Event Comment: The good sense of the audience condemned this piece to oblivion, after, we think, two representations (Biographia Dramatica). [Contrived by Guerini (Nicoll, Eighteenth Century Drama, p. 355). Victor says Guerini played Pantaloon (History of Theatre, III, 48.] Sunday 2 January, Mr Pritchard Died (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: AAckman appeared with Moody who would not go down on his knees as they requested. And Garrick was compelled to say he should not appear while under their displeasure (Winston MS 9)

Event Comment: Published at 1s. 6d. Dialogue in Green Room or Disturbances in Pit: Manager: I say what an immense sum we have laid out in improvements,-and now that coals are 5 and 50 shillings a Chaldron; and they burn at least a bushel a night in the music room, as they pretend to keep their instruments in order,-what a loser I shall be." (32 pp.)

Event Comment: [The Winston entry appears to be an insert accompanied by the following note: N.B. by the Bills it appears there was no performance on Thurs. Mr Woodrg Bills say on Fri King Lear. J. W."] No Performance. Thanksgiving (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: MMiss Cheney made her first appearance this Night, in Miss Prue, a Pretty Figure, play'd with Spirit, very Aukward, & Speaks too much at the top of her Voice (Hopkins). Miss Prue by a young Gentlewoman. Great Applause (Cross Diary). This night Miss Cheney made her first appearance on the stage in the character of Miss Prue--play'd with spirit,--a very pretty, genteel Figure, but very raw and aukward--got great applause. Think there is materials in her composition with care and application to make an actress.--Mr Yates in the speech where he says 'the more she cries, the less she'll p--' happened to speak the words a little too plain, and was justly hissed by the Audience--his song was encored,--he sung it again,--a Hiss and a Clap when he went off (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #187 16s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: CCarlos by Mr Holland 1st time (Hopkins). Cannot say much for Mr Holland in Carlos (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #171 (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Author's Day. [Publication of the play announced in the Public Advertiser this day, along with the following "puff" by Censor Dramaticus: "Sir: I have just given the new comedy, the Double Mistake, its first reading, and must confess I never was better pleased at a first reading than at present: It is chaste, sententious and genteel in its dialogue, interesting in its plot, the characters all of consequence, strongly marked and happily kept up, and even the virtuoso entertaining without being tiresome. I heartily wish it success, and congratulate the author on such a production, which shows that virtuous principles in high life render the persons that possess them doubly charming, and add real grace and dignity to their appearance in public life....I hope I may be believed when I say I have not the most distant knowledge of the author, and that impartiality shall ever be, and ever was my constant plan in observations of this kind."

Event Comment: dialogue in The Public Advertiser, 3 March, comments on arrangement of the stage for an Assembly; dimensions are 60 feet wide, 110 feet long, and 35-40 feet high. It has been altered and enlarged recently, for the columns are new and the upper end grew narrow, says the other speaker.

Event Comment: Letter in the Public Advertiser from one ag who signed herself a 'Constant Reader': "Sir: As your correspondents sometimes favour us with Theatrical Observations, permit me, though a woman, to throw in my mite, not that I aspire to the character of a Critic...the reason I take up my pen is merely for the sake of information. A few evenings ago I was at the New Comedy of the Clandestine Marriage, where, I assure you I was greatly entertained; but at the conclusion of the last act, must own was not a little surprised to find Miss Sterling so much neglected, as I was at that instant wondering what kind of Apology Sir John would make her, when behold he stands close by her without saying a word; which in my opinion concludes the play too abruptly. The author indeed has not placed her in the most excellent light; yet as a Lady, and of Character, shall I say of Fortune too, some Apology on the Gentleman's side seems naturally to arise from the incidents of the piece. But perhaps I am mistaken, which I am the more willing to imagine from the known abilities of the ingenious authors. If any of your critical correspondents should think it worth their while to set me right in that Particular, it will be esteemed a favour." (Frances Street, March 5.

Event Comment: Paid salary list 3 days at #72 4s. 1d. per diem #216 12s. 3d.; Mr Weston on his note #5 5s.; Mrs Abington 3 first days not on list #2 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [From a long review in the Public Advertiser 3 Oct.: Two new performers in parts very difficult to execute-Mr Cautherly a pupil of the greatest master of the art of acting that ever graced the English stage (if not European)...has this summer convinced us that he is susceptible of the most refined instructions of his great patron and tutor. Of the Lady, I can say nothing prior to her appearance 30 Sept. as I am noways acquainted with her history any more than that by declaration of common report; she is the spouse of the brother of that Mr Barry who has so greatly pleas'd the town this summer at the Opera House." [Comments on her figure, voice and countenance well adapted to express the stronger passions.] She seemed to be so much in love with Romeo as to forget she represented a young and inexperienced virgin unused to men...The first scene of consequence is the Masquerade scene, which was as to business very badly conducted; but this, I doubt not will be rectified another night, they were discovered in disorder and they went off in confusion. It appeared a tumultous assembly rather than a Masquerade of nobility in an Italian Palace. Romeo stayed so long behind the crow that he was oblig'd to run to his station opposite Juliet to be in time for "Cousin Benvolio, do you mark that lady." [A long and detailed review of the stage action act by act.] In the Garden scene an unlucky accident happened to Cautherly...his nose ran with blood and he was oblig'd to keep his handkerchief to his nose all through, which was a great loss to the audience...The Apothecary is the best figure I ever saw, and spoke more sensibly than I ever heard an apothecary speak in my life. Mr Castle has rescued that character from ridicule, and worked by pity what buffoonery used to run off with-applause." Receipts: #145 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book.

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c

Event Comment: Half past 5 went to the 5s. Gallery at the Opera House to see the comic opera La Buona Figliola, altered from Goldoni. The Music by Sg Nic Piccini, a Neopolitan composer. The Marq by Sg Lovatini, Castina by Sga Zamporini, the German by Sg Marigi. These I believe are reckoned the best of the company. I can't say I was greatly entertained, tho the music is very pleasing. There is something very absurd and truly characteristic of the present age in supporting a set of people at an immense expense to perform plays in a language which very few here understand. We had dances after every act by Sg Adriani, Sga Radicati, &c. It is said the dances at the opera are better than those at the theatres, but I am no great judge either of music or dancing. The scenes, particularly that of the Garden with waterworks &c. are very fine. They who go into the Pit &c. must be in a vile French dress (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece: By Desire. Benefit for Powell. Part of Pit laid into boxes. Send servants by 3 o'clock. House charges #74 10s. [Profit to Powell #207 5s.] Paid Johnston, under prompter #7; Five extra trumpets #1 5s.; 2 Flutes 10s.; Chorus singers #2 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #281 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Half past 4 walked to Drury Lane House. With every great difficulty got into the 2s. Gallery before; saw the Death of Alexander with his Triumphal Entrance into Babylonv and the Dance of the Vintage, for the benefit of Powell who played Alexander. Some reported that Garrick says he makes mistakes in the character exceedingly in the banquet scene, in which no one ever surpassed him. I cannot judge of the truth of this observation (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mortimer, Tomlinson, West, Lings. House charges #84. [Deficit to actors #60 4s.] Received Mr Evans and Miss Roger's deficiency #28 18s. 6d. Paid Ann Collett for a gold brocaided silk #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #23 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Went into ye Pit...Vernon is an excellent MacHeath. I don't like Yates as Peachum so well as Shuter, and Parsons is not so good a Filch as Holborn. Bransby ye Lockit and Mrs Abington Lucy pretty well...Polly-$Mrs Vincent, who is now too old for ye character, and I think wants feeling...One Tomlinson, who had a 4th of the Benefit, spoke an Epilogue in the character of a Beggar, but by one party hissing and a greater clapping, could not hear it.--At Covent Garden a Hurdy-Gurdy man and girl play in the whore's scene, and as the Highwaymen march out, one returns and kisses MacHeath, and Shuter says some things Yates did not, but perhaps they are additions of his own (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. [The BM Playbill lists Mercury-Bannister.] Half past six went into ye Pit to see $Barry do Hastings and Mrs Dancer Jane Shore. Before ye play began, ended reading ye parts of Hastings, Jane Shore and Dumont. When ye Gods called for ye Prologue, York beckoned to be quiet. What authority these fellows assume! T. Barry did Dumont, but he will never be equal to his father. The Entertainment was Lethe. Old Man and Lord Chalkstone by Shuter. Garrick, who sat near me, laughed at his understanding ye character of Lord Chalkstone so little, as to say--"She married for money, and I for a title." Drunken man pretty well by Weston (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Never Perform'd. Founded on Beaumont and Fletcher. Music by Thomas Linley. A Comic Opera the Music entirely new. [By Thomas Hull altered from The Royal Merchant; or the Beggar's Bush (Biographia Dramatica). See 19 Dec. 1767 for further note on Music.] Paid Mr Horne for 4 Tambourines #1 10s. (Account Book). Went into the Pit to see the opera founded on Beaumont and Fletcher, performed for the first time....The music may be good, but the piece is trifling and childish, barren of incident and character except that of Clause played by Bensley and the frightened peasant. The performers are in the Flemish dresses of the times, and do the piece much justice. At the beginning of the 2nd act some fellows in the 2s. Gallery began a disturbance, but were turn'd out and carried before Sir John Fielding, where they confessed that they were hired to disturb this performance by a publican, but refused to say whom....Stood in the well (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #225 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Last time of the company's performing this season. [Following deficiencies for this season paid up: Richard Smith, Lewes, Dumay, Condell, Potter, Thomas Smith, Quick, Furkins, Wilkinson, Abbott, Simmonds, Pullen, Stephenson, Asbury, Wilde, Francis, Mrs Griffiths, Claridge, and Sharratt (Account Book). This includes payment of half value of tickets for those who were granted partial benefits on that basis.] Music forfeits at end of season #17 6s. 11d. Neville MS Diary: Went...to see Cymbeline...chiefly to hear Powell speak an occasional prologue. Would not have gone had I known it was only a stale piece of flattery to George. [See The Gentleman's Magazine, 9 July p. 346: "On shutting up the playhouse in Covent Garden at the end of the season, admission into the theatre having been denied to Mr H and R through any other passage but Mr Powell's House, those gentlemen at the head of a large posse on the 17th of last month, [June] made a forcible entry by breaking open a window near the playhouse door in Hart street; after which they expelled by violence Mr Sargeant the Housekeeper, all his family and others; but the acting managers not being inclined to submit to the arbitrary proceedings of their colleagues, immediately applied for redress, where redress was effectually to be had, and this day they were formally expelled by virtue of a warrant from under the hand and seal of the high sherrifs of London and Middlesex, and the old housekeeper, Mr Sargeant, restored to his office of trust, to the great mortification of one of the champions who had been heard to say: That he had now got possession and d--n him if he would not keep it while he had a drop of blood in his body, and while there was one brick upon another belonging to the house."

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. King of Denmark. Richard-Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). For the King of Denmark.--Richard by Mr Garrick, for the first time these six years-Beyond discription fine, -his voice clear to the last (Hopkins Diary). No money taken at stage door. None returned after curtain is up. The doors (by particular desire) will be opened at half an Hour after Five. To Begin at Seven. Neville MS Diary: Hearing about 7 o'clock that Garrick did Richard III, one of his very capital characters which he has not done these 7 or 8 years, resolved (if I could get in to see him) to bear the abhorred sight of that woman-like painted puppy, the King of Denmark. After one unsuccessful attempt got into the Pit with the greatest difficulty after the third act. Garrick is inimitably great in Richard & very different from the other Richards I have seen; his expression of the dying agony of that wretch is beyond description. Some actors speak with as strong & loud voice in that scene as if they had received no wound & were not dying. One Lloyd, who waits on Garrick sometimes, observed that he himself says he never acted better in his life, modestly observing that something must be allowed to the improvement of his judgment. During the dance (for there was no farce) I was within a yard of the Danish tyrant

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy by Mrs E. Griffith, acted for first time. New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations, etc. Neville MS Diary: While I stood at the Pit door of Drury Lane Playhouse, took occasion to say that now they (meaning the present venal House of Commons) had expelled Mr Wilkes they would proceed to do everything that is bad. For which one present (I suppose a friend of the Court) said they would proceed to send me to Newgate if it should come to their ears

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Love--Sir John Brute. A fat performance (and as Mr L--- says) he wanted breath to blow the Jokes out (Hopkins Diary). On 1 April 4 n[umbers] of Dramatic Censor published (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these two years. [See 31 Dec. 1768.] Afterpiece: A Musical Entertainment [by Isaac Bickerstaffe] never acted there. [Letter from Henry Woodward, Clement's Inn, says he fulfilled his seven years engagement and is now going to Scotland with Foote and next to the Hay Market. No direct application was made to re-engage him at Covent Garden or he was ready to meet it (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. About this time papers say inside of Foote's theatre with Dressing Room Green Room &c. is entirely pulled down to enlarge the stage which is to be nearly twice the size it was. Woodward is to exhibit two new pantomimes next summer. (Winston MS 10). Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). [Treasurer's Book also indicates that this night #30 4s. of Orders were given out.] Paid 2 Clarinets 6 nights (18th incl.) #9 9s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #173 2s. 6d. Ordinary charges #84. Extra for Invasion #10 10s. Profit for Author #78 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Alterations and additions to the afterpiece in form of a Trip to Naplesv. Includes two views of the eruption of Vesuviusv [a display used afterwards in Harlequin's Invasionv 19 March]. Theatrical Review, 26 Dec.: The Witches; or a Trip to Naples,...one of those Mummeries, in which the carpenters, painters and taylors belong1ng to the theatre are the principal projectors; who torture dull brains to furnish out most contemptible pieces of entertainment...the disgrace of the English stage. This what-shall-we-call-it...now reviv'd with alterations and the addition of two new scenes, viz. two views of Mount Vesuviusv: the first of which represents a Vulcano burning at a distance, and is reflected by the water in the bay of Naplesv. The second is a nearer land view of the Mounts, and represents the manner in which the Lava is thrown out whenever an eruption happens; the torrents of the lava, like a river of liquid fire, falling into a cascade from a rock. As far as carpenters and painters are concerned, these additional scenes seem to be well executed, but whether the resemblance is exact, we cannot pretend to say; though we suppose it is. Be this as it may we cannot help thinking, the terrific ideas these scenes naturally raise in the mind, must defeat every intention of giving pleasure, and consequently afford less satisfaction to curiosity than a written account of that Vulcano, or any descriptive drawing of it. Paid Printer's Bill #9 6d. Receipts: #235 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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: Benefit for Woodward. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece : A New Farce [by Joseph Reed] from a Story in Gil Blas, never perform'd (Larpent MS 409). Tickets deliver'd for the Double Gallant will be taken. [The Westminster Magazine for March lists Alguazil-Thompson; Alphonso-Lewis; Inis-$Mrs Willems, tells the story for the play, and concludes: "The story is professedly taken from Gil Blas, and although we cannot pay the Dramatist any great compliment either on his diction, the management of his fable, the sublimity of his allusions, or in a word, on the excellence of his tout ensemble; it would be unjust were we not to say, that the farce provok'd most hearty peals of laughter; it may therefore serve as well as any other such Bartholomew-fair-like droll for a heel-piece to the performance on a benefit night."