Event Comment: At the Great Room, Dean St., Soho. By Desire. An Italian Oratorio in Two Acts. Words by Metastasio. Music by Jomelli. First Time of performing this Grand Musical Entertainment in England, and is judged by all conoisseurs to be the most exquisite piece of composition ever heard before. Pit Half a Guinea, Gallerias 5s. To begin at half past six precisely. A very strong rumour prevails, that leave will be applied for to the higher Power, for a third Theatre in this City; and it is even hinted, that two well-known performers have already ventured on a purchase, and are selecting together a company with that design (Public Ledger)

Event Comment: At the large Theatrical Booth at the bottom of the Bowling Green. A new Comedy Written on the plan of a gentleman whose abilities have long received the sanction of public approbation. Interspersed with a variety of Entertainments infinitely superior to what have been generally given at the Fairs. The Songs will be new and spirited. The Dances lively and characteristic. By a company of Comedians from both Theatres. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Author's night. Full Prices. A company of young fellows were apprehended at a public house in the Strand where they were assembled to perform the tragedy of Othello. On examination three of the principal performers were committed to Bridewell (Gentleman's Magazine, 1761, p. 601)

Event Comment: Benefit for Tenducci. For one Night only, By Desire. Boxes 10s. 6d. Pit 5s. Gallery 3s. To begin at Six o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity, The Lock Hospital (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [This seems to be the night referred to by The Volunteer Manager in Theatrical Review of 1 January 1763 who condemns Miss Poitier's scandalous costume and indelicate actions: "Would any person suppose she could have the confidence to appear with her bosom so scandalously bare, that to use the expression of a public writer, who took some moderate notice of the circumstance, the breast hung flabbing over a pair of stays cut remarkably low, like a couple of empty bladders in an oil-shop. One thing the author of that letter has omitted, which, if possible is still more gross; and that is, in the course of Miss Poitier's hornpipe, one of her shoes happening to slipt down at the heel, she lifted up her leg, and danced upon the other till she had drawn it up. This had she worn drawers, would have been the more excusable; but unhappily, there was little occasion for standing in the pit to see that she was not provided with so much as a fig-leaf. The Court turned instantly from the stage-The Pit was astonished! and scarcely anything, but a disapproving murmur, was heard, from the most unthinking spectator in the twelvepenny gallery." Miss Poitier subsequently denied any impropriety in action, and sought hearing in the Theatrical Review. In the Volunteer Manager" section of the number for 1 March 1763 the editiors reaffirmed their stand on her indecency and refused to join further in a personal altercation.

Event Comment: As frequenters of the theatre have often complained of the interruptions in the performance, occasioned by the crowded stage at the Benefits-the Performers will have no building on the stage, nor take any money behind the scenes, being willing to forego that advantage, for the sake of rendering the Representation more agreeable to the Public

Event Comment: The Author's Night A very bad House much hissing & Groaning but got thro' & the play was not given out again (Hopkins). Author...Greatly Hiss'd, but play'd out (Cross Diary). A very bad house-much hissing and groaning, but got thro' and was not given out again (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Tomorrow The Conscious Lovers and High Life Below Stairs for the benefit of a Public Charity. Receipts: #55 5s. 6d. (MacMillan). [Charges?]

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity at the Chapel of the Lock Hospital near Hyde Park corner. Gallery 10s. 6d. Bottom of Chapel 3s. None to be admitted without tickets. To begin at 11:30 in the forenoon. Oratorio composed by Dr Arne

Event Comment: [This year was published The Companion to the Playhouse; or, An historical account of all the Dramatic Writers, and their works that have appeared in Great Britain and Ireland to the year 1764. Composed in the form of a Dictionary. for the more readily turning to any particular author or performance. Two vols. Dedicated to Garrick. (Who receives eleven and one-half columns of comment, more than any other dramatist.) This is the beginning of the Biographia Dramatica. This year was published Essays on Important Subjects intended to establish the Doctrine of Salvation by Grace, by John Witherspoon (President of Princeton). Vol. II, contained a Serious Enquiry into the nature and effects of the Stage," being an attempt to show that contributing to the support of a Public Theatre is inconsistent with the character of a Christian (112 pp).

Event Comment: By Desire for the Benefit of a very Laudable Public Charity

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity

Event Comment: NNeville MS Diary: To Ranelagh to hear a grand Jubilee Entertainment; it is the most elegant public room in the world and must give foreigners a high idea of the riches of our nation. It is circular and the fireplace is under a circular Portico in the middle, round which are tables at which the company are served with tea and coffee, and there are two sets of boxes at the side one above another for the same purpose. The landing room from the river which projects a little into the water commands a fine view of the river and country...Saw the Tripoline ambassador in the dress of his country. Took notice of a Miss Spencer and a Miss Johnson, two pretty ladies of the town, the latter had one of the prettiest faces I ever saw. Brunswick, Cumberland...Tripolian Ambassador...Miss Spencer and a Miss Johnson, two pretty ladies of ye town... were there...Began to use an Opera glass

Event Comment: Theatres closed, also Sadlers Wells and all the public gardens for the death of the Duke of York (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: DDon Felix pretty well by Powell....Lissardo inimitably by Woodward (the first time these 9 years). Read his part and that of Gibby. The play on the whole was pretty well performed. Baker does Beard's part in Midas. His not acting is a great loss to the public, as he was inimitable in some things. Stood in the well all night (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #163 4s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Public Charity. [Specified in Account Book, as the Lock Hospital, which received #11 3s. over and above house charges and sundries (candles, kettle drum, side drum, wardrobe) plus #23 5s. for disposing of 93 Box tickets.] @Receipt #97 15s.@House Charges #84@Candles #1 5s.@Kettle Drum 5s.@Side Drum 2s.@Wardrobe #1@Total #86 12s.@Balance due the Hospital #11 3s.@93 Box Tickets valued at #23 5s.@Money #97 15s.@Total in House #121 (Account Book).@ N.B. Received of Mrs LaRoche her half value of Tickets for 12th Inst. #59 13s

Event Comment: [The Interlude (by Isaac Bickerstaffe; Music by Arnold) in Honor of His Danish Majesty. It concludes with a Large Coronet of Flowers and a Garland Dance. Done apparently to speed the departing guest and cement good public relations.] Receipts: #120 19s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Masque (in three parts) [by George Colman] never perform'd, in which will be introduc'd the Principal Solemnities at the Installation of the Knights of the Garter. With New Music, composed by Dr Arne, Habits, Decorations and Scenes. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #220 10s. 6d. (Account Book). The greater part is borrowed with some variation from Ben Jonson [Masque of Oberon]. The same liberty has been taken with a few passages of Shakespeare, and a Chorus of the late Gilbert West, Esq. The final chorus is from Dryden...an effort to entertain the public by the combined powers of the most eminent proficients in the arts of Music, Painting and Poetry (Adv. to Printed Edn., Colman's Dramatic Works, IV, London, 1777)

Event Comment: A Favourite Comic opera. Music by Galuppi, with new dances and decorations. N.B. Mlle Heinel will dance every night performance when the public have not previous indication to the contrary. [Probably cancelled on account of the death of the Princess Dowager of Wales.

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. For one night only. Benefit for Brunsdon. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. (Public Ledger)