Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time in London; DR. POEM 5, by William Mason, 1st acted at Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 30 Mar. 1764]: Written on the Model of the ancient Greek Tragedy. The Overture and all the Music composed New by Dr Arne. With a New Scene designed and executed by Dahl [recte Dall]. The Dresses, Decorations, &c. all entirely New. Books of the Lyrical Part of the Drama to be had at the Theatre. 'But I had rather talk of Caractacus; I agree that he will not suffer by not being sputtered by Barry, who has lost all his teeth. Covent Garden is rather above Drury Lane in actors, but both sets are exceedingly bad, so bad-that I almost wish Caractacus was not to appear. Very seldom do I go to the play, for there is no bearing such strollers" (Walpole [to the author, 8 Oct. 1776], IX, 419-20). "I attended Caractacus last winter, and was greatly interested, both from my friendship for Mr Mason and from the excellence of the poetry. I was out of all patience; for though a young Lewis played a subordinate part very well, and Mrs Hartley looked her part charmingly, the Druids were so massacred, and Caractacus so much worse, that I never saw a more barbarous exhibition" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 81-82). Public Advertiser, 7 Dec. 1776: This Day is published the Lyrical Part of Caractacus (6d.). [The publisher, J. Wilkie, states that he also has the "whole Drama, as altered by the Author, 18d." Ibid., 9 Dec., contains an advertisement from Mason stating that this version is unauthorized.] Ibid., 12 Dec.: This Day is published [by A. Ward of York] a new Edition of Caractacus, now altered for Representation at the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #163 10s. (163.6; 0.4)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wild, prompter, and Mahon. Gazetteer, 26 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Wild, No. 20, Martlet-court, Bow-street, Covent-garden; of Mahon, No. 6, Paradise-street, Marybone. Mainpiece: With the Triumphal Entry of Alexander into Babylon. Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by-Richards]: The Music entirely new, composed by William? Bates. Receipts: #256 13s. 6d. (126.0.6; tickets: 130.13.0) (charge: #72 15s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by William Shirley. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 19 Dec. Prologue by the author (London Chronicle, 23 Dec.). Epilogue by Richard Cumberland (Collection...of English Prologues and Epilogues, IV, 194]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "I have been at another new play, The Roman Sacrifice. It is the old story of Junius Brutus, without a tolerable line. I went to see it, as I had never seen Henderson, and thought I could Judge him better in a new part; but either the part was so bad, or he wants to copy, that I should not have found out he was at all superior to all other actors" (Walpole [23 Dec. 1777], X 170). Receipts: #2223s. 6d. (207.8.0; 13.13.6; 1.2.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Younge. Mainpiece: With the grand Triumphal Entryv. [Public Advertiser, I Apr., identifies the Epilogue as an alteration by Garrick of his epilogue to Alfred.] Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by J Hough]: The Music composed by William? Bates. Tickets delivered for The Brothers will be taken. Books of the Performances to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 7 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Miss Younge at Thelwall's, Silk Mercer, King-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #285 13s. 6d. (141.9.0; 11.15.0; 0.2.6; tickets: 132.7.0) (charge: #76 19s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Miss Hopkins'. Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2 (?), by Thomas Holcroft. Not in Larpent MS; not published]: The Music [by William Shield (European Magazine, Jan. 1782, p.59)] entirely new. Public Advertiser, 15 Apr. Tickets to be had of the Miss Hopkins', No. 7, Little Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #129 8s. 6d. (61.15.0; 24.5.6; 0.1.0; tickets: 43.7.0) (charge: #66 11s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Altered from [The Artful Wife, by William? Taverner. [1st time; C 3, by George Colman elder. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 20 May. Public Advertiser, 19 May, notes that the Prologue was the same as that spoken on 15 May 1777. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Servants to keep Places are to be at the door in Suffolk-street by Five o'clock. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. On account of the Performers employed at other Theatres the second Night of Representation cannot be till Thursday, the 21st inst. [On this night, the 18th, Baddeley's name is in the playbills at both dl and hay.

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; co 2, by Henry Bate (later Sir Henry Bate Dudley). Music by William Shield]. Books for both Pieces to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 15 June 1779: This Day is published The Flitch of Bacon (1s.)