Event Comment: Benefit Moor, Box Bookkeeper. Mainpiece: Taken from Moliere. Tickets for the Widow Cook, Allen, Erwin also taken

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 5, by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 508, which also lists the following parts: Marsyas, Gumias, Chloris. Text not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 2 Feb. Songs published, without listings parts (G. Kearsley, 1780)]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Songs set to music and a new Overture by Butler. Book of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 1 Feb. 1780: This Afternoon is published the Songs in The Widow of Delphi (6d.). Receipts: #228 4s. 6d. (227.4.6; 1.0.0)

Event Comment: [Home, who was from the Bristol theatre, is identified in Morning Herald, 21 June.] Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Elizabeth Inchbald, based on L'Heureuse Erreur, by Joseph Patrat. Prologue by Thomas Holcroft (see text)]. Morning Chronicle, 15 Aug. 1786: This Day is published The Widow's Vow (1s.)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; F 1, by Thomas John Dibdin; incidental music by John Moorehead]: Altered from [Die Witwe und das Reitpferd, This Day is published The Horse and the Widow (1s.). 3rd piece: Altered into Two acts. Receipts: #187 17s. 6d. (180.6.6; 7.11.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Cross and Burton. Last time of acting Mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: A farce of my own, call'd the Henpeck'd Captain; or, the Humours of the Militia--damn'd before half over (Cross). [Afterpiece never printed. The Larpent MS lists the following characters: Capt. Teazable, Clermont, Mons Durtete, Brigadier? Sersnet, Capt? Druget, Col? Damask, Capt? Citern, Capt? Oldport, Capt? Patty@pan, Lt? Suet Pestle, Muster Master, Serjeant, Monsieur, Mrs Teazable, Angellica, Gusset. The men are all reserve officers in the Militia who parade occasionally in fine uniforms. See note, 1 May about publication.] Receipts: #139 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Ray, George Burton, Mrs Pitt. Mainpiece: Not acted these 8 years. [See 16 May 1744.] Tickets and places to be had of Hobson at the stage door. N.B. Tickets sold by the Orange@women at the doors will not be admitted. Receipts: #150 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: OOroonoko by a young Gentleman (Mr Holland) being his first attempt he perform'd very well, & had great Applause in stabbing the Governor (Mr Burton) in the last Scene, he struck him on the Cheek, & upon hearing him cry, O God! was so shock'd that he did not die so well as was expected-Burton was taken off, & dress'd by Mr Bromfield, was accidentally behind the Scenes (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Burton and Harwood, prompter. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1774]. Tickets delivered by the Miss Stageldoirs will be taken. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be admitted. Receipts: #208 9s. 6d. (37.17.0; 26.6.6; 0.16.0; tickets: 143.10.0) (charge: none listed)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [Kemble Mem.: Miss Farren refused to act this night because she didn't like her Dress. Mrs Goodall play[ed] the Widow Bellmour for her.] Receipts: #118 18s. (73.17.0; 40.3.0; 3.5.6; tickets not come in: 1.12.6)

Event Comment: At Bridges, Cross, Burton and Vaughan's Great Theatrical Booth in the George Inn Yard, will be presented an Historical Drama never acted before call'd The Northern Heroes; or, The Bloody Contest between Charles XII, King of Sweden, and Peter the Great, Czar of Muscovy, with the Loves of Count Gillensternia, a Swedish General and the Fair Elimira, a Russian Princess, Containing the most remarkable Events of that Time; and concluding with the Memorable Battle of Pultowav, and Charles's Retreat into the Turkish Dominionv. Interspers'd with a Comic Interlude (never perform'd before) called The Volunteers; or, the Adventures of Roderick Random and his Friend Strap. Also the Comical Humours and Amours of Corporal Garbage and Serjeant Slim, with Mrs Vanspriggen the Swedish Sutler's Widow; the merry Pranks of her foolish son Janny, and several other diverting incidents. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. First Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. To begin each Day at Twelve o'clock. [This notice repeated during "the short Time of the Fair." Notice repeated 24, 26, 27 Aug.

Event Comment: At Bridges, Cross, Burton, and Vaughan's Great Theatrical Booth on the Bowling Green, Southwark, (with a company from the theatres) during the short time of the Fair will be presented an Historical Drama (lately acted in Bartholemew Fair with universal applause) the Northern Heroes with the Loves of Count Gillensternia, a Swedish General, and the fair Ellimira a Russian Princess, containing the most remarkable events of that time; and concluding with the memorable battle of Putlowav, and Charles's retreat into the Turkish dominionsv. Interspersed with a comic interlude, The Volunteers. Also the comical humours and amours of Corporal Garbage and Serjeant Slim, with Mrs Vanspriggen the Swedish Sutler's widow, the merry pranks of her foolish son Janny, and several other diverting incidents. As the Fair will be of so short continuance, we shall begin very early each day (General Advertiser). [See 24 Aug. 1748, bf]

Event Comment: Benefit for a Citizen's Widow & 8 Children (Cross). Servants allowed to keep places on the stage, which will be formed into front and side Boxes (General Advertiser). The Stage being build, & Crowded, broke down, but luckily nobody was hurt (Cross). Tickets as of notice on 28 Nov. Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Being positively the last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: Never acted before. Sad Farce (Cross). [Afterpiece sent to the Licenser under the title The Kept Mistress; or, The Mock Orators. Larpent MS 125 lists the parts: Harry, Belton, Hempton, Miss Belladue, her Maid; Old Ringworm, Widow Lovephrase, Servant; Lady Whiffle; Old Belladue, First Lady, Second Lady, First Orator, Second Orator, Third Orator, Doorkeeper; Press Gang (Mr Grapling Chart, Mr Anchorstock). The concluding sailor's Song most patriotic: "Our Navy see, spread o'er the Seas..."]. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Widow Cross and Wood (sub-treasurer). Mainpiece: For last time this season. No Building on Stage

Event Comment: Benefit for Wood, sub-treasurer and Widow Cross. No building on Stage. Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years. [See 5 Dec. 1755.

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes laid together. No admittance to Pit but through the boxes and with tickets. Towards raising a fund for the relief of those who from their infirmities shall be oblig'd to retire from the stage. This fund having been begun by a voluntary contribution among the performers improved by a proportionable weekly deduction on their salaries and intended as a reciprocal provision for them, their widows and children in sickness and infirmity, it is humbly hoped an appeal to the generosity of the public will not be taken amiss &c. (Winston MS 9)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Drury Lane--New Painted and Decorated. Miss Pope's good acting is said to have made up for her deficiency in singing (Genest, V, 314). On Sept. 19 Fisher, Musician, married the widow of the late Powell, Patentee of cg (Winston MS 10). Rec'd Mrs Johnston's 1 year's rent to Lady Day Last #6; Paid Mr French on Acct per order Mr G. G. #20. Paid Renters #8. [This payment occurs each playing night throughout the season, and is not noted further.] The total amounted to #1576 (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #188 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid author of The Irish Widow, an overcharge on his Bt. 31 Oct. last, #10 10s.; Paid Mr Wallis on note #3 3s.; Mr Nickels for ropes #10 12s.; Mrs Chitty for coals, #47 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #250 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 4th Bill #41 6s. 5d.; Spermacetti Candles, #132 18s. Mr Tomlinson for Men's cloaths #11 11s.; Mr J. French on acct #20; Miss Hopkins, 15 nights (19th Dec. incl.) #3 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [The sixth edition of Wm. Law's Absolute Unlawfulness of Stage Representations was published this year (1st. edn. 1726) This day was published the Preliminary Number of the Westminster Magazine, which, monthly, included a section called The English Theatre, which observed generally on the state of the Stage, and commented specifically on new plays. Its view of the stage in general was not as sanguine as had been that of the writer for the Town and Country Magazine (1 April 1772). "We are of opinion, that the English Theatre is now in its decline. Whether it is that the stores of Dramatic Subjects or of Dramatic Genius are exhausted, is not immediately obvious; but there is a fault somewhere....We have seen the Morning star of Wit--the Noon too is past; we have now arriv'd at its evening...There is in Arts, as in Empires, a progress which leads to Refinement; and this refinement leads to Ruin." According to the writer the meridian glory of the English stage was during the reign of Queen Anne. Reviewer damns the Irish Widow, refuses to discuss the Gamesters (revived), damns the Rose and praises the Garrick alteration of Hamlet. This year also appeard Granny's Prediction, a 53-page pamphlet attack on Mrs Barry, condemning her on moral grounds (polygamy) and on aesthetic grounds, commenting on each of her characters. By a spiteful female relative Elizabeth Franchetti.] Receipts: #142 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wright, Messink, and Widow Rooker. Receipts: #188 14s. Charges: #74 14s. Pbofits to Messink, Mrs Wright, Mrs Rooker: #114 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the first performance is not known. As Evelyn saw it on 27 April, it seems likely that it was first performed before Easter (April 10). It was not licensed for printing until 8 July 1664. Preface to edition of 1664: I Cou'd not have wish'd my self more fortunate than I have been in the success of this Poem:...The Acting of it has lost me no Reputation. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 25: @Sir Nich'las, Sir Fred'rick, Widow and Dufoy, Were not by any so well done, Mafoy.@ The clean and well performance of this Comedy, got the Company more Reputation and profit than any preceding Comedy; the Company taking in a months time at it #1000

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales [who were present]. Mainpiece: Written by Beaumont and Fletcher. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of the Toy Shop. [For a letter on the disputes between the footmen and the gentlemen, see Grub St. Journal, 17 March.] [There is in the Bennett Collection, I, 93, in the Birmingham Library, an exceptionally curious advance notice for a performance to be given at Drury Lane soon after Easter of The Conscious Lovers and The Devil to Pay, with no cast for either play in the bill. The announcement appears to refer to the spring of 1737 and presumably appeared around the middle of March. It is intended for the benefit of a Widow under Misfortunes and the bill bears the heading: Gift and Pleasure. According to the announcement, the widow has been left Italian pictures, antiqees, jewels, and precious stones; and she intends, for the encouragement of her benefactors, to make a gift of all the objects, which will be placed in three hundred parcels. Tickets for the performance are advertised at five shillings, and no one is to be admitted without a ticket. The pit and boxes are to be put together at two tickets for each person, and the first and second galleries are placed together at one ticket for each spectator. The tickets are not to be left with the door-keepers as usual, but only shewn and kept. On the day following the benefit a raffle will be held, by Mr Foubert's Patent Mathematical Machine, at Hickford's Great Room in Brewers Street, Golden Square, and only holders of tickets will be admitted to the raffle, After this entry was set, an advertisement was found in the Daily Advertiser, 18 April 1738, announcing this performance for 13 May 1738. The Daily Advertiser on 5 May 1738, however, announced that the proposed performance had been cancelled.