Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted before, a New Dramatic Opera [Bickerstaffe] the Music by Handel, Boyce, Arne, Howard, Baildon, Festing, Geminiani, Galluppi, Giardini, Paradies, Agus, Abos; with a New Overture composed by Mr Abel. Full Prices. Books of the Opera sold at theatre. [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1763, pp. 22-36: Compares Bickerstaff's opera at length with Charles Johnson's Village Opera.

Event Comment: Books of the Opera will be sold at the Theatre

Event Comment: The good sense of the audience condemned this piece to oblivion, after, we think, two representations (Biographia Dramatica). [Contrived by Guerini (Nicoll, Eighteenth Century Drama, p. 355). Victor says Guerini played Pantaloon (History of Theatre, III, 48.] Sunday 2 January, Mr Pritchard Died (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted before. Characters new dressed &c. [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1763, pp. 67-74: Bless us what a sweet consistent piece of business is a modern Tragedy." See Boswell's account of his attendance that night with two friends, With oaken cudgels in our hands and shrill sounding catcalls in our pockets," ready prepared to damn the play (London Journal), p. 154 ff.).] Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of Elvira, published this month (Gentleman's Magazine). I then undressed for the Play. My father and I went to the Rose, in the Passage of the Playhouse, where we found Mallet, with about thirty friends. We dined together, and went from thence into the Pitt, where we took our places in a body, ready to silence all opposition. However, we had no occasion to exert ourselves. Not withstanding the malice of a party, Mallet's nation, connections and indeed imprudence, we heard nothing but applause. I think it was deserved. The play was borrowed from de la Motte, but the details and language have great merit. A fine Vein of dramatick poetry runs thro' the piece. The Scenes between the father and son awaken almost every sensation of the human breast; and the Council would have equally moved, but for the inconvenience unavoidable upon all Theatres, that of entrusting fine Speeches to indifferent Actors. The perplexity of the Catastrophe is much, and I believe justly, critisized. But another defect made a strong impression upon me. When a Poet ventures upon the dreadful situation of a father who condemns his son to death; there is no medium; the father must either be monster or a Hero. His obligations of justice, of the publick good, must be as binding, as apparent as perhaps those of the first Brutus. The cruel necessity consecrates his actions, and leaves no room for repentance. The thought is shocking, if not carried into action. In the execution of Brutus's sons I am sensible of that fatal necessity. Without such an example, the unsettled liberty of Romev would have perished the instant after its birth. But Alonzo might have pardoned his son for a rash attempt, the cause of which was a private injury, and whose consequences could never have disturbed an established government. He might have pardoned such a crime in any other subject; and the laws could exact only a equal rigor for a son; a Vain appetite for glory, and a mad affectation of Heroism, could only influence him to exert an unequal & superior severity (Gibbon's Journal, ed. D. M. Low [New York, n.d.], pp. 202-4)

Event Comment: Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Benefit for the author of the Alterations [in mainpiece]. A Riot to demand admittance at 1!2 price after 3rd act, all times except at the run of New Pantomime, wch. not agreed to, the Mob broke Chandeliers, &c. No Play (Cross Diary). [Fuller account in Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 46 ff., he being the beneficiary that night. Elvira publish'd at 1s. 6d. (Winston MS 9). See account of riot in Gentlemen's Magazine (p. 31). See Comment 5 Feb.

Event Comment: The Characters New Dressed. Play never acted before. [See Three Original Letters to a Friend in the Country on the Cause and Manner of the late Riot at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. See also two letters in The Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1 March 1763. This number includes (pp. 117-25) a critique on the Discovery. Critic found it a piece of much merit particularly in the perusal," but on stage frequently tedious and heavy owing to a scarcity of incident and an uncommon lengthening of the acts."

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author. [At the half-price riots (25 Jan.) Moody had stopped a man from setting fire to the house. When called upon to apologize for interfering with a gentleman and for taking the manager's part he thought to restore good humor by assuming the tone of a low-bred Irishman, saying he was sorry he had displeased them by saving their lives and putting out the fire. The reply inflamed the rioters more (Genest</a>, V, p. 15). On 5 Feb. Moody inserted the following apology in the Public Advertiser: Mr Moody begs leave to inform the Public that the impropriety of his behavoir at the theatre was intirely owing to the confusion of mind he was then under; which unhappily for him was misconstrued into disrespect; tho' nothing could at that, or that, or at any other time, be farther from his thoughts. He therefore earnestly hopes and entreats that he may be permitted to appear before them again; as he hereby most humbly asks their pardon for whatever he inadvertently said or did to incur their displeasure."

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties, an Occasional Oratorio "selected from the most celebrated compositions of the late George Frederick Handel." Pit and Boxes to be put together. No person to be admitted without Tickets which will be deliver'd this day at the Office in the Theatre at half a guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half past Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at half after Six. This day Publish'd Price 1s. An Occasional Oratorio, as it is to be performed at Covent Garden...J. and R. Tonson. [The most provocative commentary on Oratorios may be found in [Robert Maddison's] An Examination of the Oratorios performed This Season at Covent Garden, (London, 1763) 63 pages, wherein he seeks to define the genre, then judge the performances in terms of his definition.

Event Comment: [The following notice appeared in the Public Advertiser]: Whereas a very unjustifiable disturbance happened last night at this theatre; the managers think it incumbent upon them to acquaint the Publick that when the Opera of Artaxerxes was in rehearsal it was determined that no expence should be spared to render the performance as elegant as the nature of so peculiar an Entertainment would admit. This desire occasioned so considerable an increase of the nightly charge 'twas thought by many disinterested persons would justify additional prices; but to avoid giving the least umbrage, and in gratitude for the Public indulgence on other occasions, no such advance was attempted. When it is known that the extraordinary nightly expence attending this performance amounts to upwards of Fifty Pounds it is humbly apprehended no persons of justice and candour will think the Full Price an exorbitant gratification for such unusual disbursements. The Management therefore flatter themselves that a resolution to oppose the arbitrary and illegal demands of a particular set of persons, contrary to the general sense of audience, will not be deemed arrogant or unreasonable, especially when those demands are enforced by means subversive to Private Property, and in violation of that decorum which is due to all public assemblies

Event Comment: [This month appeared An Historical and Succinct Account of the late Riots at the Theatres. (39 pp.) pp. 20-39 give a detailed account of the destruction, &c. at cg.

Event Comment: It having been maliciously reported that the return of money was refused on the night of the late disturbance at this theatre, the managers think it necessary to assure the public that [the] principal part of the money was returned the same evening, as the remainder would have been, had it not been prevented by some hundreds of persons forcing in, and the office-keepers being drove from their posts by the violence of the tumult. Upwards of #40 have since been repaid to those who have been pleased to apply for it, and the residue remains in the hands of the Stage Door-Keeper for the same purpose (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Opera Not Performed this Season. No persons admitted behind the scenes, nor any money return'd after the curtain is drawn up. [But no mention is made of full prices.] Books of the Opera to be sold at the Theatre

Event Comment: As frequenters of the theatre have often complained of the interruptions in the performance, occasioned by the crowded stage at the Benefits-the Performers will have no building on the stage, nor take any money behind the scenes, being willing to forego that advantage, for the sake of rendering the Representation more agreeable to the Public

Event Comment: Full Prices. To prevent any mistakes for the future in advertising the Plays and Entertainments at the above theatre, the managers think it proper to declare that the Playbills are inserted by their direction in this paper only (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Opera By particular Desire. To prevent any mistakes for the future in advertising the Plays and Entertainments at the above theatre, the Managers think it proper to declare, that the playbills are inserted at their direction, in this paper only (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Daily Advertiser: Lost: a leather Pocket Book...containing 4 Box Tickets for Shuter's Benefit...As the Numbers are known, care is taken to have them stopped by the Box, Pit and Gallery Keepers. [The Daily Advertiser also lists as thefts at the theatres: 1 violin, 4 pocket books (two stolen in the 2s. gallery), 4 gold watches (one with baronial arms), 1 woman's coat, 1 diamond ring. At Drury Lane thieves has stolen 4 pockets books, 1 silver watch, 4 gold watches, 1 woman's coat, and 1 sable muff.

Event Comment: Benefit for Jackson. No Building on Stage. Tomorrow the Play at this theatre will begin at half an hour after six, and continue so to the End of the Season

Event Comment: Places may be taken at the Theatre. To begin at one o'clock. [The notice is placed as (and continues hereafter to run as) a news item, rather than in the customary form for advertisements in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: Benefit for the Distress'd Actors who formerly belong'd to the theatre. Last Night 188th

Event Comment: The Music by Handel, Boyce, Arne, Howard, Baildon, Festing, Geminiani, Galluppi, Giardini, Paradies, Agus, Abos &c. The Overture composed by Abel. Books of the Opera to be sold at the theatre

Event Comment: Books of the Farce to be had at the Theatre. Mr Powell's first appearance in Jaffier. Got much applause (Hopkins). Mr Powell's first appearance in Jaffier--he performed the first part of it with feeling, but in the fourth act he was wild, and wanted power--But was much applauded (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Tomorrow, The Midsummer Night's Dream, Written by Shakespear; with Alterations; Interspersed with Airs, Compos'd by the most eminent English Masters. Receipts: #235 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: This piece was greatly Cut & Alter'd. the 5th Act Entirely left out & many Airs interspers'd all through; got up with a vast deal of trouble to everbody concern'd in it but particularly to Mr Coleman, who attended every Rehearsal & had alterations innumberable to make. Upon the Whole, never was anything so murder'd in the Speaking. Mr W. Palmer & Mrs Vincent were beyond Description bad; & had it not been for the Children's Excellent performance, (& particularly Miss Wright who Sung delightfully) the Audience would not have Suffer'd'em to have gone half thro' it. The Sleeping Scene particularly displeas'd. Next day it was reported, The Performers first Sung the Audience to S leep, & then went to Sleep themselves (Hopkins). Fairies pleas'd--Serious parts displeas'd--Comic between both (Cross Diary). This piece of Shakespear's was greatly cut and altered,--the fifth act entirely left out,--and many airs introduced--got up with a vast deal of trouble to all concerned, but particularly to Mr Colman, who attended every rehearsal, and had alterations innumerable to make. Upon the whole, I believe, never was piece so murdered as this was by the singing speakers, in which Mrs Vincent and Mr W. Palmer were beyond description bad; and had it not been for the children's excellent performance (particularly Miss Wright, who ran away with all the applause and very deservedly) the audience would not have suffered them to have gone half thro' it.--The sleeping particularly displeased. The next day it was reported, the performers sung the audience to sleep, and then went to sleep themselves (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Overture and airs composed by the most eminent English masters. Book of the play sold at the theatre, 1s. [See "A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Hands of Garrick and Colman," PMLA, June 1939.] Receipts: #98 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: This Farce is taken From the Midsummer Night's Dream, by Coleman, & is a very pleasing Farce, & well receiv'd by the Audience (Hopkins). Songs of the Entertainment to be given at theatre. Mdsr Night's Dream Cut. Serious parts quite out. Went off well (Cross Diary). This Farce is taken from The Midsummer Night.-Mr Colman thought it was a pity so much pains and expense as was bestowed on the Midsummer Night's Dream should be thrown away,-he luckily thought of turning it into a farce, which alteration he made in one night,-and now I think as pleasing a farce as most that are done.-Miss Wright? is vastly great in her songs (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). [See "A Midsummer Night's Dream in the hands of Garrick and Colman," PMLA, June 1939.

Event Comment: After the play on Saturday Night Mr Yates sent me the part of Bottom in the Fairy Tale & Said he would play it no more the part was given to Mr Baddeley & he play'd it to Night (Hopkins). Mr Yates sent me the part of Bottom, and said I must give it to somebody else, for he would do it no more.-Mr Baddeley Played it tonight, and very well (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Songs in the Entertainment given at the theatre. Receipts: #124 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Not perform'd this season. To prevent mistakes, those ladies who have taken places, are desired to send their servants by 3 o'clock. Books of the Opera to be sold at the Theatre