Event Comment: The data in Langhans, New Restoration Theatre Accounts, pp. 128-29, suggest that acting may have resumed by this day and continued to 9 June 1688. Because of the 1688 revolution, the circumstances of summer acting in 1688 are not clear

Event Comment: According to evidence given in litigation, the gross receipts of the theatres from 4 May 1682 to 3 Aug. 1692 were #103,988 5s. 7d.; the costs and charges came to #85,393 19s. 0d. The "Clear Profits" were #18,594 6s. 7d. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, pp. 288-89, who estimates that the receipts averaged, roughly, #50 per acting day

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Gentleman's Journal, February 1692@3 (issued in March) makes clear that it followed Congreve's play: We have had since a Comedy, call'd, The Wary Widow, or Sir Noisy Parrot, by Henry Higden Esq; I send by here the Prologue to it by Sir Charles Sedley, and you are too great an Admirer of Shakespeare, not to assent to the Praises given to the Fruits of his rare Genius (p. 61). The play was announced in the London Gazette, No. 2875, 29 May-June 1693. The music for one song, All hands up aloft, was by Berenclow, and the song appears in D'Urfey, Wit and Mirth, 1699. Dedication, edition of 1693: But now it is forced to beg for your Protection from the malice and severe usage it received from some of my Ill natured Friends, who with a Justice peculiar to themselves, passed sentence upon it unseen or heard and at the representation made it their business to persecute it with a barbarous variety of Noise and Tumult. Gildon, The Life of Mr Thomas Betterton (p. 20): The actors were completely drunk before the end of the third act, and being therefore unable to proceed with this "Pleasant Comedy," they very properly dismissed the audience

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and one in the Box at the Grove an Opera. 10s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Drama, p. 378. It is not known whether this performance was the premiere, but the publication of this work on 16 March 1699@1700 (Post Man, 14-16 March 1699@1700) suggests that if the usual month between premiere and publication intervened for this work, the premiere may have been in mid-February. On the other hand, a letter-see 20 Jan. 1699@1700-may refer to this work. The music was composed by Daniel Purcell. In Songs in the New Opera Called The Grove or Love's Paradice (1700) the following singers are listed: Mrs Irwin, Freeman, The Boy, Hughes, Mrs Lindsey, Pate, and Mrs Shaw. The Preface implies that the opera was a failure: As for the Persons who were not so generous...who thought the Catastrophe was not enough prepar'd, and that the discovery in the last Act was huddled and in confusion, they will now see if what he had writ had been spoken, every thing would have appear's clear and natural, which, to shorten the Entertainment had been before broken and disorder'd

Event Comment: [Mainpiece by Charles Boyle. Premiere.] Benefit Mrs Porter, who performs a part in it she never acted before. [Since Mrs Porter is not in the cast in the edition of 1703, the meaning of this statement is not clear.] At the Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Benefit Wilks. [According to Baggs, Wilks cleared #90 14s. 9d. at his benefit, and the receipts may have been #176 2s. 1 1!2d.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: [By Lewis Theobald.] The Cloaths, Scenes, Machines, Flyings, and otehr Decorations, Being entirely new. N.B. Tis desir'd that no Persons will take it ill, that they are refus'd Admittance behind the Scenes, it being impossible to perform the necessary Decorations, unless the Passages are kept entirely clear. Receipts: #174 8s. Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 23 Jan.: In which was shewn the boldest Piece of Machinery that ever yet was seen upon the Stage

Event Comment: DDaily Advertiser, 30 May: Some of the Patentees of [dl] having thought fit, at Midnight on Saturday last, to give a very extraordinary Instance of the Wisdom and Justice of their Conduct, and of their Capacity for the Management they had undertaken, did also in Justification of their Proceedings, publish and disperse on Monday last, a printed Paper, containing several unjust and false Suggestions and Misrepresentations almost in every Particular, of their own Conduct, and the Case and Intention of the present Company of Comedians, who, in humble Duty...do intend very speedily by plain Matters of Fact, to set the whole affair in a just and clear Light. [See 4 June for a statement by the Patentees.

Event Comment: In a letter to the Daily Post. 4 June, the Patentees of Drury Lane-Mary Wilks, John Ellys, Hester Booth, and John Highmore-stated the cast of the Patentees. The gist of their statement is: (1) They operate under a Patent commencing 1 Sept. 1732 which, by Deaths and Legal Assignments, is the property of the four, with Highmore possessing one half, at an expence of #6,000 and upwards. (2) Several of the Players have threatened to desert the service of the Patentees and have contracted with some of the Trustees (the Sharers) to secure possession of the Theatre. (3) Drury Lane is let upon lease from the Duke of Bedford, granted to Thomas Kynaston and Francis Stanhope, Trustees for the Sharers (commonly called Renters) of Drury Lane at the rent of #50 annually upon a Fine of 1,000 guineas paid for the renewal of the lease. (4) The Players, under the Patentees, have acted at Drury Lane for twenty-one years without any interruption form the Trustees upon the sole contract that the Patentees pay the Trustees #3 12s. each acting night, besides the Liberty of seeing Plays. (5) At the beginning of this Season the manager's office received a letter from a few of the Renters demanding an Advance of Rent. Highmore, being new, was concerned, and asked the managers to take care of the matter; and thereafter the signers (the Patentees) had heard of no further discontent among the Renters. (6) To defend themselves against stories of hardship or complaint by the actors, the Patentees point out that the following weekly salaries had been paid: Colley Cibber #12 12s.; Theophilus Cibber #5; Mills Sr, #1 daily for 200 days certain, and a benefit, clear of all charges; Mills Jr #3; Johnson #5; Miller #5; Harper #4; Griffin #4; Shepard #3; Hallam, for himself and his father, the latter of little or no service, #3; Mrs Heron #5; Mrs Butler #3. For these charges and others, the Patentees stand a daily expence of #49 when the theatre is open. (7) Further, the Patentees paid Cibber Jr his wife's whole salary without her being able to act the greater part of the winter, #9 weekly for the two; Mills Jr, in the same circumstances with his wife, #5 10s. weekly for the two; Miller a salary (amounting to #40) for eight weeks before he acted, and a gratuity of ten guineas; Griffin a present of ten guineas; Harper a present, amount not specified; Mrs Heron an increase form 40s. to #5 weekly, although she refused afterward to play several parts assigned her and acted but seldom

Event Comment: Particular Care will be taken to have Guards plac'd to keep all the Passages clear from the Mob

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mrs Centlivre. 'Tis humbly hop'd no Person will take it ill their being refused Admittance to the Music Room; the Dances depending greatly on the same being kept entirely clear. Receipts: #173 (Account Book); #200 (Rylands MS.). [King, Duke, and Princesses Amelia, Caroline, and Louisa present.

Event Comment: By Command of There Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Admission: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. 6d. No Latter Account will be taken. The Performance of the above Entertainment depending greatly on the Orchestra and the Stage being kept entirely clear, tis hoped no Persons will take it ill that they are refused Admittance behind the Scenes, it being impossible for the Scene-Men to make their Shifts and proper Changes, if they are interrupted by any Obstructions in the Passages. Receipts: #184 3s. 6d. (Account Book); #220 (Rylands MS.)

Event Comment: No after Money will be taken during the whole Concert. It is to be hoped no Gentleman will take it ill that they are refus'd admittance behind the Scenes, it being impossible to perform the Entertainment unless the Entrances are kept entirely clear. [This notice is repeated throughout the run of the pantomime.

Event Comment: RRylands MS: Old Cibber play'd Brute. [The preceding day's notice started this performance was By Command of his Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, although no such notice appears in the day's Bill. But the following note is included on the day's bill in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser.] By His Majesty's Command, no persons to be admitted behind the scenes, nor any money to be return'd after the curtain is drawn up. [Fleetwood made an earnest attempt this year to clear the stage for action. All notices up to this day contain the prohibition of members of the audience behind scenes as stated on the bill of 15 Oct. Hereafter the prohibition is enforced by His Majesty's Command.] Receipts: #182

Event Comment: The dances depending principally on the Musick-Room's being kept clear from all persons but the performers, 'tis desired that no Gentleman will take it ill, that they cannot be admitted therein. [Customary notice on every night the Rural Assembly was performed.

Event Comment: Written by George Duke of Buckingham. Never perform'd there before. Tis hop'd no Gentleman will take it ill if they are not admitted behind the Scenes, it being impossible to go through the Performance, if the Passages are not kept clear. Tickets at 4s., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d. [prices repeated for the run of this play]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: At the Desire of several persons of Quality. This month was published A Clear Stage and no Favour, or Tragedy and Comedy at War, occasioned by the Emulation of the Two Theatric Heroes David and Goliath, A 12 p. poem setting forth the appeals of Garrick and Quin. [Prophesies that in two years' time Quin will continue to be esteemed more than Garrick, the new favorite.

Event Comment: [Full column in Daily Advertiser describing Barry's and Mrs Macklin's acting techniques.] Barry from the Theatre in Dublin, perform'd the part of Othello, at Drury Lane, before a numerous and polite audience; and met with as great Applause as could be express'd.--General Advertiser, 6 Oct. Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole: You have probably been there since I left you, and consequently have seen the Mr Barry you desired some account of; yet as I am not certain of this and should be glad to know whether we agree about him, I will nevertheless tell you what he is, and the impression he made upon me. He is upwards of six feet in height; wdll and prortionably made, treads well and knows what to do with his limbs; in short a noble graceful figure. I can say nothing of his face but that it was all black, with a wide mough and good eyes. His voice is of a clear and pleasing tone, something like Delane's, but not so deep-mouthed, not so like a passing bell. When high strain'd it is apt to crack a little and be hoarse, but in its common pitch, and when it sinks into any softer passion, particularly expressive and touching. In the first scene, especially when he recounts to the Senate the progress of his love and the means he used to win Desdemona, he was quite mistaken, and I took a pique against him; instead of a cool narration he flew into a rant of voice and action, as though he were relating the circumstance of a battle that was fought yesterday. I expected nothing more from him, but was deceiv'd: in the scenes of rage and jealousy he was seldom inferior to Quin in the parts of tenderness and sorrow far above him. These latter seem to be his peculiarly; his action is not very various, but rarely improper, or without dignity, and some of his attitudes are really fine. He is not perfect to be sure, but I think may make a better player than any now on the stage in a little while. However, to see a man in one character, and but once, is not sufficient, so I rather ask your opinion by this, than give you mine.--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Thomas Gray, II, 6-7

Event Comment: By Command of Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales. A Free Benefit for Mrs Cibber. [Receipts: #117 15s. 6d. plus #149 5s. from tickets, a clear profit to Mrs Cibber of #267 0s. 6d.], Paid Servandoni on acct. #21. [Notice of 23 March about amphitheatre repeated.] Tickets deliver'd out for the 19th will be taken

Event Comment: On Thursday next Hamlet, the part of Hamlet by Barry. And on Saturday the Foundling. N.B.: All Places taken by Ladies and Gentlemen for the Foundling this night [Tuesday] will be continued for Saturday, unless notice is given to the contrary (General Advertiser). This play was for the benefit of Mr Garrick, clear of all charges; and therefore I shall at the end of the account subtract this sum from the total amount, it being return'd him again. And the reason of entering it among the rest of the sums was, because the principle [sic] treasurer should know nothing of the matter; and therefore as it stands in their books in the same manner as above, I think it proper to set it down here (Powel). Receipts: #200 (Cross); #193 16s. (Powel)

Event Comment: Letter from John Potter, Proprietor of the New Theatre in the Haymarket, to the author of the General Advertiser: As the resentment of the Town for the disappointment of the performance advertised to be exhibited at my theatre on Monday last, shall fall entirely upon me, I hope I may be allowed to acquaint the public with the nature of my case. [Suggests he should not be to blame for misbehavior of any person who hired his house, that he had some apprehensions in this case, but that the Bottle Conjurer paid the rent in advance and agreed to have a House officer in the box office to return the money if the audience was displeased.] All the caution above mentioned was taken, and the money locked up in the office, guarded by persons of reputation, who would have returned it, and publicly on the stage told them, that if the person did not appear, their money should be return'd. But instead of complying with that offer, my House was pulled down, the Office broken open, the money taken out, and the servants oblig'd to fly to save their lives. I hope therefore this may be deem'd a sufficient justification in my behalf, and all that could be reasonably expected from me; and that those gentlemen who are conscious of having injured me, will be so generous as to make me a reasonable Satisfaction, considering the damage I have suffer'd, which in a moderate computation will amount to upwards of four thousand pounds. This day is Publish'd, at 1s. Lethe, a Dramatic Satire, by David Garrick as it is perform'd at Drury Lane. By Paul Vaillant, facing Southampton Street in the Strand. [A letter from Samuel Foote to the Author of the General Advertiser clears himself from any imputation of confederacy in the Bottle Conjuror fraud. See also my Introduction, note 103.] Receipts: #100 (Cross); #119 2s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quin. Mainpiece: By Command of their Royal Highnesses Prince George, Prince Edward, Prince William, Prince Henry, Lady Augusta and the Lady Elizabeth. Six rows of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Stage will be Enclosed and form'd into an Amphitheatre. Paid Quin in full of his agreement #122; Advanced Servandoni #5 5s. [The Account Book itemizes the income this night as #93 15s. in money; #99 5s. in tickets, a total of #193 without stage (i.e., presumably without counting money to Quin gained from friends invited to sit in the Amphitheatre on stage.) This was also a "Free Benefit," i.e., clear of costumary house charges.] Receipts: #193

Event Comment: Benefit for Sowdon. Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. A Gent: play'd Puff in the farce--Bug (Cross). [Seems to have been a clear benefit, as Treasurer's Book lists no charges.] Cash #65 8s. 6d., plus tickets #95; Paid Reynolds for wax & [brickdust] 3s. 9d. Paid Mr Pope a Bill #7 14s. [wigmaker] (Treasurer's Book). Tickets of Sowdon at his lodgings, the Sign of the Sun, a Milliner's facing Exeter exchange in the strand, and of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets otherwise to be had at Will's Coffee House in Cornhill, and of Mr Thomas Sowdon in Blackman St., Southwark. We hear William Mills, Comedian, lies at the point of death, at his lodgings in Russell St., Covent Garden. Receipts: #170 (Cross); #160 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Dyer. [Seemingly a clear one, for he received also #29 6s. from tickets.] Being the last time of performing the afterpiece this season. Receipts: #63 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard. By desire of Several Ladies of Quality. Part of the Pit and Boxes will be laid together, and servants will be admitted to keep Places on the Stage. N.B. The building on the stage is rais'd on a new plan, much more convenient than any ever yet erected, the Area of the being kept entirely clear, and the Building enclos'd so as to form distinct Boxes, like those in the Front of the House. Tickets and Places to be had of Mrs Pritchard, next the Chapel in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and of Mr Hobson at the stage Door. Receipts: #250 (Cross)