Event Comment: This tragedy was wrote by Mr Dow,--went off but So, so.--some hisses thro' the play, and at the end also when given out.--The scenery and dresses was very fine, was well adapted, and had applause.--Miss Younge played very bad, and much disliked--Mr Holland and Mr Aickin played well (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [The Prologue is Larpent MS 289. It follows in content the suggestions of the Prologue to the Orphan of China ten seasons earlier:@"Too much the Greek and Roman chiefs engage@The Muse's care--they languish on our stage;@The modern bard struck with the vast applause@Of ancient masters, like the painter draws@From models only.--Can such copies charm@The Heart, or like the glow of Nature warm?@To fill the scene, tonight our author brings@Originals at least, --Warriours and Kings,@Heroes who like their Gems, unpolish'd shine,@The mighty fathers of the Tartar line,@Greater than those whom classic pages boast,@If those are greatest who have conquored most."@ An account of the plot of the mainpiece is in Lloyd's Evening Post, 16-19 Dec. Concludes: The play is said to have been written by Mr Dow, who lately favored the public with an accurate History of the Hindoos. The decorations and dresses were very magnificent. The performers who were the most distinguished by the audience were Mr Holland, Miss Younge, Mr Aickin, and Mr Jefferson. Mr Holland spoke the Prologue and Mrs Abington the Epilogue the latter of which furnished infinite entertainment, from the spirit and humour of that admirable actress. A Two column resume of the play appears in the Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.

Event Comment: Mainpiece by Command. Mrs Jefferson made her first appearance upon this Stage in Miss Grantham a Small figure not Handsome no Spirit & not at all like the Character. Some applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Masque of Alfred oblig'd to be deferr'd till Saturday next. Paid Mr Nicoll for lines #10 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #230 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Younge. Last time of performing till Easter. Mainpiece: Not acted these 5 years. [See 9 Nov. 1768.] Afterpiece: Never acted here (playbill). Part of pit laid into boxes. Ladies and Gentlemen requested to come early. Rec'd stopages #2 12s. 6d.; short charge for new farce on 8 March #10 10s.; Paid 4 days salary list #348 14s. 8d.; Mr King's extra salary #2; Mr S. Barry on note #100; Mr Cook's 4 boys 4 nights (the 7th incl.) #6 Mr J. French on acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #282 19s. 6d. Charges #64 17s. Profit to Miss Younge: #218 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by John O'Keeffe, altered from his The Banditti (see 28 Nov. 1781). Text in his Dramatic Works, Vol. 1 (T. Woodfall, 1798)]: With new Scenes [by Carver (O'Keeffe, u, 38)], Dresses, and a new Overture. The Selected Airs by Handel, Vento, Giordani, Giardini, Bertoni, Dr Arne, and Carolan, the Irish Bard. The Overture and New Airs composed by Dr Arnold. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [This was Sga Sestini's 1st appearance on the English-speaking stage. For several preceding seasons she had been a member of the Italian opera company performing at the King's.] "Sestini . . . was handsome, sprightly, and a good actress, if great exuberance of gesticulation, activity of motion, and affected Italian smorfie could make her one; but her voice was gritty and sharp (something like singing through a comb), and she was nothing of a singer, except for lively comic airs. Yet she was . . . long a favourite with the mass of the public, though not with the connoisseurs" (Mount-Edgcumbe, p. 33). Account-Book, 30 June 1783: Paid O'Keeffe in full for The Castle of Andalusia #368 18s. 6d. Receipts: #166 2s. 6d. (165/9/0; 0/13/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Fearon and Miss Ranoe

Event Comment: Benefit for Kelly. Afterpiece [1st time, MF 2, by Prince Hoare]: The Music chiefly composed by Storace; the Rest selected from Pleyel, Harington, Giordani, Gluck, &c. [text adds Gretry]. Account-Book, 16 Dec. 1790: Paid P. Hoare for the Copyright of No Song No Supper #63. Gazetteer, 2 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Kelly, No. 27, James-street, Covent-garden. Receipts: #273 5s. (125.19; 38.18, 2.2; tickets: 106.6) (charge: #109 19s. 4d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. 1st piece: Not acted these 8 years [acted 8 Nov. 1788]. 3rd piece: To conclude as 3 Oct. 1791. Morning Herald, 24 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, No.62, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields. Receipts: #336 19s. (95.15.6; 35.7.0; 2.15.0; tickets: 203.1.6) (charge: #168 4s.)