Event Comment: This night a new Occasional Interlude call'd Hymen was introduc'd between the Acts; but not put in the Bills (Hopkins). [For cast, see 21 Jan.] An occasional Interlude on the Marriage of Princess Augusta to Prince of Brunswick call'd Hymen (Cross Diary). This night a new occasional Interlude called Hymen, but not in the bills. Hymen was written by Mr Allen (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). [The Larpent MS 217 lists four characters and a Chorus: Hymen, Cupid, Venus, Mars, Chorus. The words of the Songs by Cupid, Hymen and Venus were published in the Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.] Receipts: #122 5s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Pit and Boxes put together. No Person to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Gallery to be opened at half an hour after Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Half after Six

Event Comment: Benefit for Love. Mr Love Hiss'd in the Scotchman. Dumont by Mr Powell (Hopkins). Characters Dress'd in Habits of Times. Mr Love was hissed very much in the Scotchman, and the Farce hissed at the end (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). No building on stage. On Saturday Othello with a New Burletta call'd Music A-La-Mode, or Bayes in Chromatics For the Benefit of Vernon. [The principal characters were to have been played by King, Vernon, Packer, Fox, Mrs Mrs Dorman, and Miss Young (Public Advertiser, 13 April). But it was deferred at the last minute and seems never to have been performed. Larpent MS 237 lists the parts: Dr Crochet, Player-Packer; Squire, Justice; Damon; Daphne, Chorus of Shepherds and Nymphs. $J. P. Kemble thought it a burlesque at the expense of Dr Arne (professor of nonharmonic music). The Player wants in it to banish all but four plays (Tamerlane, London Cuckolds, George Barnwell, and Twelfth Night) and fill stage performance with music.] Receipts: #208 14s. 6d. (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Profit to Love: #144 10s. 6d.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Pit and Boxes to be put together and no person to be admitted without tickets, which will be delivered this day at the Office in the Theatre at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half after Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at half an hour after Six

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Afterpiece with alterations and additions. [A song sung in the "New Scene in Harlequin's Invasion" appears in The Jester's Magazine, May 1766, p. 254. Harlequin enters with a Dancing Bear, and sings four stanzas in broken English about the advantages of dancing, for men, women, philosophers, and politicians. Harlequin's speech is Frenchified English.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Pit and Boxes to be put together. Tickets delivered this day at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five, To begin at Half an Hour after Six

Event Comment: MMrs Clive taken extremely ill, The Clandestine Marriage deferred (Winston MS 9). [The St James Chronicle; or, British Evening Post, this day contained four epigrams on Foote's accident.

Event Comment: AAsh Wednesday. Publish'd this day. Price only 1s. Letters which have passed between John Beard Esq Manager of Covent Garden Theatre, and John Shebbeare, M.D. Wherefore I thus entreat with due Submission, Between the Bard and me you'd make decision, The whole now on your Approbation waits. Prologue to the Perplexities, sung by Mr Beard. Printed for G. Kearsly N.B. This Pamphlet is entered at Stationers Hall, whoever pyrates any part of it will be prosecuted. [This pamphlet of 50 pages is given a four-column review in the Gentleman's Magazine for March (p. 124). The controversy was over a play which Shebbeare submitted to Beard and which the latter finally rejected after holding it two seasons. Beard's letters are quoted. The reviewer is severe upon Shebbeare: Upon the whole for anything that has hitherto appeared, the managers of both theatre have rather been to blame for receiving some pieces that they should have rejected, than for rejecting any they should have received. No piece has yet been printed, by the rejection of which the managers have betrayed their trust, or neglected their duty to the public. There may be such pieces in manuscript, but, if there are, the most effective way of avenging the author on the manager is to print them, for the voice of the public would instantly and effecturally do justice to the writter...by compelling the representation.' Shebbeare was Joseph Pittard?]

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. With the latest improvement by Mr Handel. Pit and boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd that day, at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at Half an Hour past Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half an Hour after Six (Public Advertiser, 4 March). [N.B. This is an Advance notice. No notice occurs on this day, but the following: This Day publish'd Esther: An Oratorio, with the last improvements by Mr Handel. To be performed, by Their Majesties Command at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Price 1s.] Went into the First Gallery at Covent Garden to hear the Oraortio, Esther, composed by Handel. The Stage was formed into an orchestra, like one side of an amphitheatre divided by an organ, atop of which was a head of Handel in a radiated frame. In the front sat the vocal performers, Champney, Vernon, Mrs Arne, Mrs Pinto, Miss Young, and Mrs Frasi. Stanley played on the Organ but retired after the 1st or 2nd act. The house was not much crowded, tho the King and Queen, those idols of fools, were there (Neville MS Diary). Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: [N$Neville spent from four to seven reading the parts of Othello, Desdemona, and Roderigo.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 12 years. [See 24 Jan. 1758.] Prologue written by Paul Whitehead. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant (only) at the Stage-Door. No persons can be admitted behind scenes, nor any Money returned after curtain is drawn up. To begin exactly at 6 o'clock. [Customary note in succeeding bills.] Receipps: #190 14s. (Account Book). @The New Occasional Prologue@As when the merchant to increase his store@For Dubious seas, advent'rous quits the shore;@Still anxious for his freight, he trembling sees@Rocks in each buoy, and tempest in each breeze@The curling wave to mountain billow swells,@And every cloud a fancied storm fortells:@Thus rashly launch'd on this Theatric main,@Our All on board, each phantom gives Us pain;@The Aatcall's note seems thunder in our ears,@And every Hiss a hurricane appears;@In Journal Squibs we lightning's blast espy,@And meteors blaze in every Critic's eye.@Spite of these terrors, still come hopes we view,@Hopes, ne'er can fail us--since they're plac'd--in you.@Your breath the gale, our voyage is secure,@And safe the venture which your smiles insure;@Though weak his skill, th' adventurer must succeed,@Where Candour takes th' endeavor for the deed.@For Brentford's state, two kings could once suffice;@In ours, behold! four kings of Brentford rise;@All smelling to one nosegay's od'rous savor@The balmy nosegay of--the Public favor.@From hence alone, our royal funds we draw,@Your pleasure our support, your will our law.@While such our government, we hope you'll own us;@But should we ever Tyrant prove--dethrone us.@Like Brother Monarchs, who, to coax the nation@Began their reign, with some fair proclamation,@We too should talk at least--of reformation;@Declare that during our imperial sway,@No bard shall mourn his long-neglected Play;@But then the play must have some wit, some spirit,@And We allow'd sole umpires of its merit.@For those deep sages of the judging Pit,@Whose taste is too refin'd for modern wit,@From Rome's great Theatre we'll cull the piece,@And plant on Britain's stage the flow'rs of Greece.@If some there are, our British Bards can please,@Who taste the ancient wit of ancient days,@Be our's to save, from Time's devouring womb,@Their works, and snatch their laurels from the tomb.@For you, ye Fair, who sprightlier scenes may chuse,@Where Music decks in all her airs the Muse,@Gay Opera shall all its charms dispense,@Yet boast no tuneful triumph over sense;@The nobler Bard shall still assert his right,@Nor Handel rob a Shakespear of his night,@To greet the mortal brethren of our skies [upper galleries]@Here all the Gods of Pantomime shall rise:@Yet midst the pomp and magic of machines,@Some plot may mark the meaning of our scenes;@Scenes which were held, in good King Rich's days,@By sages, no bad epilogues to plays.@If terms like these your suffrage can engage,@To fix our mimic empire of the stage;@Confirm our title in your fair opinions,@And crowd each night to people our dominions.@--(Poems and Miscelaneous Compositions, Ed. Capt. Edward Thompson, 1777) Covent Garden opened with the Rehearsal with alterations. I was in the Pit. Powell, from Drury Lane, one of the new managers who have bought the patent from Rich's heirs, spoke an occasional Prologue. Shuter did Bayes pretty much to my liking, adding many crochets of his own.... Entertainment The Mock Doctor,...Young Jasper pretty well by one Massey, being his first appearance on that stage (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Theatrical Fund, instituted by Persons of this theatre. Mainpiece: Acted there but once. Such of the Nobility, Gentry, etc. who are pleased to favour this undertaking are desire to send for places, Pit or Box tickets, to Mr Sarjant at the stage-door. [Neville attended at half-past four and read the principal parts of the play, as altered by Colman. Noted that Sga Manesiere did The Sicilian Peasant in boy's clothes.] @Receipts #164 19s.@Charges to House #63@Chorus Singers #1 15s.@Candles #1 5s.@Kettle Drum 5s.@Bag Pipes 5s.@#66 10s.@Dr to the Fund #98 9s.-Account Book@

Event Comment: By command of their Majesties. Pit and Boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd this day at the Office in the Theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries will be opened at Half an Hour after Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half after Six. House Charges to Stanley and Smith #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No persons admitted behind the scenes, nor any money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Places for the Boxes to be taken (only) of Mr Sarjant at the Stage-Door. The Doors to be opened at Half an Hour after Four. To begin exactly at Six o'clock. [Repeated for all bills during the season, but see change of hour for opening, 22 Sept., and 6 Oct. The source for receipts and financial matters is Covent Garden Account Book (BM Add MS. Egerton 2274).] Receipts: #209 9s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive, being the last time of her appearing on the Stage. Pit and Boxes laid together. N.B. No tickets have been given out, but to those Ladies and Gentlemen who have their places secured, in the Pit or Boxes, and to prevent any mistakes or confusion, no Box tickets will be admitted into the Gallery; Mrs Clive begs favour of those who have places in the Pit to ba there by half an hour after Five, and to let their servants come to keep them a quarter before Four. [Epilogue is Larpent MS 295.

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No Persons to be admitted behind the scenes, nor any money returned after the Curtain is Drawn up. Places for the boxes to be had (only) of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. The Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin exactly at Six o'clock. Vivant Rex & Regina! [Customary note for each bill. Only significant changes will be further noted. The company was weakened by the loss of Woodward (see 23 Oct.) who accompanied Foote to Edinburgh, and of Mrs Bellamy who was not engaged. Miss Catley, however, returned from Ireland after an absence of 9 years. And Ross returned after four years.

Event Comment: [A musical Entertainment followed by the play, followed by twenty-seven items of fireworks. The customary format for the Ranelagh evenings. Heavy emphasis and expenditure upon the fireworks, for example, No 18 was a Grand new piece for four Mutations extending the length of the bridge, consisting of 150 cases of brilliant Fountains, Roman Candles, Chinese Jerbs, Pots, d'Brians, with Maroons," with an armed guard to patrol the Roads (Public Advertiser).

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Barry. Part of Pit laid together with Boxes. Send servants at half past Four

Event Comment: The Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To Begin exactly at Six o'clock. [Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s.] Vivant Rex et Regina. [Customary footnote for each succeeding Bill. Only significant variations will be noted further. Criticism: For contemporary comment on performances and plays this season see John Potter's Theatrical Review, or New Companion to the Playhouse. 2 vols. London, 1772, a day by day account of Plays and actors at Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres for the season 1771-72. He is rather severe in his comments on most of the actors at cg. The four relatively constant expenditures set up for each night this season include music: averaging #7 5s.; wardrobe charges of from 1 to #3; properties 7s. to #1; and renters, paid to Garton, the treasurer, #10. Extras, when they occur, which is almost nightly, for such things as kettle drum, side drum, bagpipes, chorus singers, supernumeraries, together with all repair bills paid advances to actors, &c. are duly recorded. I include only what appear to be significant ones which illustrate the theatre as a show business.] Receipts: #186 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid four days salary at #82 3s. 1d. per diem-#328 12s. 4d.; Mrs W. Barry's half Salary #1 3s. 4d.; Mr Inchbald on note #20; Messrs Griffith and Atkins to make up salary #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #214 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid four day's salary at #83 13s. 11d., #334 15s. 8d.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French 7 days, #1 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #202 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The bill for this night and on subsequent nights specifies the additions "Particularly two views of the Eruptions of Mount Vesuviusv." The Gentleman's Magazine this month contained a four-column review of Nipclose's The Theatres, blasting its contentions.] Receipts: #195 5s. (Treasurer's Book)