Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [acted 21 Jan. 1789. Mrs Esten has 1st acted Belvidera at Bath in the season of 1786-87]. Afterpiece [1st time; M. INT 2, by John Cartwright Cross. Larpent MS 883; not published. Prologue by John Taylor (his Taylor, Poems, I, 43). Rees' 1st appearance at this theatre was on 14 May 1788]: The Overture and the whole of the Music by Dibdin. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [Most of these songs had originally appeared in Dibdin's "table entertainment," The Oddities, 1st performed at the Lyceum, 7 Dec. 1789.] Receipts: #244 18s. 6d. (234.8.0; 10.10.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sga Storace. Mainpiece: By Permission of the Proprietors of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Prince Hoare, based partly on LE TABLEAU PARLANT, by Louis Anseaume]: The Music by Storace. "The songs are written with taste, and set to very lively and agreeable tunes by Storace's brother...[They are] calculated to afford her a complete opportunity of displaying that mixture of laughable levity, friskiness and merriment which on the stage give her so much attraction" (Public Advertiser, 18 Dec.). Tickets to be had of Sga Storace, No. 36, Howland Street, and of Rice at the Theatre, where Places for the Boxes may be taken

Event Comment: [Mrs Twistleton, who was from the Liverpool theatre, is identified by Genest, VII, 159. "Her voice wants variety, and, possibly from too much exertion, in order to fill so large a theatre, it came upon the ear with a loud monotony, destructive of all possibility of pathetic effect" (European Magazine, Feb. 1794, p. 136). As afterpiece the playbill announces THE MIDNIGHT WANDERERS, but "Rosina succeeded the play. The Midnight Wanderers was to have been the entertainment; and we could not but lament that Mrs Mountain's indisposition should have prevented its representation" (Mormng Herald, 3 Feb.). The Account-Book notes the same change.] Receipts: #405 14s. 6d. (392/15/6; 12/19/0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by William Pearce. Text (T. N. Longman, 1794) has cast for season of 1794-95]: With new Music [by Shield), Scenes [by Richards (Theatre Notebook, Summer, 1965, XIX, 143)] and Dresses. The Music composed by [i.e. compiled from] Baumgarten, Paisiello, Dr Arne, W. Parke, Howard, and Shield. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Chronicle, 26 Nov. 1794: This Day is published NETLEY ABBEY (1s.). Receipts: #399 5s. 6d. (378/1 1/6; 20/14/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I The Cardinal's Banquet. In Act II The Court for the Trial of Queen Katharine. In Act V a Grand Procession to the Christening of Princess Elizabeth. Paid Charles Smith on Acct. of Upholders Work at Drury Lane Theatre #400. Powell: Henry VIII rehearsed at 10 (for Packer, lame, and Mrs Siddons); Siege of Belgrade music at 12 (for Storace, Bannister Jun., Crouch, Davis, Danby). The Iron Curtain being finish'd was this Evening exhibited for the first Time with the Epilogue [and see 21 Apr.]. "On the 24th February, 1809, this theatre was burnt down . . . Every care had been taken to guard against such a calamity. Two large reservoirs for water, on the top of the house, happened, unfortunately, at this crisis to be empty; and an iron curtain, intended to separate the auditory from the stage, for the purpose of saving a part of the edifice in case of conflagration, was, with its machinery, so much out of order as to be useless; it was, in fact, utterly immoveable" (Brayley, p. 8). Receipts: #451 8s. 6d. (389/4/0; 56/5/0; 4/6/6; tickets not come in: 1/13/0)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Miss Thomas. Tickets to be had of Miss Thomas, No. 41, Great Portland-street; and of Rice at the Theatre, where places for the Boxes may be taken. To begin at 6:45. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Servants to keep places are requested to be at the Theatre at half past Five o'Clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. Mainpiece: By Permission of the Proprietors of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Afterpiece [1st time; MD 2, by John Cartwright Cross]: The Overture and the Musick entirely new, by Reeve. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept. 1794: This day is published THE APPARITION (1s.). Morning Chronicle, 30 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 2, Frith-street, Soho

Event Comment: [Russell was from the Margate theatre; he had 1st acted in London at the China Hall Theatre in 1776. In mainpiece the playbill assigns Careless to Barrymore, but "Careless Dignum, Barrymore Ill; Surface's Servant Evans for Banks" (Powell).] Powell: School for Scandal rehearsed at 11; Miss in her Teens at 12; New Ballet at 12. Receipts: #186 4s. (130.18.6; 53.13.6; 1.12.0)

Event Comment: A Serious Opera, the music by Bianchi, under whose direction this Opera is now revived, and the Chorusses under Dr Arnold. ["A little miscreant Italian cabal, who have endeavoured to derange the performances at this Theatre, attempted to hiss Kelly, who had generously come from Drury Lane Theatre that the serious Opera might not be interrupted. The liberal feelings of the English subscribers overpowered the noise, and Kelly received the applause which his spirit deserved" (Morning Chronicle, 9 Feb.).

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 2, by William Pearce. The Masque was produced in honor of the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Princess Caroline of Brunswick, 8 April 1795]: The Overture composed expressly for the Occasion by Haydn, as is the rest of the Music by Salomon [and see 9 Apr.]. The Scenery, Machinery, Decorations and Dresses are entirely New, and Designed by Noverre, except St. George's Hall, painted by the late Signor Cipriani. The Scenery executed by Hodgins, Walmsley, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, and many Assistants. The Machinery and Decorations by Sloper. Goosetree and Martinelli. The Dresses by Lupino, Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "On the 10th [of April] I was at the Covent Garden Theatre-to see the big Spectacul [sic]-Windsor Castle, the music by Salomon quite passable. The decorations-costumes-scenery, and the enormous amount of people on the stage are exaggerated. All the Gods of Heaven and Hell, and everything that lives on the earth are in the piece" (Haydn, 299). Morning Chronicle, 7 May 1795: This Day is published Windsor Castle (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #266 8s. 6d. (250.12.6; 15.16.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Munden. [Mrs Townsend was from the Norwich theatre.] 3rd piece: Never [previously] acted at this Theatre. Morning Chronicle, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Munden, No. 12, Frith-street, Soho. Receipts: #388 7s. (111.9.6; 6.12.0; tickets: 270.5.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sga Storace. Mainpiece: By permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Never [previously] acted at this theatre. Tickets delivered for the 11th Instant will be `dmitted. Morning Chronicle, 24 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Sga Storace [for 11 May], No. 26, Howland-street, Fitzroy-square. Receipts: #443 12s. (193.6; 75.4; 5.11; tickets: 169.11) (charge: free)

Event Comment: No Money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon (only) at the office in Hart-street. Boxes 6s. 2nd price 3s. Pit 3s. 6d. 2nd price 2s. Gallery 2s. 2nd price 1s. Upper Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30.To begin at 6:30 [see 2 Nov.]. Many complaints having been made respecting the taking and securing Places in the Boxes, the following Regulations it is humbly presumed will effectually prevent all such Misconduct in future. Servants admitted to keep Places as usual, and Ladies and Gentleeen are requested to order them to attend at the Theatre not later than Five o'Clock. For such Places as are ordered to be kept by the Place-Keepers of the Theatre, One Shilling is to be paid at the Time of taking them, and no Place-Keeper or Box-Keeper is to demand, or to receive any further Gratuity on any pretence whatever. Every Place-Keeper to wear a Number. It is respectfully desired that Information may be given to Brandon, at the Box-office, of any Irregularity or Imposition, which will be immediately redressed. Receipts: #267 3s. (261.7; 5.16)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Waldron, prompter. Mainpiece [1st time; TC 5, by Francis Godolphin Waldron. Larpent MS 1094; not published]: Founded on Shakespeare and Fletcher's Two Noble Kinsmen, by the Continuator of Ben Jonson's Sad Shepherd. With new Music composed by Dr Arnold. Copies of the Songs will be delivered gratis at the Theatre. Afterpiece [1st time; C 3, by Francis Godolphin Waldron, abridged from his The Maid of Kent. Larpent MS 1095; not published]: Written by the Author of Heigho for a Husband. Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be had of Waldron, No. 54, Drury-lane, and of Rice, at the Theatre

Event Comment: Mainpiece: For the first time here (by permission of the Manager of the Theatre Royal, Hay Market). [Author of Prologue unknown.] Paid Messrs Hammersley & Co.'s Trust Account for Renters, Theatre Rent, Patent Rent, Taxes, Insurance, and other certain Charges for 12 nights Paid each night #100: #1,200. Receipts: #235 9s. 6d. (174.9.0; 59.12.0; 1.8.6)

Event Comment: [Cooper, who was from the Stockport theatre, is identified in Genest, VII, 263.] Afterpiece: 1st Time at this Theatre [1st acted at cg, 23 Apr. 1783]. "We do not think Cooper's caution, on approaching the platform [in I. iv], either natural or characteristic...Of course he would not peep about, as if appalled at his own shadow...It has been usual with performers in this scene to walk to and fro, on the stage, and certainly the effect is improved by it" (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1795, p. 48). Receipts: #221 9s. 6d. (220.14.6; 0.15.0)

Event Comment: Opera: With Chorusses under the Direction of Kelly. Ballet: Paul et Virginie [advertised in Morning Chronicle, 1 Jan.] is still unavoidably postponed on account of the indisposition of Mme Hilligsberg. The Subscribers are most respectfully entreated to be careful to whom they give their Tickets, as many improper persons have lately presented themsleves for admission into the Theatre with those Tickets; and the Subscribers are requested to observe that, in future, persons of this description will be conducted directly to the indentical Boxes to which such Tickets belong, instead of being admitted into any other part of the Theatre. The Public are entreated to understand that neither Ladies in Undress Hats or Bonnets, nor Gentlemen in Boots, will be admitted into the Pit of the Opera

Event Comment: "The represention announced for last night at this Theatre was Twelfth Night; but as Mrs Jordan found herself too ill to perform, new bills were issued, and the substitute was to be The Siege of Belgrade. About the middle of the day, however, Mrs Jordan found herself well enough to perform, and the other bills were circulated, importing that the play was to be Twelfth Night. But, in the afternoon, Mrs Jordan found herself too ill to perform, and a message was sent again to the theatre, signifying the melancholy disappointment. It was then too late to make any other change, and Twelfth Night was represented, Mrs Goodall reading the part of Viola. There was considerable difficulty in collecting the performers, after these repeated changes. Barrymore could not be found, and Caulfield dressed for Orsino; but when he was ready to appear Barrymore arrived, and took the part. It was then discovered that Phillimore was absent, and Caulfield was doomed to dress once more, for Phillimore's character; but soon after Phillimore came to the house. Mrs Kemble being indisposed, Miss Mellon undertook her part of Maria ...The Audience (a large one) indeed grumbled a little at this kind of dramatic hocus pocus, but on the whole, were not churlish in their testimonies of satisfaction" (True Briton, 13 Jan.). Receipts: #222 19s. (160.4.0; 58.11.6; 4.3.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. 1st piece [1st time; MD 2, by Samuel Birch]: The Musick by Attwood. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. 2nd piece [1st time; INT 1, by George Colman, ynger. This was the 1st scene from Colman's New Hay at the Old Market, slightly revised; in subsequent seasons it was acted under the title of Sylvester Daggerwood]: By Permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal Hay-Market. 3rd piece: With a Sea Fight. [The playbill assigns Sneer to Palmer, but "The Public are most respectfully informed that Palmer being too ill to perform this Evening, the character of Sneer will be attempted by Benson, who humbly hopes for their usual indulgence" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Oracle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 65, Gower-street, Bedford Square. Receipts: #613 12s. (332.0.6; 45.19.6; 4.3.0; tickets: 231.9.0) (charge: #221 19s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Fawcett 1st piece: By permission of G. Colman, Esq. Never performed at that Theatre. As performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, with universal Applause. With new Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. Written by the Author of The Way to Get Married [Thomas Morton]. 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1]. Oracle, 8 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Fawcett at his house, No. 9, Tottenham-Court-Road, opposite Howland-street. Receipts: #507 9s. 6d. (185.7.6; 10.0.0; tickets: 312.2.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Mara. 2nd piece: Compressed into 2 Acts. The Words of the new Song to be had at the Theatre. Morning Herald, 21 May: Tickets to be had of Mme Mara, No. 57, Edgeware-road. Account-Book: Paid the Duke of Bedford one years Rent for the Theatre due Ladyday 1794 #456 4s.; Account-Book, 10 June: Paid the Duke of Bedford one years Rent due Ladyday 1795 #456 4s. Receipts: #339 10s. (250.1.6; 2.2.0; tickets: 87.6.6)

Event Comment: 3rd piece [1st time; MF 2, by George Brewer]: The Musick by Dr Arnold. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Herald; 6 July 1796: This Day is published Bannian Day (1s.). Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice, at the Theatre. [On this evening the following performers appeared both at dl and at the hay: Suett, Caulfield, Trueman, R. Palmer, Burton, Miss Leak, Miss Heard