Event Comment: By Authority...will be presented a new Ballad-Opera [author unknown], 6:30 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Tickets to be had of Mrs Boyd, a Pamphlet Shop, in Leicester St. by Swallow St, opposite the Crooked Billet; at Mrs Gearing's@Toyshop near the Theatre; and at the Doors of the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit the author, Mrs Charke. 3s., 2s., 1s. 6 p.m. [On 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9 Feb. Mrs Charke had been advertising this puppet show of hers; however she names Daniel, Fawkes, Jones, Scott, and James in the cast and on the 9th says author of the play. Afterpiece possibly not a puppet show.

Event Comment: Performance After the manner of an Oratorio Set by Mr Handel. Tickets will be deliver'd to subscribers on paying their subscription money, this day and every day following at Mr Handel's House in Brook Street, near Hanover Square, where attendance will be given from nine o'clock in the Morning till three in the afternoon. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no person to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each, First Gallery 5s.; Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. [Customary notice which will not be repeated.] Gallery opened at Four o'clock, Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Six. Mrs Delany to Mrs Dewes: There is a four-part song that is delightfully pretty...there was no disturbance at the playhouse. -Delany, Autobiography, II, 262. [Libretto by Congreve.

Event Comment: We hear that the play Venice Preserv'd is in Rehearsal at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, and is to be perform'd on Friday next; and that the part of Pierre will be attempted by a Gentleman who never appear'd on any stage before (General Advertiser). [This month was published A Letter to a certain Patentee, in which the Conduct of Managers is impartially considered, and a few Periods bestowed on those darlings of the Publick, Mr G k, Mr F te, Mrs P d, &c." Addressed to Rich it is criticism of his personnel policies as manager, with side comments on his morals, and some on his performances: of his Orpheus and Eurydice, the author agrees that three flaming scenes of Hell, now left out, should have been omitted from the beginning. The Serpent, however, generally behaves himself so well, that "I have had more real pleasure in his appearance than if he had been a living one." Dislikes his replacing Ryan with Hallam, dislikes his abuse of Mrs Pritchard, criticizes his casting Hippisley as Polonius, since Polonius requires more than Hippisley can give, the latter being able to act only in the comic way.

Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser: Last week the celebrated Mr and Mrs Lampe and Mrs Vincent arrived in Dublin from England

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Author. An apology made for Mrs Pritchard's hoarseness (Cross). Paid Calthorpe, makes 85 nights, #52 10s.; Paid Mrs Hobson for a tub 5s.; Norton 6 chorus #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Dan. French, Mrs Hyde and Mrs Knowles, Two Ale-Conners Widows. A Concert, etc. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. 6d. To beg1n at 6

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Abegg. At the Great Room, Dean St. Soho. Announced for 27 March but postponed because of indisposition of Mrs Abegg

Event Comment: [The first payroll of the season was met this night. It includes 91 actors, actresses and dancers, plus 36 named servants to the theatre and 4 groups (women dressers, charwomen, guards, and barbers). The pay period covered was for 3 days. It came to #168 2s. 6d. The highest paid actor for this period was Ross at #8 5s.; the highest paid actress, Mrs Yates at #8 6s. 6d.; the highest paid dancer, Fichar at #3. The lowest paid in each category were: actors: C. Smith and Hollingsworth at 7s. 6d. apiece; actresses, 11 who receiv'd 10s. each (Mrs Ferguson, Evans, White, Allen, Cockayne, &c.); Dancers: 11 who receiv'd 15s. apiece (male) and 2 (female) who receiv'd 12s. 6d. apiece. The highest paid servant listed was Stables at 15s., and the lowest the charwomen.

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Tickets and places to be taken of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door of the Theatre at Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. 6d. Second Gallery 2s. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at Half past Six. Theatrical Review (London, 1772), appendix, pp. 207-8: The Oratorios performed at this House were conducted by Messrs. Stanley and Smith, for their own emolument; the Managers of the theatre having had no Share of the profit arising from these performances, nor any advantage, except a premium for the use of the house. Mr Stanley's musical abilities are well known. Mr Smith, was, if we are not mistaken, a pupil of the celebrated Mr Handel's; and, we believe, that Gentleman left Mr Smith the greatest part of his music, if not his whole library; so that Mr Smith may with great propriety claim the right of succeeding Mr Handel in the exhibition and conduct of his Oratorios, which he has undertaken (in conjunction with Mr Stanley) every since Mr Handel's death. Their band was composed of some of the most capital performers in this kingdom, and was led by Mr Ximenes. The vocal performers (exclusive of Chorus singers) were Mr Norris, well known to all lovers of Music, for his taste and delicacy of execution. Mr Parry (a Bass voice) from the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. This gentleman, though very young, has an extensive compass, and a great power of voice, and acquits himself with considerable reputation. Mrs Weichsel and Mrs Scott, of whom it would be superfluous and unnecessary to say anything, since their abilities are generally known. And lastly Signora Grassi, a performer of great merit. Theatrical Review, 6 March: This is Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode on St Cecelia's Day, and not an Oratorio, but performed as such...It contains many beauties and such as are worthy of Mr Handel's genius...Being much shorter than the usual length of oratorios, Mr Handel's celebrated Coronation Anthems were added in order to make the evening's entertainment of a proper length. Also a Solo on the Violincello by Mr Janson...lately arrived from Paris, said to have been a pupil of Mr Duport's but, though his taste and excution is very astonishing, we cannot give him the preference of his master. [See 13 April 1773.Charge seems to have been #28 per night plus expenses for oil, candles &c.

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes Half a Guinea. Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. To begin at 7:00 p.m. Director-Vento; Ballet Master-Bouqueton, A New Comic Opera. Music by the most celebrated masters. [The Public Advertiser on 13 Sept. (notice dated 9 Sept.) had inserted a plea from the managers of the Opera to the Nobility and Gentry to enter their names at the office for season subscriptions in order that their names might be engraved. The singers and dancers who had been engaged for the season: Serious Opera. First Man-Venanzio Rauzzini; First Woman-Caterina Gabrielli; Tenor-Onofrio; Second Man-Manzoletto; Second Woman-Francesca Gabrielli; Last Man-Vincenzo Sestini. Comic Opera: First buffo-Trebbi; First buffa-Sga Sestini; Serious Man-Manzoletto; Serious Woman-Francesca Gabrielli; Second buffo-Fochetti; Second buffa-Sga Cardarelli; Third buffo-Vincenzio Sestini; Ballet Master: Bouqueton. Dancers: Fierville, Palladini, Helm, Mlle Escoelil, Sga Tinti, Mlle Sophie. Managers: Mrs Yates and Mrs Brook; Treasurer-Crawford.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Newton, box-keeper. As Newton superintends the whole Performance of the Play, Farce and Interlude, the greatest care will be taken to gratify the taste of a most generous Public. Tickets to be had of Mrs Newton at the Seven Houses

Event Comment: Announced in Morning Chronicle, 6 Nov., as Benefit for Mrs Webb. A notice in the same newspaper, 8 Nov., states that the benefit was "declined" because of Mrs Webb's engagement at cg [q. v. 12 Nov.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bach (Widow of the late [J. C] Bach). Tickets, half a guinea each, to be had of Mrs Bach, at Zoffany's, Albemarle-street, near Piccadilly

Event Comment: [The plays originally intended to be acted on this night were The Man of the World and Rosina, both advertised on playbill of 18 Nov. The playbill for this night, however, announces Love in a Village, with Mrs Billington as Rosetta, and Barataria, and carries the note "On Account of the sudden Indisposition of Macklin, The Man of the World is obliged to be deferred." But a third change had to be made; in place of Love in a Village and Barataria were substituted The Conscious Lovers and Hob in the Well, occasioned by the sudden indisposition of Mrs Billington" (World, 20 Nov.).] Receipts: #158 3s. (150.14.6; 7.8.6)