Event Comment: This play is alter'd by Mr Cumberland was very well receiv'd Mr & Mrs Barry play'd very well Alcibiades was perform'd by Mr Crofts being his first appearance upon any Stage bad figure bad voice & Play'd bad (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Decorations &c. Mr Crofts-a stationer in the Temple (Winston MS 10). Theatrical Review, 4 Dec.: We think ourselves oblig'd to declare that this gentleman (Crofts), by no means answered the expectations we had formed, from the accounts we had heard of him.--His voice is not bad, though it is not much above the level of common conservation; --his deportment is aukward and void of grace to an extreme; and he labors under the disadvantage of having a face destitute of expression. His gestures are extremely ungraceful, and the whole of his execution is glaringly untutored, and misconceived. His persons is very ill formed, and therefore it makes greatly against him, especially as he is the representative of Alcibiades, who was the handsomest man in all Athens, and we never remember any one's attempting to set out as a capital performer with so few requisites for the support of such an undertaking as this gentleman appears to have. Paid Dr Nares & Mr Cooke's 8 boys in the Garter, 12 nights (30th ult. incl.) #36; Master Brown 7 nights (2nd inst. incl.) #2 12s 6d.; Licence for Timon, #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [Larpent MS 328 of Cumberland's Timon, is one of the earliest to include scenic descriptions: "A Hall in Timon's House. The Flat Scene represents stately Folding Doors. Scene two, the Back scene is hastily drawn back and discovers a magnificent Levee Room or Salon. &c."] Receipts: #243 1s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Timanthes and the Citizen oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of Indisposition of Mrs Yates and Mrs Mattocks. Benefit for the increase of a Fund, for the support of such actors and their families who through age or infirmity are oblig'd to retire from the stage (playbill). Charges #70 12s. 6d. Profit to the Fund #68 1s. 6d. plus [apparently] #10 from sale of 40 Box Tickets (Account Book). Receipts: #138 14s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mr Grist made his first appearance upon any Stage in the Character of Othello his figure is well enough, a good Voice and powerful, when he knows how to manage it-he is Awkward-but it was a very good first appearance, and if there is proper care taken of him, he may make an Actor (Hopkins Diary). Paid 2 extra flutes #2 10s.; 1 suit Brocade cloaths #12 12s.; Mrs Brereton, 4 nights not on list, #3 6s. 8d. Receipts: #220 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Cargill. Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years [not acted since 24 Apr. 1776]. Receipts: #195 13s. 6d. (71.11.0; 29.17.0; 1.1.6; tickets: 93.4.0) (charge: none listed)

Event Comment: Benefit for Davies. Public Advertiser, 19 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Davies, Great Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #193 17s. (145.12; tickets: 48.5) (charge: #105)