Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I incidental to the Tragedy, a Grand Masquerade. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] Afterpiece: With the Fantoccini, as 30 Oct. ["In the late performance of this play at Covent Garden theatre, we perceive that this objection [i.e. Romeo and Juliet in III. v standing on the stage] is removed; the principal part of the scene is spoken from a balcony...The grand funeral dirge is introduced with magnificence and ostentation. A long procession of monks, friars, &c., accompanied with music, is made to passover the stage. But what end is all this farce and shew to answer?...We must rather laugh at so much pomp and expence bestowed on Juliet. If there is any distress stirring, the candle-snuffers and scene-shifters, who assist as chief mourners, have it all to themselves" (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1797, p. 293). Receipts: #197 3s. 6d. (193.5.6; 3.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Voluntary Contribution now open at the Bank, for the Defence of our Country. Boxes 10s. 6d. Pit 5s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Tickets to be had and Places to be taken of Brandon, at the Stage-Door in Hart-street. Tickets also to be had at the Bar of Lloyd's Coffee-House. [Prologue by William Boscawen (Monthly Mirror, Mar. 1798, p. 178. Author of Address unknown.] "A subscription was set on foot behind the scenes," to which most of the performers contributed #10 apiece (Monthly Mirror, ibid). Account-Book, 12 May: Paid into the Bank of England in aid of the Voluntary Contribution #394 15s. Receipts: #518 8s. (280.9; 12.2; tickets: 225.17) [the difference of #123 13s. appears to have been the house charge]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In I a Grand Masquerade. Account-Book: Paid Sloper [master carpenter] for Scene Men #40 17s. 11d. Receipts: #179 0s. 6d. (176.9.6; 2.11.0)

Event Comment: "Mr T. has performed in the Norwich Company. [He] did not appear to us to possess a single requisite for the profession of an actor...We observed that the characters of Lenox and Rosse were doubled [i.e. combined]-a resource, at all times, disreputable to the theatre and to the manager" (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, pp. 369-70). Receipts: #299 15s. 6d. (293.8.6; 6.7.0)

Event Comment: In II The Grand Triumphal Entry of Alexander into Babylonv. In IV a Grand Banquetv. [Macartney was from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Receipts: #222 18s. (218.2; 4.16)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; MD 5, by Richard Cumberland. Author of Prologue unknown]: A Romance of the Fourteenth Century, Formed upon the Plan of an unpublished Drama [Johanna von Montfaucon], written and transmitted by Augustus von Kotzebue, The Overture, Songs, Chorusses, Marches and Finale, with appropriate Symphonies between the Acts, by Busby. The Scenery, Dresses, Machinery & Decorations entirely New. The Scenery by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, &c. The arrangement of the Marches, Chorusses & Military Movements incidental to the Piece, under the direction of Farley. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. The Words of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. "The appropriate beauty of the scenery, in which the rules of perspective are critically observed, the splendour of the decorations and the richness of the dresses, have been rarely equalled" (Universal Magazine, Jan. 1800, p. 75). Receipts: #318 6d. (316.2; 2.4)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; MF 2, by James Cobb. Text (unauthorized), Dublin: P. Byrne [1800]; synopsis of plot in Dramatic Censor, II, 135-36]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Overture composed by Mazzinghi, and the Music by Mazzinghi and Reeve. The Scenes painted by Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Hodgins, &c. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. Receipts: #132 17s. (128.7.6; 4.9.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Brandon, box-book and housekeeper. 1st piece: Not acted these 5 years. Receipts: #410 4s. (43.4.6; 3.1.6; tickets: 363.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit Hamilton, Mlle Roland, Miss Norris. Tickets for Deshaln, Temple, Master Nansan also taken. Mainpiece: In Imitation of Shakespear

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Billington. Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years [acted 5 Nov. 1779]. The Music chiefly composed by Hook, the rest compiled from the most eminent Masters. With new Songs and other Alterations [and restorations; the names of almost all the characters have been changed (see 23 Nov. 1778)]. Public Advertiser, 12 Jan.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Billington, No. 53, Poland-street. Receipts: #365 3s. 6d. (244.0.6; 2.12.0; tickets: 118.11.0) [charge: free)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bowden. Public Advertiser, 22 Jan.: Tickets to be had of Bowden, No. 5, John-street, Great Portland-street. Receipts: #288 9s. (182.4.6; 1.18.6; tickets: 104.6.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Billington. Public Advertiser, 8 Jan.: Tickets to be ha of Mrs Billington, No. 53, Poland-street. Receipts: #419 16s. 6d. (296.5.0; 2.14.6; tickets: 120.17.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Billington. Public Advertiser, 9 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Billington, No. 53, Poland-street. Receipts: #290 16s. 6d. (196.14.6; 4.10.0; tickets: 89.12.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In I a Masquerade Scene incident to the Play. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] No Money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [see 2 Nov.]. [No playbill this season lists the various prices of admission; they were probably, as usual: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s.] Receipts: #255 6s. (253.11.6; 1.14.6)