Event Comment: MMr Garrick's Benefit tho not in ye bills. Mainpiece by Particular Desire (Cross). Receipts: #230 (Cross)

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: As I saw in the papers that the tragedy of Phaedra is shortly to be acted at Covent Garden, I thought that the following lines, written upon Mrs Woffington's performance of the character in Ireland would not be unacceptable to you, or to your readers. They fell casually into my hands. If you think them worth inserting, they are at your service [a poem of 104 lines follows]: @Oft has the poet sweetly sung in vain@When tasteless actors chaunt the heavenly strain... Woffington seems reserved to play the part magnificently. The analysis, tho' fettered to the couplet, is more specific as to her gestures and expression, and tone, than most such commentaries

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets deliver'd by Mrs James will be taken. For ye Benefit of Mrs James, tho' her name was not put up, who is going to leave the Stage, and retire as said to a Nunnery. Mr Macklin's Oratory open'd at his house in ye Piazza (Cross). Public Advertiser 22 Nov.: At Macklin's Great Room in Hart St. Covent Garden this day...will be opened The British Inquisition. This Inquisition is upon the plan of the ancient Greek, Roman and modern French, Italian Societies@of@liberal@investigation...&c. First lecture to be on Hamlet. [See Mackliniana (2 Vols. Folger Shakespeare Library) MS notes by Isaac Reed, from the Public Advertiser, 22 Nov. Macklin's lecture series was repeated on 23, 28 Nov., 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28 Dec.] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Composer--tho' not in ye Bills (Cross). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMr Murphy from Covent Garden did Osmyn. Indiff-tho' great applause (Cross). Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMr Vernon, in Garcia, tho not meddled with in the 1st Act was in the 5 hiss'd off, on account of the old affair of his Marriage--an Epilogue was spoke to ye farce by Mrs Clive--(Indiff) (Cross). Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: The Introduction (tho left out of the Bills) was call'd for, & had some Applause (Cross). Books of the opera sold at the theatre. Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: Wth Shakespear's ode (by Havard). Mrs Cibber ill, she came tho', and went thro' Ye two first Acts & then Miss Haughton finish'd the Part (Cross). For bt. of Ross, but Ross did not act. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. Miss Pritchard did Juliet for the First time of her Acting & Met with uncommon Applause, tho' so frightened the first Act, we Scarce cou'd hear her (Cross). Miss Pritchard's was a most remarkable first appearance--the Particularity of the public for her mother--Garrick's patronage and tuition, her own beautiful face, which was fascinating to a degree, had all great attraction. Mrs Pritchard, as Lady Capulet, leading in her daughter as Juliet, the distress of the young lady, the good wishes and tenderness of the town, all combined made an affecting scene--but that partiality dwindled away in the early part of the season (Genest, IV, 474, from Tate Wilkinson). Receipts: #226 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMrs Glen did Lady Townly for her own Benefit, tho' not advertis'd so--Inspid (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Pritchard did Juliet tho' Mrs Cibber is engag'd (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: This Night (tho' not so mentioned) was for Dr Hawksworth, who alter'd the play (he is just made a Dr of Law) (Cross). Last time of performing till the Holidays (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: [M+Mercury Harlequin seems to have been the afterpiece. The Public Advertiser carried the following notice under news from London: "Mr Garrick was prevented from appearing in the character of Chamont last night, by a sudden and violent Indisposition, but we hear that he is better, tho' not quite free from pain."] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: [This month in the Gentleman's Magazine (p. 168) in an article entitled an Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times, appeared this paragraph: 'Tho' a great genius has rendered the stage the last refuge of manly taste, and with a variety of powers beyond example, establish'd nature. Shakespeare and himself, yet it is to be feared the crowd of spectators is drawn by secondary circumstances, as the fashionable part of it sit with the same face of admiration at Lear, an Opera, and a pantomime.'

Event Comment: Benefit for the French Dancers, tho' not in the Bills. It was to have been The Winter's Tale, but Mrs Cibber is taken ill (Cross). Tickets deliver'd for The Winter's Tale and Catherine and Petruchio will be taken. Last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: For ye Author of ye farce tho' not advertis'd (Cross). Afterpiece: At the Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Being the last time but one of performing it this season. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: This Play tho' all new dress'd and had Fine Scenes did not seem to give ye audience any great plasure, or draw any applause (Cross). Written by Shakespear. Never Acted there. New Habits, Scenes, and Decorations. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken during the Performance. No Gentleman can possibly be admitted behind the Scenes, or into the Orchestra on account of the Music, Decorations, and number of Performers which are necessary to the Representation (playbill). [See "Garrick's Presentation of Antony and Cleopatra," RES, Jan. 1937. The following characters appear in Capel's acting text, 23 Oct. 1958, Maecenas-Atkins; Proculeius-$Austin; Soothsayer-$Burton; Mardian-$Perry; Seleucas-$Burton.] Receipts: #200 ($Cross); #193 14s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: Mr Berry dy'd (Cross). Receipts: #170 (Cross). British Chronicle; 8 Jan. 1760. (Winston MS 8): Died Mr Edward Berry in Russel St., Covent Garden, 53 years one of the comedians of tr dl. On this Sunday the body was interr'd in the Cemetery of St Martin's Church. The loss of so worthy a man was expressed by those present. His only daugher is to [....] with the following inscription to his memory, to whom he has left his fortune worth about #1000: @Epitaph@Here lies the remains of@Edward Berry@Who lived@With public applause and private esteem@The former he acquired as@An Excellent Comedian, the latter as an@Honest Man. 8 Jan 1760 Aet 5s.@Light lie the turf, what tho' no breathing Bust@Of mimic Marble dignifie thy dust?@Yet filial sorrow pays the Dudeous Tear@And heartworn Friendship heaves a Sigh sincere.@Pleas'd may thy shade these humble rites receive@The last sad tribute gratitude can give@

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author. [At the half-price riots (25 Jan.) Moody had stopped a man from setting fire to the house. When called upon to apologize for interfering with a gentleman and for taking the manager's part he thought to restore good humor by assuming the tone of a low-bred Irishman, saying he was sorry he had displeased them by saving their lives and putting out the fire. The reply inflamed the rioters more (Genest, V, p. 15). On 5 Feb. Moody inserted the following apology in the Public Advertiser: Mr Moody begs leave to inform the Public that the impropriety of his behavoir at the theatre was intirely owing to the confusion of mind he was then under; which unhappily for him was misconstrued into disrespect; tho' nothing could at that, or that, or at any other time, be farther from his thoughts. He therefore earnestly hopes and entreats that he may be permitted to appear before them again; as he hereby most humbly asks their pardon for whatever he inadvertently said or did to incur their displeasure."

Event Comment: full column letter to the public signed by John Beard appeared in the Public Advertiser announcing his agreement to the half-price demands of the rioters, and excusing himself for not acquiescing with more alacrity on the night of the demand. His excuse was that he was merely manager for other proprietors, and that property interest was involved in the financial sacrifice he was asked to make. He noted further reasons for not immediately giving in to demands of the rioters: Mr Beard had at that time received several anonymous threatening letters and notes concerning many other branches of what they called Reformation. He was ordered by one to add a farce to Love in a Village, or the House should be pulled about his ears. By andther he was commanded to put a stop to the farther representation of that Opera, upon the penalty of enforcing his compliance by a Riot the next night of performance, and very lately received certain information of meetings, which have already been held, and an Association forming to reduce the prices at the Theatre to what they were forty years since, tho' it is notorious the Expence of Theatrical Entertainments are more than doubled. For these reasons he looked upon the Occasion of the present disturbance only as a prelude to future violence; as the first not the last salutation of this extraordinary kind to be expected, and apprehended that too easy an acquiescence might possibly prove rather encouragement than prevention. Nevertheless in gratitude for the many favours and indulgencies received from the Publick, and from an earnest desire to promote that order and decorum so essential in all Public Assemblies, the Proprietors have now jointly authorized Mr Beard to declare that they shall think themselves equally bound with the managers of the other Theatre to an observance of those limitations which they have agreed to." This letter repeated in Public Advertiser, 3 March.

Event Comment: This Night the passages that seem'd to give offence were omitted. A little hissing but not so much as the first Night (Hopkins). [Identical in Hopkins Diary-MacMillan.] went off pretty well, tho' 'twas expected the audience would not suffer it to be Acted. The Company ready to play the Stratagem (Cross Diary). The Characters New Dress'd. Play Publish'd at 1s. 6d. Receipts: #160 5s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Young. Afterpiece: Not acted in 20 years. Music by Dr Arne. [See John Lockman's Reflections concerning Operas, &c." in his introduction to his edition of Rosalinda (London, 1760), p. iv: 'A gentleman, well known for his musical compositions, is of opinion, that the reason why the Opera Rosamond tho' adorned with all the graces of lyric poetry, does not please from the stage, so much as might be expected, is owing to a circumstance that forms a beauty in the drama itself; I mean the suppos'd poisoning of Rosamond at the end of the second act, and her appearing no more upon the stage. Whilst this sheet was at press, I was told that Mr Arne has reduc'd this opera into one act, and set the whole anew; and so managed matters, that Rosamond appears throughout the whole drama. Tis said that the music of this new Rosamond is as delightful as that of another performance of Mr Arne's which now affords the town so agreeable an Entertainment."

Event Comment: Benefit for Mattocks. [The Jester's Magazine, or Monthly Merry Maker included the following verses by "Bumpkin" from the Upper Gallery, "On Seeing Midas"]: @To Midas invited@And greatly delighted,@They all sung and acted so clever;@That in Rapture I cry'd, a,@To the folk on each side, a,@Burlettas and sing-song forever!@For tho' Justice Midas@Turns out but a Try'd Ass,@In preferring horse Pan to Apollo@The Airs are so pretty,@And so sweet the Duetti,@They beat all your Operas hollow.

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: By Command of their Majesties. With the latest improvement by Mr Handel. Pit and boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd that day, at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at Half an Hour past Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half an Hour after Six (Public Advertiser, 4 March). [N.B. This is an Advance notice. No notice occurs on this day, but the following: This Day publish'd Esther: An Oratorio, with the last improvements by Mr Handel. To be performed, by Their Majesties Command at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Price 1s.] Went into the First Gallery at Covent Garden to hear the Oraortio, Esther, composed by Handel. The Stage was formed into an orchestra, like one side of an amphitheatre divided by an organ, atop of which was a head of Handel in a radiated frame. In the front sat the vocal performers, Champney, Vernon, Mrs Arne, Mrs Pinto, Miss Young, and Mrs Frasi. Stanley played on the Organ but retired after the 1st or 2nd act. The house was not much crowded, tho the King and Queen, those idols of fools, were there (Neville MS Diary). Charges: #35 (Account Book)