Event Comment: Books of the Songs [in mainpiece] to be had at the Theatre. [London Chronicle, 19 Oct. lists the new songs: in Act I Charming Clorinda by Bowden; in Act II When spring has chac'd the winter's snow by Mrs Wells and When generous wine by Bowden; in Act III The morn, who night adorning and Bright Sol now darts by Mrs Billington.] Receipts: #284 18s. 6d. (283.7.6; 1.11.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Altered from Beaumont and Fletcher. Not acted these 3 years. [The playbill assigns Abigail to Mrs Webb, but "an apology being made for Mrs Webb, who was indisposed, Mrs Platt undertook to read the part" (Public Advertiser, 26 Feb.). Afterpiece in place of The Farmer, advertised on playbill of 23 Feb.] Receipts: #162 15s. (155.17; 6.18)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Crouch. Public Advertiser, 30 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Crouch, No. 56, Tichfield-street, Oxford-street. Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years.The original Music composed by William? Jackson, and several additional songs. Afterpiece: Not acted these 3 years [not acted since 14 May 1783]. Receipts: #226 9s. 6d. (76.14.0; 24.9.0; 2.11.6; tickets: 122.15:0) (charge: #109 12s. 5d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Bernard. 1st piece: Not acted these 8 years [acted 7 May 1784]. 3rd piece: In 2 acts [i.e. abridged from the original 5]. Receipts: #243 3s. 6d. (99.4.0; 4.4.6; tickets: 139.15.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [Kemble Mem.: Miss Farren refused to act this night because she didn't like her Dress. Mrs Goodall play[ed] the Widow Bellmour for her.] Receipts: #118 18s. (73.17.0; 40.3.0; 3.5.6; tickets not come in: 1.12.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Part of the Pit [9 rows (London Chronicle, 5 Apr.)] will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four. Morning Chronicle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, No 49, Marlborough-street. Receipts: #412 11s. (212.2.0; 10.18.6; 0.0.6; tickets: 189.10.0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Bernard. Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, author unknown. Larpent MS 909; not published]: With proper Scenery, Dresses, and Decorations. The Music entirely new, composed by M. P. King. Morning Chronicle, 20 May: Tickets to be had of Bernard, No. 35, Bow-street. Receipts: #299 2s. 6d. (120.10.6; 11.8.0; tickets: 167.4.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Webb. "The Jerry Sneak of the younger Bannister [whose 1st appearance in that part was at dl, 5 Apr. 1791] is comic perfection--the purity of his Cockney dialect, the inanity of his laugh, and the diverting nonsense of his Duckies, convulsed the audience with their odd effect" (Oracle, 18 Aug.). Oracle, 3 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Webb, No. 19, Catherine-street, Strand

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Jessica to Mrs Bland, but "an apology was made stating the indisposition of Mrs Bland, and requesting that Miss Heard might be permitted to perform Jessica, which was agreed to" (Thespian Magazine, Apr. 1793, p. 243). In afterpiece the playbill assigns Mrs Matadore to Mrs Hopkins, but "Benson informed the audience that owing to a mistake in the bills, Mrs Hopkins's Name had been inserted instead of Mrs Booth's (ibid).] Receipts: #139 11s. (136.12; 2.19)

Event Comment: [For Mrs Cary see 4 and 10 Oct.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pope. 1st piece: Not acted these 5 years. Morning Chronicle, 15 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Pope at her house, Half Moon-street, Piccadilly. Receipts: #412 14s. (255/19; 6/18; tickets: 149/17)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow of the Late Mr Farren [who had died on 9 May]. Morning Herald, 11 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Farren, No. 85, Gower-street, Bedford-square. Receipts: #391 6s. (104.8; 8.3; tickets: 278.15)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Mountain. 2nd piece: Engagement and Funeral Processionv as 6 May. Morning Herald, 18 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Mountain, No. 6, York-street, Covent Garden, Receipts: #245 18s. 6d. (89.18.0; 6.15.0; tickets: 149.5.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Richardson and Mrs Davenport. 1st piece: Not acted these 20 years [acted 9 Oct. 1778], and compressed into one Act. [Miss Hay, whose 1st appearance on the stage was at Richmond, 15 Sept. 1792, is identified in Thespian Dictionary, 1805, under Mrs Litchfield.] Receipts: #234 5s. (69.1.6; 2.6.6; tickets: 162.17, of which Richardson sold 84.0, and Mrs Davenport 78.17)

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the Fund, established for the Relief of those Performers who, through Infirmity, shall be obliged to retire from the Stage. The Theatrical Fund was established in 1765, under the auspices of the late Mr Beard and Mrs Rich; and received the sanction of Parliament in 1776. There are now, and have been for more than 20 years, several Annuitants supported by it, chiefly families and widows. Yet notwithstanding it has been so long set on foot, the interest arising from the Funded Capital has never been equal to defraying one half of the annual disbursements. The deficiencies have been continually supplied by progressive weekly contributions from the performers. When this is considered, it is respectfully presumed the generosity of a British Public will be exerted this night in favour of so liberal and beneficial an institution. Thomas Hull, Treasurer. Tickets to be had of Hull, Treasurer to the Institution, No. 7, Duke's-Court, near Dean's Yard, Westminster. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 20 years [not acted since 29 Apr. 1774]. "In the scene where Varanes kills himself, Kemble...was peculiarly striking. His manner of sheathing the sword in his body, after he has exclaimed, 'I feel the art'ry where the life-blood lies! It heaves against the point!-Now-Oh ye gods!' astonished us; and we turned, with horror, from the sight" (Monthly Visitor, Feb. 1797, p. 161). "I asked [Mrs Siddons] in which part she would most wish me to see her? She named Portia in the Merchant of Venice; but I begged to be excused...Mrs Siddons's warmest devotes do not hold her above a demigoddess in comedy. I have chosen Athenais;...her scorn is admirable" (Walpole [15 Jan. 1788], XIV, 42). Receipts: #231 9s. (175.2; 54.14; 1.13)

Event Comment: On account of Mrs Crouch's sudden Indisposition, the new Musical Entertainment called A Friend in Need [advertised on playbill of 6 Feb.] is obliged to be deferred till Thursday. Receipts: #167 8s. (101.14.0; 61.13.6; 4.0.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Powell. 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1, author unknown. MS not in Larpent MS; not published]: Founded on a recent fortunate Event [the escape of Sir William Sidney Smith from The Temple, Paris, on 24 Apr. 1798 (European Magazine, June 1798, p. 395)]. With appropriate Scenery, and Machinery. [3rd piece in place of The Children in the Wood, advertised on playbill of 19 May.] Times, 15 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Powell, No. 43, Craven-street, Strand. Receipts: #548 17s. (233.4.6; 61.4.6; 0.17.0; tickets: 253.11.0) (charge: #214 12s. 1d.)

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known. The edition of 1687 states on the title page: This may be printed, April 23. 1686. It was entered in the Stationers' Register, 8 May 1686, under the title: The Disappointed Marriage; or, Ye Generous Mistris. It was probably first given before mid-April 1686, with the publication delayed, a delay accounting for the fact that Mrs Percival, who did not marry Mountfort until 2 July 1686, appears in the cast as Mrs Mountford. A song, O love that stronger art than wine, the music by John Blow, the verse by Ousley, and sung by John Bowman, is in The Theater of Music, The Fourth Book, 1687

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 25-27 Aug. 1696, suggests that it was first acted not later than July 1696 and possibly in June 1696. In the edition of 1696 are two dialogues, set by Clarke, the words by Haynes, and sung by Bowen and Mrs Cross. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Cornish Comedy: No matter whose, 'twas Damn'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 28-30 April 1698, suggests a first performance in late March. The Songs, published separately, include: Come all ye shepherds, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Freeman. Let every shepherd bring his lass, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Magnus. Life is but a little span, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Young Bowin and Mrs Campion. Fond shepherd, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Pate. To pensive years resign your pining, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Young Bowen. Look down, set by Daniel Purcell and sung by Pate. Dedication, edition of 1698: I have no Reason to complain of the Success it had on the Stage. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: Damn'd

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Martin. Tickets for Wednesday 4 taken

Event Comment: Benefit Bewley, Gallant, Mrs Keene, Mrs Atkins. Receipts: money #11 12s.; tickets #140 11s

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Morgan. At the particular Desire of a Person of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Sandham and Mrs Pullen. Afterpiece: A Pastoral Ballad of one Act. [Author not known. Apparently not published.