Event Comment: [Before the performance this evening Macklin came to the audience in person with a sheaf of newsclippings in his hand and belabored his detractors, falsely accusing Reddish and Sparks from Drury Lane as leading a planned coalition against him. The play went on with applause, but affidavits sworn under oath by both Sparks and Reddish the following day, brought the dispute to such a head in the newspaper that a riot occured the night of 18 Nov., when Macklin did Shylock (since Colman would not risk Macbeth after 13 Nov.) and announcement was made by Colman that Macklin had been dismissed. See 23 Oct.] Receipts: #152 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By desire. Last time of the company's performing this season. [The Epilogue recites the mock burial of this King of Brentford reviewing certain high points of his management. A mock heroic written by Colman and printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1774 (p. 280). He sold his share for #20,000, which was #5,000 more than he paid for it. (See Page, George Colman, The Elder.) Rec'd half value of ticket returns from 13 servants amounting to #98 3s. 6d. Receipts: #124 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Prelude [1st time: PREL 1, by George Colman elder; incidental music by Thomas Linley Sen. and Nicola Piccinni. Prologue by David Garrick (Poetical Works, II, 327)]. The Words of the Songs in [the] Prelude will be given at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:3O. To begin at 6:30 [see 11 Nov.]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Fosbrook at the Stage Door. No Money to be taken at the Stage Door, nor any Money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. The TR opened this Season under the Management of Messrs Lacy, Sheridan, Ford and Linley. This Summer the Flys has been raised considerably--the Stage widened and heitened--the orchestra enlarged, and Iron ornaments at the Top. New Brooms written by G. Colman Esq. went off with tolerable Applause--is much too long (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 3 Oct. 1776: This Day at Noon will be published New Brooms! (1s.). [Yates had last acted Malvolio at dl on 6 Jan. 1764 and at cg on 5 May 1772.] Receipts: #269 19s. 6d

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by John O'KeefFe, altered from his The She Gallant; or, Square-Toes Outwitted, 1st acted at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 14 Jan. 1767, and in London at the HAY, 13 Oct. 1779. Incidental music by Michael Arne and William Shield. Text 1st published by T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1800. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, m, 231)]. Receipts: #228 10s. 6d. (226/14/6; 1/16/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; c 5, ascribed to Frances Burney (see Boaden, Siddons, 1, 272). MS: Larpent 596; not published; synopsis of plot in London Magazine, July 1782, p. 312. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, III, 235). The play is anonymous.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by John O'Keeffe; text (1st authorized) published in Cumberland's British Theatre, xxxvii. Prologue and Epilogue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, iii, 244, 246, which give names of speakers)]: With new Scenes and Dresses. "It had four new scenes to decorate it, and those extremely well painted. In one of them a portrait of Captain Ambush is exhibited, which presented a very happy likeness of Williamson, by Alefounder" (Universal Magazine, Aug. 1783, p. 76)

Event Comment: Prelude [1st time; PREL 2, by George Colman, the elder. MS: Larpent 659, which lists the following unassigned parts: Cabbage, Clatterton, Folio; not published; synopsis of plot in Gazetteer, 3 June. Prologue by the author (Colman, Prose, III, 250)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, Banners, Songs, &c

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted here. [The playbill lists R. Palmer as Rodolpho in mainpiece, and as Young Clackit in afterpiece, but he "was prevented appearing either in the tragedy or entertainment, having had the misfortune to break his arm" Chondon Magazine, July 1784, p. 75). For Egan and Riley as his substitutes see 14 July. Miss Woollery is identified on playbill of 24 July. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, III, 254). Miss Kemble was from DL.]

Event Comment: [Lacy was from DL. Address by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, in, 260).]

Event Comment: [Mathews was from the Royal Circus. Prologue by George Colman the elder (Colman, Prose, ui, 269).] Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice, at the Theatre. Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Hunt the Slipper is unavoidably postponed. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, By John O'Keeffe. Prologue by George Colman elder (Colman, Prose, III, 276)]. The curtain was obliged to be dropt before the piece was finished, amidst the disapprobation of a very splendid and numerous audience" (Public Advertiser, 29 Jan.). Receipts: #219 6s. 6d. (216.5.0; 3.1.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Edwin. 2nd piece [1st time; F 2, by George Colman, elder, based of L'Avocat Patelin, by David Augustin de Brueys. This is usually ascribed to William Macready. But on the title-page of his copy (K-D 295 in Huntington Library) J. P. Kemble has written "This Piece was not written by Mr Macready." Public Advertiser, 29 Aug. states that "Colman...presented Edwin upon this occasion with a new Farce, taken from a celebrated French Play." World, 15 Oct. 1787 refers to Colman's dislike of L'Avocat Patelin, but adds, "When [he] came to translate it himself, he found reason to alter his opinion."]. Public Advertiser, 25 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Edwin, No. 19, Piazza, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Mariana Starke. Prologue by George Colman, elder. Epilogue by George Colman, ynger (see text)]: With new Dresses, Decorations, &c

Event Comment: Benefit for Johnstone. 1st piece [1st time; M. INT 1, by John Cartwright Cross. Text Q. Roach, 1794). For music see 1 May]. 2nd piece: For that night only, by Permission of George Colman, Esq. Jun.; Never (previously] performed here. 3rd piece: For this night only, by Permission of George Colman, Esq. Jun. [holder of copyright of both pieces]. Morning Chronicle, 7 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Johnstone, No. 19, Piazza, Covent Garden. Receipts: #333 8s. 6d. (146/2/0; 5/17/6; tickets: 181/9/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. 1st piece [1st time; MD 2, by Samuel Birch]: The Musick by Attwood. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. 2nd piece [1st time; INT 1, by George Colman, ynger. This was the 1st scene from Colman's New Hay at the Old Market, slightly revised; in subsequent seasons it was acted under the title of Sylvester Daggerwood]: By Permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal Hay-Market. 3rd piece: With a Sea Fight. [The playbill assigns Sneer to Palmer, but "The Public are most respectfully informed that Palmer being too ill to perform this Evening, the character of Sneer will be attempted by Benson, who humbly hopes for their usual indulgence" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Oracle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 65, Gower-street, Bedford Square. Receipts: #613 12s. (332.0.6; 45.19.6; 4.3.0; tickets: 231.9.0) (charge: #221 19s.)

Event Comment: [Text by Giacomo Rossi. Music by George Frederic Handel.] Never Perform'd before. Compos'd by Mr Hendel. Colman's Opera Register: This was not by Subscription but at ye usuall Opera Price of Boxes 8s. Pit 5s. Gallery 2s. 6d. The Scene represented only ye Country of Arcadia. ye Habits were old.--ye Opera Short. [Published as Pastor Fido.

Event Comment: [By Niccola Haym. Apparently never printed.] Colman's Opera Register: A new Pastorall Opera called Dorinda. The musick of this is taken out of Severall Italian operas by Nico Haym. In this Sigra Margarita had no part. The other Singers the same as in the former [The Faithful Shepherd], the Same Scene & Habits also & the same prices. It was performed 4 times on the opera days successively

Event Comment: [Not advertised in Daily Courant, but performance inferred in Colman's Opera Register.

Event Comment: [No advertisement of this performance. Nicoll, p. 392, lists this opera, although Colman's Opera Register does not verify it.

Event Comment: [Text by N. F. Haym. Music by G. F. Handel.] Colman's Opera Register: Mr O. Swiny ye Manager of ye Theatre was now setting out a New Opera, Heroick. all ye Habits new & richer than ye former with 4 New Scenes, & other Decorations & Machines. Ye Tragick Opera was called Theseus. Ye Musick composed by Mr Handel....ye Opera being thus prepared Mr Swiny would have got a Subscription for Six times, but could not.--he then did give out Tickets at half a Guinea each, for two Nights ye Boxes lay'd open to ye Pit, ye House was very full these two Nights

Event Comment: [Dedication signed by John James Heidegger.] By Subscription. Never Perform'd before. Colman's Opera Register: Monr John James Heidegger managed both this & ye former Opera for ye Singers & ye Subscription was for Six Nights paying 10 Guin for 3 Tickets each Night, they not to give out above 400 Tickets a Night

Event Comment: By Subscription. Colman's Opera Register: The House was very full all these Nights [28 Feb.-14 March]

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Pelotti. Admission as 21 March. Colman's Opera Register: Ye House was very full this Night

Event Comment: With all the Scenes, Decorations, Flights, and Machines. Boxes 8s. Pit 5s. Gallery 2s. 6d. Stage Boxes half a guinea. Colman's Opera Register: A thin House