Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of Merope, announced on playbill of 4 Jan. "We played last night Much Ado about Nothing, and had an apology to make for the change of three principal parts. About twelve o'clock Mr Henderson sent word he was not able to play. We got Mr Lewis from Covent Garden, who supplied the part of Benedick. Soon after Mr Parsons sent word he could not play. Mr Moody supplied the part of Dogberry; and about four in the afternoon Mr Vernon sent word he could not play. Mr Mattocks supplied his part of Balthazar...In the middle of the first act, a message was brought me that Mr Lamash (who was to play the part of Borachio) was not come to the House. I had nobody there that could go on for it, so I was obliged to cut his scenes in the first and second acts entirely out, and got Mr Wrighten to go on for the remainder of the part. At length we got the play over without the audience finding it out. We had a very bad house. Mr Parsons is not able to play in The School for Scandal to-morrow night; do not yet know how we shall be able to settle that" (Garrick, Private Correspondence, II, 328-29: Hopkins, prompter,in letter to Garrick, 6 Jan. 1779. He does not state who took Wrighten's place as the Sexton.).] On account of the sudden Illness of a Principal Performer, the new Pantomime [The Wonders of Derbyshire, announced on playbill of 4 Jan.] is obliged to be deferred till Friday. Receipts: #74 11s. (48.19; 25.10; 0.2)

Event Comment: This tragedy was wrote by Mr Dow,--went off but So, so.--some hisses thro' the play, and at the end also when given out.--The scenery and dresses was very fine, was well adapted, and had applause.--Miss Younge played very bad, and much disliked--Mr Holland and Mr Aickin played well (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [The Prologue is Larpent MS 289. It follows in content the suggestions of the Prologue to the Orphan of China ten seasons earlier:@"Too much the Greek and Roman chiefs engage@The Muse's care--they languish on our stage;@The modern bard struck with the vast applause@Of ancient masters, like the painter draws@From models only.--Can such copies charm@The Heart, or like the glow of Nature warm?@To fill the scene, tonight our author brings@Originals at least, --Warriours and Kings,@Heroes who like their Gems, unpolish'd shine,@The mighty fathers of the Tartar line,@Greater than those whom classic pages boast,@If those are greatest who have conquored most."@ An account of the plot of the mainpiece is in Lloyd's Evening Post, 16-19 Dec. Concludes: The play is said to have been written by Mr Dow, who lately favored the public with an accurate History of the Hindoos. The decorations and dresses were very magnificent. The performers who were the most distinguished by the audience were Mr Holland, Miss Younge, Mr Aickin, and Mr Jefferson. Mr Holland spoke the Prologue and Mrs Abington the Epilogue the latter of which furnished infinite entertainment, from the spirit and humour of that admirable actress. A Two column resume of the play appears in the Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.

Event Comment: Benefit for Robinson, Berrisford, Carlton Jr and Kaygill. Saw the Beggar's Opera at Drury Lane. Pit and Gallery so full no place Went into front Box ou much mob--low sort of people had tickets given them--side boxes almost empty. Extremely pleased with Mrs Smith (the Polly whom I never heard before), Mrs Wrighten (Lucy) and Vernon (Macheath) who all performed incomparably well (Baker Diary, p. 259). So Ends the Season 63 different Plays 36 different Farces 188 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #201 15s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Berrisford, Robinson, Carlton, and Kaygille: #117 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS (Treasurer's Book). 5 June: Rec'd Box Officer keeper's cash (deficit #6 5s.) #18 15s.; Benefit deficiencies #142 13s. 6d.; Remainder of Mr S. Barry's Bag #40 3s. 8d. 15 June: Rec'd in benefit deficiencies #223 18s.; Mr Griffith in full of #12 lent him #2 5s.; Mr Davies on acct #20; J. Aickin ditto #16 11s. 6d. 18 June: Public Advertiser and Gazetteer acct this season #100. 19 June: Sundry salaries taken up by Mr Evans #227 4s.; Remainder of Sinking Fund #70. 23 June: Rowland one yrs rent to Lady Day (#43 with #2 2s. tax decuted) #40 18s.; Mr Pope one yrs rent ditto (#30 with #1 13s. King's tax deducted) #28 7s.; Harrison one yrs rent ditto (#46 with #7 King's tax deducted) #39; Balance from Clutterbuck #159 16s.; Discount on #344 18s. 6d., the amount of tallow chandler's Bills this season #27 11s. 9d.; From the Managers per Mr D. G. #534 11s. 8d. 1 July: J. Johnston in part of Music forfeits #29 10s. 6d. 2 July: From A. Johnston for oil and sperm. Candle ends sold to sundry #6 12s. 6d. 3 July: Their Majesties Acct 3 nights #30; Her Majesty's Ladies Acct ditto #9; Williams one yrs rent to Lady Day last (#48 with #4 King's tax deducted) #44. EXPENDITURES 15 June: Paid J. French on acct #20; Wegg half yrs rent to Lady Day last #57. 19 June: Paid Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; Loutherbourg (in full of #300) #70; D. Garrick (in full of #800) #254 11s. 8d.; King's extra salary at #3 Per week) #93 10s.; Parsons in lieu of a benefit night #80; J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s. 23 June: Paid Black Lyon Wardrobe and Carpenter's Dinner bills #16 10s. 8d.; Pope's bill for wigs #21 4s., and for 54 nights extra dressing &c. #5 8s.; Tallow chandler's 10th and last bill #23 11s. 9d. 24 June: Paid Bibb, sword cutler, #14 16s. 6d.; Dorman, Coals, #27 15s., and for attending practices of Dances, as usual #10 10s.; Jennings, Glover & Furrier #21 9s.; Cropley (linen draper) #35 12s.; Cole (turner) #7 3s.; Hatsell (mercer) #35 9s.; Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #15; Thomson (smith) #15 15s. 6d.; Barber, for men's cloaths #6 6s.; Barret (wax chandler) #18 14s.; Ireland (upholder) #27 6s. 6d.; Blakes (hatter) #16 19s.; Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #42 2s.; Carpue (silk dyer) #9 10s.; Carter (scowerer); Jones (worsted lace man) #3 17s.; Hinchcliff (mercer) #36 11s. 6d.; Cubit (tinman) #12 7s.; Lowe & Co. (glasiers) #1 16s.; J. French on Acct #10. 25 June: Waller & Co. (hosiers) #20 19s.; Scott (copper laceman) #47 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, Harpsicord tuning #18 16s.; Mrs Chitty, Coals, #28 5s. A. Johnston a bill for gilt leather &c. #51 15s.; J. Aickin's Law bill to Mr Stephens #54 7s. 9d.; Mrs Garwood for work for the Wardrobe, &c. #17 16s. 6d.; Barrow & Co., for oil, #170; half yrs rent to Duke of Bedford to Lady Day Last, #165 17s. 7d.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 3s.; Mr Page in full of #25 for this season, #1 10s. 1 July: Paid Daigville's 5 Children Dancing &c. in full #5 5s.; Johnston Music bill to Xmas last, #29 10s. 6d.; Chettel (timber) #46 3s.; D. Richards of M: Band 31 weeks and 1 day, extra salary at #1 per week for this season, #31 3s. 4d.; Victor's gratuity as usual, #30; Evans in lieu of a Benefit #42; Hopkins, prompter's bill, #4 12s. 6d.; Jenkins, extra Trumpet 17 nights in full #8 18s. 6d.; Miss P. Hopkins, 8 Nights in full #2; C. Roberts (shoemaker) #6 9s. 6d.; One yrs Watch & Paving for Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last #4 8s.; Victor & Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #8. BOOKS CLOSED 1 July 1773: Total income #32,639 15s. 5d. Total outgo #27,705 7s. 3d. Profit #4,934 8s. 2d. distributed as follows: To Managers #3,760; To Clutterbuck #1000, To Clutterbuck #174 8s. 2d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 12 Dec: Whereas, on Saturday last, the Audience . . . was greatly incens'd at their Disappointment in Mr Poitier and Madem Roland's not Dancing, as their Names were in the Bills for the Day; and Mr Quin, seeing no way to appease the Resentment then shewn, but by relating the real Messages sent from the Theatre, to know the Reasons why they did not come to perform, and the Answers return'd: And whereas there were two Advertisements in the Daily Post of Tuesday last, insinuating that Mr Quin had with Malice falsely accus'd the said Mr Poitier and Madem Roland, I therefore think it (in Justice to Mr Quin) incumbent on me to assure the Publick, that Mr Quin has conducted himself in this Point towards the Abovemention'd with the strictest regard to Truth and Justice; and as Mr Quin has acted in this Affair in my Behalf, I think myself oblig'd to return him Thanks for so doing. Charles Fletewood

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Event Comment: Mrs Abington continuing ill, The Maid of the Oaks oblig'd to be deferr'd. Soon after the Farce began off off--no, more, no more, was the General Cry with much hissing--Mr King went on Two or three times to know their pleasure but they would not hear him. They Call'd for Mr Garrick he attended--but they would not hear him for a long time tho' Attempted Several times to speak--at last Somebody said hear him! hear him!--Mr G. told them that he would wait their [sic] all Night with pleasUre if they requir'd it--hear him! again was bellow'd out--he told them he waited to know their pleasure--whether they would have the Blackamoor go on or if they would have any other Farce then a great Noise ensued; as soon as they were quiet Mr G. told them that his Theatrical Life would be very Short and he should be glad to end it in peace--A man in the Pit said if you have a mind to die in Peace don't let this Farce be play'd again Mr Garrick was on and off the Stage several times nothing would content them--at Length Mr King told them that the Author had taken the Copy from the Prompter and was gone away with it.--Soon after this they withdrew So ended this troublesome Affair (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble is considerably lengthened.] Paid Mr Rowland's bill for dinners #8 9s. 3d. Receipts: #284 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The date of the first performance of this play is not known. The play was licensed for publication on 27 Jan. 1689-90 and advertised in the London Gazette, 10 Feb. 1689@90; hence, it was probably given not later than early January, possibly first given in December 1689

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3130, 7-11 Nov. 1695, suggests that it was acted not later than October 1695, although the first production may have been earlier than that. Part of the music was composed by Henry Purcell: Celia has a thousand charms, sung by Young Bowen; Take not a woman's anger ill, sung by Leveridge; and How happy is she, sung by Miss Cross; all are in Deliciae Musicae, The Third Book, 1696. See also Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), x-xi. Another song, To me you made a thousand vows, set by John Blow, is in Amphion Anglicus, 1700. Dedication, Edition of 1696: I...found so much interrutpion and discouragement from some prejudic'd Gentlemen, who ought to have us'd me better, or, at least, had no reason to use me ill, that I repented I had bestow'd any time upon it....In spite of 'em, my Lord, it was kindly receiv'd, and that too, at a time when the Town was never thinner of Nobility and Gentry