Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. 3rd piece [1st time; M. INT 1, by Thomas John Dibdin. Larpent MS 1288; not published]: Founded on a late Glorious Naval Achievement [the recapture by Capt. Edward Hamilton, on 25 Oct. 1799, of the British frigate Hermione, from the Spaniards]. The Music selected and composed by Attwood. Morning Chronicle, 1 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Lewis, No. 52, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Receipts: #361 17s. (263.2.0; 33.5.6; tickets: 65.9.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Humane Society. A new grand Commemorative Oratorio [1st time; in two parts], as originally performed by Busby, in aid of the Fund for the Naval Pillar, including the new Music [by Busby: Song and Chorus, From where the sun; Song, To thy brave sons; Recitative and Song, Peace to the soul, Around the ever-honoured urn], introduced in the Grand National Concert, performed the 28th of May, at the Opera House. Leader of the Band-Cramer. Organ-Russell. The performance to be conducted by Busby, who will preside at the Piano Forte. Tickets, at playhouse prices, to be had at all the principal music shops...and of Busby, No. 9, China Terrace, Vauxhall Road. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. "The words [of Part I] are taken entirely from Gray's well-known Pindaric Ode, The Progress of Poesy," with six introductory lines written by John Gretton andthe concluding stanzas by Thomas Dutton; the text of Part II by Gretton (Dramatic Censor, II, 285-86)

Event Comment: [Theatrical Review, 6 Dec.: re afterpiece: "Thomas is well supported by Mr Vernon who...is the best acting singer on the stage...Mr Davies appeared for the first time in the character of the squire, and discovered no inconsiderable degree of merit.--Dorcas by Mrs Love--This character is better played here by Mrs Dorman. [Both surpassed by Mrs Thomson at cg.] Mrs Scott does justice to the songs, being an accomplished singer, but as an actress she is insufferably insipid and inanimate."] Paid Mr Russell for men's cloaths #30; Paid Mr Follett on note #10 10s.; 2 Clarinets 6 nights (2nd incl.) #9 9s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #243 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Martyr. 2nd piece [1st time; O 1, by John Wolcot. Larpent MS 770; not published]: Being a Translation from the French Opera of that name [Nina; ou, La Folle par Amour, by Benoit Joseph Marsollier des Vivetieres], now performing at Paris with universal applause. With the original Music [by Nicolas Dalayrac, adapted by William Shield and William Thomas Parke. Two other versions of this opera, both unacted, were published this year: one anonymous, and one by George Monck Berkeley]. Receipts: #300 8s. 6d. (150.0.0; 2.18.0; tickets: 147.10.6)

Event Comment: [Full column in Daily Advertiser describing Barry's and Mrs Macklin's acting techniques.] Barry from the Theatre in Dublin, perform'd the part of Othello, at Drury Lane, before a numerous and polite audience; and met with as great Applause as could be express'd.--General Advertiser, 6 Oct. Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole: You have probably been there since I left you, and consequently have seen the Mr Barry you desired some account of; yet as I am not certain of this and should be glad to know whether we agree about him, I will nevertheless tell you what he is, and the impression he made upon me. He is upwards of six feet in height; wdll and prortionably made, treads well and knows what to do with his limbs; in short a noble graceful figure. I can say nothing of his face but that it was all black, with a wide mough and good eyes. His voice is of a clear and pleasing tone, something like Delane's, but not so deep-mouthed, not so like a passing bell. When high strain'd it is apt to crack a little and be hoarse, but in its common pitch, and when it sinks into any softer passion, particularly expressive and touching. In the first scene, especially when he recounts to the Senate the progress of his love and the means he used to win Desdemona, he was quite mistaken, and I took a pique against him; instead of a cool narration he flew into a rant of voice and action, as though he were relating the circumstance of a battle that was fought yesterday. I expected nothing more from him, but was deceiv'd: in the scenes of rage and jealousy he was seldom inferior to Quin in the parts of tenderness and sorrow far above him. These latter seem to be his peculiarly; his action is not very various, but rarely improper, or without dignity, and some of his attitudes are really fine. He is not perfect to be sure, but I think may make a better player than any now on the stage in a little while. However, to see a man in one character, and but once, is not sufficient, so I rather ask your opinion by this, than give you mine.--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Thomas Gray, II, 6-7

Event Comment: Benefit for Scrase and Miss Thomas. Tickets of Scrase at Mr Cross's in Crown Court, Russel St., Covent Garden; of Miss Thomas at the Ring and Pearl, Duke's Court, Bow St., and at stage door. No Building on Stage. Receipts: #130 (Cross)

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: Mainpiece [1st time, i.e. as an alteration of Richard Savage's play; T 5, by William Woodfall. Prologue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Epilogue by Richard Cumberland (see text)]: with New Scenes and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 13 Feb. 1777: Sir Thomas Overbury (the Publication of which was unavoidably postponed) will be ready this Morning, at Ten o'Clock (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #212 4s. 6d. (210.7.6; 1.17.0)