Event Comment: Written by Mr Hume. Author of Douglas. Went off wth. great Applause (Cross). A New Tragedy. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. As this is the 1st night of representation, and much depends upon keeping the scenes clear, 'tis hoped no gentleman will be offended that he cannot be admitted upon the stage or into the orchestra. [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758 for contemporary comment on source, and at act-by-act progress of play. Judicial but appreciative. Finds some rant and bombast, as well as inconsistency, in Lysander 's characterization: "If...not...known that the author of Agis is the same to whom we are indebted for Douglas, one would not have suspected those two tragedies to have sprung from the same pen...Agis inspires us with admonition; Douglas speaks forcibly to our softer feelings. In Douglas he has shown himself perfect master of nature and the human heart: in Agis of contrivance in point of plot and incidents. What a masterpiece may not we expect from such talents when united in one tragedy!"] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Receipts: #140 17s. Barry's 1!3 of surplus came to #20 5s. 8d. The Renters were this night increased to 17 by purchases of one share each by Robert Randoll, Margaret Randoll, and John Powell. Paid Mr Arne for composing the Music in Dioclesian, #26 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: During this month was published The Case of Authors...Stated with Regard to Booksellers, the Stage, and the Public by James Ralph. Pages 23-31 condemn both Garrick and Rich for their treatment of authors: "Those who have custody of the stage claim also custody of the Muse...There is no drawback on the profit of the night in old plays....To fly from Garrick in case of any contempt or neglect to Mr Rich, is enough to deter any man in his senses from embarking a second time on such a hopeless voyage.

Event Comment: For the Author (Cross). Box Tickets for the Benefit of the Author of Agis...are to be had of Mr Miller, in the Strand, Dodsley in Pall Mall, and Varney at the Stage Door. This Day at Noon will be publish'd, Price 1s. 6d. Agis, by the author of Douglas. Printed for A. Miller, where may be had the tragedy of Douglas as it was acted at Covent Garden. Price 1s. 6d. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Mainpiece: not acted these 4 years. No building on stage. Receipts: #60 12s. 6d. plus tickets #222 5s. (boxes 458; pit 605; gallery 170). Charges #63. Mr Robt. Lewis came in for 1 share (Account Book). [Smith advertised, and it appeared his house at his benefit was too full & [there was] confusion in getting to places (Winston MS 8). See Smith's note in Public Advertiser, 16 March.

Event Comment: MMrs Clive Ly Wishfort -(bad) Fribble Garrick (Cross). Benefit for Mrs Clive. Part of Pit laid into Boxes Tickets of her in Henrietta St. and of Mr Varney at the Stage Door. Receipts: #310 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sparks. Receipts: #83 2s. 6d. plus Tickets #184 12s. (boxes 335; pit 551; gallery 182). Advanced Mrs Bellamy on her salary #105. Two new Renters came in at 1 share each: Sir Thomas Robinson and Robert Hassell (Account Book). Mr Smith takes this earliest opportunity to return thanks the Ladies and Gentlemen who honoured him with their presence at his Benefit on Tuesday Night, and is very sorry for any interruption that might happen in the performance. The indulgence of his friends that night far exceeded his most sanguine exceptations; otherwise he should have provided proper accomodations for them on the stage (Public Advertiser). [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758, for contemporary comment on mainpiece: "It is not paying it a very great, much less an underserved compliment to give it the preference over all the dramatic pieces that have been presented at either house these six or seven years...Tears were the first praises I gave it...no play except Lear ever make such a strong constant impression on my feelings."

Event Comment: Being the last time of performing till the Holidays. Receipts: #119 5s. Rec'd 10 nights' rent from Mr Handel's Oratorios at #25 per night, #250, plus #2 2s. for Coals used for the Oratorios. Barry's 1!3 of the surplus this night came to #13 1s. 8d. Paid 54 Old Rentners' interest on 54 shares for Handel's Oratorios at 1s. 8d. per share, or #5 8s. per night, for 10 night, #54. [Mrs Lecuss came in as a regular renter for 1 share.] (Account Book)

Event Comment: On 21 March died of a Consumption, at Somerset House, Mrs George Garrick, wife of Mr George Garrick, a Lady in whom was united every amiable quality (Public Advertiser, 22 March.)

Event Comment: A Free Benefit for Ryan. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late Mr Hughes. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [Ryan had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be The Siege of Damascus and a new Dramatic Satire called The Anniversary, being a Sequel to Lethe. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the Siege of Damascus and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but Ryan judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of Lethe; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."

Event Comment: Benefit for Mossop. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Farce wrote by Mr Murphy. Went off Indiff (Cross). [It was sent to Licenser one year before, 16 March 1757 (Larpent MS 131).] Garrick first announced for Ghost [Hamlet] which he afterwards declined having new part in the farce. Part of Pit into Boxes. Amphitheatre on stage (Winston MS 9). Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Widow Gentlewoman in great Distress. To begin at half an hour past Six. A greater number of Tickets being disposed of than Mr Hickford's Room can contain, makes it necessary to remove the performance to Dean St. Books of the Serenata will be sold at the place of performance

Event Comment: Benefit for Barrington and Mrs Lampe. No building on stage. Receipts: by income from tickets: Barrington #90 16s. (boxes 142; pit 286; gallery 12); Mrs Lampe, #53 2s. (boxes 52; pit 180; gallery 131) (Account Book). [The original title of afterpiece, a burlesque opera by Henry Carey, was Margery; or, A Worse Plague than the Dragon a sequel to the Dragon of Wantley. The music was advertised as by the late Mr Lampe.

Event Comment: Benefit for Lalauze. Receipts: #48 19s. 6d. Charges: #63. Deficiency to Lalauze #14 0s. 6d. covered by #104 2s. from tickets (boxes 138; pit 322; gallery 213). Mr Jarvis, a stationer, seems also to have had some tickets, for which he paid in #8 13s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Davies. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Collins and Crudge. Receipts: #34 15s. 6d. Charges #71 10s. [The charges were split: Collins, #31 10s.; Crudge, #40. The prorated deficits of Collins (#14 2s. 3d.) and Crudge (#22 12s. 3d.) were covered by income from tickets: Collins, #63 17s. (boxes 18; pit 277; gallery 178); Crudge, #98 (boxes 179; pit 301; gallery 81).] Rec'd from His Majesty by Mr Finch, #10 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Burton and Philips. Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Not acted these 10 years. [See 18 Dec. 1749.] Music for Afterpiece compos'd by Mr Arne. Tickets deliver'd by Clough, Mossop, Peacop and Mrs Addison will be taken. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Jones ye author of the play. A Gift Night. Mrs Pritchard ill, Mrs? Bennet read ye Queen . So ended the Season. Receipts: #130 (Cross)

Event Comment: There are Places inclosed for the Ladies to sit, and it is humbly hoped that the Gentlemen will not be offended, as it is impossible to accommodate everyone with Seats. To begin at Six. Public Advertiser, 12 and 13 June: Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold distinguished themselves beyond expectation and the Company was pleas'd to say that Sga Seratina was in no way inferior to the famous Spiletta. Performed before a very genteel and numerous audience with great applause. It will continue to be performed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: The Uncommon Applause of the new Entertainment...has excited the curiosity of a great many of the Nobility and Gentry that had never seen Marybone before. Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold have distinguished themselves surprisingly; and though this Entertainment is performed in the English Language, clearly proves, that it is in the Power of an Englishman, to excel even the Italians in that kind of performance; Sga Seratina (though an Italian) expresses the English Dialect with all the Graces, and proper Expressions, which that kind of performance requires. [Books of the performance to be had at the Bar 6d. each.

Event Comment: As 11 Aug., but: Mr Trufler's daughter continues to make the Rich Seed and Plomb cakes, so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry. They are made in a square Form, and will cut out in as large Slices as those of four Times the price. they are always kept ready made, and will be sent to any Part of the Town when bespoke, at Half a Crown each. [The piece was not advertised for 15. Aug. in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: [Not listed in Public Advertiser, but notice of continuation at admission price of 1s. is given.] Before the performance Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold and others will sing several new songs

Event Comment: At Yates@Shuter Booth. [The Daily Advertiser notes: "the pleasure Mr Shuter gives to every Audience by an unwearied Display of that masterly Genius...and notwithstanding his laboring thro' so many Drolls daily with uncommon Spirit, yet his executing the London Cries at the end of Interlude, and each time new to the hearers."

Event Comment: Boxes 5. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Crudge at the stage-door of the theatre. To begin exactly at six o'clock. [These customary announcements on all playbills will not be noted again; only significant differences will be noted during remainder of season.

Event Comment: LLucio by Mr O'Brien, (The young gentleman who perform'd Capt Brazen). Receipts: #160 (Cross); #167 2s. (Winston MS 8)