Event Comment: Benefit
Mrs Cross,
Mrs Bridges,
Miss Young. The
General Advertiser included the following Puff: Sir, As I am continually searching for latent Curiosities, out of a sincere regard for the Public Satisfaction, I think it my Duty (lest among the Multitude of Diversions now flourishing, some other might engross the attention of the Curious) to inform the world, that the Farce which will be perform'd this Evening at
Drury Lane theatre, call'd
May Day, or the Merry Milkmaids of Islington, was written by the particular desire of King
Charles II who had it first performed at
Newmarket; how agreeably that jovial Monarch was entertained, every person, who thinks it worth his while to see it, according to his abilities, will be a competent judge, Yours, &c A. Virtuoso. [Part of the Multitude of Diversions referred to included announcement in the same paper for a Rehearsal of the whole Band of Music at
Ruckholt House, the following Monday; a paragraph Puff on the diversions at
Sadler's Wells in consequence of the late happy Victory of the
Duke of Cumberland over the Rebels, with special notice of a New Interlude of Music call'd
Strephon's Return, or the British Hero, perform'd this night with many advantages of Dress and Decoration, and a new Ballet by
Matthews; and further notice of the Representation of the Battle near
Culloden House which had met with universal applause, and which would continue to be repeated at the
New Wells in
Goodman's Fields. The Farce at Drury Lane this evening was advertised as not having been played for 20 years. It was taken from
Thomas Nabbes'
Totenham Court Road, by the Compiler of the
Muse of Newmarket, 1680. The MS Occasional Prologue praising
Cumberland is in the
Larpent Collection.