Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Simson, Mrs Cross, Tassoni, Master Rogier

Event Comment: At the Little Theatre in James Street near the Haymarket. Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin exactly at 6:00. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6d. to the public. After several of our Lords and Masters, the Men, have with various success made wry faces for the amusement of the town; permit a woman to attempt the arduous task of laughing the men out of their follies; declaring, however, that while she attempts the ridicule of vices peculiar to the other sex, she will by no means spare the slightest foible of her own (Public Advertiser). The Theatre is fitted up in an elegant manner, and constant fires are kept to make the house agreeably warm (Gazetteer & New Daily Advertiser). [This Lecture continued to 6 March.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [Sga Spagnolla had been ill and missed a number of performances. For singers and dancers see following letter.] Sir: I am one of those to whom an Oratorio or an Opera (whether Italian or English) gives exquisite delight; and am therefore glad that, as the town is now full, those entertainments will, very probably, be crowded; and thus amply repay the several managers, for the great risk they run, as to their property, as well as for the vast pains they take to amuse us; for the labour employed, on those occasions, is infinitely greater than is usually imagined. The Italian opera has suffered considerably, this season, by the inability of Sga Spagnoli to exert her musical talents, owing to a most severe cold; but as she has now recovered her voice, 'tis presumed that she will be a source of as great pleasure, among us, to persons of a musical ear, and who have a true taste for that species of dramas, as she was in her native country, where she was always heard with great applause. I myself find great charms in the entertainments, as now exhibiting at the King's Theatre: for, besides Sga Spagnoli's taste I do not perceive the least diminution in Sg Elisi's voice or action, both of which pleased us so much two or three years ago. Ciprandi appears to me a fine player as well as singer; and with regard to Sg Savoi, he is generally thought to have a pleasing voice. [Comments on competence of the Orchestra.] The principal dancers are likewise acknowledged to have considerable merit. The gracefulness and the ease of Sg Adriani are very pleasing, as is the elegant agility of Sga Fabris Monari....Sg Sodi has so often diverted us by his compositions as Ballet master that it were superfluous to bestow any encomiums on him in this place. [Long comment on agreeable performance of Sofonisba, Scenery, etc. A puff by Musidorus in Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera composed by several celebrated Composers. [From the London Evening Post: The Decoration of the Opera House is very splendid. The Concert Master has 50 Guineas a night, an Englishman. The First Dancer 6 Guineas a night."

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #76 10s. [Profit to King #55 14s.] Paid Master Burney 15 nights #3 2s. 6d. Printer's bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #132 4s. (Treasurer's Book). At 5 went to the Pit at Drury Lane to see the Clandestine Marriage...I could see this play, as it is now performed, every night, but J. Palmer was not so good in Brush as the other Mr Palmer whose character it is. Plym did not please tonight. The scene between the lawyers was omitted. We had the Irish Lilt by Mrs King, Giorgi, &c., and a comic scene by her and M Dugermay, with Linco's Travels...Mrs King is certainly a very fine dancer and has the best legs I ever saw. Past eleven ere we got out. A little girl of 7 or 8 years old danced very prettily (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: With several curious and uncommon performances by the Venetian and his children. Neville MS Diary: At 6 got into the Pit at Sadler's Wells just as the entertainment began with concerts. The singing by Mrs Lampe, Master Herryman, &c. Dancing by Sg Grimaldi, Tassoni, Miss Reynolds from Drury Lane. Tumbling, but not equal to that by Plaida's company. Postures in which the Venetian and his children (a boy and a girl particularly) excel greatly. One stands on his hands, turns his feet backwards to his haunches, and walks in this position or forms an arch with his breast, while the other stands on his head upon it, the father carries one on his hand around his body, one stands on his head on his father's hand. These I mention as a specimen of many more, equally curious, tho' seeing these postures is disagreeable to a humane mind. The Father balances too the slack rope. The whole concluded with the pantomimic entertainment called Merlin

Event Comment: NNeville MS Diary: At 6 took my place in ye Pit. I expected ye Taylors would have been damned; but with certain alterations and additions it went off better than it did last night. It is a sort of burlesque tragedy. If there is any wit in it, it is very low and unlike that in Mr Foote's other pieces. The Prologue, spoken by him, is more diverting than any part of ye play. Some Masters and leading Journeymen are taken off. [Cast listed.] The Citizen was vilely performed, except Old Philpot by Weston. Palmer is not equal to ye young one. They went off without concluding it. We had ye Builders Prologue before ye farce, by ye same means we had it last night. Foote wished for ye Builder, as ye person who supplied his place did his part vilely

Event Comment: A new serious Opera, Music entirely new-Guglielmi, a Neopolitan Master

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (Ballet Master) and Sga Manesiere. Charges #64 10s. Balance due to Dancers #27 1s. 6d. To Fishar #13 10s. 9d. To Sga Manesiere #13 10s. 9d. In Addition Fishar gained #39 18s. from Tickets (47 Box; 105 Pit; 124 Gallery). Sga Manesiere gained #22 3s. from Tickets (45 Box; 44 Pit; 43 Gallery) (Account Book). Receipts: #91 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick, Furkins, Wilkinson, Abbott, Symonds, and others. Tickets deliver'd by Pullin, Claridge, Mrs Griffiths, Bagg, Bassan, Stephenson and Constable will be admitted. [Green and Ansell paid up their deficiencies for 2 June.] @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value 1!2 Value@Quick 1 20 31 #8 18s. #3 9s.@Furkins 12 52 34 #13 6s. #6 13s.@Wilkinson 27 10 16 #10 3s. #5 1s. 6d.@Abbott 5 56 65 #16 12s. #8 6s.@Simmonds 5 36 24 #8 9s. #4 4s. 6d.@Pullen 2 71 46 #14 10s. #7 5s.@Claridge 8 24 1 #4 11s. #2 5s. 6d.@Griffiths 20 27 #6 1s. #3 6d.@Bagg 36 24 #7 4s. #3 12s.@Bassan 5 50 16 #8 13s. #4 6s. 6d.@Stephenson 23 78 45 #20 6d. #10 3s.@Asbury Gallery 22 8 #3 8s. #1 14s.@Total House value #120 1s. plus the receipts.@ Paid Master Harris for his performance this season #4 4s. Receipts: #25 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [This evening] a cause came on to be tried in the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster, in which Mr William Bates, Music Master, was Plaintiff and Spranger Barry, Esq the celebrated tragedian, defendent, upon a demand made by the plaintiff for a large sum of money due to him from the Defendent, for the performance of Miss Slack, the Plaintiff's apprentice, at the Theatre in Cork...After a short hearing a verdict was given in favour of the Plaintiff (Lloyd's Evening Post, 25-28 Nov.)

Event Comment: This tragedy was wrote by Mr Dow,--went off but So, so.--some hisses thro' the play, and at the end also when given out.--The scenery and dresses was very fine, was well adapted, and had applause.--Miss Younge played very bad, and much disliked--Mr Holland and Mr Aickin played well (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [The Prologue is Larpent MS 289. It follows in content the suggestions of the Prologue to the Orphan of China ten seasons earlier:@"Too much the Greek and Roman chiefs engage@The Muse's care--they languish on our stage;@The modern bard struck with the vast applause@Of ancient masters, like the painter draws@From models only.--Can such copies charm@The Heart, or like the glow of Nature warm?@To fill the scene, tonight our author brings@Originals at least, --Warriours and Kings,@Heroes who like their Gems, unpolish'd shine,@The mighty fathers of the Tartar line,@Greater than those whom classic pages boast,@If those are greatest who have conquored most."@ An account of the plot of the mainpiece is in Lloyd's Evening Post, 16-19 Dec. Concludes: The play is said to have been written by Mr Dow, who lately favored the public with an accurate History of the Hindoos. The decorations and dresses were very magnificent. The performers who were the most distinguished by the audience were Mr Holland, Miss Younge, Mr Aickin, and Mr Jefferson. Mr Holland spoke the Prologue and Mrs Abington the Epilogue the latter of which furnished infinite entertainment, from the spirit and humour of that admirable actress. A Two column resume of the play appears in the Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.

Event Comment: With additional choruses from other masters

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. The Opera of Lionel and Clarissa being oblig'd to be changed to the Comedy of The Wonder, Fishar and Sga Manesiere hope those Ladies and Gentlemen who have taken places for the opera, will honour them with their commands for the above play. Charges #64 5s. Balance to Fishar and Sga Manesiere #33 19s. plus tickets income: Fishar #46 9s. (Box 67; Pit 114; Gallery 126); Sga Manesiere #28 18s. (Box 69; Pit 45; Gallery 49). Receipts: #98 4s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mahon. Tickets deliver'd for Lionel and Clarissa, an Opera and Master Harris will be taken. Charges: 1!2 House charge plus 1!2 Receipts: #62 18s. 3d. Deficit to Mahon #1 6s. 9d. covered by #37 15s. from tickets (Box 77; Pit 66; Gallery 86). Mas. Harris Disposed of #40 19s. worth of tickets (Box 97; Pit 68; Gallery 65) from which he receiv'd 1!2 value. Receipts: #61 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Last time of the Company's performing this season. The Oxonian in Town, cannot be perform'd on account of the indisposition of a performer. Doors open at Half past 5. To begin at Half past 6. [Account Book indicates the following as paying up their deficiencies or half value of tickets: Perry, Gardner, Legg, Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones, Wignell, Barnshaw, Wild, Mrs Hartle, Miss Brown, Ellis and Sherratt. Master Harris receiv'd #5 5s. for his performances this season. The Salary list for 25 May, recording payments for a ten day Period, amounted to #639 2s. 2d., or about #63 per day. Basic house charges of #63 may have been based on this salary figure, with the extras of candles, music, wardrobe, &c. added. See 6 June.] Receipts: #67 12s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser, 5 Sept. 1769: Mr Crawford and Co. beg Leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, with the following List of their new Singers, and others engaged for the serious and comic Operas next Season. Those marked thus& are new Performers, viz. Principal Singers for the Serious Operas: &Signior Guadini, first Man. &Signora Cecilia Grassi, first Woman. For comic or serious: Signor Lovattini, first Man. &Sig Zamperini, &Signora Guadini, first Women. &Signor Piatti, 2nd Man serious. &Signor Bianchi, Tenor, Signora Zamperini, Sig Morighi, Signora Piatti. Composer: Sig Guiglielmi. Principal Dancers: Mr Slingsby, &Signor Galiotti, &Signor Siminon, &Signora Guidi, Signora Radicatti, &Signora Gardel. Ballet Master: &Sig Campioni. [See 7 Nov.

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. Charges #64 10s. Balance to the two dancers #19 7s. (#9 13s. 6d. apiece) plus Fishar #47 2s. from tickets (Box 54; Pit 130; Gallery 141); Sga Manesiere #26 19s. (Box 48; Pit 53; Gallery 70) (Account Book). Receipts: #83 17s

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. [The previous day's bill made special announcement of the variety of Dancing to be offered. N.B. A previous Academy of Dancing 23 April 1762. Miles listed for the part of Landlady by Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: Benefit for Redman, Wild, Roffe and Mrs Naylor. Tickets deliver'd by Master Harris will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Master Lyon

Event Comment: Paid for 2 clarinets 6 nights (29th inst. inclusive) #9 9s.; Super. Soldiers #1 4s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 11s.; Master Thomson Chorus, 13 nights (30th incl.) #3 5s.; Printer's Bill #9 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receitps: #219 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid salary list #496 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington on cloaths account #2; Master Thomson, Chorus, 13 nights, #3 5s.; Rec'd stopages #12 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #185 3s. (Treasurer's Book)