Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the first production is uncertain. The fact that the Epilogue suggests that it followed Settle's The Female Prelate is not a factor in the dating, as the Newdigate newsletters--see Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 80--show that Settle's play was first acted on 31 May 1680, whereas Caesar Borgia was entered in the Term Catalogues, November 1679. Although the reference in the Epilogue to burning the Pope's Effigies" has been argued as referring to the Pope-burning procession of 17 Nov. 1679, the references in the Epilogue to Father Lewis, who was tried and convicted at York, 28 March 1679, suggest that it was written before his execution, 27 Aug. 1679. Hence the play may have been acted first some time in the late spring or the summer. A song, Blush not redder than the Morning, with music by Thomas Farmer, is in Choice Ayres and Songs, The Third Book, 1681

Event Comment: The King's Company. This play was acted at Oxford on 19 March 1680@1 before Charles II (see True Protestant Mercury, 19-23 March 1680@1; Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 80; and Smith's Protestant Intelligence, 24-28 March 1681). The play may have been given first in London; if not, it probably was not acted there until after Easter, 3 April 1681. The company also performed The Plain Dealer in Oxford on 21 March 1680@1 (Smith's Protestant Intelligence, 24-28 March 1681)

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but it was very likely this day. Writing on 12 May 1688, Peregrine Bertie states that it had been acted nine days successively. If the ninth performance fell on Friday 12 May, the premiere probably occurred on Wednesday 3 May. The Prologue and Epilogue, printed separately, are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 261-63. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 41): This Play by its Excellent Acting, being often Honour's with the presence of Chancellor Jeffereies, and other great Persons had an Uninterrupted run of 13 Days together. Note, The Poet receided for his third Day in the House in Drury Lane at single Prizes 130 l. which was the greatest Receipt they ever had at that House at single Prizes. Dedication, Edition of 1688: This, I must confess, made me hope for success upon the Stage, which it met with, but so great, as was above my expectation (in this Age which has run mad after Farces) no Comedy, for these many years, having fill'd the Theatre so long together: And I had the great Honour to find so many Friends, that the House was never so full since it was built, as upon the third day of this Play; and vast numbers went away, that could not be admitted. For Leigh as Belfond Sr, see Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 147-48; and for Underhill as Lolpoop, I, 154-55. For further comment upon the play, see 12 May 1688

Event Comment: Benefit Carey. The Bartholomew-Fair Song, sung by Mr Este in the Farce, will be deliver'd gratis at the Theatre

Event Comment: Books of the Masque at the Theatre, 1s

Event Comment: NNew Theatre. 6 p.m. Pit 1s. Gallery 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece by Desire. Benefit Cashell. [Receipts: #34 1s., plus #103 2s. from tickets. Charges #60.] Paid Marshall, Timber Merchant, a Bill for Goods deliver'd for Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre #23 4s. (Account Books, Egerton 2268). Benefit Lalauze, who is oblig'd to change the play advertised for his Benefit on account of the Indisposition of a principal performer. The Tickets deliver'd out for Don Sebastian will be taken for this play (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: MMiss Young so hoarse she cou'd not sing one Song--Yet all went Calm (Cross). Books of the Masque will be sold at the Theatre. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Comedy by Mrs Griffith, never before acted. [Not well received the first night, but clarified and improved the second Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 59. Prologue and Epilogue printed in Public Advertiser, 28 Jan.

Event Comment: To begin at 7 p.m. For one night only, being particularly desired by several Persons of Distinction. Performance by a considerable number of the best "catch" singers and instrumental performers. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Catches and Glees to be had at the theatre. Performance will be over time enough for those ladies and gentlemen who are engag'd at Mrs Cornelys's

Event Comment: Boxes 10s. 6d. Pit 4s. 1st Gallery 3s. 2nd Gallery 2s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Sarjant (only) at the Stage Door. Books of the Oratorio to be had at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season. The Account-Book notes that the director of the oratorios this season was James Hook.

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time in London; F 2, by John O'Keeffe, 1st acted at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 13 Apr. 1774. Prologue by George Colman elder (Prose on Several Occasions, III, 222)]. Public Advertiser, 16 Aug. 1780: This Day is published Tony Lumpkin in Town (1s.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 1, by John O'Keeffe and George Colman, the elder. Synopsis of action in Public Advertiser, 20 Aug.]: The Music by Dr Arnold. The Scenes by Rooker. Books of the Songs [T. Cadell] to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Afterpiece: An Original, Whimsical, Operatical, Pantomimical, Farcical, Electrical, Naval, Military, Temporary, Local Extravaganza. [This was Whitsun Eve, on which night the theatre was customarily closed.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Lillo, Author of George Barnwell. [Prologue, which is by George Colman, the elder, is the Prologue introductory to the play, not the Prologue spoken on 31 May, &c] Afterpiece: The Music by Dr Arnold. The Scenes by Rooker. Books of the Tragedy and of the Songs in the Pantomime to be had in the Theatre

Event Comment: [Mrs James Wilson was from the Portsmouth theatre.] Receipts: #198 (148/5; 49/0; 0/15)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. By Desire of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, who on this occasion will attend in proper cloathing, and the different Regalias of their Order. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, author unknown. MS: Larpent 685; not published. Author of Prologue unknown]. The Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin at 6:30. Tickets to be had at the Globe in Pall-mall; the Black Horse, Coventry-street; the Castle, in Castle-Court, Cornhill; the Rose Coffee-house in the Old Bailey; the Half Moon Tavern, Cheapside; and at the Theatre, where places for the boxes may be taken. Great care will be taken to have the House well aired

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Under the Direction of Delpini. Subscription tickets [for 5 nights] to be had of Weltje, confectioner, St. James's-street, and of Rice at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Leonard Macnally. Prologue by ---- Chalmers. Epilogue by ---- Norris (see text, but London Chronicle, 4 Apr., says by Thomas Morris). In 1792 this was acted at this theatre reduced to 3 acts]. Public Advertiser, 30 Apr. 1785: This Day is published Fashionable Levities (1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wild. 1st Piece: 1st Time at this Theatre, and with Permission of G. Colman, Esq. [owner of the copyright]; written by Joseph Atkinson, Esq. [i.e. altered from his The Mutual Deception (see hay, 29 Aug. 1786)]. 2nd piece: Not acted these 2 years. 3rd piece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 23 May 1783]. Receipts: #225 0s. 6d. (113.0.6; 5.5.0; tickets: 106.15.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Mountain. Afterpiece [1st time in London; M. INT 2, by Walley Chamberlain Oulton, 1st acted at Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 12 Mar. 1789, Larpent MS 835; not published]: The Music by Tommaso? Giordani. Receipts: #213 17s. (80.0.6; 6.3.6; tickets: 127.13.0)

Event Comment: [Boyes was from the Worcester theatre.] Receipts: #206 19s. (178.12.0; 25.16.6; 2.10.6)

Event Comment: "The farce waited some time for Bannister, who performed at Covent-Garden Theatre in The Woodman. An apology was made for his absence, and, in a few minutes after, he came" (Gazetteer, 14 June)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Permission of the Proprietors of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Event Comment: [Mrs Gibbs was from the hay.] Afterpiece: 21st time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the previous season]. The Music composed, and selected from Cherubini, Kreutzer and Andreozzi, by Storace. An Accurate Edition of Lodoiska to be had at the Theatre. Powell, 26 Sept.: Provoked Husband rehearsed at 10; Lodoiska at 12 (for Palmer); 27 Sept.: Lodoiska rehearsed at 10 (for Bannister). Receipts: #433 19s. 6d. (296.14.0; 134.13.0; 2.12.6)