Event Comment: Paid Mr French on account #50 [scene painter and maker of light props] (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #85 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c

Event Comment: [From The London Evening Post: Married: Michael Arne, music composer and son of Dr Arne, to Miss Wright, a celebrated singer of Drury Lane Theatre."] Paid Mr Evans on Wardrobe acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #133 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Toms the balance of his two nights the 15th and 22nd inst. #169 17s. (Account Book). Receipts: #170 8s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Coggs (wax chandler) Bill #11 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #192 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: AAsh Wednesday. Publish'd this day. Price only 1s. Letters which have passed between John Beard Esq Manager of Covent Garden Theatre, and John Shebbeare, M.D. Wherefore I thus entreat with due Submission, Between the Bard and me you'd make decision, The whole now on your Approbation waits. Prologue to the Perplexities, sung by Mr Beard. Printed for G. Kearsly N.B. This Pamphlet is entered at Stationers Hall, whoever pyrates any part of it will be prosecuted. [This pamphlet of 50 pages is given a four-column review in the Gentleman's Magazine for March (p. 124). The controversy was over a play which Shebbeare submitted to Beard and which the latter finally rejected after holding it two seasons. Beard's letters are quoted. The reviewer is severe upon Shebbeare: Upon the whole for anything that has hitherto appeared, the managers of both theatre have rather been to blame for receiving some pieces that they should have rejected, than for rejecting any they should have received. No piece has yet been printed, by the rejection of which the managers have betrayed their trust, or neglected their duty to the public. There may be such pieces in manuscript, but, if there are, the most effective way of avenging the author on the manager is to print them, for the voice of the public would instantly and effecturally do justice to the writter...by compelling the representation.' Shebbeare was Joseph Pittard?]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Beard's Night. Charges. #64 5s., Balance to Beard #198 12s. (Account Book). Got but a bad place in the 2s. Gallery at Covent Garden where I saw Love in a Village with the Citizen...At the end of Act 2, we had the dance of the Female Archer, by Mad LaRiviere, Miss Wilford, &c. with Miss Pope of the other House. Ought to be particularly encouraged because she is virtuous. Mr Elliot has sold her to Cumberland (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #262 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Maid of the Mill oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of indisposition of a principal performer. Rec'd of Mr Leverton (bricklayer), for overdrafts on the theatre #67 18s. 6d. and of Sarjant for Timber used at the houses in Bow St. and Hart St., charged to the Theatre account #16 14s. Paid Sarjant for part of a #5 2s. 6d. bill for Ironmonger's work done for the house in Bow Passage #1 12s. (Account Book). Receipts: #148 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Paid printer's bill #9 6s (Treasurer's Book). The New Tragedy of Dido, for Benefit of the author, is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Thursday next. Receipts: #229 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Had no intention of going to the play, but seeing Garrick was to play Lord Chalkstone, I (after hearing Mr Romaine's Lecture on the chapter which contains ye Destruction of Sodom) went before 9 to ye right-side door of ye Pit. The doorkeepers said, --No Room. Saw that ye Canopy, Yeomen, &c. would prevent my seeing. They desired me if I could not get in at ye other door to come back. Found a number of people waiting there and at ye door of the First Gallery; so went back, entered and stood in ye same disagreeable situation I did last night. But I saw the inimitable Garrick very well. [Comments on excellence of whole cast.] Scarcely cool now past eleven o'clock. Ye King and Queen, Princess of Brunswick, Louisa, and all that Tribe were at dl tonight (Neville MS Diary)