Event Comment: Mr G very fine-Voice clear to the last great Applause. House (Hopkins Diary). Ladies and Gentlemen requested to come early to prevent confusion. Rec'd Stopages #6 5s. 6d.; from Mr Clutterbuck #100; Paid salary list #494 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French #1 10s.; Signora Vidini, 1 day in full of this season 16s. 8d. Receipts: #268 8s. 6d. (Treasurer#s Book)

Event Comment: Paid Watson and Mortimer (Boxkeepers) for the use of that office #10 and #15 respectively [this amount duly returned to the treasury on 11 June 1776]; J. Stevens (porter) 18s.; Mr Garrick's draft in favor of Signora Paccini #25 (Treasurer's Book). [J. Stevens, the porter's salary was a constant of 18s. per week for the season, ammounting to #33 6s. in all. No further mention of this item will be made.] Receipts: #243 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera. Music By Gazaniga, a Neopolitan Master. Benefit for Signora Sestini

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Davies Inglesina. Public Advertiser, 25 Feb.: Tickets to be had of Sga Davies at her House, No. 1, St. Alban's street, Pall-mall

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years [not acted since 28 Apr. 1773]. With new Scenes [by French and Carver (text)] and Dresses. [In the Vocal Parts the playbill lists Sga Prudom, but "at the end of the second act, Smith came forward and apologized for the absence of Signora Prudom, and begged that Mrs Wrighten might be permitted to take her part . . . Mrs Wrighten was received with applause" (London Chronicle, 20 Oct.). Sga Romanzini was from the Royal Circus.] Receipts: #123 8s. 6d. (92/15/0; 29/11/0; 1/2/6)

Event Comment: [Following the 2nd piece the playbill lists The Scotch Ghost, but "The Public is most respectfully informed that in consequence of the very sudden and violent indisposition of Signora Bossi DelCaro it is not in her power to have the honour of appearing before them this Evening, and there being no other person who can supply her place, The Scotch Ghost...is unavoidably obliged to be omitted" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Receipts: #188 7s. (127.14; 59.18; 0.15)

Event Comment: The King's Company. This play is on L. C. list, 5@12, p. 17: ye king here. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 344. The play was apparently designed for the opening of the Bridges St playhouse in November 1666 but was not then acted. The edition of 1667 gives a intended cast. Bonhomme-Cartwright; Valerio-$C. Hart; Ergasto-$W. Winterson [$Wintershall]; Don Buisson-Burt; La Fleur-$E. Keninston [$Kynaston]; Sganarelle-J. Lacy; Mascarillio-$M. Moon [$Mohun]; Jodelet-R. Shatterel; Housekeepers-$Alexander, $Wilbraham; Mary and Anne-$The Two Marshalls; Isabella-$Mrs Rutter; Lysette-$Nel Guin; Prologue Intended for the Overture of the Theatre, 1666; Epilogue. [In this list the names Alexander and Wilbraham are not otherwise known and may represent errors in the printed list.

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the premiere is not known. Pepys saw it on 6 March 1679@80, calling it a "New Play," and that may have been the first day. The Prologue alludes also to the Duke of York's triumphant return from Scotland on 24 Feb. 1679@80, and the play was entered in the Term Catalogues, May 1680. For Mrs Bracegirdle as the "little Girl," see Edmund Curll, History of the English Stage (1741), p. 26, and Lucyle Hook, Anne Bracegirdle's First Appearance, Theatre Notebook, XIII (1959), 134. For Betterton as Castalio and Mrs Barry as Monimia, probably as they performed in the next decade, see Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 116, 160. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 37) gives the same cast except for omissions and except for Serina-Isabella in The Fatal Marriage] These three Parts, gain'd her the Name of Famous $Mrs Barry">Mrs Mountfort, who acted it later. Downes (pp. 37-38) adds: [Monimia, Belvidera in Venice Preserved, and Isabella in The Fatal Marriage] These three Parts, gain'd her the Name of Famous $Mrs Barry, both at court and City; for when ever She Acted any of these three Parts, she forc'd Tears from the Eyes of her Auditory, especially those who have any Sense of Pity for the Distress't. These 3 Plays, by their Excellent Performances, took above all the Modern Plays that succeeded. A song for this play, Come all the youths whose hearts have bled, the music by Forcer, is in Choice Ayres and Songs, The Third Book, 1681

Event Comment: Benefit Mlle Isabella Girardau. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Isabella Chambers, Scholar to Mrs Margarita. Pit and Boxes at 6s. Gallery 3s. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: MMonticelli and all the singers and dancers of the opera go away next week, there being no more of these entertainments next winter. Mr. Handell having taken the House...to perform his Oratorios in all the next season.--Lady Ethelreda Townshend to Isabella, Countess of Denbigh, cited from Denbigh MS. in Deutsch, Handel, p. 592

Event Comment: This day publish'd at 3s. Printed on Five sheets of superfine paper, Five Principal Scenes in Romeo and Juliet, designed, drawn, and engraved by Mr Ant. Walker. Printed and sold by John Tinney, at the Golden Lion in Fleet St. The drawing and Engraving of the three following Plays of Shakespeare are in great forwardness, and the scenes of each play will be sold at a time: 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Merry Wives. These plates will serve for Mr Pope's edition of Shakespeare in quarto, Sir Thomas Hanmer's edn. 6 Vol. quarto, or for any of the Folio editions. And may be framed and glazed for furniture. There will be a few sets neatly coloured for Gentlemen and Ladies who chuse them so (Public Advertiser). [A set of these prints is available in the Folger Shakespeare Library. The Five Principal Scenes were: The scene in Capulet's Housev where Romeo kisses Juliet 's hand; the Balcony Scenev ; the scene in which Friar Lawrence hurries the young couple off to be married; the Apothecary scenev ; and the death scenev . If, as may be, these scenes were taken from--as they were certainly stimulated by--the Barry-Nossiter production, they may present a good likness of Maria Isabella Nossiter, who so captivated London that season. If, also, they were taken from the theatre production, they give evidence that Barry used a balcony, not only a window.

Event Comment: This play is alter'd, that is all the Comedy is cut out, & is still 5 short Acts went off well-but heavy (Cross). Mainpiece: A Reviv'd Tragedy, alter'd from Southern. Receipts: #200 (Cross). [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and 1758, for comment: "The distress of the first three acts is exquisitely wrought, and withal naturally; but the Fourth seems to me to have little or no grounds, but in Isabella's diseased fancy, and romantic notion....As to the distress of the Fifth it is prodigious."

Event Comment: BBarry play'd at C. Garden some little Noise, on Account of his being ye occasion of ye late Riot, & demanding more Money than usual-but his speech declaring his Innocence; King Lear went on in quiet (Cross). It is hoped that the Ladies and Gentlemen who took places for the Fatal Marriage this evening will excuse its not being acted 'till tomorrow, as it is impossible for Mrs Cibber to perform the character of Isabella without proper respit. The Old Comedy alter'd from Shirley [The Gamesters] will be reviv'd next week (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: CColly Cibber dy'd (Cross). Afterpiece: By Desire. On Monday Next will be publish'd as 1s. Isabella, or the Fatal Marriage. A Play alter'd from Southern, as it is now performing at Drury Lane (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: This day is publish'd Isabella, or the Fatal Marriage, a Play, alter'd from Southern, as it is Performed at Drury Lane, printed for J. R. Tonson in the Strand. Price 1s. (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. House Charges #65 5s. [Profit to Yates #118 16s. 6d.] Not performed for 20 years. Revived with alterations. Paid B. Johnson's Head Bill #2 5s. 6d. Paid #2 2s. for licensing Dido (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #184 6d. (Treasurer's Book). About 5 went into the Pit at Drury Lane to see the False Friend reviv'd with alterations, for the benefit of Yates. It engages the attention, but was very well performed. Don John by Holland; Don Pedro by Powell; Lopez by Mr Yates, the drinking Servant by Baddeley; Leonora by Mrs Barry (whom I never saw before); Isabella by Miss Plym and Jacintha by Mrs Yates. I think an Abigail an odd character for her, but no doubt she was willing to play anything for her husband's benefit. After the dance of the Vintage, Mr Yates spoke by way of Interlude a new piece on his being in France called the "Modern Traveller," containing some strokes on the affectation of French Fashions, &c. We had the Farce of High Life Below Stairs with minuet by Mrs Yates and a French Valet, which I do not remenber to have seen when I saw this Farce (before) (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Barry. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece: By Desire. Last time of performing till the Holidays. Tickets for Isabella will be taken. Part of pit laid into boxes

Event Comment: Benefit for Reinhold. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [Tenducci advertised to play Arbaces for "positively the last time this season."] Tomorrow Isabella; or, the Fatal Marriage [which seems to indicate Garrick's adaption]. Charges #73 11s. Balance to Reinhold #55 15s. 6d., plus 90 10s. from tickets (Box 259; Pit 127; Gallery 67) (Account Book). Receipts: #55 15s. 6d

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of Isabella, announced on playbill of 22 Feb.] Receipts: #300 8s. 6d. (284/0/0; 9/15/6; 0/8/0; tickets not come in: 6/5/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Fund for the Relief of those who from their Infirmities shall be obliged to retire from the Stage. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by Half past Four o'clock. [Mainpiece in place of Isabella, announced on playbill of 17 May.] Receipts: #292 (146/5/0; 10/12/6; 0/12/6; tickets: 134/10/0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Crawford. Mrs Crawford, imprest with the deepest Sense of Gratitude for the many Favours conferred on her by her Friends and the Public, is sincerely concerned that a violent Indisposition renders it impracticable for her to perform for her Benefit this Night. Mrs Crawford, fearing a second Disappointment would inconvenience those who have had the Goodness to interest themselves in her Support, has fixed on the Comedy of The Chances, instead of the Play advertised [Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, announced on playbill of 14 Apr.]. Tickets delivered for Isabella [the original play chosen for this night] will be taken. Public Advertiser, 4 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Crawford, No. 22, Bridges-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #168 2s. (99/3; tickets: 68/19) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Public Advertiser, 18 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, Gower-street, Bedford-square. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four o'clock. "The mournful tone, the pathetic countenance, and the long-drawn expression pervaded the sprightly scenes of Rosalind as effectually as if the play had been Isabella" (Public Advertiser, 2 May). Receipts: #327 8s. 6d. (150/1/9; 9/11/6; 0/6/0; tickets: 167/10/0) (charge: #106/15/10)