Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. The Farce of The Knights intended and advertis'd to be acted is oblig'd to be laid aside on account of Mr Phillip's dangerous indisposition, who was to have perform'd the character of Sir Gregory Gazette. Tickets of Yates at Mr Walsh's Music shop in Catherine St. in the Strand, and at the stage door (playbill, 29 March). Receipts: #260 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Clarke. Mr Clarke begs leave to inform his Friends, from his violent Indisposition, and Incapacity to perform for his Benefit, Mr Yates offered his assistance to play the character of Scrub; but unfortunately Mr Yates is attacked by a violent fit of the Gout, and prevented from fulfilling his kind Intentions. Mr Quick has readily consented to play the part for Mr Clarke. Mr Clarke hopes his present severe Indisposition, which has prevented his playing for several Months past, will be considered by his Friends as a sufficient Apology for his not performing at his Benefit, and solicits their Patronage this Evening. Morning Chronicle, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Clarke, No. 15, Great Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #101 16s. 6d. (98/4/6; 3/12/0; tickets: none listed) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: After the play on Saturday Night Mr Yates sent me the part of Bottom in the Fairy Tale & Said he would play it no more the part was given to Mr Baddeley & he play'd it to Night (Hopkins). Mr Yates sent me the part of Bottom, and said I must give it to somebody else, for he would do it no more.-Mr Baddeley Played it tonight, and very well (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Songs in the Entertainment given at the theatre. Receipts: #124 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Alexander the Great? [announced on playbill of 4 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred. [The playbill lists Mrs Yates as Lady Townly, but see following note. Miss Younge's name appears in all subsequent playbills, except on 19 Dec.] Alexander was advertised for this Night, but Lacy being hoarse, who was to have played Alexander, it was obliged to be deferred, and this Play substituted. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock at (Night) before we got it settled. Mr. Sheridan ordered me not to send to Mrs. Yates about (it) till the Morning. About eight o'clock I sent her Notice that the Provoked Husband was to be performed at Night. A little after nine, she sent Word by her Niece that she was never so ill treated in her life, that she was never before asked to play on the fifth of November [which day was traditionally set aside for the acting of Tamerlane], that she would not play Lady Townly that Night, nor would she play any more; and if she had an Inclination to play, she had no Cloaths ready to play it in; and sent back the Part of Semiramis in a new Tragedy that was preparing [see 16 Nov., 14 Dec.]. I got Miss Younge to do Lady Townly, and an Apology was made by Packer that Mrs Yates having refused this Morning to do Lady Townly, Miss Younge at a Minutes' Notice undertook to do it. Miss Younge was much applauded and Yates had a few hisses (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #179 11s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Being positively the last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: Never acted before. Sad Farce (Cross). [Afterpiece sent to the Licenser under the title The Kept Mistress; or, The Mock Orators. Larpent MS 125 lists the parts: Harry, Belton, Hempton, Miss Belladue, her Maid; Old Ringworm, Widow Lovephrase, Servant; Lady Whiffle; Old Belladue, First Lady, Second Lady, First Orator, Second Orator, Third Orator, Doorkeeper; Press Gang (Mr Grapling Chart, Mr Anchorstock). The concluding sailor's Song most patriotic: "Our Navy see, spread o'er the Seas..."]. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Yates. Garrick's first appearance in Chamont in 4 years. Mrs Yates in Monimia for first time. Mrs Cibber's illness has oblig'd Mrs Yates to change her Play from Jane Shore to The Orphan. The Afterpiece (for one night only): A Burlesque Opera of two acts

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #67 2s. (Treasurer's Book). N.B. Dido is oblig'd to be deferr'd a few days (playbill). Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #29 18s. 6d.; Paid Mr Pinto for 3 sets of symphonies #1 11s. 6d. B. Jonson's Head #1 19s. 1d.; Mrs Pritchard's gratuity #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Put on my old clothes and at 5 went to Drury Lane, found the Pit and 2s. gallery quite full, at last had myself squeezed into the Pit, where I was most woefully pressed, but saw very well and got a seat ere the farce began. The play was Cymbeline, with The Deuce is in Him. This play pleases me. The dresses were tolerably proper, ye scenes (particularly that of Imogen's chamber and the Cave) pretty and ye performance of ye principal characters good, but having never read the play, lost a great deal of the effect. Imogen, Mrs Yates, she is very hoarse. In Act II a Masquerade Dance, with singing by Mrs Vincent. After Act III the Vintage. After the play, King in the character of Linco, with Dorcas and others of his neighbors, asking him questions, partly spoke and partly sang, for this night only,-a new very humorous little piece called Linco's Travels, particularly in England. Glad I did not go to the other House, tho I wished to see Macklin, who played there this night only for his daughter's benefit. When the Farce began, the Gods (as those in the Upper Gallery are called) called for the Prologue, on which Packer came on and said, Mr King has not spoke the Prologue this winter, and is now dressing to play in the Farce and hopes the Audience will excuse him." Miss Pope and Miss Plym coming on again were hissed off, and after we had waited some minutes longer, King spoke the Prologue, which was lucky for me who had never heard him speak it. The gods called for it on Monday last, but desisted on the above excuse being made. Almost eleven ere all was over. I now know all the entrances into the Pit and Gallery at Drury Lane (Neville MS Diary)