Event Comment: The Spartan Dame advertised, but The Orphan Reviv'd or Powell's Weekly Journal, 19 Dec., states: On Monday Night his Mae Author. The Spartan Dame advertised, but The Orphan Reviv'd or Powell's Weekly Journal, 19 Dec., states: On Monday Night his Majesty came to the playhouse in Drury-Lane, and saw the Comedy of the Busie Body

Event Comment: At Lee's Great Booth, over-against the Hospital Gate. Mainpiece. that celebrated Entertainment (which gave such Satisfaction to all the Quality and Gentry that saw it)

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Shakespear. Daily Journal, 28 Oct.: The same Night [Thursday 26] a Gentlewoman fancying she saw Smoke issue from under the Stage, as she sat in the Pit, during the Play Time,...and at the same time believing she smelt Fire, declared her Opinion so loud, and by her precipitate Endeavours to get out, gave such an Alarm all over the House, as was attended with the fatal Consequence of one Woman big with Child being press'd to Death, and several others Persons were very much bruised. [See also Daily Post, 27 Oct. A reward of #20 was offered by John Rich for the apprehension of the malicious ill designing Persons" who presumably occasioned the incident.-Daily Journal, 31 Oct.

Event Comment: [T+The Necromancer, not advertised, may have been given as an afterpiece, as the Daily Journal, 12 Feb., states that the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princesses Amelia and Carolina saw it as part of the program.] Receipts: #68 15s. 6d. Probable attendance: boxes, 113 paid and 30 orders; stage, 2 paid; pit, 164 paid and 17 orders; slips, 7 paid and 12 orders; first gallery, 117 paid and 4 orders; second, 123 paid

Event Comment: EEgmont, Diary, I, 207: Then went to the practice of the revived opera Tamerlan, where I saw the Duke of Lorain sing a part

Event Comment: The Princess Royal's Marriage, being deferr'd, the Opera will be perform'd that Day as usual. Daily Courant, 14 Nov.: Last Night their Majesties, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the three eldest Princesses . . . saw . . . Otho; but his Highness the Prince of Orange was not there

Event Comment: Benefit Author of Chrononhotonthologos. Note, the Author gives out no Tickets (a few Boxes excepted) depending intirely upon the Courtesy of the Town. Egmont, Diary, II, 40: After dinner I went to the Haymarket playhouse, where among other representations I saw the strong man show one of his feats. Two chairs were placed on the stage at such a distance as that laying himself along, his head and a small part of his shoulders rested on one, and his feet on the other, so that his body and legs were suspended in the air. Then six grown men (two of whom I observed to be remarkably tall) go up, and stood perpendicular upon his body, two on his chest, two on his body, and two on his legs. He bore them all a quarter of a minute, and bending his body downward till it almost touched the ground between the chairs, with a surprising spring and force raised his body with all that weight upon it, not only level as he lay at first, but higher in the air. The mob of the gallery not satisfied with this, hissed, whereupon he refused to show any other of his tricks

Event Comment: [Text by Paul Rollo. Music by Nicholas Porpora.] A New Opera. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 3 Feb.: On Saturday Their Majesties ...the Prince of Wales, and the Princesses Amelia and Carolina . . . saw the Opera of Polifemo, which was perform'd to one of the greatest Audiences that hath King's been known this Season

Event Comment: Robert Morris saw this play, but does not state where. It was later given, on 29 Sept., at HAY. See Beverly McAnear, "An American in London, 1735-1736," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, LXIV (1940), 376

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve, London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 2 Oct.: Last Night in the Entertainment of Dr Faustus...when the Machine wherein were Harlequin, the Miller's Wife, the Miller and his the Miller's Man, was got up to the full Extent of its flying, one of the Wires which held up the hind part of the Car broke first, and then the other broke, and the Machine, and all the People in it fell down Upon the Stage; by which unhappy Accident the young Woman who personated the Miller's Wife had her Thigh broke, and her Kneepan shatter'd, and was otherways very much bruised, the Harlequin had his Head bruised, and his Wrist strained; the Miller broke his Arm; and the Miller's Man had his Scull so fractured that his Life in despaired of. Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole, 6 Oct.: Covent Garden has given me a sort of surfeit of Mr Rich and his cleverness, for I was at [cg] when the machine broke t'other night; the house was in amaze for above a minute, and I dare say a great many in the galleries thought it very desterously performed, and that they screamed as naturally as heart could wish, till they found it was no jest, by their calling for surgeons, of whom several luckily happened to be in the pit. I stayed to see the poor creatures brought out of the house, and pity poor Mrs Buchanan not a little, whom I saw put into a chair in such a fright that as she is big with child, I question whether it may not kill her.-Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Thomas Gray, I, 113-14

Event Comment: By Desire. Receipts: #133 12s. 6d. (Account Book); #160 (Rylands MS.). London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 23 March: On Saturday Night last, in the Entertainment of Orpheus and Eurydice, the Audience were aggreably surpriz'd with the Representation of a new Machine, in Imitation of the Travelling Chaise without Horses, the Performance of which was so extraordinary, and gave such a general Satisfaction, that the Spectators would not be contented 'till they saw it a second Time pass round the Stage

Event Comment: Ever studious for Public Amusement, I...strayed last Week, to a place near the Haymarket in Westminster, and Temple Bar in Middlesex, call'd James's St., where at the New Theatre, a Play called the Miser, with an Entertainment called the Old Man Bit, or Harlequin Skeleton, I saw rehears'd. J. W. Gray's Inn 12 Oct.-Theatrical Clippings, Folger Library. Benefit Julian Late of Goodman's Fields Theatre. At the New Theatre in James St., near Haymarket...a Concert. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6 p.m. Note, Mr Julian taken this Opportunity to acquaint his Friends, that these Performances will be done with the utmost Regularity and Decoration, most of the Performers having belong'd to the Theatres. [This customary notice about the concert, time and prices will not be included unless changed.

Event Comment: The Thirty-second Day. To begin at 6:30 p.m. [Published this month, A Catalogue of Curiosities, Chiefly Theatrical which are to be sold by Auction. Dedicated to Foote by Peter Skewball. A twenty-two-page pamphlet containing suggestive comments about certain actresses. "Lot 13 Two young Actresses of different complections, who having been two years under the care of a certain physician are warranted sound, very little the worse for use...Lot 33 a Coquet Crying by Mrs C-; Lot 34 A Venus half naked at See Saw by Mrs W-; Lot 35 A Very Stanch actress, somewhat overfed, and of great Virtue (Mrs Pritchard?)." N.B.: This is the greatest curiosity in the Catalogue.

Event Comment: [G$Garrick] promised me the Part of Tressel; when the Play was given out, and I prepar'd for it, I saw in the Bills next Morn, another Person's Name [Blakes].-Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, quodet in Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 136. Receipts: #180 (Cross); #182 9s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. [A full column, front-page letter to the Author of the General Advertiser from one purporting to live many miles from London, but whose curiosity about the New Tragedy Irene brought him to see it, details his experience in the theatre the night of Tues. 14 Feb. Seems to be an illconcealed "puff." The writer listens to three critics in the pit decry the performance, then after seeing it himself concludes: "It was receiv'd with universal approbation...Upon the whole I dare affirm that the Judgment of Posterity will concur with me in distinguishing Irene as the best tragedy which this age has produced, for Sublimity of thought, Harmony of numbers, strength of expression, a scrupulous observation of Dramatic Rules, the sudden Turn of events, the tender and generous distress, the unexpected catastrophe, and the extensive and important moral." He inquires why the play has not been so favorably received as others, and concludes it is too finely and artistically conceived to please the masses. He closes by complimenting the Ladies of Great Britain for he "scarce ever saw so shining an assembly in the Boxes. Their early approbation of a Tragedy in which not only the words but the ideas are entirely chaste; a tragedy filled with noble sentiment and poetic beauty is at once a proof of their delicacy and penetration."] Receipts. #100 (Cross); #101 (Powel)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Comedie in 5 Actes de Mr Baron. The alleged deposition of Wm Davison:...he on the 17th Day of November being the second Night of the French Strollers acting at the Theatre in the Haymarket, was at the Sign of the Globe, a Publick House about Nine of the Clock that Night, where this Deponent saw John Haines, one of the Waiters at the said Tavern, and several other Persons, to the Number of 16, dressed like Chairmen, each of which had a great Bludgeon in his Hand, which he put under his Coat, in order to hide the same, but in such a manner as this Deponent was capable of seeing said Bludgeons;...and was informed by several Persons of credit that they and others to the number of 30, were hired by Lord Trentham to protect the French Strollers from any Attempt that might be made to prevent their Acting [claims Haines had a list of their names and told them Lord Trentham would need them again on other nights] notarized before John Waple, 24 Nov. [Lord Trentham offered a fifty pound reward for the original copy of the above affidavit.] John Haynes...maketh Oath...that he...never had any Conversation directly or indirectly, with Lord Trentham, relating to the French Players, nor did the said Lord Trentham dine at the King's Arms on 17 Nov., nor did this Deponent see the said Lord Trentham on that Day, nor for several Days before, nor did the Deponent make use of the said Lord Trentham's name, in any conversation at the Globe Alehouse the said Lord Trentham was not in the least privy to this Deponent's going to the said little Theatre on the said 17th of Nov. with several Persons as mentioned in the affidavit or pretended affidavit of Wm Davison...Sworn the 26th Day of Nov., before me, H. Fielding. [This notice repeated in the General Advertiser for a week. The French players departed for France on 28 Dec.

Event Comment: On Tuesday next a New Tragedy called Philoclea. On Monday 28 January will be a Benefit for Sga Nicolina Giordani, A comic Opera with dances. Tickets and places for the Boxes may be had at Sg Giordani's Lodging, at Mr Milbourn's Grocer, in James St. Covent Garden. To the Young Gentlewoman who has performed Hermione [see 19 Jan.]: @Great was th' Applause you met, great your desert,@You charm'd the Eye, the Ear, the Head, the Heart.@Amaz'd we saw you at the first appear,@Ev'n in the hardest part, a perfect play'r.@Your person, your deportment set to view,@The youthful princess that the poet drew.@All was propriety, and all was grace,@We read the author's meaning in your face.@Your elocution was both just and strong,@Mix'd with due ease, and not an accent wrong,@Such varied Musick in your voice we heard,@That in the Tones both Taste and Sense appear'd.@Love, Jealousy, and Rage so well expres't@Engag'd our souls, nor knew we which was best,@'Twas Nature all-she form'd you for the stage,@Follow her steps, and glad th' Admiring Age.-Public Advertiser@

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. The greatest crowd I ever saw since the Delevals play'd. This (tis said) was Mr Garrick's Benefit (Cross). Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Full Prices. There will not be room behind the Scenes for more than the persons acting in the coronation, [Others] cannot possibly be admitted. The coronation of their Majesties was followed by a stage representation of it at both houses...Garrick knew that Rich would spare no expense in the presentation of his show; he knew too that he had a taste in the ordering, dressing, and setting out these pompous processions, superior to his own; he therefore was contented with the old dresses which had been occasionally used from 1721-1761. This show he repeated for near forty nights successively, sometimes at the end of a play, and at other times after a farce. The exhibition was the meanest, and the most unworthy of a theatre, I ever saw. The stage was...opened into Drury Lane; and a new and unexpected sight surprised the audience, of a real bonfire, and the populace huzzaing and drinking porter to the health of Queen Anne Bullen. The Stage in the meantime, amidst the parading of Dukes, duchesses, archbishops, peeresses, heralds &c. was covered with a thick fog from the smoke of the fire, which served to hide the tawdry dresses of the processionalists. During this idle piece of mockery, the actors, being exposed to the suffocations of smoke, and the raw air from the open street, were seized with colds, rheumatisms, and swelled faces. At length the indignation of the audience delivered the comedians from this wretched badge of nightly slavery, which gained nothing to the managers but disgrace and empty benches. Tired with the repeated insult of a show which had nothing to support it but gilt copper and old rags, they fairly drove the exhibitors of it from the stage by hooting and hissing, to the great joy of the whole theatre....Rich...fully satisfied [the publick's] warmest imaginations (Davies, Life of Garrick, I, 365 ff.)

Event Comment: By Particular desire. [Isaac Reed saw this performance and noted that Miss Elliot played Polly (Isaac Reed, Diaries, ed. C. E. Jones (Univ. of California Publ. English, 1946), p. 14).

Event Comment: The worst House I ever saw.--This morning Mr Packer's mother died, and we were oblig'd to get Mr Parsons to do Vizard, and Mr Baddeley Smuggler.--No apology was made, and I believe nobody took any notice of the change.--Miss Street and Master Clinton, Dancers, first time, greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #63 3s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: CCymon deferred on account of Mrs Arne's hoarseness. Neville MS Diary: Saw the Provok'd Wife, Young Brute inimitably played by Garrick...The heat was very great. The tendency of the Provok'd Wife is very immoral, as it presents an intention to commit adultery in too agreeable a light. Receipts: #247 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Prologue to the Perplexities and Epilogue publish'd in the Public Advertiser.] Saw the Comedy of the Perplexities. Beard spoke the Prologue....Mrs Mattocks spoke the Epilogue. We had a Dance and the new Masque of the Fairy Favour, which is perform'd by children only. The boy who does Puck played on the violin and danced a hornpipe, with great spirit. The scene which represents Kensington Gardens, the canal, &c. by moonlight is very pretty, the moon and stars are very natural (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #192 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Neville MS Diary: I got a seat before the play began, which was the Jealous Wife, with the musical entertainment the Cunning Man. Oakly by Garrick...Never saw Garrick, Pritchard and Clive in Perfection before, & I think none of the characters were ill performed. Receipts: #246 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [R+Rich's Register lists The English Merchant.] Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #49 8s. 10d. Paid George Garrick for use of the managers #15 15s.; Paid French on account #20; Advanced to Granier on note #4 2s. 10d.; to Keen on note #4 4s. Rec'd stopages 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Sylas Neville (Neville MS Diary): With difficulty got into the Pit at Drury Lane, where I stood at the side so jambed up that I could not read the newspaper I carried: But I saw the play very well. It was Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, with the Farce of the Devil to Pay. Duke by Havard, Cacafago by Love, very well. Copper Capt. by Palmer, pretty well. Old woman pretty well by Mrs Baddeley, Astifania by Mrs Pritchard excellently, tho she is too old for the first part of this character. Leon inimitably by Garrick. I think he shows a good deal of Abel drugger, [both published and unpublished portions of the Neville Diary.] Receipts: #261 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)