Event Comment: Benefit Rogers, Simson, and Mrs Chetwood. Tickets to be had of Rogers at Mr Molloy's, Wine Merchant in Bear Yard, Lincoln's Inn Fields; at Mr Settre's, Linen Draper, at the Golden Anchor, next Tom's Coffee House, Covent Garden; of Mrs Chetwood, Castle Tavern, Drury Lane; and of Simson, at Mr Gill's, a shoemaker, Basinghall St. [At 5 p.m. this day Jack, Joseph and Polly Granier are scheduled to dance in several dances at the New Wells, Lemon St., Goodman's Fields. Carney has also gone over to the New Wells.

Event Comment: Benefit Garrick. By particular desire 5 rows of the pit will be railed into boxes--Servants will be admitted to keep places on the stage, which for the better accomodation of the ladies will be formed into boxes--the ladies are desired to send their servants by three o'clock--to begin at 6 o'clock. Tickets to be had of Garrick at his lodgings, the last house in James St., joining the Great Piazza; at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden; Mr Vaillant's, Bookseller at the Strand; Mr Harrache's, Toyman in Long Acre; and of Mr Hobson at the stage door of the theatre where places for the Boxes may be taken

Event Comment: WWilliam Hint in a Letter (Daily Gazetteer, 31 Oct.): Mr Sheridan? was cast most improperly, into the part of Horatio; which naturally call'd for Mr Delane? in that house....but why was Mr Garrick? left out of the play. Would he not have look'd, spoke and acted Lothario?

Event Comment: Benefit Davies, Bookseller (General Advertiser). Tickets to be had of Mr Cummins, Bookseller, under the Royal Exchange; at the Horn Tavern in Fleet St.; at Mr Waller's, Bookseller, over against Fetter Lane End; The Temple Exchange Coffee-House; at Lebeck's Head in the Strand; and at Mr Davies in Old Round Court in the Strand

Event Comment: MMr Picq entered from Saturday last at 2 Guineas per week certain; Mr Matthews entered ditto at 30s. per week. Mr Granier for his Christmas performance #5 5s.; Mr Forrest, attorney, on account #100 (Account Books, Egerton 2268). We hear there is now in rehearsal a Farce of two acts call'd Miss in her Teens; and will be acted soon after the Holidays.-General Advertiser. Receipts: #77 1s

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser, Sir: I have frequently observ'd particular Notice has been taken in your paper of particular Merit, I hope therefore you'll allow room for this short Epistle--I am a great Lover of Public Diversions, especially such as can agreeably amuse, or afford the highest Mirth, without offense to Sense of Decency; Of this kind are the two new dances compos'd by Salomon, and perform'd by him, Mr Cook, Mr Muilment, Madem Violette, Sga Padouana, and the young little Salomon, and others. To say they are excellent in their way is barely doing 'em justice; but in these Dances they may be said to have excell'd themselves. The first, tho' a kind of Serious Pastoral Ballet afforded the Audience great Pleasure; and I believe never did three dancers in a Pas Trois, altogether equal the Execution of Sg Salomon, Madem Violette, and Mr Cook; there was an Elegance peculiar to herself that shone thro' her whole performance. The other Entertainment is the representation of a Fair, to which People of all degrees and nations are suppos'd to resort, it may not improperly be stil'd a very High Piece of Low Humour; and caused as much laughter and applause as the strongest Farce ever produc'd, without offending the Modesty of the Ladies. We have had many performers from abroad, but Sg Salamon and Violette so inimitably express their characters in this entertainment, that I think they excel what we have hitherto seen; and very much deserve the Encouragement of the Town, I am, &c

Event Comment: Paid Gallini in part of his Bond #50 (Account Books, Egerton 2268). Mrs Cibber, being Indisposed with a violent Fever, which renders her incapable of performing in the Distrest Mother this day for her Benefit, she is therefore oblig'd to defer it till further Notice. On Tuesday next will be publish'd (Address'd to Mr Garrick) The Pretty Gentleman, or Softness of Manners vindicated from the False Ridicule exhibited unter the character of William Fribble, Esq:...Printed for M. Cooper in Paternoster Row. We hear the Comedy of the Suspicious Husband will be performed in a few days, and the continuance of Mr Garrick's Indisposition, rendering his appearance on the Stage entirely uncertain; the part of Ranger will be attempted by Mr Chapman.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: [Benefit on one-half value of tickets basis to nine ticket holders. The General Advertiser notice lists beneficiaries as Harrington (Prompter); Stede, Carr, Mrs Bland, Mrs Rowley.] Tickets deliver'd by Mrs Daniel, Mrs Dumont, &c will be taken. /For Box Pit Gallery Value Half-Value/Harrington 7 29 22 #8 6s. #4 3s./Stede 7 52 59 #15 9s. #7 14s. 6d./Carr 6 53 46 #14 1s. #7 0s. 6d./Mrs Rowley 27 77 44 #22 14s. #11 7s./Mrs Dumont 36 31 32 #16 17s. #8 8s. 6d./Mrs Bland 9 56 91 #19 15s. #9 17s. 6d./Mrs Dupre 5 33 42 #10 8s. #5 4s./Mrs Daniel .. 45 109 #17 13s. #8 16s. 6d./Mrs Hitchcock 34 58 31 #20 6s. ........./Totals 131 434 476 #145 9s. #62 11s. 6d./ [Mrs Hitchcock seems to have received the full value of her tickets.] This Day is Publish'd A Treatis on the Passions so far as they regard the stage, with a critical inquiry into the Theatrical Merit of Mr G k, Mr Q n, and Mr B y, the first considered in the part of Lear, the last two oppos'd in Othello. By S. Foote, Esq

Event Comment: [The following letter appeared in the General Advertiser]: To Mr Ryan, Sir: As the Author whom you have judiciously, I think, call'd in to your Assistance on your Benefit Night is little known; his Name not having appeared upon the Stage in our Days; and from whence some may be apt to think it scarce worth while to produce him now;--it was thought advisable by many of your Friends, of which Number I profess myself, to draw up the following Account of him and his Dramatic Works, that such as are Strangers to him may have some further Inducement to favour you with their Company. Mr Thomas Randolph lived in the Reign of King Charles I, was Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; but died young. He was a Man of pregnant Wit, gay Humour and of excellent Learning; which gain'd him the Esteem of the Polite Part of the Town, and particularly recommended him to the Favour of Ben Johnson, who adopted him one of his Sons, and held him in equal Esteem with the ingenious Mr Cartwright, another of the Laureat's adopted Sons:--The Plays he wrote were: [he lists 5 plays, commenting from Cokayne and Rich of Christ's Church College, Oxon, and West on the ethical quality of the last one, The Muses' Looking Glass]. In short, Sir, I doubt not but his old nervous Wit will still please, and join'd with the New Masque you have added, excite Curiousity enough to answer your Design; since by your Steadiness it was absoluteley necessary you should hava Novelty, as well as Interest, to procure half so good a House, as we all wish you, and especially, Your Humble Servant, I. M. [See 14 March afterpiece.

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)

Event Comment: With proper scenes, Machines, &c. [This is the Dryden-Davenant version.] Paid G. Garrick balance of his bill #6 13s.; Christmas Box to ye Beadle 3s. 6d.; Mr Norton 5 chorus #1 5s.; Xmas Jury #1 1s.; Mr Madden for an Embroidered Coat and a velvet suit of Cloaths #12 (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published A Dissertation on Comedy (by John Hippisley, Jr) in which the Rise and Progress of that Species of the Drama is particularly considered and deduced from the earliest to the present age. By a Student of Oxford. Printed for T. Lowndes (Gentleman's Magazine, Register of Books). The "Student of Oxford" seems to have been a Garrick apologist in the extreme: "But whatever reason there may have been formerly for this complaint [the immorality of the stage] since Mr Garrick's management the Stage is become the school of manners and morality: Ribaldry and Profaneness are no longer tolerated, Sense and Nature exert their influence; Pantomime daily declines, Dancers are but little encouraged; the Burletta performs to empty benches, and the British can now vie with the Athenian Drama when in its severest state of purity" (p. 15). Also, from the same source, Reflections on that Species of Dramatic Writing which it improperly call'd Serious Comedy: from the French of M Maillet du Boulley.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #126 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Carpue (Silk Dyer) #2; Xmas Box to King's Marshal's man 10s. 6d.; Mr Woodward a bill #25; Clutterbuck #57 6s.; Mr Miller (Shoemaker) #5 6d.; Scott (Copper laceman) #19 3s.; Cross for licenser #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). This day is publish'd, The Chaplet, a Musical Entertainment at 6d. as it is now performing with great applause, at Drury Lane Theatre. Sold by Cooper in Paternoster Row. Receipts: #180 (Cross); #165 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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: Benefit for Geminiani. A Grand Entertainment of Sacred Music called...To conclude with the Magnificat compsoed by Conti. Mr Geminiani will conduct the Orchestra and perform a Concerto and Solo of his own Composition. Pit and Boxes 10s. 6d. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. To begin at half after six. Mr Geminiani has altered his day from Friday 6 April Mr Handel having agreed to have no Oratorio on Wednesday 11 April. So Tickets for 6 Apr. will be taken (General Advertiser). [Cross incorrectly dates this on Tuesday 10 April.] Receipts: #230 (Cross); charges, #21 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Matthews and James. Rec'd Cash #44 9s., plus #116 12s. from tickets. Total #161 1s. Paid Mr Barsanti for music by order of Garrick #1 11s. 6d. Paid Mr Williams 1!2 year's rent K: passage #11 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Mr Mills bury'd at St Marks [Cross). Receipts: #160 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A great deal of Hissing by some Gentlemen in the Pit--at ye beginning of the 4th Act an apple thrown at Mrs Pritchard, Mr Garrick call'd for by ye pit--one Gent: got up, & said they insisted upon another play for Monday--Mr Garrick said as they had met with no obstruction since ye first Night, the Author's property was concern'd & desir'd it might be play'd Monday and Tuesday, the last being ye Author's night, & wou'd give out another play for Wednesday--Several in ye House approving this--they consented & at ye end of ye play, Mr Garrick gave out Gil Blas for Monday & Tuesday & Romeo & Juliet for Wed.:--before this at ye end of ye 1st Act, & beginning of ye Second the performance, that Night had been interrupted with Groans, Hisses etc. from ye Pit (Cross). Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: [Cast taken from 1st edn. The bill merely lists actors and notes "With proper Music, Scenes, and Decorations. Never acted before." It mentions no Prologue or Epilogue.] This Masque was wrote about eleven years ago, by Mr Malet & Mr Thomson, & play'd in the Garden at Clifden before the P. of Wales &c.--Mr Malet has now alter'd it, & it was play'd with great Applause, only some of the Dances, being too long were dislik'd, & some of the Songs had ye same reception (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: The Play of Othello, which was performed last night at Drury Lane theatre, by some gentlemen and ladies to the most numerous and polite Audience that could be assembled, went off throughout with great approbation and applause (General Advertiser). [See A Satirical Dialogue between a Sea Captain and his friend in Town: Humble submitted to the Gentlemen who deformed the Play of Othello on Th-rs-y M- the 7th....To which is added a Prologue and Epilogue much more suitable to the occasion than their own. (London [n.d.], BM 11,795, K 31, 8pp): @'Good manners oblig'd them sometimes to applaud@Tho' they little deserv'd it...'@ The author laments the fact that the expenditure (#1,500) was not put out to charitable purposes, rather than for such entertainment.] This day is publish'd at 1s. 6d., beautifully printed, Alfred, a Masque, acting at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, by Mr Mallet. Printed for A. Miller, opposite Catherine St in the Strand, where may be had Alfred, a Masque, represented before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at Cliefden, on the first of August 1740. Written by Mr Thomson and Mr Mallet

Event Comment: Benefit for Havard. Mainpiece: By particular desire. No building on the stage on account of the machinery for the Masque. Tho' Mr Havard's long and severe indisposition has prevented his personal solicitation, yet he hopes it will not deprive him of the preference of those Persons of Quality, &c. who used to favour his Benefits. N.B. Those ladies and gentlemen who applied for places and were disappointed the last time the Masque was performed, may have them for this night, by sending to Mr Hobson at the stage door, by whom tickets will be deliver'd; As also at the Bedford Coffee House, and at Mr Havard's in Broad Court, the upper end of Bow St., Covent Garden. Tickets hitherto deliver'd will be taken. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire of several Foreign Ministers. [A last minute substitution made in the cast for Romeo and Juliet this night. See the notice in the General Advertiser, 13 Nov.: We hear that Mr Barry had the misfortune of being suddenly taken so extremely ill, as to be incapable of appearing in the character of Romeo, and that Mr Dyer, at a very short warning, performed the part to the general satisfaction of the Audience."

Event Comment: On Saturday next will be performed a new dramatic entertainment call'd Taste, written by Mr Foote. Mr Woodward takes this opportunity of informing those Gentlemen and ladies who have honour'd him with Memorandums for his Night of the Entertainment, that it is fix'd for Thursday next, the 19th instant. Places may be taken at the Stage Door of the Theatre, or at Mr Woodward's Lodgings in the Great Piazza, Covent Garden. Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: This Tragedy is taken from ye French by ye Revd Mr Francis. A great Noise before ye play began, occasion'd by ye Music not playing what they lik'd, they being Palted wou'd not come into the Orchestra-a Branch knock'd down, Candles thrown &c.-Mr Garrick went on, order'd ye Music in, & all was quiet-went off with great Applause (Cross). Never acted before. Characters New Dress'd Mr Garrick is intitled to my sincerest Gratitude for his Performance as an Actor, and for his Punctuality as a Manager...his strong good Sence, with that Spirit of Theatrical Criticism, which is his peculiar natural Genius (Prefatory matter by Francis first in ed.). Receipts: 180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs James and Miss Minors. No building on stage. Tickets of Mrs James at her lodgings at Mr Saunder's Carpenter, in Little Wild St., Lincoln's Inn Fields; Miss Minors' at Mr Nicholl, a Baker in Catherine St., and at stage door. An Information was given to Henry Fielding, Esq; that a Set of Barber's apprentices, journeymen staymakers, maid-servants, &c. had taken a large Room at the Black Horse in the Strand, to act the tragedy of The Orphan; the Price of Admittance One Shilling. About eight o'clock the said Justice issued his warrant, directed to Mr Welch, High Constable, who apprehended the said actors, and brought them before the said Justice, who, out of compassion to their youth, only bound them over to their good behavior. They were all conducted through the streets in their Tragedy Dresses, to the no small Diversion of the Populace. (General Advertiser). Receipts: #138 (Cross)

Event Comment: Ye Inspector had put a Letter saying Mr Woodward's words to Fitzpatrick were--I have notic'd you & shall see you another time. In Answer to wch Mr Woodward made an Affidavid & publish'd it in the Gen. Advertiser--that he said no more than I thank you, Sir,--Mr Fitzpatrick had in ye Inspector put in an advertism[en]t upon his Honour, Woodward said the other Words. Receipts: #120 (Cross)