece: By 
Beaumont and 
Fletcher, reviv'd.  Afterpiece: Not acted 
these three years.  [See 8 Aug. 1761.]  
Mr Powell made his first appearance this Night in 
Philaster.  His Reception was very great, he play'd 
the part amazingly well, & Seems to have Requisites to make a very Capital Performer.  N.B. 
Covent Garden Theater begun to play every Night (
Hopkins).  Philaster by Mr Powell.  Prodigious applause (
Cross Diary).  This play [
Philaster] was wrote by Beaumont and Fletcher, and is now altered by 
Mr Colman.  Mr Powell, a young gentleman clerk to 
Sir Robert Ladbrook, made his first appearance in 
the character of Philaster.--A greater reception was never shown to anybody,--he was so very much frightened, he could not speak for some time, and, when he did, 
the tears ran fast down his cheeks,--but he soon recovered himself, and went through 
the part with a great deal of nature and feeling,--Continued claps and huzza of bravo! &c. &c.  Upon 
the whole I think him possessed of every requisite necessary to make him an ornament to 
the stage.--N.B. 
Mr D. Garrick instructed him in this part--when I see him in ano
ther shall be able to judge better of his capabilities.--
Miss Pope appeared this Night in 
the character of 
Maria in 
the Citizen,--by endeavoring to be very fine she overdid it,--and it was plain to see she wanted her master.  N.B.--Covent Garden began to play of our nights--
the first time 
they ever begin first since Mr Garrick was manager (
Hopkins Diary--MacMillan).  Receipts: #258 11s. 6d. (
MacMillan)