SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Bells British Theatre"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Bells British Theatre")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

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We found 2604 matches on Event Comments, 540 matches on Performance Comments, 181 matches on Performance Title, 0 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Cancelled. On account of death of Edward Augustus, Duke of York, next Brother to His Majesty. [Theatre closed to 5 Oct.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet

Afterpiece Title: Perseus and Andromeda

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted there. Neville MS Diary: Both theatres opened again with The English Merchant. Went into the Pit of cg. Shuter did Freeport pretty well, but had not that appearance of blunt honesty which Yates has in that character....I like Miss Pope better in Molly than Mrs Mattocks. Mrs Goodman by Mrs Ward, who is a very different figure now from what she was some years ago. Her daughter did Amelia pretty well, but has a stiffiness and an indifferent voice. End Act III, The Irish Lilt-The celebrated dancer Aldridge, Sga Manesiere. Entertainment Harlequin Dr Faustus. I hope this emulation between the 2 Houses will cause exertion. Receipts: #146 8s. 6d. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The English Merchant

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Dr Faustus

Dance: III: The Irish Lilt, as17670921

Event Comment: [T+The Theatrical Monitor, No. V (21 Nov.) includes a letter from Bathyllus: As Dancing has ever been receiv'd by the greatest of dramatic writers, with encomiums suitable to its distinguished merit; you will be pleased through the channel of your justly spirited paper, to express the satisfaction I met with from Mr Aldridge in the Merry Sailor: his stature, strength, agility, and swiftness, are beyond anything I ever saw on Covent Garden theatre: he stands tip-toe on the pinnacle of perfection, and gives us an idea of Homer's pyrrhick dance delineated on the shield of Achilles"] Receipts: #74 17s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Confederacy

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Dr Faustus

Dance: III: A new dance call'd The Merry Sailors-Aldridge

Event Comment: SSigismunda by Mrs Dancer, being her first appearance on this stage, --was well received and great applause, --She is a good figure, and has a great deal of merit, --and is an acquisition to the theatre (Hopkins MS Notes). Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 21 Nov. 1765.] Got with difficulty into the Pit before the play began. Holland played Tancred pretty well but can never divest himself of a certain stiffness...Mrs Dancer was affecting in Sigismunda...Lovel [in the afterpiece] by King, much better than by Cautherly. Saw the Duchess of Ancaster at the Play, who tho upwards of 40, is still remarkably handsome (Neville MS Diary)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Tancred And Sigismunda

Afterpiece Title: High Life below Stairs

Dance: End: The Irish Hay@makers, as17670919

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Music [to afterpiece] by Barthelemon. I often go to both theatres, have seen Garrick and Mrs Yates, who are the first in this theatrical sphere. The former has hitherto [i.e., this season] appeared only in comedy, --his manner, his humour, and his judgment are not to be equall'd. The adoration he meets with from the English is equal to his merit. His every motion they attend to, and every turn of his eye seems to transport them. Mrs Yates [at Covent Garden] has much tragic merit. Her low voice is very tuneful, her feeling great, her action peculiarly graceful and her figure uncommonly fine. She has more power than Mrs Dancer (at Drury Lane] and more variety than Mrs Fitz-Henry, tho' less strength and compass. On the whole she is superior to the former and inferior to the latter. Barry and Mrs Dancer are engag'd here (MS Letter from Henry Grattan to Cornet Broome giving his first impressions of living in London, 27 Oct. 1767, in Folger Library). Neville MS Diary: Went into the Pit to see As You Like It a second time. Reddish did Orlando for the 1st time. He is a pretty good player. End Act I, Hearts of Oak. The Entertainment was the new Farce called a Peep Behind the Curtain. Glib by King who is the author. The piece is not unentertaining, whatever other merit it may have. The Prologue and an Address to the Town by way of Epilogue, are spoken by Mr King, the music by Barthelemon

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Afterpiece Title: A Peep behind the Curtain

Dance: I: Hearts of Oak, as17671022

Event Comment: At 5 went into the Pit at Covent Garden to see Mrs Yates do Lady Townly. Yates is an excellent Sir Francis, but Powell does not shine in Lord Townly....The Entertainment was the new comedy in two acts called the Oxonian in Town, with a prologue by Woodward in the character of a student....It being suspected that a number of sharpers whose characters and practices are laid open in this piece, would attempt to damn it tonight (the 3rd of its being Performed) under pretence of its casting odium on the Irish, bills were dispersed in the House during the play vindicating it from any such intention. Woodward was allowed to speak the prologue, but as soon as the curtain drew up catcalls began. When the performers retired, Powell spoke several times, but was not heard. I was told that the author (Mr Colman) desires to know whom he has offended. The Pros were a very great majority, and at last after a contest of better than 1!2 an hour, the victory was over and the piece was performed. I think it contains many good sentiments, and excellent instruction to young men and is not unworthy of Mr Colman. If vice must not be exposed to hatred and contempt, the usefulness of our theatres is at an end. Only I think the Covent Garden pleasures are represented in too favourable a light. When all was over Powell came on the stage and thanked the audience for their generous protection (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #212 12s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provok'd Husband; Or, A Journey To London

Afterpiece Title: The Oxonian in Town

Dance: II: New Comic Dance, as17671106; End: The Merry Sailors, as17671009

Event Comment: Benefit for Theatrical Fund, instituted by Persons of this theatre. Mainpiece: Acted there but once. Such of the Nobility, Gentry, etc. who are pleased to favour this undertaking are desire to send for places, Pit or Box tickets, to Mr Sarjant at the stage-door. [Neville attended at half-past four and read the principal parts of the play, as altered by Colman. Noted that Sga Manesiere did The Sicilian Peasant in boy's clothes.] @Receipts #164 19s.@Charges to House #63@Chorus Singers #1 15s.@Candles #1 5s.@Kettle Drum 5s.@Bag Pipes 5s.@#66 10s.@Dr to the Fund #98 9s.-Account Book@

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Philaster

Afterpiece Title: Midas

Dance: II: The Merry Sailors, as17671009; III: The Sicilian Peasants, as17671123

Event Comment: By command of their Majesties. Pit and Boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd this day at the Office in the Theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries will be opened at Half an Hour after Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half after Six. House Charges to Stanley and Smith #35 (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Samson

Music: CConcerto on Organ-Stanley

Event Comment: Third Day. For the Author. House charges and Candles #64 5s. Balance to Bickerstaffe #155 11s. 6d. (Account Book). This month were published Harris and Rutherford's Narrative of the Rise and Progress of the Disputes subsisting between the Patentees of Covent Garden Theatre, and Colman's True State of The Differences subsisting....Both were reviewed in the Gentleman's Magazine. Receipts: #219 16s. 6d. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: The Upholsterer

Dance: End of Opera: A New Comic Dance, call'd the Provenzales-Mas. Blurton, Miss Besford, Miss Ford 1st time

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the theatre. Receipts: #222 5s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: The Apprentice

Dance: End of Opera: The Provenzales, as17680301

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #201 15s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: The Citizen

Dance: End of Opera: The Merry Sailors, as17671009

Event Comment: Sixth Day. For the Author. Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. House charges and candles #64 5s. Balances for Bickerstaffe #120 18s. (Account Book). Receipts: #185 3s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: The Englishman in Paris

Dance: End of Opera: The Irish Lilt, as17670921, but Miss Valois, Sga _Manesiere

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Received of Condell 45 Nights Fruit Rent due 8th Inst. #20 (Account Book). Paid Powell and Bickerstaffe balances due them. Paid Mrs Paddick for cleaning of feathers #1 19s. (Account Book). Receipts: #188 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: The Intriguing Chambermaid

Dance: End of Opera: The Provenzales, as17680301

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #178 6s. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lionel And Clarissa

Afterpiece Title: Catherine and Petruchio

Dance: End Opera: New Comic Dance, as17671126, but Miss Capon, Miss _Valois

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard, being her last time of appearing on the stage. [Prices first announced: Pit and Boxes 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 2s. 6d. but acted to usual prices. Garrick wrote farewell adress.] N.B. As all the places are taken, there will be no admittance into the Pit and Boxes, but with tickets; Mrs Pritchard entreats the Ladies and Gentlemen to avoid confusion, and for their own convenience to be at the theatre a little earlier than usual, and to send their servants at 3 o'clock

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Macbeth

Afterpiece Title: The Guardian

Event Comment: Cancelled. Theatre and all the Gardens [closed] on account of the Death of Louisa Anne [sister of His Majesty]--until 23 May. [This was to have been the Benefit night for Mortimer, Tomlinson, and Lings.] Tickets deliver'd by Miss Berkley, Mas. Cape, and for The Committee were to have been taken

Performances

Mainpiece Title: None

Afterpiece Title: None

Dance: [I: Double Hornpipe-Mas. Cape, Miss Taylor.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provok'd Husband

Performance Comment: As17671110, but Manly-Jackson (from Theatre Royal, Dublin); Sir Francis-Shuter; Jenny-Miss Ward, 1st time.

Afterpiece Title: Orpheus and Eurydice

Dance: II: The Highland Reel, as17680307

Event Comment: A new comedy of three acts. Places to be taken of Mr Jewell at the Theatre. No Admittance behind the Scenes. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money to be returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Pit and Galleries to be open at 5:30 p.m.; Boxes at 6 p.m. To begin exactly at seven. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in the bills.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Devil Upon Two Sticks

Afterpiece Title: Thomasand Sally

Dance: Between the acts: Duquesnay, Miss Street, scholars of Gherardi

Event Comment: The Last time of the company's performing this season. [Following deficiencies for this season paid up: Richard Smith, Lewes, Dumay, Condell, Potter, Thomas Smith, Quick, Furkins, Wilkinson, Abbott, Simmonds, Pullen, Stephenson, Asbury, Wilde, Francis, Mrs Griffiths, Claridge, and Sharratt (Account Book). This includes payment of half value of tickets for those who were granted partial benefits on that basis.] Music forfeits at end of season #17 6s. 11d. Neville MS Diary: Went...to see Cymbeline...chiefly to hear Powell speak an occasional prologue. Would not have gone had I known it was only a stale piece of flattery to George. [See The Gentleman's Magazine, 9 July p. 346: "On shutting up the playhouse in Covent Garden at the end of the season, admission into the theatre having been denied to Mr H and R through any other passage but Mr Powell's House, those gentlemen at the head of a large posse on the 17th of last month, [June] made a forcible entry by breaking open a window near the playhouse door in Hart street; after which they expelled by violence Mr Sargeant the Housekeeper, all his family and others; but the acting managers not being inclined to submit to the arbitrary proceedings of their colleagues, immediately applied for redress, where redress was effectually to be had, and this day they were formally expelled by virtue of a warrant from under the hand and seal of the high sherrifs of London and Middlesex, and the old housekeeper, Mr Sargeant, restored to his office of trust, to the great mortification of one of the champions who had been heard to say: That he had now got possession and d--n him if he would not keep it while he had a drop of blood in his body, and while there was one brick upon another belonging to the house."

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Cymbeline

Afterpiece Title: Midas

Dance: III: The Highland Reel, as17680307

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Rehearsal

Performance Comment: Bayes-Lee; Johnson-Young Gentleman, first appearance on any stage; Smith-Casey; Prince Volscius-Keasberry, from the Theatre Royal in Bath; Prince Prettyman-Loveman; Gentleman Usher-Vandermere; Physician-Graham; Drawcansir-Hamilton; Tom Thimble-Brownsmith; Chloris-Mrs Graham; also a Grand Battle-Mr Bayes new rais'd Regiment of Horse.

Afterpiece Title: Damon and Phillida

Event Comment: For the Farce--New Scenes, Dresses, Music. Book of the play sold at the Theatre. Play to begin at 6 o'clock (Winston MS 10). The Farce went off very well,--some hisses (Hopkins Diary)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: All In The Wrong

Afterpiece Title: The Padlock

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Plain Dealer

Afterpiece Title: The Padlock

Event Comment: Doors open at 6. Play to Begin exactly at 7. Books of the Interlude to be had at the theatre. Paid for a license for The Royal Garland #1 1s. (Account Book). Receipts: #173 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: She Wou'd And She Wou'd Not

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of their Majesties. Servants are desired to be at the theatre to keep places by 4 o'clock. Receipts: #209 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Merry Wives Of Windsor

Afterpiece Title: Thomasand Sally

Dance: End: The Irish Lilt, as17680930; End I [of Farce]: The Merry Sailors, as17680920

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 1 May 1765.] Books of the opera to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #213 (Account Book)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Artaxerxes

Afterpiece Title: The Miller of Mansfield

Dance: I: A Comic Dance, as17681007; II: New Grand Ballet, The Tartars, as17681004