Event Comment: Afterpiece: Written by the Author of The Son-in-Law [John O'Keeffe]. The Overture and New Musick composed by Dr Arnold. "The same person who, in the play, performed the school-fellow of the Nabob with a great deal of nature, and original humour, here acted the part of the school-master; his name is Edwin, and he is, without doubt, one of the best actors of all that I have seen ... [He], in all his comic characters, still preserves something so inexpressibly good tempered in his countenance, that notwithstanding all his burlesques, and even grotesque buffoonery, you cannot but be pleased with him . . . Nothing could equal the tone and countenance of self-satisfaction, with which he answered one who asked him whether he was a scholar? 'Why, I was a master of scholars.' A Mrs Webb represented a cheesmonger, and played the part of a woman of the lower class, so naturally, as I have no where else ever seen equalled. Her huge, fat, and lusty carcase, and the whole of her external appearance seemed quite to be cut out for it" (Carl Philipp Moritz, Travels in England in 1782, London, 1924, pp. 73-74)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Baker. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: As it was alter'd by his Grace the Duke of Buckingham

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Butler. Tickets at Mrs Butler's House in Leicester Fields

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Heron. Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

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 Mrs Barry. Part of Pit laid together with Boxes. Send servants at half past Four

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Webb. Morning Herald, 20 Apr.: Tickets to he had of Mrs Webb at her house, No. 15, Bedford-street, Covent-garden. Afterpiece: Never performed here. Receipts: #198 19s. (154/14; rickets: 44/5) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Daily Post, 18 Sept,: Mrs Oldfield...who was dangerously ill, is in a fair Way of Recovery

Event Comment: [Because of Mrs Porter's accident, she can act only every other day; The Rival Queens, therefore, will be given on alternate evenings.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mrs Centlivre

Event Comment: Each of these 3 acts apiece, Alter'd by Garrick, from Shakespear-Applauded. Mrs Clive fell down in ye Farce, and accus'd Woodward wth doing it on purpose (Cross). [The Bill lists neither cast nor characters for either piece, but advertises them with proper music, songs, dances, and decorations. Beginning with 23 Jan. the Bill lists actors names. Casts here taken from the 1756 ed.] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Egerton. Rec'd from Mr Dodd on Acct #15; from Mr Clutterbuck's [acc't] #200; Stopages #18 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #105 6s. Charges: #65 8s. Profits to Mrs Egerton: #39 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, attributed to Richard Brinsley Sheridan (see G. W. Williams in Studies in Philology, XLVII, 1950, 619-28). Synopsis of action (W. Randall, 1779) lists no parts]: The Overture and Music entirely new. With new Scenes, Machines, Dresses and Decorations. All the Scenery, Machinery, &c. designed by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. [For a discussion of this pantomime see Theatre Survey, II, 54-66.] Public Advertiser, 24 Feb. 1779: This Day is published an Account of The Wonders of Derbyshire and the Songs (6d.). Receipts: #225 19s. (223.18.0; 2.1.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by Charles Dibdin. After being altered and enlarged this was billed as Harlequin Every-where (see 27 Dec.)]: With entire new Music; new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Music composed by Dibdin; the Scenes designed and executed by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, Cipriani. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. The Orphan [announced on playbill of 29 Nov.] is deferred on account of Mrs Hartley's Indisposition. Account-Book, 13 Nov.: Paid Hodgins, painter, 14 weeks salary #36 15s. Public Advertiser, 1 Dec. 1779: This Afternoon is bublishpublished The Mirror (1s.). Receipts: #180 18s. (168.1; 12.17)

Event Comment: [On 17 Apr. 1781 the playbill notes that Mrs Kennedy acted Carlos, it being "her 1st appearance in that character this season". This is perhaps a misprint for "2nd"; i.e. on 21 Sept. 1780 the Gazetteer reviews her performance as Carlos.] Receipts: #191 1s. 6d (190.12.6; 0.9.0)

Event Comment: Paid Mrs Yates for 2 Nights Performance #34. Receipts: #111 1s. (105/17; 5/4)

Event Comment: Paid Mrs Abington on account of her Salary #250. Receipts: #244 12s. 6d. (235/13/0; 8/19/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Yates [who is named in the Account-Book, but not on the playbill]. Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years. Receipts: none listed (charge: #65 19s.)

Event Comment: Principal Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley, leader of the band; C. Ashley, W. Parke, Boyce, Barret, R. Ashley, Parkinson, Woodham, Jenkinson, M'Arthur, the Munros, Purney, Cantelo, Taylor, M'Intosh, Gwilliam, Nicks, Cobham, Leffler, Betts, Flack, Dressler, Cornish, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Ware, J. Ware, Wood, G. Jones, Moorehead, Slezack, Francis, Jackson, Vial, White, &c. Organ by J. Ashley. The Band and Chorusses will be numerous and complete, and assisted by the Trombones and Double Drums, used at Handel's Commemoration at Westminster Abbey [in 1784]. The whole under the direction of Ashley Sen. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the stage door. The Doors to be opened at 6:00, and the Performance to begin at 7:00 precisely [same throughout oratorio season]. Half Price will be taken at 9:00. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance to be had at the Theatre (6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Butler

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Shireburn and Miss Brett. Mainpiece: Alter'd from Shakespear by Mr Betterton

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Horton. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Charke and Mrs Charke. Mainpiece: Written by the late Duke of Buckingham. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality