Event Comment: Benefit for James, Stoppelaer, Mrs Bland

Event Comment: NNossiter play'd Rutland (Cross). [Murphy in Gray's Inn Journal, 15 Dec., notes: It is universally agreed by all who have seen the play [Essex] that Mrs Bland performs the queen with great Spirit and with more resemblance to a personage of rank, than is commonly seen on the stage."

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bland. Afterpiece: Not played for 12 years. [See 14 May 1742.] Tickets deliver'd for Tamerlane for 21 March will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Bensley. [In afterpiece the playbill assings Lazarillo to R. Palmer, but "Bland appeared in Lazarillo instead of R. Palmer" (Thespian Magazine, May 1793, p. 266).] Morning Herald, 2 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bensley, No. 21, Charlotte-street, Bloomsbury. Receipts: #201 10s. (93.4; 16.1; tickets: 92.5) (charge: #94 19s. 6d.)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Bannister Jun. as Edward, but he "was so ill as to be incapable of performing-his part of Lord Edward was read by Bland" (Thespian Magaune, Jan. 1794, p. 30). Afterpiece in place of HARLEQUIN PEASANT, advertised on playbill of 2 Jan.]

Event Comment: Account-Book: Paid Mrs Phillimore on Account of moving the Wardrobe to and from the Opera House #4 4s. Powell, 22 Sept.: Henry V rehearsed at 10; No Song No Supper at 12; 23 Sept.: No Song No Supper rehearsed at 10 (for Bannister and Mrs Bland); Provoked Husband a 11. Receipts: #308 2s. 6d. (218.11.0; 88.15.0; 0.16.6)

Event Comment: "Miss B. Menage acted Zingarella for Mrs Bland, who sang at the Opera House" (Kemble Mem.). Receipts: #127 6s. (81.18.6; 43.16.6; 1.11.0)

Event Comment: On account of the Indisposition of Parsons, HEIGHO FOR A HUSBAND! [advertised on playbill of 6 Jan.] is obliged to be postponed till Saturday next. [In 1st piece the playbill retains Mrs Bland, but she "being indisposed her part in The Mariners was given to Miss De Camp" (Thespian Magazine, Jan. 1794, p. 30). It is not stated who took Miss De Camp's place.]

Event Comment: MMrs Aubin against Mr Henly. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality Mrs Aubin will make an Oration. Also a Concert. At Topham's Great Room, now The Lady's Oratory. At 6 p.m. Tickets 2s. 6d

Event Comment: MMrs Pendarves, 27 Nov.: They [The king's] have Farinelli, Merighi, with no sound in her voice, but thundering action-a beauty with no other merit; and one Chimenti, a tolerable good woman with a pretty voice, and Montagnana, who roars as usual! With this band of singers, and dull Italian operas, such as you almost fall asleep at, they presume to rival Handel-who has Strada, that sings better than ever she did; Gizziello, who is much improved since last year; and Annabali, who has the best part of Senesino's voice and Caristini's, with a prodigious fine taste and good action! We have had Alcina, and Atalanta, which is acted tonight for the last night with the fireworks....Mrs Porter acts three times a week; I have made a party to go next week; she is the only support of the stage, the house is crammed whenever she acts.-Delany, Autobiography, I, 5578-79

Event Comment: MMrs Woffington continuing greatly indisposed, the Play of All's Well that Ends Well is oblig'd to be deferr'd till further notice. Receipts: #60

Event Comment: MMrs Woffington fainted (Rylands MS.). Last night, in the First Act of All's Well, which was acted at Drury Lane, Mrs Woffington was taken so violently ill, that she fainted away, as she stood at the scenes, ready to come on; After a proper Apology being made, the Audience with great Humanity and Patience, waited till another person dress'd to read the part.--This night the Alchemist (by Particular Desire) is to be performed; and on Thursday, His Royal Highness and the Duke and Princesses have commanded the Tender Husband. On Friday the Play All's Well will be represented; when if Mrs Woffington is not recover'd, Mrs Mills will be ready in the part. Receipts: #100

Event Comment: MMrs Cross now doubling in Mrs Peachum and Diana Trapes

Event Comment: MMrs Tame (see 15 April hay) had announced for her benefit this night The Old Batchelor, with Cibber as Fondlewife, Giffard as the Old Batchelor, and Mrs Giffard as Laetitia, to be followed by Tom Thumb, with Mrs Tame playing Tom Thumb, but a notice of 11 April states that Mrs Tame was ill and the performance had to be deferr'd

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber being perfectly recovered of her late indisposition will certainly perform on Saturday next in Hercules

Event Comment: MMrs Woffington's Benefit intended for this night deferred till 30 March. [See 30 March; Genest IV, 149.

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: MMrs Cibber to Garrick, late Jan.: It is surprising that dl goes on acting; one night with another, to be sure, they have not received above 40 pounds; the actors are paid only three nights a week; though they play every night. But the top stroke of all was Macklin's play! It was entirely new-dressed, and no expense saved in the clothes. I shall say nothing of the piece, because you may read it; but be as vain as you will about your playing Bayes, you never made an audience laugh more than Henry VII has done. There for the first time I saw your rival, Mr Goodfellow; I should have said the rival Mr Lacy wants to make you; do not be quite dispirited about it, for Perkin Warbeck is much below anything I ever yet saw. Here I must ask Mr Stevens's pardon, to whom I have done injustice, for I think he may dispute the pass downstairs with Perkin, and as his head seems to be the heaviest of the two, I think he has the best right to it.--Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 49

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber Play'd (Cross). The Letter sign'd E. L. written in the Name of several Persons of Distinction, is receiv'd; and the Play of King Lear will be acted there, as soon as Mr Garrick is able to perform so long a Character (note "From the Theatre Royal Drury Lane" inserted in the General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross); #156 17s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: MMrs Pritchard recover'd (General Advertiser). Paid loan to Mrs Berkley on note per order #4; Norton, 3 Chorus 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #97 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMrs Elmy ill--Pritchard did Indiana (Cross). Paid salary list #305 5s. 6d.; Norton 3 chorus 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #150 (Cross); #175 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMrs Auretti danc'd first since she hurt her leg (Cross). Receipts: #40 (Cross); #47 6s. (Treasurer's Book)