Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 3, by William Hayley, based on The Changeling, by Thomas Middleton. And see cg, 10 Nov.]: With new Dresses and Decorations. Afterpiece: 1st time in 3 acts [see cg, 14 Dec. 1784]. Receipts: #120 10s. 6d. (84.15.0; 29.17.6; 5.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Blandford and Randall. 3rd piece: A Pantomimical Interlude, from Don Juan. First Scene opens with a Tempestuous Sea, and Shipwreck of Don Juan and his man Scaramouch, who is cast on shore from off the Back of a Dolphin on the Island of Martinico. Scene from the pantomimes of The Enchanted Island, Wizard of the Silver Rock, The Witches Frolic, &c. The whole to conclude with a View of the Inside of the Bastille, with the different Gratings, Railings, and Instruments of Death and Torture by which the unfortunate Victims suffered, and the Grand Chorus of God save the King. The Curtain will rise precisely at 6:45

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; BO 2, by the Hon. John St.John. Prologue by the author (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Overture, new Songs and Accompaniments by Shaw. The Scenes by Greenwood. Receipts: #172 16s. (117.11.0; 53.9.6; 1.15.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 12 years [acted 21 May 1782]. An Operatic, Comic Pantomime, with material Alterations and Additions, particularly a Grand Spectacle, being a Representation of a Jubilee Procession of the Nobles, Clergy, and People at Rome ["which consisted of artificial figures, horse and foot, cars, &c.; it was very well managed" (Morning Post, 1 Dec.).]. The new Airs, Chorusses, &c. by Reeve. With new Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Words of the Songs, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #264 19s. (255.4; 9.15)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by James Wild. Text (no publisher, 1790)]: Being a Collection of favorite Scenes from the Following celebrated Pantomimes: Harlequin Sorcerer, Mother Shipton, Choice of Harlequin, Lord Mayor's Day, Druids, Fryar Bacon, Harlequin Freemason, Norwood Gipsies, Omai, Magic Cavern, and Harlequin Rambler. With new Dresses and Decorations. The Original Scenery, Machinery, &c. painted by Lambert, Dall [both deceased], Carver, Hodgins and Richards-and now all repaired and repainted. The Music selected by Shaw from Pepuch [sic], Dr Arne, Dr Arnold, Dr Fisher, ?M.? Arne, Vincent, Dibdin and Shield. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Account-Book, 31 Dec.: Paid Wild for his Attention to the Pantomime #30; Boyce for Ditto #15; Shaw for Ditto #10. Receipts: #233 5s. 6d. (204.8.6; 28.17.0)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Careless Husband, advertised on playbill of 22 Dec.] Paid House & Window tax, 1@2 Yr., #56 13s. 8d. Public Advertiser, 24 Dec.: [Pearce, who was from the Bath theatre, has] a clear bass voice, which he occasionally relieves by a falsetto...His first song was encored though sung much out of tune. Receipts: #113 4s. (77.2; 35.12; 0.10)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece in place of The Island of St. Marguerite, advertised on playbill of 2 Feb. Beginning with this night Kemble, as acting manager, rearranged the order of listing the dramatis personae on the playbills, i.e., not, as had hitherto been the universal custom, according to the importance of the character in the play or the importance of the actor, but according to the social rank of each character. See also Genest, VII, 57-58, who remarks, inter alia, that "the vast importance which actors attach to the situation of their names in the bills, and to some other points of theatrical etiquette, must appear ridiculous to every body but themselves."] Receipts: #126 17s. 6d. (89.18.0; 34.10.0; 2.9.6)

Event Comment: Among the Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley (leader of the Band), Sperati, Sarjant, Patria, Reinagle, C. Ashley, Boyce, Mahon, Mountain, Holmes, Lyon, Schram, Kaye, the Leanders, &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The Organ on Fridays by Knyvett, and on Wednesdays by Greatorex. The whole conducted by Harrison and Ashley. The Band will consist of 150 Performers. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon, at the Stage Door. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. No Money to be returned. Places may be taken in the Theatrical Orchestra at 5s. each [i.e. at the oratorios the instrumentalists sat on the stage]. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Books of the Performances, with the names of the performers to their respective songs, to be had at the Theatre. And to prevent imposition in the Streets, the Managers have directed that they should be sold in the Theatre, at 6d. each

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Jordan. Part of the Pit [9 rows (World, 23 Mar.)] to be laid into the Boxes. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, probably by Isaac Bickerstaffe, but also ascribed to Mrs Jordan and to Richard Ford. Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1799]. Kemble Mem.: The Farce is written by Mr Bickerstaffe. World, 29 Apr. 1790: The Spoil'd Child was sent to Mrs Jordan from Bickerstaffe in Italy, where her fame had reached. Public Advertiser, 13 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Jordan at her house, No. 14, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Receipts: #352 18s. 6d. (137.13.0; 12.4.6; 1.7.0; tickets: 201.14.0) (charge: #111 6s. 11d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. [Mrs Wells had 1st acted Macheath at the hay, 14 Sept. 1781; Bannister had acted Polly at the same theatre, 16 Sept. 1785.] Gazetteer, 3 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bannister, No. 7, Suffolk-street, Haymarket. "There is now a most vehement rage of innovation in language, government, religion, and everything else...On the British stage, with infinite applause, young and beautiful actresses perform sometimes the Parts of highwaymen; and some singing actors squall in an affected voice resembling, and intended to imitate, that of women; the most humourous dramatic pieces are frittered away into songs; and I should not be surprised to hear that henceforth Miranda and Juliet are to be personated by grim-visaged grenadiers seven feet high, and Falstaff by a slender miss just entered her teens" (Universal Magazine, Mar. 1795, p. 171). Receipts: #285 14s. (162.4.6; 5.9.6; tickets: 118.0.0)