Event Comment: At Bence's Room, Swan Tavern, West Smithfield. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. The scenes, cloaths, paintings and all other decorations are entirely new. The Room is made very Theatrical and commodious for the better reception of Gentlemen and Ladies and a good band of music is provided, consisting of Violins, Bassoons, Hautboys, &c. To begin each day at Twelve o'clock. [This note repeated on subsequent bills.

Event Comment: The pant: was hiss'd & Dull (Cross). Afterpiece: with new Scenes and Decorations, not acted these 4 years [see 15 Oct. 1753]. Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMr Woodward was taken ill, & Mr Yates his part of Lucio, & Mr Rooker did the Harl: (all well) a Disturbance was design'd by the officers occasion'd by a new Scene (which no Effect) about a Captain being in Leading strings, but we left it out & all was Quiet (Cross). Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: [The new scenes and Decorations which continue to be noted for the afterpiece will not be recorded here further.] Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: Receipts: #64 19s. 6d. [Saturday's deficit increased by payment of #200 to Wm. Finny on account of the new building, a partial amortization of purchase of additional structure adjoining the theatre.

Event Comment: [For Cross' comment, see dl.] Receipts: #203 8s. 6d. Paid Barry one third of the surplus of this night's receipt over and above #80 allow'd for the charges:-#41 2s. 10s. Paid Lambert (Scene Painter) 3 month's salary to 16 Nov. last:-#25 (Account Book). [Lee, who seems to have entered earlier on a percentage-of-Box-Receipts: basis for his salary, received only one-third of receipts above a house charge of #100.] The Tragedy of King Lear was presented on this stage; King Lear by Mr Barry, and Cordelia by Mrs Bellamy; The latter was received with universal satisfaction; but on the former's appearance, after a thundering Peal of Applause, a few misguided persons made it necessary for Mr Barry to inform the audience that it ever had been his study to contribute his utmost to the entertainment of the town, and that all reports of his having been exorbitant in his demands were injurious and totally groundless. Upon this he was desired with one general acclamation to proceed in the play. The disturbers of the public were ordered to be silent or to be turned out of the house; and this great actor proved, by the improvement he has made in this character, that excellent as he is, he is still capable of reaching new strokes of perfection; and in the conclusion of the play the applause he met with was the tribute of hearts gratefully agitated through the whole performance with a variety of passions thrown into a ferment by powers most wonderfully suited to tenderness and compassion (London Chronicle, 3-6 Dec.)

Event Comment: [Benefit] for a Gentlewoman under Misfortunes (Cross). Tickets to be had fo Mrs Powell, at the Golden Leg in Fleet St.; at the Turk's Head Coffee-House in New Bond St.; and of Mr Varney at the theatre, where places in the Boxes may be taken (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: An Entertainment in Grotesque Characters, not acted these 4 years.[See 2 Dec. 1754.] The Scenes, Habits and Decorations entirely new. Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: By Authority. With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. New Scene in Knights; or, Foote's Fresh Tea, published at 6d. Printed for J. Wilkie behind the Chapter House in St Paul's Churchyard. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: An Oratorio. With several New Additions. Pit and Boxes to be put together. No person to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd this day at the Office of the Theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at Half past Four, Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Half an Hour after Six. [Customary note for all oratorios this season.

Event Comment: The New Tragedy is deferr'd on account of Mrs Cibber's illness. Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: As Mrs Cibber is not quite recover'd of her illness, the new Tragedy of Agis is deferred for a day or two longer. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Written by Mr Hume. Author of Douglas. Went off wth. great Applause (Cross). A New Tragedy. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. As this is the 1st night of representation, and much depends upon keeping the scenes clear, 'tis hoped no gentleman will be offended that he cannot be admitted upon the stage or into the orchestra. [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758 for contemporary comment on source, and at act-by-act progress of play. Judicial but appreciative. Finds some rant and bombast, as well as inconsistency, in Lysander 's characterization: "If...not...known that the author of Agis is the same to whom we are indebted for Douglas, one would not have suspected those two tragedies to have sprung from the same pen...Agis inspires us with admonition; Douglas speaks forcibly to our softer feelings. In Douglas he has shown himself perfect master of nature and the human heart: in Agis of contrivance in point of plot and incidents. What a masterpiece may not we expect from such talents when united in one tragedy!"] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: With New Additions and Alterations

Event Comment: With new Additions and Alterations

Event Comment: With new Additions and Alterations

Event Comment: With New Additions and Alterations. [On 1 March (Baker, Diary, p. 106) went to Handel's and heard the rehearsal by "Frasi, Miss Young als [alias], Miss Scott, Cassandra Frederick, Beard, Champness, Baildon."

Event Comment: Receipts: #124 7s. 6d. Barry's 1!3 of surplus came to #14 15s. 10d. [Three new Renters came in: James Partridge, Abraham Langford, William Williams at 1 share each] (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bellamy. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets delivered for The Humorous Lieutenant will be taken. Receipts: #113 5s. Charges #63. Income from Tickets #152 5s. (boxes 339; pit 364; gallery 129). Profit to Mrs Bellamy #202 10s. [Her daily salary was #2 2s.; on this night she cleared more than 4 months' wages at 24 acting days per month.] Two New Renters came in: Solomon Paul Juliot and Francis Wilson at 1 share each. Rec'd of Benj. Read for 6 Box tickets for the 2nd inst. #1 10s. (Account Book)