Event Comment: The Subscribers to the Opera are desir'd to send their Silver Tickets on Saturday next, and the three succeeding Days of Performance, to the Opera Office, where a Half Guinea Ticket extraordinary will be delivered to each, or a proportionable Part of Money return'd as Equivalent for four representations, which the Season already too far advanced, cannot admit of being exhibited, thro' the absolute Necessity there was of postponing the proper Time of beginning the Opera. Forty-Two Representations are past

Event Comment: MMiss Morris was a pupil of Mr Colman's--She was very much approved by the public in the character of Juliet. On the sixth night of her appearance on the stage she was taken ill, and died before the end of this season. See the Bill for her Benefit (Hopkins MS Notes). Afterpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 19 May 1762.] [The Occasional Prologue, by Colman, is Larpent MS 288, which introduces Miss Morris as Juliet, and stresses the qualms and fears of a new performer.] Receipts: #227 19s. 6d. (Account Book). Lloyd's Evening Post, 28-30 Nov.: Sir: The managers of both theatres have of late, in order to put a stop to the Public complaint against a dearth of actors, given trials to several stage candidates that seemed to have any promising requisite. Such experiments have not proved fruitless. The most brilliant and interesting of which was the young lady's appearance on Covent Garden Theatre last night, in the character of Juliet. So great was her terror, on presenting herself for the first time before a crowded audience, that, deprived of all her powers, she fell down on the stage in a swoon. The first act in consequence, was all terror on her side, all compassion and anxiety on that of the audience. But having had time between the first and second Acts to recover from her panic, she shone forth in the Balcony Scene the most pleasing promise of a young tragic actress that has been seen for half a century past, and continued so throughout. Her person is genteel, her tone of voice insinuating, variable, and melodious; her recitation is just and sensible; very affecting in the pathetic parts; condescending, free, and polite are the familiar speeches with the Nurse. She is happily devoid of all stage whine, and tragedy Cant. The manner she has been rudimented in does great honour to her instructors, who have so judiciously prevented the so excellent actor of this verily a Shakespeare's Juliet, from being sophisticated by the studied tricks, and false ornamenting of mistaken modern and degenerate art

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 Barry. Mainpiece [by Edward Young]: not acted these 30 years. Part of Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Servants allowed to keep places on the Stage. Tomorrow, not acted these 20 years, Ulysses for the Benefit of Mrs Woffington. A Young lady, remarkably handsome, appeared in the Pit of Covent Garden Playhouse on Monday Night last; she had on a white hat with pink ribbons; a pink colour'd Cardinal trimm'd with white fur, which she took off on account of people spitting down from the slips...She was standing near the Pit Door before the play began, but soon had room made for her at the end of one of the seats (Daily Advertiser, 22 March)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Baddeley. House charges #67 9s. 6d. [Profits to Baddeley family 16s. plus tickets.] Tickets deliver'd for this night will be taken. Paid Palmer of Bath for Spermecetti candles #128 4s. Paid Mr Deeble (chorus singer) omitted 3 nights 15s.; Chorus singers 1 night #2 10s. 6d.; Salary list #435 19s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #68 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). I find ye corner of ye orchestra is ye best place to stand in...Holland played Iago very well, and Mrs Baddeley Desdemona pretty well, being her 1st appearance in that character...End of ye play Baddeley spoke a composition of his own, called "Search after Scrubs," to hear which Garrick came into ye orchestra. He looks healthy and strong, and should oftener entertain ye Public to which he owes so much. Entertainment Daphne and Amintor. Daphne (for ye first time) Mrs Baddeley, who does not shine in the singing part, as Mrs Arne does (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Boxes 8s. Two Benches in the Pit next the Boxes rail'd in, the same Price. Pit 5s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. Stage Boxes half a Guinea. No Person to be admitted to keep Places in the Pit. At 6 p.m

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: Benefit for Condell, Potter, Hussey. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be admitted. Charges #81 10s. Deficit to the beneficiaries #18 1s. 10d. apiece. Covered by income from Tickets: Condell #71 12s. (Box 186; Pit 122; Gallery 68); Potter #48 14s. (Box 116; Pit 74; Gallery 86); Hussey #64 4s. (Box 118; Pit 152; Gallery 119); Walters, Dixon, Reed, and Wooley paid up half values of tickets (Account Book). Receipts: #24 4s. 6d

Event Comment: Receipts: #439 11s. 6d. (391.15.6; 45.7.0; 2.9.0). A tally sheet in BM (Burney 937. c. 10) for this night itemizes the number of spectators and the receipts as follows: 1st Account Boxes 660, #198.0.0 Pit 745, #130.7.6 Gallery 634, #63.8.0 Total 2,039, #391.15.6 Half Price Boxes 215, #32.5.0 Pit 27, #2.14.0 Gallery 208, #10.8.0 Total 450, #45.7.0 Boxes 875, #230.5.0 Pit 772, #133.1.6 Gallery 842, #73.16.0 Total 2,489, #437.2.6 The total receipts here set forth do not include the After Money of 2.9.0

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: Being full of my desire of seeing my Lord Orrery's new play this afternoon at the King's house, The Black Prince, the first time it is acted; where though we come by two o'clock, yet there was no room in the pit, but we were forced to go into one of the upper boxes, at 4s. a piece, which is the first time I ever sat in a box in my life. And in the same box come, by and by, behind me, my Lord Barkeley and his lady; but I did not turn my face to them to be known, so that I was excused from giving them my seat; and this pleasure I had, that from this place the scenes do appear very fine indeed, and much better than in the pit. The house infinite full, and the King and Duke of York was there. By and by the play begun, and in it nothing Particular but a very fine dance for variety of figures, but a little too long. But, as to the contrivance, and all that was witty (which, indeed, was much, and very witty), was almost the same that had been in his two former plays of Henry the 5th and Mustapha, and the same points and turns of wit in both, and in this very same play often repeated, but in excellent language, and were so excellent that the whole house was mightily pleased with it all along till towards the end he comes to discover the chief of the plot of the play by the reading of a long letter, which was so long and some things (the people being set already to think too long) so unnecessary that they frequently begun to laugh, and to hiss twenty times, that, had it not been for the King's being there, they had certainly hissed it off the stage. But I must confess that, as my Lord Barkeley says behind me, the having of that long letter was a thing so absurd, that he could not imagine how a man of his parts could possibly fall into it; or, if he did, if he had but let any friend read it, the friend would have told him of it; and, I must confess, it is one of the most remarkable instances that ever I did or expect to meet with in my life of a wise man's not being wise at all times, and in all things, for nothing could be more ridiculous than this, though the letter of itself at another time would be thought an excellent letter, and indeed an excellent Romance, but at the end of the play, when every body was weary of sitting, and were already possessed with the effect of the whole letter, to trouble them with a letter a quarter of an hour long was a most absurd thing. After the play done, and nothing pleasing them from the time of the letter to the end of the play, people being put into a bad humour of disliking (which is another thing worth the noting), I home by coach, and could not forbear laughing almost all the way home, and all the evening to my going to bed, at the ridiculousness of the letter, and the more because my wife was angry with me, and the world, for laughing, because the King was there, though she cannot defend the length of the letter

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Pit and Boxes put together. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 6 May: There was an exceeding great Audience, and great Numbers of Quality both in the Boxes and Pit. Their Highnesses' Box was handsomely ornamented with white Damask, adorn'd with Silver Laces and Fringes; over the Canopy was the Figure of Hymen, with a Label on which was this Motto: Concordia Cordium. Daily Journal, 6 May: The House was so full about Five o'Clock, that several Gentlemen and Ladies, unable to go to their Seats, was obliged to depart

Event Comment: Benefit for Garton (treasurer) Died this night at Kensington Gravel Pits where she went for the recovery of her health, Miss Morris, the young lady who appeared this season with so much applause at Covent Garden (Public Advertiser). Charges #67 15s. Balance to Garton #20 11s. plus #98 from tickets (Box 186; Pit 258; Gallery 128) (Account Book). Receipts: #88 6s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Nothing said abour ye prolog: (Cross). The Music of the Funeral Procession compos'd by Dr Boyce. [See "William Boyce's 'Solemn Dirge' in Garrick's Romeo and Juliet Production of 1750," by Charles Haywood, Shakespeare Quarterly, Spring, 1960.] This day is Publish'd at 1s. 6d. Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy, revised and alter'd from Shakespear by Theophilus Cibber, First revised in September 1744, at the Theatre in the Haymarket; now acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. To which is added a Serio-Comic Apology for Part of the Life of Mr Theophilus Cibber, Comedian, written by himself. Interspers'd with memoirs and anecdotes relating to the Stage Managements, Theatrical Resolutions, &c. also cursory Observations on principal Players: particularly Mr Quin, Mr Ryan, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Ward, and Miss Bellamy; Mr Garrick, Mr Barry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard, &c. Likewise Original Letters that passed between the late Sir Thomas DeVeil and Mr Theophilus Cibber relating to the Stage Act, Concluding with a copy of Verses, call'd the Contrite Comedian's Confession. Printed for C. Corbett, the Publisher, at Addison's Head, facing St Dunstan's Church, Fleet St; G. Woodfall, at the King's Arms, the corner of Craig's Court, Charing Cross. [See 11 Oct.] Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: Sun: 29th Dr Barrowby dy'd suddenly a good friend to ye Actors in Sickness (Cross). [Inspector No 259 appears in Daily Advertiser and London Gazette with a long comparison between actors and various styles of famous painters, Garrick, Barry, Miss Bellamy, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Pritchard, Woodward and Macklin are treated.] Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: A Noise at Covent Garden Calling for Barry, some Gents bound over for ye Riot (Cross). Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: Rich's Company. That this day was the premiere is implied by the Post Boy, 6-9 July 1700: This Day at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, will be presented a New Comedy, never Acted before, called Courtship Alamode. Preface, Edition of 1700: This Play was so long expected e're it came into the World, that I'm oblig'd in Justice to my self, to excuse its appearance at at time when there were scarce Witnesses in Town of its Birth. It was enter'd in the other House [lif], where Mr Betterton did me all the Justice I cou'd indeed reasonably hope for. But that Example he gave, was not it seems to be follow'd by the whole Company, since 'tis known that Mr Bowman (I mention his Name to keep the reflection from other sharers) kept the first Character of my Play six weeks, and then cou'd hardly read six lines on't. How far that Way of management makes of late for the Interest and Honour of that House, is easie to be judg'd. Some who valu'd their reputations more, were indeed rarely or never absent. To these I gave my thanks; but finding that six or seven people cou'd not perform what was design'd for fifteen, I was oblig'd to remove it after so many sham Rehearsals, and in two days it got footing upon the other Stage [dl]. Where twas immediately cast to the best Advantage, and Plaid in less than twenty days. [In the Dedication Penkethman states that he saw the play into print after its being received well by the town.] A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1700), pp. 104-5: Ramble: Courtship Alamode, the Author, one Crawford, a Caledonian. Sullen: I remember it, and its Adventures; it was enter'd into the New-House, at the Recommendation of a certain Scotch Lord, and sojourning there six Months to no purpose, it travell'd afterwards to the Old-House, where it was with much ado Acted. Ramble: And Damn'd-there I was in with you

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Pit and boxes laid together, and Front and Side Boxes built on Stage [see 7 March]. Tickets to be had at Mr Barry's, the corner of Bow St., Covent Garden. Mr Garrick first play'd Iago (Cross). [He had played it in Dublin 28 Feb. 1746.] Receipts: #289 (Cross); house charges, #60 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Last time of performing mainpiece this season. N.B. A New Tomb will be made use of, so modell'd as to prevent any obstruction to persons sitting on the stage, from seeing the performance. Pit and boxes will be laid together. Amphitheatre on stage. Servants admitted to keep places. Tickets at Mr Barry's in Bow St., Covent Garden and at Stage Door

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. We hear that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with Prince Edward will be this night at Covent Garden, to see the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and Harlequin Skeleton. On Tuesday 3 March, will be reviv'd a Tragedy call'd Macbeth (as written by Shakespear) the part of Macbeth by Barry, and Lady Macbeth by Mrs Cibber, being the first time of her appearing in that character. To which will be added the Oracle, a new Dramatic piece (of one act) taken from the French, the Principal Part to be perform'd by Mrs Cibber. Pit and boxes laid together

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Afterpiece: By particular Desire. Part of Pit will be Rail'd into the Boxes. Amphitheatre on Stage

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Ladies send servants for places by 3 o'clock. Tickets given out for 19 March will be taken. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Neville MS Diary: Saw Douglas by a Mr Brereton, being his 3rd appearance. He is a pretty figure, but wants lemon in his voice, as Mr Garrick calls it. Lady Randolph by Mrs Barry. The Entertainment was Queen Mab, with a new scene representing the late Masquerade at the Opera House, with all the extravagances and intrigue which it occasions. Was very much squeezed in the Pit. Wish I was settled in th country at a distance from these crowded diversions

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. House (Hopkins Diary). But Tickets delivered for Benefit of Mr W. Barry will be taken. Mr Wm. Barry's tickets this night (Box 88; Pit 76; Gallery 47) #38 2s.; Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Master Brown 2 nights (26th incl.) 15s.; Extra trumpet 2 nights (March 31st incl.) #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Webster. Mr Barry being ill, the tragedly of King Lear oblig'd to be deferr'd. [A comment in Lloyd's Evening Post for 29 Feb. refers to an incident in cg this evening: "A fellow who sat on the sixth row of the Upper Gallery...Threw a Keg (which he had brought full of liquor into the House) over the Gallery front. It fell upon a lady's head, who sat in that part of the Pit which was railed into the Boxes, but the Lady's hair being dress'd in high ton, the artifical mountain luckily prevented the mischief that otherwise might have been occasioned....The fellow who threw the cask was carried to the Public Office, in Bow Street, and from thence committed to Tothill Fields, Bridewell. As the custom of throwing mugs, bottles, apples, &c. from the galleries of the theatres is equally as wanton and wicked and is frequently the cause of great mischief, it is thought the present culprit will made an example of" (Quoted in Hampden, Journal).

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Author (Cross). Places for Boxes to be taken of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets to be had of Mr Miller, in the strand; Mr Dodsley in Pall Mall; at the Half-Moon Tavern, near Holborn Bars, and of Mr Hobson. Just Publish'd Mahomet and Palmira. A Tragedy as it is acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, by a Gentleman of Wadham College. [This would seem to be James Miller's Mahomet, with the printer capitalizing on Johnson's production at dl.] Receipts: #175 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)