Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Leonard Macnally, adapted from the same, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct. For text of abridged version see 21 Oct.]: Taken from the celebrated French Opera of that Name. With the original Overture, Airs, Duetts, Trios, Chorusses and Finale, by the celebrated Gretry. To which are added Compositions by the following Masters; Anfossi, Bertoni, Duni, David, Rizzio, Carolan, Tenducci, and Shield. With new Dresses, Scenery and other Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [The printed score (Longman & Broderip, c. 1786) indicates that the music was adapted by Shield; it does not refer to Duni, Rizzio or Tenducci, but includes Philip Hayes and John Wilson. After the 1st 4 performances the mainpiece was reduced to an afterpiece of 3 short acts; see 21 Oct.] Account-Book, 28 Nov.: Paid Macnally in full for Coeur de Lion #121 18s. 6d. "Inchbald we thought [was] rather hardly dealt with. His voice happened to fail him in a particular turn of the tune he was singing, and some of the audience were ungenerous enough to disconcert him so far that he made a modest bow and retired [leaving his part unfinished. In consequence of this] a duet that was to have been sung by the King from the battlements of the castle, and Blondel without the walls, on which the turn of the fable hinged, was omitted; a circumstance that could not but materially affect the intrinterest, as it destroyed the connexion of the fable" (Morning Chronicle, 17 Oct.). [The following day Inchbald withdrew from his engagement at cg.] Receipts: #249 12s. 6d. (247.11.6; 2.1.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 3, by John Burgoyne]: From the French of Michel Jean? Sedaine. With new Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. The Music by the celebrated Gretry [adapted by Linley Sen.]; and the Paintings by Greenwood. Books of the Dialogue & also of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Chronicle, 25 Oct 1786: This Day is published Richard Coeur de Lion (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 (191.3; 32.14; 2.3)

Event Comment: The Lord Chamberlain sent an order, between four and five in the evening, to the two theatres to cease representing any plays, till after the funeral of the late Princess Amelia [daughter of George II; she died on 31 Oct.] (Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov.)

Event Comment: [Mrs Belfille was from the Norwich theatre.] Account-Book, 6 Dec.: Paid Mrs Belfille for a Stage Dress #21 10s. 6d. Afterpiece: Not acted these 15 years [acted 15 Jan. 1776]. The Doors will be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 30 Apr. 1787]. Receipts: #243 5s. 6d. (238.1.0; 5.4.6)

Event Comment: Paid Danby [for] Chorus #9; Printer [of playbills] #14 6s. 6d. [Mrs McGeorge was from the Tunbridge Wells theatre.] Afterpiece: To conclude with a Grand Representation of a Regattav . "When [Mrs Siddons] begins a dialogue of scorn, at the top of her voice (as she did last night in the fifth act), the climax must inevitably be sacrificed" (Morning Chronicle, 7 Dec.). Receipts: #227 6s. (204.6.0; 22.4.6; 0.15.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [Didier was from the Bath theatre. Afterpiece in place of The Poor Soldier, announced on playbill of 12 Dec.] Receipts: #159 15s. (156.15; 3.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Dramatic Entertainment of Singing, Dancing, and Dialogue, in Honour of Shakespeare. In which a Pageantv, the Music by Dibdin. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #224 12s. 6d. (181.14.0; 41.13..6; 1.5.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by Miles Peter Andrews. Larpent MS 752, as The Castle of Wonders; not published; synopsis of action in Morning Post</i>, 27 Dec.]: With new Music, Scenes, Machinery, Dresses, and Decorations. A few of the Airs compiled from Purcell, Travers, Sacchini, &c. The Rest of the Music composed by Shield. The Scenery and Machinery designed by Richards and Carver, and executed by them, Hodgins, and many Assistants. To conclude with a Representation of the Inside of a Nabob's Palacev. Books of the Songs [which assign only Colombine ] to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Account-Book, 6 Mar. 1787: Paid Shield in full for Compositions #100. Receipts: #242 4s. (239.8; 2.16)