Event Comment: "So much has been curtailed of [The Heiress] that the time of the representation is now three quarters of an hour less than it was on Saturday" (Morning Chronicle, 17 Jan.). Receipts: #250 4s. (227/6/0; 21/6/6; 1/1/6; tickets not come in: 0/10/0)

Event Comment: "A most ridiculous circumstance happened in the last act [of mainpiece]--nothing less than a total silence on the Stage, where all the Dramatis Personae stood in a rank, waiting for the next speech, which however was not heard, for, after a considerable time, the curtain was let down . . . Lewis came forward and acquainted the House that the part sent to Aickin was incomplete, and that he (who was to finish the Play) had never been furnished with the last speech. As we understood rehearsals were necessary to getting up Plays, we cannot reconcile this blunder to our apprehension" (General Advertiser, 6 Mar.). Receipts: #157 16s. (152/10; 5/6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 3, by John Burgoyne]: From the French of Michel Jean? Sedaine. With new Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. The Music by the celebrated Gretry [adapted by Linley Sen.]; and the Paintings by Greenwood. Books of the Dialogue & also of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Chronicle, 25 Oct 1786: This Day is published Richard Coeur de Lion (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 (191.3; 32.14; 2.3)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Hannah Cowley, based on The Lucky Chance, by Aphra Behn. Prologue and Epilogue by James Cobb (see text)]: With Variety of new Scenes, Dresses, &c. Morning Chronicle, 28 Dec. 1786: This Day is published A School for Grey-Beards (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #220 8s. (206.14; 13.4; 0.10)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. Public Advertiser, 31 July: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., Frith-street, Soho. [Author of Prologue unknown.] 3rd piece [1st time; F 1, by James Cobb]. Public Advertiser, 24 Aug. 1787: This Day is published English Readings (1s.)

Event Comment: [Seymour is identified in European Magazine, Oct. 1787, p. 315. Address by Edward Hickey Seymour (London Chronicle, 4 Oct.).] "The clock striking two -instead of the usual folly of a small table bell, when Macbeth's drink was ready -forms an alteration of much good sense and propriety" (World, 2 Oct.). "Of the Lady Macbeths [since the time of Garrick] Mrs Siddons has exhibited the most happy effect of her skill -has shown a portrait of Lady Macbeth which before existed but in imagination. Mrs Yates claims the second place of eminence; her deportment and manner were equal to Mrs Siddons, but very inferior to her in pathos and energy. Mrs Pope's performance lays claim to praise, particularly in the sleeping scene, but there is a certain delicacy and tenderness associated with the powers of that lady which prevents her giving a glowing picture of that female fiend. Mrs Bates's performance was sufficiently marking and bold in some passages, but the whole wanted uniformity and finishing" (Public Advertiser, 4 Oct.). Receipts: #225 (224.5; 0.15)

Event Comment: "The orchestra, during the whole time of representations [of the opera] has by no means been conducted with that exactness that should be expected from that band...It must be supposed that neither the master of music at the harpsichord, nor Mr Cramer, the leader, have influence or power enough to prevail on the band to play, or rather, to accompany, more correctly...The arias of the tenor and base [sic] have been played, or rather accompanied, too fast, and without harmony with the voices of Morelli and Fineschi, which being good, and they seeming to wish to sing with all possible expression, the orchestra should have accompanied accordingly. Mme Storace, howefer, has baffled the efforts of the musicians to make her sing out of tune, quick or slow. As they fiddled, she modulated" (Public Advertiser, 17 Jan.). Receipts: #147 12s. 6d. [non-subscription]

Event Comment: Benefit for Baddeley. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2 (?), author unknown. Public Advertiser, 16 Apr. has synopsis of plot; assigns Toby Todman-R. Palmer; Billy Dibley-$Bannister Jun.; and lists, unassigned: Mr Stockfield, Sir William Matchem, Mr Harland, Lucetta. Not in Larpent MS; not published. This piece has reference to a prize-fight, on which thousands of pounds were said to have been wagered, which took place at Odiham, Hants, on 9 Jan.]. Public Advertiser, 25 Mar.: Tickets to be had of $Baddeley, No. 10, New Store-street, Bedford-square. Receipts: #323 11s. [107.6.0; 10.2.6; 0.13.6; tickets: 205.9.0) (charge: #109 4s. 2ds.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. Afterpiece: For that Night only [it had 1st been acted at the Royalty, 1 Jan. 1788]. The Airs and Chorusses composed by Reeve. End of Act I a Grand Representation of Mount Vesuvius at the time of an Eruptionv. [Mrs Gibbs was from the Royalty.] Receipts: #275 10s. (138.15; 26.19; 5.8; tickets: 104.8) (charge: #115 14s. 6d.)