Event Comment: New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations for the dances. [No after money.] The New Grand Ballet, call'd the Turkish Pirate, and the Comic Entertainment of Dancing, the Laundress's Visiting Day were perform'd last Monday at Drury Lane, with uncommon applause. The Scenery was well contriv'd, the habits very elegant, and the dance in a taste particularly agreeable. The comic entertainment is a fine piece of low humour, the various characters were well represented and afforded a great deal of Mirth; Sig Salomon especially, in the character of the woman's taylor, show'd a great deal of a good comedian as well as an excellent dancer, and the whole was greatly approv'd of.--London Courant; or New Advertiser, 31 Dec

Event Comment: At Mr Phillips New Theatre at the Bowling Green. To begin at seven o'clock. Benefit for Phillips and Mrs Phillips (Daily Advertiser), but benefit for Morgan and Mrs Morgan (Hogan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Townsend and Mrs Johnson. 3rd piece [1st time in London; F 1, by William Dunlap]: Performed with distinguished Applause at the John St.? Theatre, New York [on 9 Jan. 1797]; compressed into one act [from two], and adapted for the English Stage by a Gentleman [perhaps the author]. "Commencing at half past eleven o'clock, and after a tiresome variety of other entertainments, the audience thought they had had enough for their money, and demanded the fall of the curtain before the conclusion of [Tell Truth and Shame the Devil]" (Monthly Mirror, June 1799, p. 367). Morning Chronicle, 8 May: Tickets to be had of Townsend, No. 9, Leicester-place. [Mrs Johnson not listed.] Receipts: #442 17s. 6d. (108.1.0; 1.11.0; tickets: 333.5.6, of which Townsend sold 218.2.0; Mrs Johnson 115.3.6)

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera. The Music by several eminent Masters; under the Direction of Giardini [who also composed the overture (see 14 Dec.)]. With magnificent new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations, both for the Opera and Dances. Tickets will be delivered at the Office in Union-court, Haymarket, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. By Their Majesties' Command, No Person can be admitted behind the Scenes. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin exactly at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Care will be taken that no Inconvenience shall arise from the Pavement not being compleated in the Haymarket, the Commisioners having promised to leave the Way safe for Carriages. The Nobility and Gentry will be so obliging to give Orders to take up and set down with their Horses Heads towards Pall-mall. The Door in Market Lane for Chairs only. Public Advertiser, 21 Sept.: Subscriptions are received by Messrs Hoare, in Fleet-street, and by Johnson at the Office in Union-court, Hay-market

Event Comment: Benefit for Woodward. With two New Scenes in the Afterpiece painted by Richards and Dahl. Mr Woodward, at the particular request of several persons of Quality has changed from the Fair Quaker to The Busy Body. Tickets deliver'd for Fair Quaker will be admitted. House charges with candles and extras #65 15s. Balance to Woodward #102 7s. plus #58 5s. for 233 Box tickets (Account Book). [Public Advertiser, 12 Dec. 1767: "Speedily will be published the Battle of the Wigs, an additional canto to Dr Garth's poem The Dispensary. Occasioned by the Disputes between the Fellows and licentiates of the College of Physicians in London. By B. T. and M. B."] Receipts: #168 2s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Book of the opera to be had at the Theatre. A serious English Opera with music by Mr Bates. [These notes appear on all bills this season.] Well received but neglected (Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 63). [Altered from the Italian by Thomas Hull.] We hear a patent will be made out, in favor of an eminent English actor, who intends to establish a Playhouse at New York (Winston MS 9)

Event Comment: [By Theophilus Cibber.] Alter'd from Shakespear. Containing the Marriages of King Edward the Fourth , and young Prince Edward , with Lady Gray , and Lady Anne . The Distresses of Queen Margaret . The Deposing King Henry the Sixth . The Battles Fought at St. Albans, Wakefield, Mortimer's-Cross, and Tewkesbury. The Deaths of Lord Clifford of Cumberland , and his Son, the Duke of York , his Steward. And many other True Historical Passages

Event Comment: Benefit for Barthelemon. A new Entertainment by Barthelemon. Admittance 3s. N.B . Tickets sold in the Fields in Great Marybone St., and at the doors (as they were at Mrs Barthelemon's night at the low rate of three tickets for a shilling) are forged and will not be admitted

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera [1st time; SER 3, author unknown]. The Music entirely new composed by Sacchini. With entire new Scenes, new Dresses and Decorations both for the Opera and Dances

Event Comment: Benefit for D'Auberval, ballet-master. Opera: An entirely new Species of Entertainment, after the French style [1st time; ser 3, by Antonio Andrei]. The Music entirely new, composed by Rauzzini. [Libretto (H. Reynell, 1784) is entitled Alina; o sia, La Regina di Golconda.] The Scenery and Decorations devised and painted by Novosielski. The Dresses in character, and entirely new by Lupino. Tickets, half a guinea each, to be had of D'Auberval, No. 5, Great Pultney-street, Golden-square. To prevent all manner of confusion, the Subscribers are most respectfully entreated to give early notice, addressed as above, of their intention concerning their Boxes

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera. The music entirely new by Sacchini. With entire new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations both for the Opera and Dances. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. By Their Majesties' Command, no person can be admitted behind the Scenes. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [see 5 June 1779]. To prevent Inconvenience to the Nobility and Gentry in getting to their Carriages they are respectfully intreated to give positive orders to their Servants to set down and take up with their Horses Heads towards Pall-mall. The door in Market Lane for Chairs only. Public Advertiser, 31 Oct.: To prevent mistakes Ladies who have not honoured the Director with the names of the Subscribers to their Boxes are particularly requested to send them as early as possible to Johnson, at the Office of the Theatre, in order to [permit] their Tickets being engraved. The Renters' Shares proposed to be granted on this Theatre are now made out, and particulars prepared, at Messrs Wallis and Parker's, Norfolk-street, Strand, who are impowered by the Proprietors to dispose in single Shares of those which remain unsubscribed for. The annual Subscriptions are receiving by Johnson at the Office of the Theatre in Union-court, Haymarket

Event Comment: A New Serious Opera [1st time; SER 3, ascribed to Giovanni Gualberto Bottarelli]. The Music entirely new, composed by Sacchini. 2nd dance: The Music entirely new, composed by Charles Stamitz

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera in 2 acts; the new Music composed by Anfossi. Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: The Manager of the Opera, in conjunction with Noverre, the Ballet Master, esteem it their duty to request all persons who are not immediately interested in the performance of the new ballet of L'Amour et Psiche, to keep clear from the stage during the time of its representation, lest any accident should arise from the moving of the Machinery, from the flambeaux to be used therein, and from the opening of the Trap Doors, circumstances which must necessarily take place on the Practices and Representation of that ballet, and which they therefore think it incumbent on themselves to forewarn and caution the Public. "Noverre was unanimously called for on the stage to receive the applause and acclamations due to his merit...This, though common in France, was a new mark of approbation in England" (Burney,II, 901). Receipts: #146 1s. 6d. [non-subscription]

Event Comment: Afterpiece: With New Habits, Scenes, Machines, and other Decorations. 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. After Money will be taken. [See Daily Journal, 31 Dec., for a Letter from Henry Giffard, discussing his relations with dl and the disturbance at lif on 28 Oct.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New English Burletta, never performed, by the Author of Midas [Kane O'Hara], in three parts. Books of the Burletta to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #229 14s. [The mainpiece had been censored by Licenser 5 April 1772 (Larpent MS 330) but had been passed later. The MS indicates stage directions "Curtain rising discovers a splendid Pavilion in the Clouds, Juno, Pallas and Venus at card table." Reviewed in the Westminster Magazine. Rev. Charles Jenner wrote the following "Ode to Miss Catley in the character of Juno." (Harvard Library original MSS No. 65 [1930].)] @Hail vulgar Goddess of the foul mouth'd race!@If modest Bard may hail without offence)@In whose majestic, blush-disdaining face@The steady hand of Fate wrote Impudence;@Hail to thy dauntless front, and aspect bold;@Thrice hail, magnificent, immortal scold!@ @Thee, Goddess, from the upper gallery's height@With heedful look the jealous fish-wife eyes,@Tho early train'd to urge the mouthing flight,@She hears thy bellowing powers with surprize.@Returns instructed to the realms that bore her,@Adopts thy tones and carries all before her.@ @Proceed then, Catley, in thy great career@And nightly let our maidens hear and see@The sweetest voice disgust the listning ear@The fairest face assume deformity!@So shalt thou arm them with their best defense,@And teach them Modesty by Impudence.

Event Comment: A New Serious Opera. The Music antirely new composed by Corri. [Libretto by Mestastasio.

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera [in 2 acts]; the Music entirely new by Paisiello, under the direction of [i.e. with additions by] Cherubini. Public Advertiser, 26 Jan.: "Il Marchese Tulipano was in its original state a petite piece [in 1 act] of Paisiello [entitled Le Finte Contesse; performed at this theatre on 26 Mar. 1778 as Il Marchese Villano], enlarged to the size in which it is now before us by Cherubini." By Their Majesties Command no Person can be admitted behind the Scenes. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin exactly at 7:30 [same throughout season]. Subscriptions are received at Messrs. Ransom, Morland and Hammersley's, Bankers, No. 57, Pall-mall, who will deliver the Subscription Tickets. The Nobility and Gentry, Subscribers to the Opera-house, are respectfully entreated to send for them, in order to prevent future mistakes, as nobody can be admitted without producing a ticket. N.B. To prevent Inconvenience to the Nobility and Gentry in getting to their Carriages they are most respectfully entreated to give positive Orders to their Servants to set down and take up with their Horses Heads towards Pall-Mall. The Doors in Market-Lane for Chairs only. All Persons claiming free Admission into this Theatre by Renters' Shares or otherwise are requested to bring their Titles to the Office every Day, from Eleven to Twelve o'clock in the Forenoon, in order that they may be registered previous to the opening of the House

Event Comment: Benefit for Didelot. Tickets to be had of Didelot, No. 9, Haymarket. Both dances composed by Didelot; the music by Bossi. With new Scenery, Machinery and Decorations [by Liparotti]. [Synopsis of action of 1st ballet in Cyril W. Beaumont, Complete Book of Ballets, 1941, pp. 19-21, where it is stated that "Flore et Zephire is noted for being the first ballet in which wires were used to enable the dancers to simulate aerial flight." This is not stricdly accurate; see note under L'Amour Vange, 2 June.

Event Comment: Benefit for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York. Mainpiece a Sacred Ode written by Dr Brown set to select Airs, Duets and Choruses from Mr Handel, and other Eminent Composers, with the addition of several new songs. Pit and Boxes to be put together. No Persons to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd at the Office of the theatre at 1!2 a Guinea each; and also at the following Coffee House, viz: the Smyrna, Pall Mall; the Mount, Grosvenor St; George's, Temple Bar; the Rainbow, Cornhill, the New York, Sweetings's Alley; and the Pennsylvania, Birchin Lane. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallerp 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half past Four, Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at 1!2 after Six (playbill). This philanthropic enterprise, of which the theatrical benefit was but a part, seems not to have born much fruit for the respective Colleges. See Letter to the Governors of the Colleges of New York, respecting the Collection that was made in the Kingdom in 1762 and 1763, for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York, to which are added Explanatory notes and appendix. By Sir James Jay, M. D. (London, 1771). The funds collected seem largely to have been used up in a law suit. The Governor of the College of New York, Rev. Dr Johnson, asked Jay to collect funds, which he did. Alderman Trecothick wrote Dr Johnson that the funds were not safe in Jay's hands. The Governors insulted Jay, and when they found they were wrong refused to apologize. They entered a bill against him in Chancery to gain the funds. It dragged out for four years. When the power of Attorney had been given to Trecothick, he claimed that a sum of #1437 15s. 6d. was unaccounted for by Jay, and was supposed to be in Jay's hands. Jay explained the Governors had not reckoned on reimbursement for his time and expenses for two years.

Event Comment: In Honour of the Queen's Coronation: The Lady's Consort of Musick. To be plac'd in two several Quiers on each side of the Hall; a Manner never yet perform'd in England. The Hall to be well illuminated. At 5 p.m. and to hold Three full Hours. Tickets 5s. Note, That the moon will shine, the Tide serve, and a Guard placed from the College to St. James's Park, for the safe Return of the Ladies

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: Mainpiece: A new Pastoral piece in one act. Afterpiece: As it was originally performed at Vienna. Music by Gluck

Event Comment: Benefit Nivelon. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Afterpiece: Containing Variety of New Songs, to old Ballad-Tunes [By John Hippisley]. Receipts: money #84 2s. 6d.; tickets #53 8s

Event Comment: A New Serenata by the most eminent Masters