Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the Widows and Orphans of those brave Men who perished, and those who were wounded, in the Glorious Action of the 14th February last [see king's, 18 May.] Patrons: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness Duke of York, His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. Stewards: Duke of Leeds, Duke of Bedford, Earl of Chesterfield, Earl Spencer, Lord Kinnaird, Charles Grey Esq., Thomas Tyrwhitt Esq., Wm. Lushington Esq., Wm. Manning Esq., John Thomson Esq., John Julius Angerstein Esq. Boxes to be taken, and Tickets had at the Office of the Theatre, and at the Bar of Lloyd's Coffee-House. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Under the Patronage of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, H. R. H. the Duke of York, and H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence. Benefit for a Fund for the Relief of the Wounded Seamen, and also for the Widows and Orphans of the Brave Men who fell in the late Glorious Action, under Admiral Lord Viscount Duncan [see 16 Oct.]. The Tickets for the Boxes are issued under the Direction of a Committee consisting of the following Noblemen and Gentlemen, who have obligingly undertaken to attend to the arrangement of the Evening: The Duke of Leeds, The Duke of Bedford, The Earl of Guildford, The Earl of Thanet, The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor [Brook Watson], Mr Alderman Combe, M. P., Mr Alderman Skinner, John Julius Angerstein, Esq. Tickets and Places for the Boxes not disposed of by the Committee to be had of Fosbrook at the Box Office, Little Russell-Street, and at the Bar of Lloyds Coffee House. Ladies and Gentlemen having Privilege of the Theatre are requested by the Stewards to waive the use of it for this Evening. [Address by Richard Cumberland (European Magazine, Nov. 1797, p. 339). True Briton. 23 Nov. 1797, prints a letter from the Chairman of Committee of Subscribers to the performers of the theatre, thanking them for not "accepting the usual emolument on the night of performance."] Receipts: #631 8s. (357.17.6; 57.4.6; 1.11.0; money extra left at the doors: 2.14.6; tickets: 212.0.6) (charge: #161 0s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pope. Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. In I a Grand Banquet Scene. A Procession from the Abbey at the Coronation of Queen Anne Bullen. The Piece to conclude with the ceremony at the Royal Christening. [Holman's 1st appearance as King Henry was at this theatre, 24 May 1793.] Morning Chronicle, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Pope, Half Moon-street, Piccadilly. Receipts: #391 0s. 6d. (299.15.6; 2.9.0; tickets: 88.16.0)

Event Comment: "...Richard III, which I saw performed at Drury-lane theatre at the beginning of the present season...The dresses of the characters which here make their appearance are in the usual half-and-half mode, made up from portraits of Charles I's reign, and from unrestrained fancy. Richard's habit, indeed, shews a faint hint, at the costume of his day; but how modernized! A fancy cap and feather,with a milliner's white-ribband rose, sewed thereon. A deep ruff, of that make not known until the reign of James I From the neck depends a ribband With the George: this decoration never seen in paintings till about the fashions of the abovementioned monarch's court. On his legs and feet, white silk stockings, white shoes, and red roses. These latter ornaments unknown before Elizabeth or James I's modes of dress prevailed; at any rate, they should have been white ones to have accorded with the party-badge in his cap." Writer signing himself "An Artist and an Antiquary" in Gentleman's Magazine, Apr. 1800, p. 319. Receipts: #225 16s. 6d. (178.3.6; 47.12.0; 0.1.0)

Event Comment: The King's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 215. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 345. Marquis of Worcester to the Marchioness, 8 June 1675: I sate up last night at the play in Court--which was to entertaine the Prince of Newbough--till one of the clock in the morning (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Beaufort MSS., IX, 65)

Event Comment: The King's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 359: The Rivall Queene. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346. That this is the premiere is indicated by a letter from the Marquis of Worcester to the Marchioness, 17 March 1676@7: Sir Charles Sedley's Cleopatra has been acted often, and to-day a new play of the death of Alexander, but I have not been to see either, living a mighty drudging life (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Beaufort MSS., IX, 66). Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 11), has a cast which agrees (except for omissions) with that in the edition of 1677. Downes adds (p. 16): [Hart in] Alexander, towards the latter End of his Acting; if he Acted in any one of these but once in a Fortnight, the House was fill'd as at a New Play, especially Alexander, he Acting that with such Grandeur and Agreeable Majesty, That one of the Court was pleas'd to Honour him with this Commendation; That Hart might Teach any King on Earth how to Comport himself

Event Comment: The Marquis of Worcester to the Marchioness, 12 Nov. 1681: the King went to a play in the afternoon, a thing he does very seldom, and I not much oftener (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Beaufort MSS., IX, 87)

Event Comment: On this date the Czar of Muscovy attended an opera, but the title is not given. Lady Newton, Lyme Letter, 1660-1760, p. 209: On Saturday last the Czar of Muscovy, attended by the Marquis of Carmarthen, and some of his Bayers, was at the King's Playhouse in Drury Lane, and saw 3 acts of the Opera. Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 343, 12 Feb. 1697@8: This evening the czar was at the playhouse in Drury Lane to see an opera

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 7-9 July 1698, suggests a premiere in June 1698. In addition, the Preface replies to Jeremy Collier, whose Short View had a second edition appear in mid-May, and the presence of some younger actors--Fairbank and Bullock, for example--in the cast suggests a summer performance. The music for the songs was composed by Daniel Purcell. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: Damn'd

Event Comment: By Command of His Royal Highness. [Prince of Wales, Lord Malpas, Marquis of Caernarvan present.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. There is a new passage from the Marquis Buildings, Russel Court, to the Pit. Proper care is taken to keep the House Cool. Paid Supernumaries 13s. 6d.; Drum 5s.; a Lampmen #1 5s.; Carpenter's Bill #5 19s. 2d.; Taylor's Bill #3 1d. (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book). [These were constant weekly bills throughout the season amounting to total sums as follows, and will not hereafter be itemized further]: @Item Nightly or Weekly Average Season Total@Supers and Drum #2 5s. Nightly Supers #382; Drum #47 10s.@Lampmen #2 6s. Weekly #84 2s.@Carpenters #2 Weekly #74@Taylors #7 Weekly #259@ Receipts. #195 6s

Event Comment: Paid half year's rent to the Marquis of Tavistock, due Michelmas last #150 4s. 7d.; Paid George Garrick for use of the managers #21; Paid Mr Barry on his note #30 Mr (Fauxhall acct) #1 1s. Rec'd stopages #3 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #259 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Right Hon. the Lord Chamberlain. Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, based on Le Dissipateur, by Philippe Nericault, dit Destouches. Authors of Prologue and Epilogue, and speaker of Epilogue, unknown]: Written by the late Samuel Foote Esq. [The attribution to Foote is dubious.] Afterpiece [1st time in London; MF-2. See CG, 28 Mar. 1778]: Now acting in Dublin with applause; written by [i.e. altered from, by T. A. Lloyd] the author of Love in a Village, &c. &c

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Authority of the Most Noble for Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household. Benefit for Waldron, prompter. Tickets to be had of Waldron, No. 4, Cross-court, Bow-street, Covent Garden

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Authority of the Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household. Benefit for R. Palmer. 1st piece: Not acted these 2 years [not acted since 16 Sept. 1791]. Tickets to be had of R. Palmer, No. 28, Eaton-street, Pimlico

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 4, by Thomas Holcroft. Larpent MS 1144; not published. Authors of Prologue and Epilogue unknown]. Receipts: #429 5s. (378.1; 44.15; 6.9)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury [the Lord Chamberlain]. Benefit for Wilkinson. 1st piece: Compress'd into 4 acts. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 precisely. Tickets to be had of Wilkinson, No. 16, Lisle Street, Leicester Square

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Authority of the Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household. Benefit for Waldron, prompter. [Amarath the Fourth was "A musical tale," 1st acted at the Royalty, 27 Nov. 1797.] 3rd piece [1st time; P 1, author unknown]: Got up under the direction of Delpini. Tickets to be had of Waldron, No. 4, Cross-court, Bow-street, Covent-garden.

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Authority of the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household. Benefit for Waldron, prompter

Event Comment: On Sunday Charles, Duke of Cambridge, the son of the Duke of York, died. On 7 May 1661, Francis Newport wrote to Sir Richard Leveson: The Duke of Cambridge dyed on Sunday in the afternoon and was buryed yesternight without any solemnity, noe mourning in the Court for him (HMC, Sutherland MSS, 5th Report, Appendix, 1876, p. 151). If the theatres were closed because of this death, the closure was for not more than ten days

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. See also 15 and 23 Dec. 1662. Pepys, Diary: There being the famous new play acted the first time to-day, which is called The Adventures of Five Hours, at the Duke's house, being, they say, made or translated by Colonel Tuke, I did long to see it; and so made my wife to get her ready, though we were forced to send for a smith, to break open her trunk...and though early, were forced to sit almost out of sight, at the end of one of the lower forms, so full was the house. And the play, in one word, is the best, for the variety and the most excellent continuance of the plot to the very end, that ever I saw, or think ever shall, and all possible, not only to be done in the time, but in most other respects very admittable, and without one word of ribaldry; and the house, by its frequent plaudits, did show their sufficient approbation. Evelyn, Diary: I went to see Sir S: Tuke (my kinsmans) Comedy acted at the Dukes Theater, which so universaly tooke as it was acted for some weekes every day, & was belived would be worth the Comedians 4 or 5000 pounds: Indeede the plot was incomparable but the language stiffe & formall. Downes (pp 22-23): Wrote by the Earl of Bristol, and Sir Samuel Tuke: This Play being Cloath'd so Excellently Fine in proper Habits, and Acted so justly well....It took Successively 13 Days together, no other Play Intervening. Lady Anglesey to her husband, 10 Jan. 1663: Lord Bristol has made a play which is much commended (CSPD 1663-64, p. 8)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: I away before to White Hall and into the new play-house there, the first time I ever was there, and the first play I have seen since before the great plague. By and by Mr Pierce comes, bringing my wife and his, and Knipp. By and by the King and Queene, Duke and Duchesse, and all the great ladies of the Court; which, indeed, was a fine sight. But the play being Love in a Tub, a silly play, and though done by the Duke's people, yet having neither Betterton nor his wife, and the whole thing done ill, and being ill also, I had no manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the House, though very fine, yet bad for the voice, for hearing. The sight of the ladies, indeed, was exceeding noble; and above all, my Lady Castlemayne. The play done by ten o'clock. I carried them all home, and then home myself, and well satisfied with the sight, but not the play

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play should not be confused with Heraclius Emperour of the East by Lodowick Carlell. Pepys, Diary: My wife and I out to the Duke's playhouse, and there saw Heraclius, an excellent play, to my extraordinary content; and the more from the house being very full, anand great company; among others, Mrs Steward, very fine, with her locks done up with puffs, as my wife calls them: and several other great ladies had their hair so, though I do not like it; but my wife do mightily--but it is only because she sees it is the fashion. Here I saw my Lord Rochester and his lady, Mrs Mallet, who hath after all this ado married him; and, as I hear some say in the pit, it is a great act of charity; for he hath no estate. But it was pleasant to see how everybody rose up then my Lord John Butler, the Duke of Ormond's son, come into the pit towards the end of the play, who was a servant to Mrs Mallet, and now smiled upon her, and she on him. I had sitting next to me a woman, the likest my Lady Castlemayne that ever I saw anybody like another; but she is a whore, I believe, for she is acquainted with every fine fellow, and called them by their name, Jacke, and Tom, and before the end of the play frisked to another place. Mightily pleased with the play

Event Comment: The King's Company. For an edition of this play from the MS prompt copy, see The Change of Crownes, ed. F. S. Boas (Oxford University Press, 1949). For the consequences of Lacy's ad libbing, see 16, 20, and 22 April, and 1 May. Pepys, Diary: I to the King's house by chance, where a new play: so full as I never saw it; I forced to stand all the while close to the very till I took cold, and many people went away for want of room. The King and Queene, and Duke of York and Duchesse of York there, and all the Court, and Sir W. Coventry. The play called The Change of Crownes; a play of Ned Howard's the best that ever I saw at that house, being a great play and serious; only Lacy did act the country-gentleman come up to Court, who do abuse the Court with all the imaginable wit and plainness about selling of places, and doing every thing for money. The play took very much.... Gervase Jaquis to the Earl of Huntington, 16 April: Here is another play house erected in Hatton buildings called the Duke of Cambridgs play-house, and yester-day his Matie the Duke & many more were at the King's Playe house to see some new thing Acted (Hastings MSS, HA 7654, Huntington Library)