Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 216. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 348. There is considerable uncertainty as to when the first performance occurred, but it appears to have been acted first at court. See Boswell, Restoration Court Stage, pp. 131-34. The first Prologue, written by Lord Mulgrove, and the second, written by Lord Rochester, are in A Collection of Poems Written upon several Occasions by several Persons (1673). Roger North: And now we turne to the Publik theatres. It had bin strange if they had not observed this promiscuous tendency to musick, and not have taken it into their scenes and profited by it. The first proffer of theirs, as I take it, was in a play of the thick-sculd-poetaster Elkanah Settle, called The Empress of Morocco; which had a sort of masque poem of Orfeus and Euridice, set by Mr M. Lock, but scandalously performed. It begins The Groans of Ghosts, &c. and may be had in print (Roger North on Music, ed. John Wilson [London, 1959], p. 306)

Event Comment: The King's Company, presumably. For a version of this play, see R. G. Howarth, "A Manuscript of James Shirley's Court Secret," Review of English Studies, VII (1931), 302-13. The manuscript is in the Worcester College Library (Plays 9. 21). Pepys, Diary: My wife going to-day to dine with Mrs Pierce, and thence with her and Mrs Clerke to see a new play, The Court Secret. [The play had not been acted before the Restoration.

Event Comment: At Hickford's Dancing Room in James's-street in the Hay-Market, over against the Tennis Court. At 7 p.m. Tickets 21s

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. N.B. The Tickets deliver'd to Subscribers will be taken at this Play, or on Monday Night, which is the last time of Acting till after Southwark Fair. Original Weekly Journal, 30 Aug.: The King hath order'd the Comedians gf the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane to perform at Hampton-Court, during his Majesty's stay there, for which Service they are to be allow'd 100l. extraordinary each Night they Act

Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Benefit the Author of Sir John Cockle at Court. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir Richard Steele

Event Comment: [See note for 9 Jan. 1770 of a mild riot this night during best scene of The Orphan.] Afterpiece: A New Opera [by George Alexander Stevens] the Music composed by Mr Fisher. Books of the entertainment to be had at the theatre. Gave Duke of Glocester's Footmen #2 2s. (Account Book). [Afterpiece a roaring burlesque of Lee's Rival Queens. Larpent MS 302 includes Semi Chorus, Grand Chorus, and Perdiccas, not listed in the Playbill. The Court awakes with total hangover. Alexander orders a pot of coffee to clear his head. Thais begs him to leave the gout giving juice-Retire with me @ In my Chinese pavilion, drink some Tea." Afterpiece reviewed inthe Freeholder's Magazine for Jan.] Mr Shuter and Mrs Mattocks gave great satisfaction in their different characters; the words of the songs were written by Mr George Alexander Stephens, author of the celebrated Lecture upon Heads, and several other whimsical productions; and the airs which had Uncommon merit, were composed by Mr Fisher, a young genius, who has hitherto been but little known in the musical world. Receipts: #215 8s. 6d

Event Comment: TThe Freeholder's Magazine, Jan. (p. 247): A Card to the Managers of Covent Garden Theatre. A Citizen whose circumstances will not allow him often to attend Theatrical amusements, and who wishes to be entertained for his money, desires a nuisance may be removed which has totally deprived him of all satisfaction the few nights that he has been in the first gallery of your house. Of a cool evening the company within generally draw up the wooden shutters of the openings improperly called windows. An when the gentry without, who are admitted at half-price, find them shut, they begin a violent noise with their sticks, while those within as obstinately insist, that being in a violent heat, they will not let them down to the endangering their healths, by sudden letting in the cold air. Thus a riot is commenced, which frequently stops the play. It was the case in the Best Scene in the Orphan, the first night the Court of Alexander was performed. N.B. The orange girls shamefully encourage it. But the covetousness of the managers is the origin of the evil, by suffering intruders at half-price, after the inside of the gallery is completely filled. If this remonstrance fails, you may expect worse effects, from the injured parties. [See performance of 5 Jan.

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Public Advertiser, 18 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lewis at his house in Broad Court, Bow-street, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: Saw a fine Mask at court perform'd by 6 Gent: & 6 Ladys surprizing his Majestie, it being Candlemas day. Pepys, Diary, 3 Feb.: Then Mrs Pickering...did, at my Lady's command, tell me the manner of a masquerade before the King and Court the other day. Where six women (my Lady Castlemayne and Duchesse of Monmouth being two of them) and six men (the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Arran and Monsieur Blanfort, being three of them) in vizards, but most rich and antique dresses, did dance admirably and most gloriously. God give us cause to continue the mirthe!