Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I incidental to the Tragedy, a Grand Masquerade. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] Afterpiece: With the Fantoccini, as 30 Oct. ["In the late performance of this play at Covent Garden theatre, we perceive that this objection [i.e. Romeo and Juliet in III. v standing on the stage] is removed; the principal part of the scene is spoken from a balcony...The grand funeral dirge is introduced with magnificence and ostentation. A long procession of monks, friars, &c., accompanied with music, is made to passover the stage. But what end is all this farce and shew to answer?...We must rather laugh at so much pomp and expence bestowed on Juliet. If there is any distress stirring, the candle-snuffers and scene-shifters, who assist as chief mourners, have it all to themselves" (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1797, p. 293). Receipts: #197 3s. 6d. (193.5.6; 3.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Fontenelle. Public Advertiser, 14 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Fontenelle at her house, No. 271, Holbourn. 2nd piece: Compressed into 3 short Acts. "Miss Fontenelle...is the best Romp we ever saw, Mrs Jordan alone excepted...We were sorry to see [her] fall over the groove of the scene; but as practice is more forcible than precept, we hope it will teach her the truth of Friar Lawrence's caution, 'they stumble who run fast'" (Diary, 4 May). Receipts: #219 19s. (133.14.6; 6.8.6; tickets: 79.16.0)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Chambers. Receipts: money #49 1s.; tickets #99 15s

Event Comment: [Seymour is identified in European Magazine, Oct. 1787, p. 315. Address by Edward Hickey Seymour (London Chronicle, 4 Oct.).] "The clock striking two -instead of the usual folly of a small table bell, when Macbeth's drink was ready -forms an alteration of much good sense and propriety" (World, 2 Oct.). "Of the Lady Macbeths [since the time of Garrick] Mrs Siddons has exhibited the most happy effect of her skill -has shown a portrait of Lady Macbeth which before existed but in imagination. Mrs Yates claims the second place of eminence; her deportment and manner were equal to Mrs Siddons, but very inferior to her in pathos and energy. Mrs Pope's performance lays claim to praise, particularly in the sleeping scene, but there is a certain delicacy and tenderness associated with the powers of that lady which prevents her giving a glowing picture of that female fiend. Mrs Bates's performance was sufficiently marking and bold in some passages, but the whole wanted uniformity and finishing" (Public Advertiser, 4 Oct.). Receipts: #225 (224.5; 0.15)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross and Mrs Vincent. Receipts: money #30 14s.; tickets #100 10s

Event Comment: Benefit Kelly, Gwinn, Mrs Harrison. Receipts: money #18 3s. 6d.; tickets #171 19s

Event Comment: Benefit Hild. Bullock and Mrs Wall. Receipts: money #27 15s. 6d.; tickets #67 9s

Event Comment: Benefit Moreau, Mrs Moreau, Papillion. Receipts: money #36 5s.; tickets #59 1s

Event Comment: Benefit DuPre and Mrs Pelling. By Command of his Royal Highness. Receipts: money #43 6s. 6d.; tickets #93 9s

Event Comment: Benefit a Gentlewoman [Mrs Steed] and her Daughter. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. Receipts: money #20 16s.; tickets #104 8s

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Horton. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; tc 5]: Altered from [The Picture, by Philip] Massinger [by Henry Bate; incidental music by William Shield. Prologue by William Pearce (see text)]. With New Dresses, Scenery, &c. Afterpiece: Written by O'Keeffe. London Chronicle, 10 Nov., prints the words of the Chorus, and also of a song sung by Quick, Poor Hillario, once so jolly, and of one sung by Mrs Martyr, Would you view the loveliest rose. Receipts: #209 16s. (205/3; 4/13)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four o'clock. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years [acted 15 May 1782]. Afterpiece: Not acted these 5 years [not acted since 25 Mar. 1775]. [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Banquo to Bensley, but "Poor Bensley's illness last night took him off; but on another night he will give and take in the triumph" {Public Advertiser, 4 Feb.). In afterpiece he is assigned to The Guardian. On the Kemble playbill in both cases his name is deleted and MS annotations substitute Hull's.] "Macbeth at Drury-lane will. . . gag the drivellers who, on the failure of Constance [in King John], ventured a sweeping prophecy of condemnation that 'the Siddons never could play Shakespeare.' Would it not have been better to have borrowed Farren, rather than Hull, for Banquo?" (Public Advertiser, 4 Feb.). "'Why,'say some of the critics, 'should Mrs Siddons wear a white dress in her last scene of Lady Macbeth? She is supposed to be asleep, not mad.' What reason except custom can be given for a mad heroine appearing in white we know not [and see DL, 20 Dec. 1782]. Yet there is an obvious reason why a person walking in their sleep should wear a white dress of the loose kind worn by Mrs Siddons ... It [is] the nearest resemblance which theatrical effect will admit, to the common sort of night-dresses" (Public Advertiser, 7 Feb.). Receipts: #346 16s. (198/10/0; 7/2/6; 0/8/6; tickets: 140/15/0) (charge: free)