Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Jordan. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four. Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard (later) Sir Richard? Ford. Kemble Mem.: Altered by R. Ford from the Humourous Lieutenant. Epilogue by Henry William? Bunbury. Larpent MS 894; not published]: Altered from Beaumont and Fletcher (recte Fletcher alone). Oracle, 25 Feb.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Jordan at her house, No. 14, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Receipts: #346 8s. 6d. (102.18.0; 13.5.0; 3.6.6; tickets: 226.19.0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: Miss Hopkins first time Maria --well receiv'd Mrs Abington Spoke a New Epilogue in Character of Philly Nettletop great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Bate's bill for composing The Theatrical Candidates #32 11s. Receipts: #124 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Chambers, Fawcett & Mrs Colles. Receipts: #241 18s. (31.13.0; 11.12.6; 0.10.6; tickets: 198.2.0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 5 years [acted 24 Nov. 1791]. "Fawcett is unfortunate in his laugh, which is forced and affected, as if it were more the result of some specific direction acting on his memory, than of any combination of ludicrous images excited in his mind" (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1795, p. 123). Receipts: #170 12s. (168.8.6; 2.3.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece: By Desire. Benefit for Holland. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. House Charges #67 1s. 6d. [Profit to Holland #201 8s. 6d.] Tragedy (never performed) written in the manner of Shakespeare [by Joseph Reed]. Rec'd stopages 16s. 6d. Paid salary list #294 2s. 8d.; Chorus singers 1 night #2 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #268 10s. (Treasurer's Book). To see Dido, a Tragedy in Shakespere's style, performed for the first time, with Daphne and Amintor. This piece is the production of a Ropemaker of Chadwick, and being refused by the managers, was given to Holland to be played for his benefit. It went off with considerable applause and is by desire to be performed again. Powel and Yates were good in Aeneas and Dido. Holland played Narbel, Havard Bilias, and Bensley Anchises. We had a prologue spoken by King and an Epilogue spoken by Mrs Abington. Before the play began, by the light of my wax taper read No. 1564 of the London Chronicle, in which was Night' a pretty good ode (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs King. Paid Paccini in lieu of benefit #80 (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: With a Medley Overture of favourite Sea-Tunes. Receipts: #78 9s. 6d. Charges: #67 16s. Profits to Mrs King: #10 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Jordan. Part of the Pit [9 rows (World, 23 Mar.)] to be laid into the Boxes. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, probably by Isaac Bickerstaffe, but also ascribed to Mrs Jordan and to Richard Ford. Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1799]. Kemble Mem.: The Farce is written by Mr Bickerstaffe. World, 29 Apr. 1790: The Spoil'd Child was sent to Mrs Jordan from Bickerstaffe in Italy, where her fame had reached. Public Advertiser, 13 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Jordan at her house, No. 14, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Receipts: #352 18s. 6d. (137.13.0; 12.4.6; 1.7.0; tickets: 201.14.0) (charge: #111 6s. 11d.)

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: Benefit for Ackman and Mrs Bradshaw

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By particular Desire. Juliet by Mrs Morland from the Norwich Theater a thin small figure too long a waist--wants power has a small impediment in her Speech she may be useful but never Capital--Pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Mrs Morland the late Miss Westray (O. Smith) (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Paid 3 day's salary list at #76 14s. 1s. per diem, #230 2d. 3d.; Mrs Greville on note #21; Tallow chandler's 1st bill #24 8s. 5d.; Lampmen #2; Bill stickers #3 12s.; Handbills 8s.; Carpenter's Bill #13 3s. 10d.; Taylor's Bill #6 13s. 6d.; Mantua maker's Bill #4 6s. 2d.; J. Stevens 18s.; Mr King's extra salary #1 10s.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths #1; Painters salaries #14 2s.; Mr J. French on Acct #15 5s.; Hire of Violin &c. 7s.; candlemen #1 13s. (Treasurer's Book). [The following items of those listed among the above Saturday expenditures were constant. The averages and total payments for them will be given in the following table, and no further itemization of them will be made]: @Item: Weekly Average Total Season Payment@Lampmen #4 8s. #162 16s.@Billstickersers #2 14s. #99 18s.@Handbills 12s. #22 4s.@Carpenters #9 10s. #351 10s.@Taylors #9 5s. #342 10s.@Mantua Makers #3 #111@J. Stevens 18s. #33 6s.@Mr King (extra as a deputy Manager?) #3 #111@Mrs Abingtons Clothes #1 12s. 4d. #60@Painter's Bills #10 10s. #388 10s.@Candlemen & extras #8 14s. #313 4s.@ Neither Carver or Royee is listed this season, but the amount customarily paid them for the two preceding seasons is made this season as a constant outlay, but "To Painters." DeLoutherbourg receives his first payment 14 Oct.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bellamy. Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. "Mrs Bellamy was too much frightened to speak the address [written by Charles Stuart (European Magazine, May 1785, p. 354)], and Miss Farren spoke it--Mrs Bellamy herself added some few words in prose" (Genest, VI, 342). But Stuart's address was abandoned, and in its place Miss Farren spoke one written by Alexander Bicknell (Gentleman's Magazine, June 1785, pp. 449-50). This occurred at the end of the play; following the address the curtain rose, and Mrs Bellamy "succeeded in muttering a few words, expressive of her gratitude" (Reynolds, I, 282-83). [This was Mrs Yates's last appearance in London. In July of this year she was acting in Birmingham (Morning Chronicle, 18 July). Mrs Bellamy's last appearance on the stage was at CG, 1 June 1780.] Receipts: #306 4s. (188/1/0; 13/3/6; 0/14/6; tickets: 104/5/0) (charge: #113 8s. 10d.)

Event Comment: Paid four days salary at #82 3s. 1d. per diem-#328 12s. 4d.; Mrs W. Barry's half Salary #1 3s. 4d.; Mr Inchbald on note #20; Messrs Griffith and Atkins to make up salary #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #214 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Public Advertiser, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, No. 44, corner of Broad-court, Drury-lane. Receipts: #218 2s. 6d. (50/14/0; 32/11/0; 0/9/6; tickets: 134/8/0) (charge: #105 15s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Dignum and Mrs Wilson. Public Advertiser, 2 May: Tickets to be had of Dignum, Little Wild-street, Drury-lane; of Mrs Wilson, No. 2, Catherine-street, Strand. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. Receipts: #301 19s. 6d. (33/5/0; 15/19/0; 1/2/6; tickets: 251/13/0) (charge: #108 15s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. To prevent Confusion, Ladies and Gentlemen are desired to send their Servants by Half past Four o'Clock. Mainpiece: In I The Cardinal's Banquet. In II the Court for the Trial of Queen Katharine. In V a Grand Procession to the Christening of Princess Elizabeth. Morning Herald, 7 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, No. 49, Great Marlborough-street. Receipts: #493 16s. (258.15.6; 25.13.0; 1.16.0; tickets: 207.11.6) (charge: #159 8s. 10d.)

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: Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Mrs Hall (b[ox-keeper]), Warwhick, Robson (p[it door-keeper]), W. Ansell, W. Linton, West, Purkins, Standen, Ashwin, Hill, Morris will be admitted. Receipts: #334 0s. 6d. (35.18.0; 3.13.0; tickets: 294.9.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Johnstone. 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1]. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2, by Walley Chamberlain Oulton. In it the playbill assigns Jack Hopeful to Fawcett, but text (George Cawthorn, 1798) has note: The part of Jack Hopeful, intended for Mr Fawcett, was, on account of that gentleman's severe indisposition, obligingly read by Mr Knight, who afterwards performed it (see 17 May)]. Times, 20 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Johnstone, No. 19, Piazza, Covent-garden. Receipts: #440 13s. (192.13.0; 4.0.6; tickets: 243.19.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Farley, Mrs Chapman & Mrs Mills. 1st piece: Not acted these 3 years. 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1]. 3rd piece: With Alterations and Additions. Not acted these 20 years [acted 29 Oct. 1781.] Receipts: #313 12s. 6d. (95.13.0; 3.1.6; tickets: 214.18.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not played for 20 years. Afterpiece: By Desire. The Play very dull Little Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Reddish. Theatrical Review, 28 March: The plot of this piece is taken from a well known passage in history, which, however, is too barren of incidents for the support of a piece of 5 acts, on which account it is rather languid and tedious, notwithstanding the language in general is tolerable poetical. What could induce Mr Reddish to revive so dull a performance, after it had been neglected for 20 years, we cannot conceive, unless it was with a view of having an opportunity to rant a few speeches in favor of liberty; but (as the piece was miserably represented except in the characters of Timoleon and Eunesia) we think Mr Reddish extended his liberty a little too far with the public; for which neither his Occasional Prologue, the Solemn Sacrifice, nor the Epilogue spoken by Miss Younge, made sufficient atonement. Paid 4 days salary #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths Acct #1; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s. (Treasurer'sBook). Receipts: #205 16s.; Charges: #67 6s. 6d.; Profit to Reddish: #138 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Aickin. The Tragedy of All for Love, which was to have been performed this evening, is oblig'd to be changed, on account of the indisposition of Mrs Barry and Miss Younge; therefore Mr Aickin humbly hopes that his friends will accept of the Tempest in its stead. Tickets deliver'd for All for Love will be taken. Paid extra flute and hautboy 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Aickin did not act (Winston MS 10). [This month published The Sentimental Spouter; or, Young Actor's Companion. The whole comprising the essence of theatrical delivery, and the beauties of dramatic poetry. Price 1s. 6d. Printed for Wheble (Gentleman's Magazine Register).] Receipts: #123 14s. 6d. Charges: #74 14s. Profit to F. Aickin: #49 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Provoked Husband and Rival Candidates was given out for Tuesday. On Sunday Morning Mrs Yates sent word she was ill and could not play--sent to Miss Younge, and she sent word that she was ill in bed--King sent word he had a sore Throat, and could not play--so that we could do no Play but the Committee and Rival Candidates. On Monday the Managers met, but nothing was settled. At twelve o'clock Mrs Baddeley sent word she had a sore Throat, and could not play in the Riv[al] Can[didates] (Hopkins Diary). The Hypocrite and The Christmas Tale are obliged to be deferred. "[Smith] has a good figure, is gentlemanlike, and decent in everything he undertakes. When we allow that, we have said all; he wants both feeling to be affected, and powers to convey his feelings, if he had them. In fine, in spite of all the partiality of his friends, or the ignorant prejudices of those who never judge but at second hand, his performance of Richard was little more than a strong union of judgement and industry, unaided by nature. He should woo genteel Comedy oftener; and not that coy sister of hers, who certainly holds Smith at the point of her lance" (London Magazine, Oct. 1776, p. 511). Receipts: #186 18s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Part of the Pit will be laid into Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by Half past Four o'clock. Public Advertiser, 10 Dec: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, No. 149 in the Strand. [The most famous "point" in this play was the parting of Belvidera and Jaffier in Act III, and her words, "Remember twelve!" Boaden, Siddons, 1, 354, refers to Mrs Siddons's "querulous melancholy of tone, partaking of doubt, though still hoping for the best," in uttering these words.] Receipts: #335 5s. (157/15/0; 4/0/6; 0/12/6; tickets: 172/17/0) (charge: free). [Thus, officially, the Account-Book, but Mrs Siddons's total profit, from presents and from additional sums being added by her admirers to the usual price of her tickets, was, according to Public Advertiser, 25 Dec, over #800. This figure is almost certainly an accurate reckoning.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Richard Cumberland. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Public Advertiser, 14 Dec. 1784: This Day is published The Carmelite (1s. 6d.). "We never saw [Kemble] wandering to the audience; he never turned his eye around for applause when he had closed an animated period, nor ever entertained his intervals of silence with glances at the side-boxes, like some of his contemporaries, not to mention the great Palmer, nor Davies, &c." This behavior "he has so happily caught from Mrs Siddons" (Public Advertiser, 22 Dec.). Receipts: #233 17s. (216/15/0; 16/10/6; 0/11/6)