Event Comment: The United Company. On 23 April 1689 Luttrell purchased a copy of the Prologue. The broadside copy, with Luttrell's date of acquisition, is in the possession of Mr Louis Silver, Wilmette, Illinois, to whose courtesy I am indebted for permission to use this date. When the Prologue, which is reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 271-72, appeared in The Fourth and Last Volume of the Works of Mr Tho. Brown (1719), the Prologue has the title: Jo. Haines in Penance; Or, his Recantation-Prologue, at his acting of Poet Bays in the Duke of Buckingham's Play call'd The Rehearsal. Spoken in a white Sheet, with a burning Taper in his Hand, upon his Admittance in to the House after his Return from the Church of Rome. In the Preface to his play, The Fatal Mistake (1691-92), Haines stated: In troth I have Acted Mr Bays so often, and so feelingly, that I could not possibly forbear copying after so fair an Original

Event Comment: The King's Company. This is the first known performance of the comedy, but it may not be the premiere. Evelyn, Diary: At night saw acted the Committe, a ridiculous play of Sir R. Howards where that Mimic Lacy acted the Irish-footeman to admiration: a very Satyrus or Roscius. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 16: @For his Just Acting, all gave him due Praise,@His Part in the Cheats, Jony Thump, Teg and Bayes,@In these Four Excelling; The Court gave him the Bays.

Event Comment: For an account of the play, see John Wilson's The Cheats, ed. Milton C. Nahm (Oxford, 1935). It was licensed on 6 March (p. 124), acted, then forbade on 22 March in an order: Letter to Mr Tho. Killigrew: Signifying the Ks Pleasure that the New Play called the Cheates be no more represented till it be reuiewed by Sir Jo. Denham & Mr Waller. 22 March. 1662-3 (p. 130). Abraham Hill to John Brooke, 28 March 1663: P.S. The new play, called The Cheats, has been attempted on the Stage; but it is so scandalous, that it is forbidden (Familiar Letters of? Abraham Hill, [London, 1717], p. 103. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 16) concerning Lacy: @For his just Acting, all gave him due Praise,@His Part in the Cheats, Jony Thump, Teg and Bayes,@In these Four Excelling, The Court gave him the Bays.

Event Comment: The United Company. Lord Ashburnham's Diary: I went to the Play (the Rehearsal) where there was a great deal of company (Ashburnham MS 932; see 14 Dec. 1686). The play was reprinted in 1687. Cibber, Apology (ed. Lowe, I, 167): People were so fond of seeing her [Mrs Mountfort] a Man, that when the Part of Bays in the Rehearsal had for some time lain dormant, she was desired to take it up, which I have seen her act with all the true coxcombly Spirit and Humour that the Sufficiency of the Character required

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Constant Couple. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. There is no certainty that this is the first performance, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 7-9 Dec. 1699, suggests that the first production may have occurred in mid-November. The Prologue also refers to the abandonment of Dorset Garden to "That strong Dog Sampson" (see 15 and 25 Nov. 1699). A song, Thus Damon knock'd at Celia's door, set by Daniel Purcell, was published separately about this time. Preface, Edition of 1700: All will join with me in Commendation of the Actors, and allow, without detracting from the Merit of others, that the Theatre Royal affords an excellent and compleat Set of Comedians. Mr Wilks's Performance has set him so far above Competition in the Part of Wildair, that none can pretend to envy the Praise due to his Merit. Preface to The Inconstant (1702): I remember, that about two Years ago, I had a Gentleman from France [The Constant Couple] that brought the Play-house some fifty Audiences in five months. A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), p. 32: Critick: But above all, commend me to the ingenious Author of the Trip to the Jubilee. Ramble: Oh Lord, Sir! you won't quarrel with that Play; never any thing did such wonders. Critick: Oh 'twas admirable! admirable! I wonder the Town did not just then bespeak the Bays for him. Sullen: Nay, for ought you and I know, he may live to enjoy 'em; I assure you all the run of the Town is on his side. The Owl was never more esteem'd at Athens than the Trip to the Jubilee was here. Critick: Indeed I have known a Footman have a great stroak with his Lord at begging a Favour; if all the Footmen in Town that admire him were to club for his Preferment, I don't know what might be done. Ramble: The Footmen? Ay, and the middle Gallery too, I assure you are of his side, and that's a strong Party. Critick: Why, I believe it, 'tis about the pitch of their Understanding; but if ever it diverted one Man of tolerable Sense I'll be hang'd. Sullen: I don't know who are your People of tolerable Sense, Mr Critick, but at the play I have seen the Pit, Box and Stage so crowded--and if that is not a sign

Event Comment: Written by Shakespear. Garrick to Peter Garrick (Dec. 1741): You perhaps would be glad to know what parts I have play'd, King Richd-+Jack Smatter in Pamela-Clody fop's fortune-Lothario fair Penitent-Chamont Orphan-Ghost Hamlet-& Shall soon be ready in Bays in ye Rehearsal-and in ye part of Othello-Both of which I believe will do Me and Giffard great Service-I have had great Success in all, & 'tis not yet determin'd whether I play Trajedy or Comedy best-$Old Cibber has spoke with ye Greatest Commendation of my Acting, as to playing a Harlequin 'tis quite false-Yates last Season was taken very ill & was not able to begin ye Entertainment so I put on ye Dress & did 2 or three Scenes for him, but Nobody knew it but him & Giffard; I know it has been Said I play'd Harlequin at Covent Garden but it is quite false.-Little, Pineapples, pp. 28-29

Event Comment: TThe Rehearsal is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Tomorrow on account of the indisposition of the Gentleman who performs Bays

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing it this season. Paid Thos Fellows for 13 yds green bays #1 9s. (Account Book). Receipts: #215 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Alterations and additions to the afterpiece in form of a Trip to Naplesv. Includes two views of the eruption of Vesuviusv [a display used afterwards in Harlequin's Invasionv 19 March]. Theatrical Review, 26 Dec.: The Witches; or a Trip to Naples,...one of those Mummeries, in which the carpenters, painters and taylors belong1ng to the theatre are the principal projectors; who torture dull brains to furnish out most contemptible pieces of entertainment...the disgrace of the English stage. This what-shall-we-call-it...now reviv'd with alterations and the addition of two new scenes, viz. two views of Mount Vesuviusv: the first of which represents a Vulcano burning at a distance, and is reflected by the water in the bay of Naplesv. The second is a nearer land view of the Mounts, and represents the manner in which the Lava is thrown out whenever an eruption happens; the torrents of the lava, like a river of liquid fire, falling into a cascade from a rock. As far as carpenters and painters are concerned, these additional scenes seem to be well executed, but whether the resemblance is exact, we cannot pretend to say; though we suppose it is. Be this as it may we cannot help thinking, the terrific ideas these scenes naturally raise in the mind, must defeat every intention of giving pleasure, and consequently afford less satisfaction to curiosity than a written account of that Vulcano, or any descriptive drawing of it. Paid Printer's Bill #9 6d. Receipts: #235 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Garrick Bays 1st time these four years Very fine House (Hopkins Diary). Mrs King many years actress and dancer will leave the stage at her Benefit. Garrick [will] play for her (Winston MS 10). Paid Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #11 9s. 6d.; Mr Racket (taylor) #20 6d.; Mr Hatsell (mercer) #29 6d.; Mr Ireland (upholsterer) #34 7s.; Barrow & Co (oil merchants) #88 10s.; Printer's Bill #8 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #280 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 13 years [acted 5 May 1770]. With Alterations and 3 entire new Scenes [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan; and new music by Thomas Linley Sen.]. To conclude with a Representation of the Storming of Fort Omoa in the Bay of Hondurasv [when it was captured by the British from the Spaniards on 26 Oct. 1779. This scene was included in all subsequent performances]. The View and Machinery designed by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. With New Dresses and Decorations. "The scenemen blundered egregiously all through the entertainment. During the siege of the fort so much gunpowder was fired off that the stage was so filled with smoke that the officers, men, were scarcely discernible from the boxes" (London Chronicle, 4 Jan.). Receipts: #203 2s. 6d. (154.7.0;47.17.0; 0.18.6)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of Fatal Falshood, announced on playbill of 24 Apr.,] Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Frederick Pilon]: The new Songs and Overture composed by Shield. The new Scenes by Richards and Carver. With a view of the English and Spanish Fleets entering the Bay. [This notice is included in all subsequent playbills.] Public Advertiser, 25 Apr. 1780: This afternon is published the Songs in The Siege Of Gibraltar (6d.). Ibid, 3 May 1780: This morning is published The Siege Of Gibraltar (1s.). Receipts: #168 5s. (166.4; 2.1)

Event Comment: 3rd piece: With Alterations and 3 entire new Scenes [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan]. To conclude with a Representation of the Storming of Fort Omoa in the Bay of Hondurasv [see 3 Jan. 1780. This scene was included in all subsequent performances]. The View and Machinery designed by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. Receipts: #131 16s. 6d. (99.14.0; 31.12.0; 0.10.6)

Event Comment: Mrs Powell allow'd to bring into the House #40 in Tickets, if any more, the overplus to be paid into the Treasury. Afterpiece: To conclude with the Representation of an Engagement between the English and Spaniards and the Storming of Fort Omoa, in the Bay of Honduras [on 26 Oct. 1779]. Receipts: #137 16s. 6d. (61.14.0; 21.3.6; 2.1.0; tickets: 52.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Middleton. [1st piece in place of NAPLES BAY, advertised on playbill of 27 May.] 3rd piece [1st time; MD 3, by Henry Siddons. Author of Prologue unknown]: Taken from the Sicilian Romance of the Author of the Romance of the Forest [Ann Radcliffe}. Overture and Music entirely new by Reeve. Morning Herald, 6 June 1794: This Day is published THE SICILIAN ROMANCE (1s.) [In 3rd piece the playbill lists Incledon, but "an apology was made on account of Incledon's indisposition, whose character in the After-piece was well supported by Townsend" (Thespian Magazine, July 1794, p. 281).] Morning Herald, 22 May: Tickets to be had of Middleton at Vint's, perfumer, No. 3, Tavistock-row, CoventGarden. Receipts: #203 13s. 6d. (92/14/0; 9/3/0; tickets: 101/16/6)

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the General Lying-In Hospital, at Bays-water. Under the Patronage of Her Majesty. [Braham's 1st appearance at this theatre was on 21 Apr. 1787.]. The Orchestra under the Direction of Mountain. Principal Oboe by W. Parke. To the Renters of Covent Garden Theatre, it is humbly requested by the Promoters of the Charity, for which the Opera performed this Evening is appropriated, that they will humanely forego their claim on that Night, it being out of the Manager's Season, and an additional expence to the Charity. Those Gentlemen willing to resign their demand on the above occasion are requested to send word t the Theatre which will be thankfully received by the promoters of the Charity. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. Tickets to be had at the Hospital; The Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand; Longman and Broderip's; and of Brandon at the Theatre, where places for the Boxes may be taken. Receipts: none listed in Account-Book, but Monthly Visitor, July 1797, p. 63, reports that #401 was received

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for General Lying-In Hospital, Bays-water. Under Patronage of Her Majesty. The Proprietor of Theatre has liberally given Use of House on the above Occasion [i.e. he levied no charge]. The Orchestra under direction of Mountain. Principal Oboe by W. Parke. The Curtain to rise exactly at 7:00. Tickets to be had of Mess. Longman and Broderip [music publishers, No. 13, Haymarket]; at Hospital, Bayswater; and of Brandon at Theatre. Receipts: none listed