Event Comment: [The playbill retains Mrs Jordan as Matilda and Mrs Crouch as Laurette, but Mrs Jordan "sent word she was too ill to perform this Evening. The audience called for Crouch to act Matilda" (Kemble Mem.). "She instantly complied...and was received with the most marked respect" (Morning Chronicle, 28 Nov.). The audience refused to believe that Mrs Jordan's illness was genuine, and for several days she was treated harshly by letters to and paragraphs in the newspapers. For her letter explaining her "real inability from illness to sustain her part in the entertainment" see Oulton, 1796, II, 103-6; see also 10 Dec. "Richard Coeur de Lion was advertised as the afterpiece; but on account of the sudden illness of Mrs Jordan, High Life below Stairs was proposed to be substituted; the house, however, seeming to disapprove of this change, Mrs Crouch kindly undertook the part of Matilda; Miss Hagley took hers of Laurette" (Public Advertiser, 28 Nov.).] Receipts: #285 10s. (220.3; 64.10; 0.17)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Esten, but she "being indisposed, Davies apologized for her absence, and Miss Chapman sustained the part with...good sense, delicacy and feeling" (Morning Herald, 16 Jan.).] Receipts: #194 2s. (189.17; 4.5)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author [of mainpiece, who is named in the Account-Book, but not on the playbill]. "A considerable tumult prevailed last night among the audience of this Theatre, on account of the unavoidable substitution of Miss Chapman and Mrs Harlowe for Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells (who are both indisposed). It was not that the audience objected to the former two, but because the names of Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells were printed in the bills usually sold about the Theatre, though not in those properly issued from the House. [Mrs Esten's name, however (but not Mrs Wells'), is listed in the "House" playbill for this night.] The audience were very violent, and the actors, after having nearly finished the first Act twice, were obliged to begin the Comedy a third time, before it was suffered quietly to proceed" (Morning Herald, 9 Feb.). "The fracas at Covent-garden Theatre on Wednesday evening was occasioned by the dexterity of certain Lottery Office keepers, who, in order to give notoriety to their shops, daily cause spurious Dramatis Personae of the theatres to be circulated; and on the reverse of these bills is conspicuously held forth the advantages of the public paying their cash into their gambling treasuries" (Morning Herald, 10 Feb.). Receipts: #191 17s. 6d. (187.2.6; 4.15.0; tickets: none listed)

Event Comment: [In afterpiece the playbill retains Mrs Goodall as Widow Brady , but as she "was incapable of performing this evening, the Farce should have been changed, for poor Miss Collins was a lamentable Mrs Brady ; before the second act was half over, the greater part of the audience quitted the theatre" (Thespian Magazine, Dec. 1792, p. 150).] Receipts: #169 1s. (129.10; 37.19; 1.12)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill omits Anna, but "Mrs Rock was a wretched Anna" (Thespian Magazine, Feb. 1793, p. 195). Miss Morris is identified in European Magazine, Jan. 1793, p. 69; and see 14, 16 Nov.] Afterpiece [1st time; P 2(?), author unknown. Text (i.e. synopsis of action), For the Booksellers, 1793. Larpent MS 964 contains Songs only]: Partly New, and partly a Selection of Scenery, Machinery, Tricks, and Business, from the most approved Pantomimic Productions of Lunn, Rich, Woodward, Messink, Rosamond [i.e. Rosoman], Lalauze, &c. The Music chiefly compiled [by Thomas Goodwin] from Pepusch, Galliard, Dr Arne, Vincent, Dibdin, Dr Arnold, Fisher, the rest by Shield. The selected Scenery and Machinery re-painted, and the several new ones designed and executed by Hodgins, Pugh, Walmsley, Lupino, &c. The Dances by Byrn, who will for the first time introduce a Burlesque Pas de Russe. With new Dresses, Machinery and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [In afterpiece the playbill lists Follett, but he "having received an injury at the morning's rehearsal, afforded that excellent actor, Munden, the opportunity of giving the Public an additional proof of the versatility of his talents: -he undertook the part of the Clown [i.e. Clodpole ], and performed it so well that he will probably be obliged to retain it" (Morning Herald, 21 Dec.). He was probably omitted from the Vocal Characters (see 21 Dec.).] Receipts: #258 10s. 6d

Event Comment: [The playbill retains Mrs Crouch, but "The indisposition of Mrs Crouch was an abatement, for which, though an apology was made, nothing could atone. Miss Dall was her substitute. Captivity was sung by Incledon, 'being his first appearance in the character of Marie? Antoinette'" (Thespian Magazine, Apr. 1793, p. 247).] MS annotation on BM playbill (cg, Vol. VIII), 2 Mar.: "Rec'd 5 nights Oratorio Rent #262 10s. [i.e. #52 12s. a night].

Event Comment: Mainpicce: Not acted these 5 years [acted 19 May 1792). Afterpiece: Not acted these 3 years [acted 24 Apr. 1792). "When next [Miss Jones, who had acted previously at Birmingham, and who is identified in Thespian Magazine, Dec. 1793, p. 359) plays the part she should endeavour to hold her person erect. The crouching attitudes that she adopted in the breeches scenes, took from the captivating impression that her figure might otherwise have produced" (Public Advertiser, 19 Nov.). [Author of Occasional Address unknown.] Receipts: #291 11s. 6d. (287/11/6; 4/0/0)

Event Comment: [In 2nd piece the playbill retains Mrs Goodall, but she "being indisposed, her part was read by Miss Heard" (Thespian Magazine, Dec. 1793 , p.363).]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I a Statute Scene. [Miss Leak had 1st appeared at the oratorios at King's on 15 Feb. 1793.]

Event Comment: Powell: Mrs Goodall and Sedgwick not on in [Miss Farren's] Epilogue. Bannister Sen. came too late, not supposing the Play to be over so early, but apologiz'd to Mr Kemble, with which he was satisfied. Pirates rehearsed at 10 (in consequence of Suett, Storace being ill; Kelly, Crouch, Bannister Jun., Sedgwick absent, rehearsal was dismiss'd); My Grandmother at 12; Lodoiska music at 1. Receipts: #370 17s. 6d. (295/11/0; 62/6/0; 13/0/6)

Event Comment: [In afterpiece the playbill retains Miss Menage, but she "being at the Italian Opera this Evening, Master Chatterley play'd her part" (Powell).] Receipts: #361 1s. 6d. (298/8/6; 55/12/0; 7/1/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Hull and Miss Hopkins. 2nd piece: Written by [John] Hoole, the elegant Translator of Tasso, Ariosto, &c. Receipts: #208 0s. 6d. (55/2/0; 7/10/0; tickets: 145/8/6)

Event Comment: [For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.) Powell: Douglas rehearsed at 10:30 (Mrs Siddons ill; Barrymore one scene); Lodoiska at 12 (Miss De Camp absent). Receipts: #365 1s. 6d. (298/11/0; 60/1/0; 6/9/6)

Event Comment: Powell: Love for Love rehearsed at 10 (for Miss Farren and Kemble). Receipts: #284 15s. (227.17; 53.11; 3.7)