Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Brunton. Mainpiece [1st time in London; T 5, by Frederick Reynolds, 1st acted at Bath, 3 Dec. 1785. In 1795 reduced to 3 acts. Prologue and Epilogue by William Meyler (Town and Country Magazine, Apr. 1786, p. 215]. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Morning Chronicle, 17 Feb.: Tickets to be had of Miss Brunton, No. 5, George-street, York-buildings. Receipts: #350 17s. 6d. (210/11/0; 3/1/6; tickets: 137/5/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed there. "Kemble should endeavour to amend a habit he has contracted of running too much about the stage--the expression of his countenance, which is well worth watching, is frequently lost to the spectator, from the difficulty in following him through all his windings and turnings" (Morning Chronicle, 27 Mar.). Receipts: #205 4s. 6d. (179/7/0; 24/17/6; 1/0/0)

Event Comment: [As afterpiece the playbill announces The Humourist, but it "could not be played, owing to Mrs Hopkins's indisposition, an event of which the house had been timely informed, and consequently had no reason to be displeased. The Englishman in Paris was the proposed substitute, but the audience being clamorous, it could not be represented" (Morning Herald, 3 Apr.).] Paid Miss Farren in lieu of a benefit #150. Receipts: #200 16s. 6d. (177/9/0; 21/17/6; 1/10/0)

Event Comment: [A detailed account of all three pieces appears in Sophie v. la Roche, Sophie in London, 1933, pp. 93-95. The theatre is described as seeming "exceptionally small, but it is very prettily painted in blue and white; the boxes, as in Paris, are open and everything is well lit." In 3rd piece "A twelve-year-old girl dressed as a poor boy who walks around with a bundle of rushes, straw and reeds to patch up old chairs, then really sits down to work on one, sang and played unusually well; indeed, was obliged to give two encores; the third time, however, announced with dignity and candour that it would not be possible, and that she feared she might be unable to take her part the next day; which would grieve her excessively, as she liked having her modest talents appreciated and applauded. Everyone clapped and praised her aloud. She is beuatiful, and deserves to be the nation's darling, and will certainly become a great actress, competent to keep her voice, gesture and features in complete control, never using her talents wrongly or producing exaggerated effects."]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years [and in place of Every Man in his Humour, announced on playbill of 28 Oct.]. Receipts: #184 4s. (148.6; 34.17; 1.1)