Event Comment: Benefit for Wells. Public Advertiser, 9 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Wells, No. 417, Strand. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Edward Topham, with incidental music by James Hook. Prologue-Epilogue by Edward Topham {Public Advertiser, 21 Apr.)]. Morning Herald, 25 Apr. 1786: This Day is published The Fool (1s.)-Receipts: #174 15s. 6d. (45/3/0; 20/14/6; 0/2/0; tickets: 108/16/0) (charge: #108 13s. 9d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Brett. Public Advertiser, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Brett, No. 7, Catherine-street, Strand. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Booth as Peachum, but "Moody in the absence of Wilson [sic] played Peachum" (Public Advertiser, 3 May).] Receipts: #248 13s. (148/12; tickets: 100/1) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. 3rd piece [1st time; F 1, by Horatio Edgar Robson, based on La Bonne Mere, by Jean Pierre Claris de Florian]: Now reading with universal Applause by Mons. LeTexier. Public Advertiser, 9 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Bannister, No. 7, Suffolk-street. Ibid., 8 Oct. 1788: This Day is published Look before You Leap (1s.)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Mr Garrick played Lusignan and Lord Chalkstone. It is almost impossible to express how finely he played both characters. The Prologue was called for. Mr Garrick went on directly to speak it--as soon as he appeared a general clap and a loud huzza,--and there was such a noise from the House being so crowded, very few heard anything of the prologue.--As soon as the play began there was a great disturbance in the Gallery, and some called out, Guards Guards! that they could not go on.--Mr Lacy went on the Stage, and looked up to the gallery, and came off again without saying anything.--They soon grew quiet, and the play went on.--Monsr Rousseau sat in Mr Garrick's box (Hopkins Diary). [Account in the Public Advertiser of the original story upon which VanBrugh founded some circumstance in his Provok'd Wife, signed Heartfree. The Gentleman's Magazine, January, in the Historical Chronicle section noted that Jean Jacques Rousseau arrived in England on 13 Jan. and "was at the play on the 23rd, and presented himself in the upper Box fronting his Majesty."

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Richard Cumberland. Author of Prologue unknown. Epilogue by the author (Public Advertiser, 30 Jan. In 1796 this was acted at CG altered by the author in 4 acts]: With new Dresses, &c. Public Advertiser, 10 Feb. 1783: This Day at Noon will be published The Mysterious Husband (18d.). [Afterpiece in place of Barnaby Brittle, announced on playbill of 27 Jan.] Receipts: #275 9s. (269/14/6; 5/14/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Richard Cumberland. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Public Advertiser, 14 Dec. 1784: This Day is published The Carmelite (1s. 6d.). "We never saw [Kemble] wandering to the audience; he never turned his eye around for applause when he had closed an animated period, nor ever entertained his intervals of silence with glances at the side-boxes, like some of his contemporaries, not to mention the great Palmer, nor Davies, &c." This behavior "he has so happily caught from Mrs Siddons" (Public Advertiser, 22 Dec.). Receipts: #233 17s. (216/15/0; 16/10/6; 0/11/6)

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: 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: Benefit for Palmer. Mainpiece [1st time; C 3, by George Colman, the elder, altered from The Mutual Deception, by Joseph Atkinson, which was based on Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard, by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, and 1st acted at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 2 Mar. 1785. Prologue by the author (.European Magazine, Sept. 1786, p. 166). Author of Epilogue unknown]. Afterpiece: Never acted at this Theatre. [Prologue and Epilogue by David Garrick.] "This play, originally French, was translated by an Officer (the plot of which may be found in The Man's the Master, as well as in many other English plays and farces) who, with some few additions, changed it into five acts, and called it The Mutual Deception (which is now in print), but was represented in Ireland with little or no success. This Comedy, however, has undergone many very masterly alterations, and received many additions by the able hand of the attentive Manager of this Theatre" (Public Advertiser, 30 Aug.). Public Advertiser, 6 May 1788: To be published May 7, Tit for Tat (1s.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 1, by John O'Keeffe and George Colman, the elder. Synopsis of action in Public Advertiser, 20 Aug.]: The Music by Dr Arnold. The Scenes by Rooker. Books of the Songs [T. Cadell] to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Leonard Macnally. Prologue by ---- Chalmers. Epilogue by ---- Norris (see text, but London Chronicle, 4 Apr., says by Thomas Morris). In 1792 this was acted at this theatre reduced to 3 acts]. Public Advertiser, 30 Apr. 1785: This Day is published Fashionable Levities (1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Opera, music by Sacchini &c. [not performed, according to Public Advertiser, 8 Nov., because of illness of two singers, one being Sga Sestini. A Letter by William Lee in The Public Advertiser (7 Nov.) notes that beginning in 1772 he had served refreshments in a room which served also as a passage to the boxes; alterations made to enclose the passage were made in 1773; Lee was charged #60 a year for the room (with the fire and light at his own expense). Then Elizabeth Smith, who had had charge of concessions died. In 1774 Lee was charged #160 plus #80 for coals and light. Hence Lee lost #130 and was saved only by a benefit by the graciousness of the Nobility and Gentry.

Event Comment: For twentieth night the New Masque in Three Parts call'd The Institution of the Garter, or Arthur's Round Table Restor'd, Paid six day's salary list at #83 10s. 7d. per diem #501 3s. 6d.; Paid Mrs Abington on Cloaths acct #2 2s.; Paid Mr Vernon per order on note #20; Rec'd Stopages #13 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #142 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Edwin. 2nd piece [1st time; F 2, by George Colman, elder, based of L'Avocat Patelin, by David Augustin de Brueys. This is usually ascribed to William Macready. But on the title-page of his copy (K-D 295 in Huntington Library) J. P. Kemble has written "This Piece was not written by Mr Macready." Public Advertiser, 29 Aug. states that "Colman...presented Edwin upon this occasion with a new Farce, taken from a celebrated French Play." World, 15 Oct. 1787 refers to Colman's dislike of L'Avocat Patelin, but adds, "When [he] came to translate it himself, he found reason to alter his opinion."]. Public Advertiser, 25 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Edwin, No. 19, Piazza, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Play never acted. 'Tis hoped no gentleman will take it ill that he cannot possibly be admitted behind scenes this night (General Advertiser). This play was wrote by Mr Whitehead Tutor to my Lord Jersey,--it was receiv'd with Extravagant applause--& it was Agreed Mr-(Cross). Paid Mr Ackman for writing voice parts in Don Severio #1 1s.; Salary list #305 6d. Norton 6 chorus #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [Of some interest is the fact that a ship plying between London and Dublin was named the Roman Father, perhaps in response to the popularity of this play. See note of its safe arrival in Crookhaven in General Advertiser 25 Oct. 1750.] Receipts: #190 (Cross); #191 7s. 6d. [Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 7 years. [See 18 Jan. 1765.] Paid Mr Asbridge for exchanging Kettle Drum Banners #4 4s.; Mr Wallis on note #2; Messrs Carver & Messink's Windsor Bill #3 11s. 4d.; Mr Thos French, 7 days-#2 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Comedy by Mrs Griffith, never before acted. [Not well received the first night, but clarified and improved the second Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 59. Prologue and Epilogue printed in Public Advertiser, 28 Jan.

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Public Advertiser, 25 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lewis at his house in Broad-court, Bow-street. Afterpiece [1st time in London; co 2. MS: Larpent 620; not published]: Written by the Author of The Castle of Andalusia, The Agreeable Surprise, Son-in-Law, &c &c. [John O'KeefFe, 1st acted at the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 15 Apr. 1777, and altered in the CG season of 1783-84 as The Poor Soldier]. The Airs Select [ed by the author from] Irish [airs]. With a New Overture and Accompaniments by Shield, who composed the music of Rosina. The Words of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #256 9s. (201/10; tickets: 54/19) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Baddeley. Public Advertiser, 2 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Baddeley, No. 2, Little Russel-street, Covent-garden. [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Ogle to King, but on the Kemble playbill a MS annotation substitutes Barrymore.] 2nd piece [1st time: INT I, probably by Robert Baddeley. MS: Larpent 692; not published]. Receipts: #226 3s. 6d. (105/18/0; 30/11/6; 0/16/0; tickets: 88/18/0) (charge: #111 17s. 7d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Jewell, treasurer. Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by George Colman, the younger. It has also been ascribed to Sarah Gardner, but for Colman's authorship see Peake, 11, 99. Composer of music unknown. MS: Larpent 589; not published]: The Words of the Songs are inserted in the Public Papers of this Day. Public Advertiser, 12 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Jewell, in Suffolk Street

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Elizabeth Inchbald. Prologue by Edward Topham (London Chronicle, 26 Aug. 1786)]. Account-Book, 5 June 1786: Paid Mrs Inchbald in full for Appearance is against Them #50. Public Advertiser, 11 Nov. 1785: This Day is published Appearance is against Them (1s.). Receipts: #207 2s. (204/10/6; 2/11/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Leonard Macnally, adapted from the same, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct. For text of abridged version see 21 Oct.]: Taken from the celebrated French Opera of that Name. With the original Overture, Airs, Duetts, Trios, Chorusses and Finale, by the celebrated Gretry. To which are added Compositions by the following Masters; Anfossi, Bertoni, Duni, David, Rizzio, Carolan, Tenducci, and Shield. With new Dresses, Scenery and other Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [The printed score (Longman & Broderip, c. 1786) indicates that the music was adapted by Shield; it does not refer to Duni, Rizzio or Tenducci, but includes Philip Hayes and John Wilson. After the 1st 4 performances the mainpiece was reduced to an afterpiece of 3 short acts; see 21 Oct.] Account-Book, 28 Nov.: Paid Macnally in full for Coeur de Lion #121 18s. 6d. "Inchbald we thought [was] rather hardly dealt with. His voice happened to fail him in a particular turn of the tune he was singing, and some of the audience were ungenerous enough to disconcert him so far that he made a modest bow and retired [leaving his part unfinished. In consequence of this] a duet that was to have been sung by the King from the battlements of the castle, and Blondel without the walls, on which the turn of the fable hinged, was omitted; a circumstance that could not but materially affect the intrinterest, as it destroyed the connexion of the fable" (Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct.). [The following day Inchbald withdrew from his engagement at cg.] Receipts: #249 12s. 6d. (247.11.6; 2.1.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by Miles Peter Andrews]: The Overture from the celebrated Fire and Water Music of Handel. The new Airs and Chorusses by Dr Arnold. With new scenes by Rooker. Books of the Songs may be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 8 July 1780: This Day is published the Songs in Fire And Water! (6d.). Ibid, 22 July 1780: This Day is published Fire And Water! (price not listed)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. 1st piece: In I act. Public Advertiser, 11 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 2, Frith-street, Soho

Event Comment: Benefit for Brereton. Paid Mr Roberts, shoemaker #12 18s. 4d.; Rec'd from Mr C. Roberts half year's rent to Mich. last #5 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #116 9s. Charges: #67 6s. Profits to Brereton: #49 3s. (Treasurer's Book)