Event Comment: [By Sir John Vanbrugh and Colley Cibber.] All the Characters new drest. Mist's 13 Jan.: On Wednesday last a most horrid, barbarous, and cruel Murder was committed...upon a posthumous Child of the late Sir John Vanbroog, by one who, for some Time past, has gone by the Name of Keyber. It was a fine Child born, and would certainly have lived long, had it not fallen into such cruel Hands. Davies (Dramatic Miscellanies, III, 260-61): In all the tumults and isturbances of the theatre on the first night of a new play, which was formerly a time of more dangerous service, to the actors, than it has been of late, Mrs Oldfield was entirely mistress of herself; she thought it her duty, amidst the most violent opposition and uproar, to exert the utmost of her abilities to serve the author. In the comedy of uproar, to exert the utmost of her abilities to serve the author. In the comedy of the Provoked Husband, Cibber's enemies tried all their power to get the play condemned. The reconciliation scene wrought so effectually upon the sensible and generous part of the audience, that the conclusion was greatly and generously approved. Amidst a thousand applauses, Mrs Oldfield came forward to speak the epilogue; but when she had pronounced the first line,-Methinks I hear some powder'd critic say-a man, of no distinguished appearance, from the seat next to tne orchestra, saluted her with a hiss. She fixed her eye upon him immediately, made a very short pause, and spoke the words poor creature! loud enough to be heard by the audience, with such a look of mingled scorn, pit, and contempt, that the most uncommon applause justified her conduct in this particular, and the poor reptile sunk down with fear and trembling. See also Cibber, Apology, I, 310-11; Victor, History of the Theatres, II, 105

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #76 10s. [Profit to King #55 14s.] Paid Master Burney 15 nights #3 2s. 6d. Printer's bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #132 4s. (Treasurer's Book). At 5 went to the Pit at Drury Lane to see the Clandestine Marriage...I could see this play, as it is now performed, every night, but J. Palmer was not so good in Brush as the other Mr Palmer whose character it is. Plym did not please tonight. The scene between the lawyers was omitted. We had the Irish Lilt by Mrs King, Giorgi, &c., and a comic scene by her and M Dugermay, with Linco's Travels...Mrs King is certainly a very fine dancer and has the best legs I ever saw. Past eleven ere we got out. A little girl of 7 or 8 years old danced very prettily (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: James Brydges, Diary: I went to ye Playhouse in Covent Garden where I met Mr Knight, after wch I went to yr other playhouse, & there saw Sr Charles Barinton, & Mr Mildmay; before ye play was done, I came hence home (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: James Brydges, Diary: About 5 my Coz: Roberts & I went to ye Playhouse in Covent Garden, but not liking ye play, wee went to that in Lincolns inn fields, & staid till 'twas done. I saw Ld Normanby, Ld Willouby, Sir Rich. Samford &c. here (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: James Brydges, Diary: I went & din'd at ye fountain, after wch I went to ye Playhouse in Lincolns Inn fields, & saw my Cozen Hussys & Coz. Roberts there. I staid an act (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: James Brydges, Diary: I went with [Mr Coke], Mr How, Sr Theoph. Oglethorpe, Sr G. Coply &c.: to Lockits, & about 8: went with ye last to ye Playhouse in Covent Garden; wee did but just look in (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: The Jubilee consists of Dialogue Singing & Dancing. This Entertainment was written & compil'd by Mr G.-and it was receiv'd with bursts of Applause the Procession of Shakespear's Characters &c. is the most Superb that ever was Exhibited or I believe ever will. There never was an Entertainment produc'd that gave so much pleasure to all Degrees Boxes pit and Gallery (Hopkins Diary). The Music by Dibdin. With New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [On all subsequent bills, though some are shortened, the PAGEANT is advertised in large capitals. Larpent MS 298, includes descriptive notes and stage directions, p. 24: "Here follows the Pageant, with Bells ringing, Fifes playing, Drums beating, and Cannons firing. In The Procession every scene in the different plays represents some capital part of it in action...The last Scene is a magnificent Transparent one in which the Capital characters of Shakespeare are exhibited at full length with Shakespeare's Statue in the middle crowned by Tragedy and Comedy, fairies and Cupids surrounding him and all the banners waving at the upper end. Then enter the dancers." The Pageant appeared at the top of the stage and came forward, Reviewed in Freeholder's Magazine, Oct.

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece entirely new Composed by Dibdin. [An adaptation of Goldoni's Il Filosofo di Campagna.] Book of Songs to be had at Theatre (playbill). The Wedg R. a Comic Opera of Two Acts wrote & composed by Mr Dibdin. The Music very pretty--as the Author was kept a Secret The Town fancy'd that is one of Mr Bickerstaff & call'd out to know who was the Author. Mr Garrick inform'd them that he had no power to declare who the Author was but he could assure them that it was not Mr Bickerstaffs this did not Satisfy them at last Mr Dibdin went on & declard himself to be the Author & made an Affidavit of it & then the Farce went on with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Account of The Wedding Ring in Westminster Magazine for Feb. 1773.] Paid #4 4s. for licensing The Wedding Ring and Alonzo (Treasurer's Book). [Maria Macklin, in a MS letter to her father, 3 Feb. 1773, commented fully on this night's performance: "Written as it was suppos'd by Bickerstaffe. The music by Dibdin. I went with a party into the Gallery to see the event as there was a great riot expected, & indeed never did I see an audience more inflamed. They would not suffer them to begin the piece. At last Mr King came on with a written paper in his hand, which he said he was desir'd to read in the name of the managers. After a great noise they let him read it. He said just before the play began the managers had receiv'd a letter from Mr Dibdin in which he declared that Bickerstaff was not the author of that piece, that he had made oath of it, and was ready to do the same again, but that for very particular reasons the author could not be given up. Then they stopp'd him & roar'd out that the author should be given up then. He continued as loud as he possibly could, reading on that 'but that if Mr Dibdin did not very soon given up the author he never should be suffered to appear again on that stage or any other.' Very luckily that turn'd them as I believe the House would have come down. The piece then began. Before the end of the first act one of Bannister's songs were encor'd. The other party were against it and would not let it go on. They all stood up and insisted that the author should be known then. After some time the house being nothing but confusion, Dibdin was push'd upon the stage ready to drop with fright, and declared that he was the author himself. Then they were as noisy the other way. Made them finish the piece, but how you may guess in a storm. It is like the Padlock, but the songs not so good." (Brander Matthews, Actors and Actresses, extra illustrated, Vol. I. Harvard Theatre Collection.). Westminster Magazine this month included in parallel columns flattering "Characters of Mr Garrick and Mr Colman," the Rival managers. The article especially praised Garrick's acting.] Receipts: #252 3s. 6d

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Lord Granville, writing on 5 May 1688, refers to the King's presence on the third day, and since The Squire of Alsatia may have begun its run about 2 May 1688, Crowne's play must have been produced by the end of April. Lord Granville to Sir William Leveson, 5 May 1688: The town is as empty of news as the Court; we have had a new play called The Fall of Darius (written by Crown), by which the poet, though he could get no fame, yet had a most extraordinary third day by reason the King's presence at it; the first day of its acting Mrs Bower [Barry] was taken so violently ill in the midst of her part that she was forced to be carried off, and instead of dying in jest was in danger of doing it in earnest. Mrs Cook is dead and Mrs Boute...is again come upon the stage, where she appears with great applause. We are promised this week another new play of Shadwell's called the Alsatia Bully, which is very much commended by those who have had the private perusal of it (HMC, 5th Report, Part II, pP. 197-98). Dedication, Edition of 1688: A misfortune fell upon this Play, that might very well dizzy the Judgments of the Audience. Just before the Play began, Mrs Barry was struck with a very violent Fever, that took all Spirit from her, by consequence from the Play; the Scenes She acted fell dead from her; and in the 4th Act her distemper grew so much upon her, She cou'd go on no further, but all her part in that Act was wholly cut out and neither Spoke nor Read; that the People went away without Knowning the contexture of the Play, yet thought they knew all....[My] Thanks to His Majesty for the Honor of his Presence, on the Day which was to be for my Advantage; which He was pleased to Grant me. [See L. C. 5@148, p. 195--in Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356--for a grant of #20 as a gift from the King to Crowne for this play.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: 27th time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the 1793 hay season]. The Overture, Chorusses, and the new Music by Dr Arnold. The Scenery by Rooker. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Half-Price not being taken at this Theatre, the Prices will be as in the Summer. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout season, but see 11 Nov.]. Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice at the Theatre. dl Account-Book, 23 Nov.: Received of Colman for 50 Nights Use of the Patent of Drury Lane Theatre at #15 a Nt. #750; 3 Dec.: for 10 nights Use of Patent #150 [Et seq. throughout season.

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith, Cridland, Dalton, Widow Dunbar. Doors open half past 4. Play to begin exactly at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd by Mrs Lampe, Mrs Jones, Mrs Morris, Miss Cranfield and Mr Hollingsworth will be admitted. Doors opened at half past 5. To begin at half past 6

Event Comment: Benefit for Lee Lewes. Mrs Barry's Indisposition prevents her appearance on the stage this night. Doors opened half past 5. To begin at half past 6

Event Comment: Benefit for Fox, Fearon and Davis. Doors open at half past 4. To begin at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Branson and Booth. Tickets deliver'd for Thursday the 18th will be admitted. Doors open at half past 5. To begin at half past 6 o'clock. [The Public Advertiser assigns Doctor-$Fox.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Doors open half past 5. To Begin at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Condell, Evans and Wilkinson (Box-keepers). Tickets sold at Doors not admitted. Doors open half past 5. To begin at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Green, Ansell (Box-keepers). Tickets sold at Doors not admitted. Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Curteen, Roberts, Shuter. Tickets delivered by Miller, Walker, Reed, Colley, Robinson, Brandon, Booth, Flight, Mrs Paddick, Mr Watson will be taken. Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for T. Ansell, Pilfold, and Symonds. The Last time but one of performing this season. Tickets deliver'd by Wooley, Wells, Claridge, Doe, Furkins, Layley, Robson, Francis, W. Ansell, Stephenson, Fowlis, Mrs Hitchcock & Mrs Trott will be admitted. Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Benefit for Macklin. Last time of performing this season. Doors open half past 5. To Begin at half past 6 o'clock. Tickets to be had of Macklin, James St., Covent Garden, and of Mr Sarjant at the stage Door where places for the Boxes may be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Lee Lewes. Doors open half past 5. To begin at half past 6 o'clock. Afterpiece: Never performed there

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Acted but once this season. Tickets deliver'd by Branson, Cushing, Thompson, Wewitzer, Jones, will be taken this night. Books of the Masque to be had at the theatre. Doors open half past 5. To begin half past 6 o'clock