Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; c 5,by Richard Griffith. Prologue by Richard Tickell (see text). Author of Epilogue unknown]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Public Advertiser, 27 Mar. 1782: This Day is published Variety (1s 6d.). Receipts: #226 9s. 6d. (218/5/0; 7/14/6; 0/10/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Thomas Holcroft]: The Music composed by Shield. With New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations, and a new Overture. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 18 Aug. 1784: This Day at Noon will be published The Noble Peasant (price not listed)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Thomas Holcroft. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (Knapp, pp. 119, 309)]: With new Scenes and Dresses. Oracle, 30 Jan. 1796: On Tuesday next [2 Feb.] will be published The Man of Ten Thousand (2s.). Receipts: #540 7s. (538.19.6; 1.7.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 3, by Samuel Birch, adapted from Camille; ou, Le Souterrain, by Benoit Joseph Marsollier des Vivetieres, and from Les Victimes Cloitrees, by Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel; the songs written by Thomas John Dibdin. Larpent MS 1236; not published. The playbill states that this was "Taken from the German," but London Chronicle, 12 Dec., says that its source is the same as that of The Captive of Spilburg (see dl, 14 Nov.). An examination of the MSS of these two pieces (Larpent 1230 and 1236) proves that such is unmistakably the case]: With entire new Scenes, Machinery, Dresses & Decorations. The Music composed and selected by Steibelt and Attwood. The Action of the Chorusaes, Finales, &c. under the Direction of Farley, and the Action of the Overture by Bologna Jun. A new Descriptive Overture, composed by Steibelt, on a Plan never before introduced on the English Stage, accompanied by Action. "The overture is...nothing more than music adapted to pantomime; and, in the present instance, the dumb shew is an unnecessary anticipation of the procession with which the piece opens" (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 369). The Scenery painted by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Blackmore, &c. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #338 17s. 6d. (325.14.6; 13.3.0)

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Afterpiece: With new Cloaths, Scenes, and other Decorations. 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Gay. Afterpiece: a new Dramatick Entertainment: Set to Musick by Mr Galliard. With new Cloaths, Scenes, and other Decorations

Event Comment: By the Great Mogul's Company of English Comedians, Newly Imported. [By Henry Fielding.] N.B. Mr Pasquin intending to lay about him with great Impartiality, hopes the Town will all attend, and very civilly give their Neighbours what they find belong to 'em. N.B. The Cloaths are old, but the Jokes intirely new. N.B. All Ladies that intend to be present during the first Run, cannot take Places too early. To prevent any Interruption in the Movement of the Persons in the Drama (some of whom are Machines) no Person whatever can possibly be admitted behind the Scenes. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Afterpiece with scenes, machines, and other decorations

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Musical Entertainment in Two Interludes. The words to be sold at the theatre (General Advertiser). Some Gentlemen crowding behind ye Scenes, ye Audience resented it & ye farce was stop'd for half an hour--I drew lines with chalk, but Miss Norris applying publickly to Capt. Johnson, desiring he wou'd retire, He did & ye farce went on with great Applause. The words of this piece were by Mr Mendez, & set by Dr Boyce (Cross). Added to salary list, Mr Campioni. Paid him for cloaths #21, and for 51 days work, #42 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #142 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMrs Cowper did Sylvia, for her first appearance here (she came from Bath, Richmond &c.)-Toll. Afterpiece as originally perform'd (Cross) [i.e., without the burlesque scenes of The Fair (see 6 Nov. 1752).] This piece [Harlequin Ranger] was now acted as originally written. It is surprising that Mr Garrick should be the first to introduce Pantomime Entertainments (this season) especially as his own universal talents are seconded by a good company of performers. We suppose he does it to gratify the taste of the town; but such Smithfield exhibitions should certainly be banish'd from all regular theatres; and as Mr Woodward is an excellent comedian, it would be more eligible in him if he chuses to wear the motley dress any more to appear in the character of a speaking Harlequin, after the manner of the Italian Comedy; and indeed it is not a little surprising that nothing of this kind has yet been admitted upon our stage (Gentleman's Magazine, Oct., p. 493, from Grays' Inn Journal, 13 Oct. 1753.). Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations for Mainpiece (playbill). This Masque was got up in a Superb manner the Scenery exquisitely fine & greatly applauded--. Miss Hayward play'd Emmeline very bad (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: Altered from Dryden by Garrick. First time performed. Music Purcell and Arne. New Overture by Arne

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy was Written by Dr Franklyn very heavy. Was pretty well receiv'd & had Considerable Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #15 10s.; Paid salary list #567 11s.; J. French on acct #20; Mr Blanchard per Mr Beckett #5 5s. Receipts: #225 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed before. New Scenes and Dresses. This Comedy is a first production of Mrs Cowley--It was receiv'd with very great Applause-Indeed the performers play'd very well and deserv'd it--the Prologue was written by the Author of the Play dull and Mr Gar. wrote a most Excellent Epilogue quite Local--which was received with uncommon Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. Mainpiece reviewed in the Westminster Magazine for Feb.: "As we have lately been much afflicted with the melancholy fate of theatrical authors, we have a pleasure more than common in the great sucess of this piece."] Receipts: #256 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Arthur Murphy, based on L'Irresolu, by Philippe Nericault, dit Destouches. Prologue by the author. Epilogue by David Garrick (see text)]: A new Scene and New Dresses. Public Advertiser, 2 May 1778: This Day is published Know Your Own Mind (1s 6d.). Receipts: #246 7s. 6d. (245.7.0; 1.0.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 5, by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 508, which also lists the following parts: Marsyas, Gumias, Chloris. Text not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 2 Feb. Songs published, without listings parts (G. Kearsley, 1780)]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Songs set to music and a new Overture by Butler. Book of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 1 Feb. 1780: This Afternoon is published the Songs in The Widow of Delphi (6d.). Receipts: #228 4s. 6d. (227.4.6; 1.0.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lee Lewes. Morning Chronicle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Lee Lewes at his house, Bow-street, Covent-garden. Afterpiece: With the Tub Scene from Mother Shipton. Receipts: #255 0s. 6d. (115.2.6; tickets: 139.18.0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time: CO 3, by John Burgoyne, based on Silvain, by Jean Francois Marmontel]: With entirely new Music [by William Jackson], Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Scenery designed by DeLoutherbourg, and executed under his direction. Public Advertiser, 3 Apr. 1781: This Day is published The Lord of the Manor (price not listed). Receipts: #226 19s. (216.15; 9.16; 0.8)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by John O'Keeffe. Beginning with 8 Dec. reduced to an afterpiece of 3 short acts. Prologue by the author (World, 7 Nov.)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, &c. The Music by Handel, Rizzio, J. C.? Bach, Gretry, Corri, and Shield [who compiled the music of the other composers]. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Afterpiece: In I act. [Miss Fontenelle is identified on playbill of 22 Nov.] Account-Book, 17 Mar. 1789: Paid O'Keeffe in full for Highland Reel #67 10s. Receipts: #263 11s. 6d. (257.1.6; 6.10.0)

Event Comment: [Banks was from the Manchester theatre.] Afterpiece: To conclude with a Representation of the Repulse of the Spaniards before the Rock of Gibraltarv [on 13 Sept. 1782]. Scenes designed by Greenwood; Overture by Baumgarten. Receipts: #173 16s. (152.10; 20.13; 0.13)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Frederick Reynolds. Prologue by William Thomas Fitzgerald. Epilogue by Miles Peter Andrews (see text)]: With new Scenes and Dresses. [In mainpiece the playbill lists Mrs Esten, but "Previous to the play an apology was made in behalf of Mrs Davis, who had undertaken Mrs Esten's character in consequence of the indisposition of the latter lady. [After considerable objection] Mrs Davis was well received in the part" (Thespian Magazine, June 1793, p. 4).] Public Advertiser, 3 May 1793: This Day is published How to Grow Rich (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #257 17s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard Cumberland. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (Pocket Magazine, Mar. 1795, pp. 190, 191)]: With new Scenes, &c. Powell, 27 Feb.: Wheel of Fortune rehearsed at 11; 28 Feb.: Wheel of Fortune rehearsed at 10. "The character of Penruddock is [Kemble's] greatest performance, and I believe it to be a perfect one. It is admirable...because the very defect which hurts his general style of acting, that studious and important preciseness, which is affectation in all his other characters, contributes to the strength, to the nature of Penruddock" (Leigh Hunt, Critical Essays on the Performers of the London Theatres, 1807, p. 8). Receipts: #255 19s. (195.10; 57.15; 2.14)

Event Comment: [As Miss P. Farren Mrs Knight had 1st appaared in London on 15 May 1777 at the hay.] "[Knight's] simplicity is the type of nature, untainted With buffoonery; and what we very rarely meet with, his attention was so wholly engrossed by the business of the scene as to make him appear unconscious of being before an audience" (Morning Chronicle, 26 Sept.). Receipts: #248 3s. 6d. (240.2.6; 8.1.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Frederick Reynolds. Prologue by Counsellor Moore (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 368). Epilogue by John Taylor (see text)]: With new Scenes and Dresses. "Lewis's Gossamer is one of those characters which no actor could play but himself, because no man has that happy freedom and facility, that fashionable playfulness and spirit, so joyous, free, and unrelaxing, which distinguish all his performances of this nature" (Monthly Mirror, ibid). Morning Chronicle, 8 Mar. 1799: This Day is published Laugh When You Can (2s.). Receipts: #268 10s. (263.17; 4.13)