Event Comment: Afterpiece: by Particular Desire. N.B. Mr Yates refus'd to play Kastril. (Mr King play'd it.) Mr Weston play'd Abel Drugger, was well receiv'd & indeed he play'd much better than could Expect from him. his figure was much in his favour (Hopkins). Mr Weston Drugger. great applause (Cross Diary). Mr Yates would not play his part [Kastril].-Abel Drugger by Mr Weston,-who went thro' it much beyond what any one could expect,-and, considering so great a man as Mr Garrick was his predecessor, twas wonderful. Upon the whole, I think he played it very decently. His figure is much in his favour.-He received great applause (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #85 14s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@145, p. 120. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 020. The date of the first performance is not known, but it may well have been about this time, as the Prologue refers to Michaelmas Term and the reopening of the playhouses ("Theatres are up"). The play was entered in the Term Catalogues in February 1681@2

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Edward Morris, with incidental music by Richard Suett. Prologue by Charles Morris; Epilogue by George Colman, ynger (see text)]: With new Dresses, Decorations, &c. Morning Herald, 23 Apr. 1793: To-morrow will be published False Colours (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #231 9s. (188.2; 38.18; 4.9)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A masque in 3 parts with Music by Dibdin. New Scenes, Machines, Habits, and Decorations. This Entertainment is got up at vast Expence both in Scenery & Dresses very great applause (Hopkins Diary). But I wish it may answer the expence (Hopkins MS Notes). Book of Chorusses & Songs may be had at the Theatre. [The afterpiece thoroughly reviewed and excoriated by Theatrical Review for 28 Oct.] Paid Mr Dorman for coals #45 10s.; Mr Booth over stop'd last season 10s. 6d.; Supernumerary Soldiers #1 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #259 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston. [See Comment 24 April.] Afterpiece: A Comedy of Two Acts altered from Ben Jonson's Alchemist, by Francis Gentleman. Receipts: #242 12s. 6d. Charges: #64 13s. Profits to Weston: #177 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Positively the last night of performing. Benefit for Mrs Williams and Mrs Weston

Event Comment: Benefit for Wroughton. [Listed as Rotten in the Account Book.] Rec'd from tickets only #5 11s. (Box 12; Pit 17). Charges: 1!2 House charge, plus 1!2 value of tickets, plus half receipts amounted to #66 1s. 6d. and left the actor with an uncovered deficit of #5 19s. (Account Book), which he paid up on 20 May. Receipts; #60 3s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mr Grist made his first appearance upon any Stage in the Character of Othello his figure is well enough, a good Voice and powerful, when he knows how to manage it-he is Awkward-but it was a very good first appearance, and if there is proper care taken of him, he may make an Actor (Hopkins Diary). Paid 2 extra flutes #2 10s.; 1 suit Brocade cloaths #12 12s.; Mrs Brereton, 4 nights not on list, #3 6s. 8d. Receipts: #220 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Trueman. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Walcot as Mrs Heidelberg, but "An apology was made on behalf of Mrs Walcot, in whose stead the papt of Mrs Heidelberg was ably sustained by Mrs Sparks" (Dramatic Censor, II, 243. As afterpiece the playbill announces Three Weeks after Marriage, but "Mrs Jordan happening, like other great performers, to be taken ill (it is wonderful how much great actors and actresses are subject to sudden indisposition!) Trueman was under the necessity of subsituting The Prize for the afterpiece" (ibid, p. 244).] Morning Chronicle, 30 May: Tickets to be had of Trueman, No. 38, Norfolk-street, Strand. Receipts: #127 8s. (70.6; 55.6; 1.6; tickets: none listed) (charge: #201 2s. 2d.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With proper Scenes, Dresses and Other Decorations (playbill). Miss Venables (a pupil of Mr Michl Arne) made her first appearance on the Stage in Philadel. She is very Short, & has a mean appearance a tolerable Voice-but little applause Miss Younge Emmeline (first time) So, so (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble slightly expanded. Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine (Theatre XL) writes of Miss Venables, She displayed but very moderate talents for the stage. She will doubtless improve under so good a master and when she has gained a greater share of maturity will probably do honor to her tutor.'] Receipts: #140 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Company. At the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket [repeated in all bills] will be performed, by particular Desire, a Comedy...Places to be taken of Mr Jewel, at the Theatre. 7 p.m. [Repeated in the bills.] The house has been altered, as there was formerly but one gallery. [Miss Ogilvie was the young gentlewoman.] Went at 5:30 (before ye doors were open) to Foote's new Theatre in ye Haymarket which was open for ye first time tonight, and is very neatly fitted up. Got a good place in ye Pit...a very humorous Prologue in Prose by J. Palmer as Snarl a writer of Political Letters for the newspapers. Weston as Laconic a newspaper poet--Foote as Manager and Scaffold ye Builder (ye real one of ye house as some said)...in Smirk (Foote) took off Langford to a hair, not forgetting his son's affair with Dr Chauncey. Shift and ye Epilogue as Dr Squintum by Bannister, who took off Holland, Dodd, Moody, and Champneys surprisingly well...The house pretty full. York there awhile (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: This Comis Opera is Written by the Revd Mr Bate. It is very Pleasant & the Music pretty. It is admirably Perform'd & was receiv'd with very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). The Music of the Afterpiece by Mr Carter. New Scenes, Dresses, Decoartions for afterpiece. Paid for Licences of Matilda & Rival Candidates #4 4s.; Mr Baddeley on note #10 10s.; Miss Berkley #2 2s. on note (Treasurer's Book). [A long rewiew of the plot of the afterpiece appeared in the Feb. Westminster Magazine, concluding: "In point of dialogue, poetry or music, it is inferior to few, if any, of the modern attempts of a similar kind; amongst which number, however, we desire to be understood not to include the ribald, unmeaning, sing-song compilations of the monotonous Mr Dibdin. The Fable, indeed, is too light and trival to endure the severity of a critical analysis; but it is at least sufficiently important to serve as a vehicle for the music; and the catastrophe has peculiar vivacity and theatrical spirit. Upon the whole the author has fully answered the end he proposed of introducing a deserving young composer whose name, it seems is Carter, to the public and who more than promises to be a composer of taste and genius. In this his first performance he both received and deserved the greatest encouragement and applause. Mr Weston spoke a humorous Epilogue accompanied by a large dog named Dragon, which had a very good effect, but as it was poor Dragon's first time of appearing on the stage, he, like all young performers of true feeling, seemed a good deal frightened...but having conquored his fears, and recovered himself a little, he performed his part very chastely and to the entire satisfaction of all present." Epilogue ends with a satirical remark upon Sg Rossignol, the "bird imitator" at Covent Garden. See 6 Jan. cg.] Receipts: #204 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Permission. Benefit for Williams, Mrs Weston

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Mrs Jewell. [First time for all the women in the characters of the mainpiece.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Dress'd in the Habits of the Times. Mr Powell King Henry for 1st time (Hopkins). Mr Powell played King Henry with great feeling, and was very well received in it (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #142 3s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Miss Hayward her first appearance on this Stage a pretty figure Some Requisites & very wild-time must discover what she will be-well received (Hopkins Diary). Calista, Miss Hayward first Time (Cross)

Event Comment: Two Young Lady's made their first Appearance in the Characters of Polly & Lucy Pupils of Dr Arne--Miss Wellers figure is very well for Polly but she wants Spirit & is apt to Sing out of Tune. Mrs Bradley is Tall & a good figure for Lucy and acquitted herself very well in that character they both met with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly: Two young Gentlewomen appeared in the characters of Polly and Lucy,--brought out by Dr Arne,--Miss Weller and Mrs Bradley.--Miss Weller's figure was very well for Polly; but she is a piece of still life, sings out of tune and will never make an actress.--Mrs Bradley,--very tall, and appears to have blackguard requisites enough for Lucy, but will not do for anything else--Hopkins Diary No 7. Mrs Bradley is since married to Mr Prior the Builder.--J. P. Kemble."] Paid Renters #8 [this payment occurs each playing night of the season, 188 times in all, and will not be further noted]; Mr Carver, six days, #6 [a weekly payment outside the pay list throughout the season. Presumably to scene painter. No further noted]; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s. Renters total for season #1592. Carver total for season #088 (Treasurer's Book). [see account of Miss Weller and Miss Bradley in Town and Country Magazine (Theatre XXXVIII): The first performed the part of Polly, and the latter that of Lucy. Their figures are both genteel, and their countenances expressive. Miss weller was much confused upon her first entrance; but from the melody of her voice, tho she did not raise it sufficiently in many parts, there is reason to believe, when she was got the better of her terrors of facing an audience, that she will be an acquisition to the stage, at least as a vocal performer. Miss Bradley's performance of Lucy with great spirit, vivacity and Propriety' and her singing being so well suited to the character, she so much eclipsed Polly, that the audience formed a more indifferent opinion of her abilities than she deserved."] Receipts: #220 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Being the last time of performing the Mainpiece This Season

Event Comment: [G$Genest, V, 140, notes that Bannister's name does not appear in the playbill; the Public Advertiser bill, which does not specify any parts, includes Bannister as well as Strange, Loveman, Keen, and Smith, for which there is no support in the 1767 edition.] Before six went into the Pit to see the new tragedy of The Countess of Salisbury performed for the first time. One cannot judge perfectly of a Play without reading it, but it was received with vast applause. The author being an Irishman, Weston spoke a Prologue in the character of an Hibernian (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston. Mainpiece: By Desire. Tickets deliver'd for A Comedy will be taken. Paid 6 days salary list at #86 14s. 7d. per diem, #520 7s. 6d.; Mr G. Garrick on acct #50; Rec'd from Sinking Fund #45; Stopages #15 17s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #149 9s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Weston: #84 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Younge. Last time of performing till Easter. Mainpiece: Not acted these 5 years. [See 9 Nov. 1768.] Afterpiece: Never acted here (playbill). Part of pit laid into boxes. Ladies and Gentlemen requested to come early. Rec'd stopages #2 12s. 6d.; short charge for new farce on 8 March #10 10s.; Paid 4 days salary list #348 14s. 8d.; Mr King's extra salary #2; Mr S. Barry on note #100; Mr Cook's 4 boys 4 nights (the 7th incl.) #6 Mr J. French on acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #282 19s. 6d. Charges #64 17s. Profit to Miss Younge: #218 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: New Overture and Pieces of Music Between the Acts. Music by Barthelemon. New Scenes, Habits and Decorations. The Scenes designed by DeLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, Royer, and Greenwood. Books of the songs and Chorusses to be had at the Theatre. This piece is got up in a most Superb manner. The Scenery is beyond description fine -& the whole Performance tho' the most complicated upon the stage went off with uncommon Applause. Mrs Abington played finely--Mr Slingsby & Sga Hidou danc'd for the first time & were Amazingly well Rec'ed. The Ballets are very Grand (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #17 18s.; Paid salary list #567 16s.; J. French on Acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: Never performed before, by John Burgoyne. [The review in the Westminster Magazine, Nov. 1774, tells the plot, and concludes: "After some superb exhibitions of transparent scenery, several characteristic airs, and elegant dances, Mr Oldworth...proclaims Maria his only daughter and gives her to Sir Harry. After a dance of Cupids, Hymen, &c....offering them eternal wreaths, the Druid of the Oaks, freed by the present powers of Beauty from that sequestered habitation to which by mystic spells he had long been doomed, appears to ratify their union, and astonishes the spectators by his magic influence, in a glorious vision of that felicity the virtues of the happy pair had so justly insured. An admirable vaudeville, and a grand dance, conclude the dramatic entertainment....Had it not appeared obvious that the whole was intended as a mere vehicle for the splendid spectacle, we do not suppose, in spite of the managers Orders and Puffs, that the author's labors would have been tolerated. The very excellent scenery, however, of the ingenious Mr Loutherbourg preserved this piece from that damnation, which as a dramatic production, it justly merited."] Receipts: #263 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 12 May 1760.

Event Comment: Not acted in 5 years. [See 4 Feb. 1758.] The Drummer was revived at this period at both theatres...to take advantage of the reigning weakness of the people, who went in crowds many days and nights to an Haunted House, by what was called the Cock-Lane Ghost-a delusion set on foot, and very ingeniously carried on by a girl of 12 years of age, daughter of a clerk of St Sepulchre's Church, who resided in Cock Lane near Smithfield. [The Ghost was supposed to be that of one Fanny, a gentleman's mistress buried in the church. By knockings and scratchings she supposedly haunted the girl intimating foul practices concerning her death.] It would be incredible to relate the numbers of persons of distinction that attended this delusion! many of whom treated it as a serious and most important affair...at last the girl's father and three or four others were tried in the King's Bench, found guilty' Pillioried and imprisoned. This most effectively laid the Ghost; and is the best and properest cure for every ghost that may arise hereafter. (Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 18 ff). [The theme exploited again by Garrick in The Farmer's Return from London, dl 20 March.

Event Comment: MMr Lee play'd Majr Belford. Mr Packer being ill (very bad) (Hopkins). Very bad indeed (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Mainpiece: Not acted in two years. [See 5 May 1762.] The Mistake oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of the indisposition of a Principal Performer. Receipts: #123 10s. (MacMillan)