Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3177, 20-23 April 1696, suggests that it was first performed not later than March 1696. Preface, Edition of 1696: This Comedy by the little success it met with in the Acting, has not at all deceived my Expectations....Give me leave to thank the Well-natur'd Town for Damning me so suddenly; They would not suffer me to linger in suspence, nor allow me any degrees of Mortification; neither my Sex, Dress, Musick and Dancing, cou'd allow it a three Days Reprieve. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 17: Ramble: I never heard of that. Sullen: Oh this is a Lady's

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Prologue to the Second Part [1699] refers to warm weather and to May Fair. The Songs to both parts were advertised in the Post Boy, 24-27 June 1699, suggesting a first production not later than the end of May 1699. The following among the songs for Part I list the singer or composer or both: From azure plains, sung by Pate, in A Second Collection of New Songs and Ballads (1699). How comes it now good Mrs Spratt, sung by Pate and Leveridge (ibid.). Of all the world's enjoyments, sung by Leveridge (ibid.). Whilst wretched fools sneak up and down, composed by Daniel Purcell and sung by Leveridge and Pate (ibid.). Young Philander wooed me long, composed by Daniel Purcell (ibid.). For Part II: The devil he pulled off his jacket of flame, composed by Samuel Ackroyde (ibid.). He led her by the milk-white hand, composed by Samuel Ackroyde (ibid.)

Event Comment: Post Man, No. 747, 4-7 May 1700: At the desire of several Ladies of Quality, To-morrow being Wednesday, (in the great Room in York Buildings) will be performed a new Mask set to Musick, with an extraordinary entertainment of other Vocal and Instrumental Musick for the Benefit of Mr Gouge [Mr George in Flying Post] and Miss Bradshaw. Prices 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. Flying Post, 2-4 July 1700: At the Request, and for the Entertainment of several Persons of Quality, at the New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, to Morrow, being Friday, the 5th of this instant July, will be acted, The Comical History of Don Quixote, both Parts being made into one by the Author. With a new Entry by the little Boy, being his last time of Dancing before he goes to France: Also Mrs Elford's new Entry, never performed but once; and Miss Evan's Jigg and Irish Dance: With several new Comical Dances, compos'd and perform'd by Monsieur L'Sac and others. Together with a new Pastoral Dialogue, by Mr George and Mrs Haynes; and variety of other Singing. It being for the Benefit of a Gentleman in great distress; and for the Relief of his Wife and Three Children. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 45: Don Quixote, both Parts made into one, by Mr Durfey, Mrs Bracegirdle Acting, and her excellent Singing in't; the Play in general being well Perform'd tis little Inferior to any of the preceding Comedies

Event Comment: Benefit Delane. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. [Tickets at Delane's Lodgings (No. 6) in Wild Court, Wild Street, and at Mrs Delane's Lodgings, at the Fig-Tree, opposite Salisbury Street in the Strand.

Event Comment: At the Theatre-Royal in Lincoln's Inn Fields, this Day,will be presented a Comedy. Written by Colley Cibber, Esq., Poet Laureat. At Common Prices, viz. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. 1st Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. [prices regularly repeated in the bills]. For the better Decorum of the Stage, no Money will be taken behind the Scenes; and 'tis humbly hop'd no Person will desire Admittance there

Event Comment: Both pieces By His Majesty's Command

Event Comment: 'TTis said Miss Bellamy, who engag'd lately with Mr Rich is off again. Mr Colthorp who kept her, swears to kick Rich &c. Great noise about it in ye Bedford Coffee House (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Pope in Corrinna (fine) Mr Wilkinson, Mrs Amlet (sad) (Cross). Mainpiece: Not acted in 8 years [but see 3 Jan. 1753]. My mother and I were at Drury Lane to see The Confederacy and Harlequin Ranger, Mrs King, Watson and Miss Pitt sat in our Box, a new actress did Corrinne to perfection, see Schutz Jr, Mr Schutz, Dives and Pigot there (Hailey, 'The Brietzcke Diary," p. 360). Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: Full prices. Last time of performing till Easter Holidays. Receipts: #214 11s. Paid Kemp #6 8s.; Meares #0 10s. 6d.;Mr Platt for mahogany chair frames (12), #9 12s.; Paid Rich #50; Paid 10 night's Rents for Oratorios #100. I was to see the Jovial Crew and the Fair again, at the Gallery at Covent Garden, where I see Mrs Viebert, Miss Meredith & Mr Madan. Slept in at Drury Lane Gallery where I see the best part of Catherine & Petruchio for King's Benefit (Hailey, Brietzcke Diary, Vol. 197, p. 210)

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Mozart of Twelve and Master Mozart of Eight Years Prodigies of Nature. Tickets a Half a Guinea each, to be had of Mr Mozart at Mr Williamson's in Thrift St., Soho. A Box Ticket shall admit two into the Gallery. To begin at 6 p.m., which will not hinder the Nobility and Gentry from meeting in other Assemblies the same evening

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. With the latest improvement by Mr Handel. Pit and boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd that day, at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at Half an Hour past Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half an Hour after Six (Public Advertiser, 4 March). [N.B. This is an Advance notice. No notice occurs on this day, but the following: This Day publish'd Esther: An Oratorio, with the last improvements by Mr Handel. To be performed, by Their Majesties Command at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Price 1s.] Went into the First Gallery at Covent Garden to hear the Oraortio, Esther, composed by Handel. The Stage was formed into an orchestra, like one side of an amphitheatre divided by an organ, atop of which was a head of Handel in a radiated frame. In the front sat the vocal performers, Champney, Vernon, Mrs Arne, Mrs Pinto, Miss Young, and Mrs Frasi. Stanley played on the Organ but retired after the 1st or 2nd act. The house was not much crowded, tho the King and Queen, those idols of fools, were there (Neville MS Diary). Charges: #35 (Account Book)