Event Comment: Under the Patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Duke of Clarence, Duke of Cumberland, and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York [and] the Duchess of Devonshire and the Duchess of Gordon. Benefit for O'Keeffe, the Unfortunate Author of the following successful Dramatic Pieces: The Son in Law, Agreeable Surprise, Peeping Tom, Dead Alive, Young Quaker, Life's Vagaries, Castle of Andalusia, Czar, Tony Lumpkin in Town, Poor Soldier, Modern Antiques, Basket Maker, Wild Oats, Wicklow Mountains, French Grenadier [never acted], Positive Man, Love in a Camp, Tantara Rara Rogues all, Beggar on Horseback, Toy, London Hermit, Highland Reel, Blacksmith of Antwerp, Man Milliner, Irish Mimic, Little Hunchback, World in a Village, Fontainbleau, Magic Banner, Farmer, Doldrum, Sprigs of Laurel, Birth Day, Prisoner at Large, &c. &c. Tickets delivered for The Belle's Stratagem will be admitted. [O'Keeffe is referred to as being unfortunate because he was totally blind. In delivering his Poetical Composition, which is printed in Dramatic Censor, II, 265-67, the Monthly Mirror, June 1800, p. 367, reports that he was led on and off the stage by Lewis. It also notes that "Mrs Jordan...came from Drury-Lane, where she had performed the Child of Nature, to officiate at Covent-Garden as the handmaid of charity."] The Last Night of the Company's performing this season. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Not Acted these Thirty Years. Written originally in French by Moliere. Original Weekly Journal, 28 June: On Friday 7-Night one Mr Kelley, an Irish Gentleman, was kill'd by Mr Ryan, one of the Actors of Lincolns-Inn-Fields Theatre; the Accident happen'd thus: Mr Ryan being at the Sun-Eating House in Long Acre at Supper; Mr Kelley, who before had terrified several Companions by drawing his Sword upon Persons whom he did not know, came up into the Room drunk, and abused Mr Ryan, who returned him very civil Usage, and desired his Absence: This did not satisfie Mr Kelley, who drew his Sword, made three Passes at Mr Ryan, before he could get his own Sword, which lay by in the Window; at last finding his own Life in Danger, He drew and ran Mr Kelley in the left Side, who fell down and immediately died

Event Comment: Benefit Cibber. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late N. Rowe, Esq; Poet Laureat. Afterpiece: Taken from the French by the late Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Taken from Plautus and Moliere by Mr Fielding. Afterpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Newly Revis'd and AlterM N.B. The Reviser begs leave to observe, that tho' he thinks the Chief Characters in this Play, are drawn with a great deal of Life and Spirit; Yet that even in this very sprightly Play there are several very obvious Faults. That as the Character of the French Count, and that of the Irish Priest, are in no sort conducive to the Plot of the Play; they may therefore be look'd upon as superfluous: That the Parting of Sullen and his Wife, is extreamly unnatural; and that the Ending of the Play (with respect to Archer) is abrupt to a Degree, &c. &c. In order therefore to amend these Errors [he has revised the play]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere

Event Comment: Benefit for Bencraft and Mrs Vincent. Mainpiece: Containing the Memorable Battle of Agincourtv; with the total overthrow of the French Armyv; and many other historical passages. Tickets to be had of Mrs Vincent at the Cock and Turk's Head, in Bedford St., Covent Garden; of Bencraft at the corner of the Piazzas; and of Mr Page at the Stage Door of the Theatre

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets deliver'd by Mrs James will be taken. For ye Benefit of Mrs James, tho' her name was not put up, who is going to leave the Stage, and retire as said to a Nunnery. Mr Macklin's Oratory open'd at his house in ye Piazza (Cross). Public Advertiser 22 Nov.: At Macklin's Great Room in Hart St. Covent Garden this day...will be opened The British Inquisition. This Inquisition is upon the plan of the ancient Greek, Roman and modern French, Italian Societies@of@liberal@investigation...&c. First lecture to be on Hamlet. [See Mackliniana (2 Vols. Folger Shakespeare Library) MS notes by Isaac Reed, from the Public Advertiser, 22 Nov. Macklin's lecture series was repeated on 23, 28 Nov., 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28 Dec.] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: [R+Rich's Register lists The English Merchant.] Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #49 8s. 10d. Paid George Garrick for use of the managers #15 15s.; Paid French on account #20; Advanced to Granier on note #4 2s. 10d.; to Keen on note #4 4s. Rec'd stopages 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Sylas Neville (Neville MS Diary): With difficulty got into the Pit at Drury Lane, where I stood at the side so jambed up that I could not read the newspaper I carried: But I saw the play very well. It was Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, with the Farce of the Devil to Pay. Duke by Havard, Cacafago by Love, very well. Copper Capt. by Palmer, pretty well. Old woman pretty well by Mrs Baddeley, Astifania by Mrs Pritchard excellently, tho she is too old for the first part of this character. Leon inimitably by Garrick. I think he shows a good deal of Abel drugger, [both published and unpublished portions of the Neville Diary.] Receipts: #261 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid five days salary at #82 5d. per diem--#411 12s. 1d.; Paid Mr French on Acct #30; Miss Ambrose salary short paid 15s.; Mr J. Richard's for Trumpeter's coats and banners #100 16s.; Miss Hayward 15 nights not on [salary] list #7 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #109 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Serious part of the Entertainment Dull & heavy--Hopkins. Paid Supernumerary Soldiers & practices #2 6s. 6d.; Paid seven years sewer tax #13 9s. 4d.; Paid Mr Weston's note, per order Mr G. G. #12 5s. 5d.; Paid Mr Thos. French for painting 8 days to this day exclusive #3 4s.; Paid for license for Institution of the Garter #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 7 years. [See 18 Jan. 1765.] Paid Mr Asbridge for exchanging Kettle Drum Banners #4 4s.; Mr Wallis on note #2; Messrs Carver & Messink's Windsor Bill #3 11s. 4d.; Mr Thos French, 7 days-#2 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: An alteration by Cumberland from his Summer's Tale (Genest, V, 321). Theatrical Review, 14 Dec.: We confess we pitied the situation of the performers, who all exerted their utmost efforts to support it in the representation; but it is not the eminent abilities of a Vernon, a Parsons, a Hunt, or a Fitzgerald, that can render a piece worthy of notice, which has nothing interesting in it, and is absolutely devoid of merit. Paid Salary list, #501 3s. 6d.; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s.; Mrs Abington for cloaths #2; Rec'd stopages #13 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipt2: #128 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: N.B. The sixth night of the New Tragedy of The Grecian Daughter is oblig'd to be deferred till Monday. Paid 2 Clarinets 3 nights (22 Feb. incl.) #4 14s. 6d.; Paid 4 Days' salary at #83 9s. 9d.; #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct, #1; Mr S. French 6 days, #1 10s.; Extra soldiers, #1 4s.; Rec'd Mr Condill's 2nd payment for fruit office #20 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #156 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Afterpiece: By Desire. Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 15 Feb. 1770.] Paid salary list #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths acct #1; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #250 6s. 6d. Charges: #69 16s. Profits to Miss Pope: #180 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Mansell made her first appearance upon this Stage in Louisa Dudley She has a good face her figure rather Clumsey a hoarse Voice & not much Simplicity (Hopkins Diary). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine agrees Miss Mansell not too good as Louisa. Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly: "Miss Mansell's first appearance,--she played Louisa Dudley,--a slattern figure, rather clumsy,--a coarse voice,--and no simplicity,--very unfit for the character Hopkins Diary No 7."] Paid three day's salary list at #80 7s. 5d. per diem,-#241 2s. 3d.; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s.; Lampmen #2 12s.; Bill stickers #3 12s. Handbills 5s.; Candlemen #1 8s.; Mantua Maker #6 1s. 2d.; J. Stevens (Porter) 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #205 16s. 6d. [The constant payments are tabulated for the season as follows and will not be further itemized]: @Item Weekly Average Season Total Lampmen #3 #111@Bill Stickers #2 14s. #99 15s.@Handbills 12s. #21 12s.@Candlemen & extras #8 #296@Mantua Maker #4 5s. #150@J. Stevens 18s. #33 6s.

Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 4th Bill #41 6s. 5d.; Spermacetti Candles, #132 18s. Mr Tomlinson for Men's cloaths #11 11s.; Mr J. French on acct #20; Miss Hopkins, 15 nights (19th Dec. incl.) #3 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [The sixth edition of Wm. Law's Absolute Unlawfulness of Stage Representations was published this year (1st. edn. 1726) This day was published the Preliminary Number of the Westminster Magazine, which, monthly, included a section called The English Theatre, which observed generally on the state of the Stage, and commented specifically on new plays. Its view of the stage in general was not as sanguine as had been that of the writer for the Town and Country Magazine (1 April 1772). "We are of opinion, that the English Theatre is now in its decline. Whether it is that the stores of Dramatic Subjects or of Dramatic Genius are exhausted, is not immediately obvious; but there is a fault somewhere....We have seen the Morning star of Wit--the Noon too is past; we have now arriv'd at its evening...There is in Arts, as in Empires, a progress which leads to Refinement; and this refinement leads to Ruin." According to the writer the meridian glory of the English stage was during the reign of Queen Anne. Reviewer damns the Irish Widow, refuses to discuss the Gamesters (revived), damns the Rose and praises the Garrick alteration of Hamlet. This year also appeard Granny's Prediction, a 53-page pamphlet attack on Mrs Barry, condemning her on moral grounds (polygamy) and on aesthetic grounds, commenting on each of her characters. By a spiteful female relative Elizabeth Franchetti.] Receipts: #142 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. Mainpiece: By Desire. Rec'd stopages #12 7s. Paid salary list #566 6s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mrs Smith's Benefit for 2 May advertised as Cymbeline and a new Comic Opera (in 2 Acts) call'd the Wish. The Music entirely new, the principal characters by Vernon, Bannister, Davies, Mrs Wrighten and Mrs Smith. With a New Occasional Prologue spoken by King. [But this was changed on 27 April.] Receipts: #212 1s. Charges: #66 3s. Profits to Bannister #145 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Grimaldi and Hurst. Rec'd from Sinking Fund #420; from Stopages #11 7s. 6d. Paid salary list #564 16s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #166 16s. 6d. Charges: #70 19s. Profits to Grimaldi and Hurst: #95 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Queen Mab is reviv'd with Alterations and Additions particularly Grand New Scene with a Representation of a Regatta very well executed but is too much like The Naval Review (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Hopkins differs slightly. He also adds from the Public Advertiser, 13 Nov., The last grand scene is a Representation of the whole Regatta sailing by Ranelagh. That and the Red House were invented and drawn by Mr deLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, deRoy, Greenwood, and others."] Rec'd stopages #11 12s. 6d. Paid Salary list #626 16s. 6d. Receipts: #152 12s. (Treasurer's Book). [Fuller descriptions of the Regatta scene appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Nov.: The Scene affords a picturesque view of the Thames on the Surry Side to Ranelagh Gardens representing the procession of barges etc., of the different squadrons, previous to their landing the company. The effect produced by this united scenery and machinery was very pleasing; every barge appeared to be rowed to the time of the band of music which is supposed to be upon the water, and evepy man and oar keeps a regular stroke: the sky, flat behind, was finely designed and executed for the general relief, and disposition of the men and boats near shore, in the foreground, was beautiful and did the painter great credit. The whole concluded with a Tar 's song in character, by Mr Bannister, and a dance by sailors and their doxies.'

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not performed these 5 years. In 3 acts; altered from Dryden. [Both Kemble and Moss were from the Edinburgh theatre. Address by George Colman elder (European Magazine, ibid).] Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by Charles Dibdin. London Chronicle, 17 May, refers to it as "from the French"]: The Musick composed by Dibdin. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser. 7 July: This Day is published Harvest Home (1s.). Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice, at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years [acted 28 Dec. 1787. Toms is identified in Morning Herald, 22 Sept. 1795: A Mr Toms made a probationary essay last night in the character of Romeo. The bills erroneously announced it as his first appearance on this stage [cg]; for his unsuccessful attempt in Young Norval [i.e. Douglas], about five years ago, on the same boards, is perfectly within our recollection. London Chronicle, 22 Sept. 1795, also refers to Toms as Douglas. European Magazine, Oct. 1790, p. 305, gives the name as Turner, but in Oct. 1795, p. 273, states that Toms performed on one night only "a few years since."]. Afterpiece [1st time; BALL. P 2 (?), by James Byrne, based partly on his Nootka Sound, and in May 1793 agin altered as The Shipwreck; or, French Ingratitude. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of action in Diary, 5 Oct.]: A Ballet Pantomime, with new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Overture and Music compiled by Byrne, from Haydn, Rochefort, Pleyel, Gyrowetz, Reeve, Pieltain, Dibdin. The new Music by Shield. On account of some Scenes which are introduced from the Entertainment of Nootka Sound (performed last Season [on 4 June 1790]) Half Price will be taken. [This alludes to the custom of not llowing half-price during the run of entirely new pantomimes.] Paid Brodie, for Stoves for the Theatre, #19 8s. Receipts: #207 8s. 6d. (201.16.0; 5.12.6)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. It is not certain this is the first performance, but it may well have been. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@139, p. 125. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346. Pepys, Diary: Sir W. Pen and I to the Duke's house, where a new play. The King and Court there: the house full, and an act begun. And so went to the King's. Downes (p. 28): Sir Martin Marral, The Duke of New-Castle, giving Mr Dryden a bare translation of it, out of a Comedy of the Famous French Poet Monseur Moleire: He adapted the Part purposely for the Mouth of Mr Nokes, and curiously Polishing the whole....All the Parts being very Just and Exactly perform'd, specially Sir Martin and his Man, Mr Smith, and several others since have come very near him, but none Equall'd, nor yet Mr Nokes in Sir Martin: This Comedy was Crown'd with an Excellent Entry. In the Last Act at the Mask, by Mr Priest and Madam Davies; This, and Love in a Tub, got the Company more Money than any preceding Comedy

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Afterpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not Acted these thirty Years. Taken from the French of Moliere by Sir John Vanbrugh. [This version by James Ralph.] The Songs new set by John Frederick Lampe, and a new Grand Dance, in Grotesque Characters, proper to the Play. Afterpiece: a Farce of two Acts. Alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher. [Author unknown. Apparently not published.]