Event Comment: MMiss Cheney made her first appearance this Night, in Miss Prue, a Pretty Figure, play'd with Spirit, very Aukward, & Speaks too much at the top of her Voice (Hopkins). Miss Prue by a young Gentlewoman. Great Applause (Cross Diary). This night Miss Cheney made her first appearance on the stage in the character of Miss Prue--play'd with spirit,--a very pretty, genteel Figure, but very raw and aukward--got great applause. Think there is materials in her composition with care and application to make an actress.--Mr Yates in the speech where he says 'the more she cries, the less she'll p--' happened to speak the words a little too plain, and was justly hissed by the Audience--his song was encored,--he sung it again,--a Hiss and a Clap when he went off (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #187 16s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: This night it was currently reported in the Green Room that Miss Bride was taken into keeping by Mr Calcraft (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #119 14s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: This Farce is taken From the Midsummer Night's Dream, by Coleman, & is a very pleasing Farce, & well receiv'd by the Audience (Hopkins). Songs of the Entertainment to be given at theatre. Mdsr Night's Dream Cut. Serious parts quite out. Went off well (Cross Diary). This Farce is taken from The Midsummer Night.-Mr Colman thought it was a pity so much pains and expense as was bestowed on the Midsummer Night's Dream should be thrown away,-he luckily thought of turning it into a farce, which alteration he made in one night,-and now I think as pleasing a farce as most that are done.-Miss Wright? is vastly great in her songs (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). [See "A Midsummer Night's Dream in the hands of Garrick and Colman," PMLA, June 1939.

Event Comment: MMr Powell's first Appearance in Leonatus. very Wild & Stampt too much with his foot receiv'd much Applause (Hopkins). Mr Powell's first appearance in the character of Leonatus,--he was very wild and uncouth in great part, and stampt with his feet in such a manner, that he appeared like a madman,--but gained much applause (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #252 9s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime, the Overture and Comic Tunes compos'd by Potter, the Airs and Chorusses by Batishall. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. The Words of the Airs and Chorusses in the Entertainment will be given away at the theatre (playbill). At the end of the Play a great Noise & many cry'd out, the whole! the whole, &c. Mr Holland told 'em there never was any more play'd, which a little appeas'd em; but some noise continued till the Curtain was drawn up for the Pantomime & then all was quiet. The Pantomime got great applause; the Tunes were very bad, & a great want of Business & Incidents thro' the whole. The Scenery is very Pretty & well Executed. The Elephant is excellent & has a Fine Effect (Hopkins). Machinery Pleas'd. Business so, so (Cross Diary). [Wording in comment from Hopkins Diary-MacMillan, differs only slightly.] Receipts: #269 13s

Event Comment: This night a new Occasional Interlude call'd Hymen was introduc'd between the Acts; but not put in the Bills (Hopkins). [For cast, see 21 Jan.] An occasional Interlude on the Marriage of Princess Augusta to Prince of Brunswick call'd Hymen (Cross Diary). This night a new occasional Interlude called Hymen, but not in the bills. Hymen was written by Mr Allen (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). [The Larpent MS 217 lists four characters and a Chorus: Hymen, Cupid, Venus, Mars, Chorus. The words of the Songs by Cupid, Hymen and Venus were published in the Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.] Receipts: #122 5s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benedick by Obrien-1st time (Hopkins). Benedick does not sit so well upon Mr O'Brien as Ranger-Hopkins Diary-$MacMillan">Miss Pope Beatrice-indifferent (+Hopkins Diary-$MacMillan). New Occasional song introduc'd in The Rites of Hecate, the words will be printed and given away at the theatre. Receipts: #130 9s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Obrien. No building on Stage. Lovemore for 1st time by Mr Obrien (Hopkins). I think the character not fit for him (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #231 8s. 6d. (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Profit to O'Brien: #167 4s. 6d.

Event Comment: MMr Powell played very well (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Ld Chalkstone for 1st time by Mr Yates (very bad) (Hopkins). Benefit for Mrs Yates. Receipts: #259 8s. 6d. (MacMillan); charges: #65 9s. [Profit to Mrs Yates: #193 19s.

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. No Building on Stage. Leon by Powell (Hopkins). Leon by Mr Powell-Queer enough-Not above charges in the House (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #61 4s. (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Deficit to Palmer: #3.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Davies. Oroonoko by Mr Powell (Hopkins). Very well (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #166 10s. (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Profit to Mrs Davies: #102 6s.

Event Comment: Benefit for Dickinson (first gallery keeper). Ghost-Hopkins">Mr Powell ($Hopkins)

Event Comment: MMr Aickin hissed for being imperfect.--This night was introduced at the end of the Pantomime a Grand Masquerade in imitation of that given by the King of Denmark at the Opera House, and lighted up after the same manner--Every performer belonging to the House was on, even Mr Garrick and his brother.--The dresses were very elegant, and the whole very striking,--and gave pleasure to the Audience (Hopkins Diary). [The masquerade remained a part of Queen Mab and was also attached to Fortunatus. It evoked the following verse in Lloyd's Evening Post, Nov. 21-23]: One night last week a merry blade,@Who'd seen the Royal Masquerade,@And paid ten guineas for admission,@Began to damn the imposition;@His friend reply'd, "You may complain,@For I last Night at Drury Lane,@Saw full as much for eighteen pence,@As you got at such vast expence."-- G.S. C y

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Hopkins

Event Comment: The Jubilee consists of Dialogue Singing & Dancing. This Entertainment was written & compil'd by Mr G.-and it was receiv'd with bursts of Applause the Procession of Shakespear's Characters &c. is the most Superb that ever was Exhibited or I believe ever will. There never was an Entertainment produc'd that gave so much pleasure to all Degrees Boxes pit and Gallery (Hopkins Diary). The Music by Dibdin. With New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [On all subsequent bills, though some are shortened, the PAGEANT is advertised in large capitals. Larpent MS 298, includes descriptive notes and stage directions, p. 24: "Here follows the Pageant, with Bells ringing, Fifes playing, Drums beating, and Cannons firing. In The Procession every scene in the different plays represents some capital part of it in action...The last Scene is a magnificent Transparent one in which the Capital characters of Shakespeare are exhibited at full length with Shakespeare's Statue in the middle crowned by Tragedy and Comedy, fairies and Cupids surrounding him and all the banners waving at the upper end. Then enter the dancers." The Pageant appeared at the top of the stage and came forward, Reviewed in Freeholder's Magazine, Oct.

Event Comment: Rec'd a message that Mrs Barry was better & she would be able to Rehearse on Monday & that Mr Barry would be able to play Lord Townly on Thursday next (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book). [See 2 Nov.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Hopkins

Event Comment: A New Scene was introduced at the End of the Elopement call'd the Rejoicing Night & finish'd with the Sailors Pageant...the whole receiv'd great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: By Deisre. Paid 2 notes of Mr Weston #9 4s. 10d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #200 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Mr King being Ill Mrs Reddish play'd Belcour (not the thing) (Hopkins Diary). Paid Tallow Chandler's Bill (2nd) #42 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #171 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Rusport by Miss Young So-So (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list #502 3s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s.; Rec'd stopages #11 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #208 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Cautherly. Don John Mr Cautherly-la, la! (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: With Alterations. Not acted these 14 years. [See 13 April 1758.] Receipts: #159 18s. 6d. Charges: #62 13s. 6d. Profits to Cautherley: #97 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Majr O Flaherty Mr Hurst-not enough upon the Brogue (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Hurst and Rooker. Paid salary list #494 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mrs S. French #1 10s.; Rec'd stopages #9 8s. 6d.; from Sinking Fund #42. Receipts. #229 19s. Charges: #74 14s. Profits to Hurst and Rooker: #155 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire Towards raising a Fund for the relief of those who from their infirmities shall be oblig'd to retire from the stage. Mr G better than before if possible (Hopkins Diary). Pit and Boxes together, admittance to Pit only by Box ticket. Doors open half past 5. Begin promptly at Six. Paid Renters #8; Supers and K Drum #1 15s.; Soldiers 14s.; Printer #2 6s. 6d.; Extra constables &c. 18s.; Candles, Oyl and Lampmen, #3 18s. 6d. Total #17 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts for Fund: #295 12s. 3d. (Treasurer's Book)