Event Comment: Benefit Berry. Mainpiece: Containing the Death of the Duke of Buckingham; The Fall of Cardinal Wolsey; The Divorce and Death of Queen Katherine; The Coronation of Anna Bullen, with the Military Ceremony of The Champion in Westminster Hallv; the Christening of Queen Elizabeth, and many other Historical Passages. Tickets to be had at Mr Berry's, the Corner of Crown-Court in Russel St., Covent Garden, and of Mr Bradshaw. Tickets deliver'd out by Woodburn, Mrs Roberts, and Speer will be taken. Receipts: #130

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Containing the Distresses and Death of King Henry VI; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richardv; the Murder of young King Edward V, and his brother in the Tower; The landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the death of King Richard in the memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster. With many other Historical passages. [This descriptive passage accompanies all notices of the play this season and will not be recorded here further.

Event Comment: Performed by the Academy of Ancient Music, probably at the Crown and Anchor-Deutsch, Handel, p. 560)

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Gentlemen and Ladies. Benefit Mr Shepheard, the Treasurer, and Mlle Roland. Tickets at Angel and Crown Tavern, Whitechapel; Orange-Inn, Carey St., near the Playhouse

Event Comment: Benefit Berry. As Mr Berry has labour'd under an ill state of health for some time, he hopes those Gentlemen and Ladies who used to honour him with their company on this occasion, and whom his indisposition will not permit him to wait on, will excuse his personal application and be pleased to send for tickets to his lodgings, the corner of Crown-Court in Russel St., Covent Garden (Daily Advertiser). Tickets deliver'd out by Woodburn will be taken this night

Event Comment: Benefit Tucker. A Concert, etc. 4s., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d. Tickets at Magpye Tavern, Aldgate; Crown in Whitechapel; Cary's Coffee House, Minories; Card-maker's Arms, Gray's Inn Passage, Red Lyon Square

Event Comment: Play containing the distresses and death of King Henry the Sixth; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richard; the cruel murder of Young King Edward the fifth and his brother in the Tower; the landing of the Earl of Richmond; and the death of King Richard in the memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the houses of York & Lancaster

Event Comment: At Cibber's Academy in the Hay-Market...will be presented a Concert of Musick, Vocal and Instrumental. The Vocal Parts-Mr Brett, Mrs Hill, and others; the Instrumental by eminent Masters. The Doors to be open'd at Four, the Concert to begin at Five, and no Persons to be admitted after Seven o'clock. The Prices are Four Shillings, Half a Crown and Eighteen Pence. Places may be bespoke at the Academy. After the Concert will be exhibited Gratis, a Rehearsal, in Form, of the Play-(often acted with great Applause) call'd Romeo and Juliet. Written by Shakespear. The Characters personated by the Master of the Academy, his Assistants, Pupils, and Servants. With Proper Habits, Scenes and Decorations. [After Cibber announced his Academy, he received the following letter from the Justice of the Peace: I see by your advertisements, in regard to your Academical Performances, that they are of the same Nature as Mr L/c@y's were some Years ago, which brought him to a great deal of Trouble. Some strong Applications are making now to give you some; of which I think proper to give you Notice, in this private Manner, that you may avoid it.-Tho. de Veil. 31 Oct. Cibber, A Serio-Comic Apology. p. 12.

Event Comment: [This Pastoral Serenata first appeared 21 March 1744 at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand, qv. At that time Beard, Savage, Mrs Clive and Miss Edwards sang in it.] By Subscription for three nights will be performed an English Pastoral Serenata, set to Music by Mr DeFesch. Pit and Boxes laid together at 5s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. On the 20th of March and 3rd of April will be performed a New Oratorio call'd Joseph, also set to Music by Mr DeFesch. For the encouragement of such persons as shall please to favour Mr Defesch by subscribing one Guinea, they shall be entitled to six tickets, each of which will admit one into the boxes, or Two into the Gallery. Nobody to be admitted into the boxes without printed tickets, which will be deliver'd at the theatre. Subscriptions to be taken till the 5th of March, at Mr DeFesch's at the sign of the Angel and Trumpet, in St. Martin's Lane, at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden; and at Mr Page's Stage Door-keeper. To begin at half an hour after six. This day is publish'd Papal Tyranny in the Reign of King John. [No price given, but the 1st edition lists it as 1s. 6d. Watts would have had to sell about two thousand copies to cover his investment in copyright and printing costs.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Arne. An Historical Musical Drama. The Musick composed by Command of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and never perform'd in England, but at his Royal Highnesses Palace at Cliefdon. The Poem was written by Mr Thompson and Mr. Mallet. The Musick by Mr Arne. To conclude with a Celebrated Ode in Honour of Great Britain in imitation of those formerly sung at Banquets of Kings and Heroes. Boxes 6s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. The above Day is fix'd on to avoid interfering with Mr Handel. Mrs Arne hopes humbly the Town will not be offened at this small advance of the Price, this performance being exhibited at an extraordinary expence, with regard to the number of Hands, Chorus singers, building the stage, and erecting an organ; besides all other incidentals as usual. Ladies desired to send servants by 4 o'clock. Tickets of Mrs Arne, next door to the Crown in Great Queen St, by Lincoln's Inn Fields, and places taken of Hobson at the stage Door, with whom Tickets are left

Event Comment: An Organ is Erected on the Occasion. Performance By Desire. Being the last time Mr Arne can have the Theatre to perform it this season. Mr Arne being inform'd that some persons have objected to the small addition of Prices, will (notwithstanding he performs at above #70 Expence) oblige the Town with this Performance at the Usual Benefit prices, viz: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. To begin at half an hour past Six. Tickets to be had of Arne Next door to the Crown &c. [see 20 March]

Event Comment: Benefit Arne. Tickets to be had of Arne next door to the Crown in Great Queen St., by Lincoln's Inn Fields; at St. James's Coffee House; at Nando's Coffee House, Temple Bar; and at Mr Simpson's Music Shop in Sweeting's Alley near the Royal Exchange, and places taken of Hobson at the Stage Door where tickets may also be had. -General Advertiser. Last night, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane was perform'd King Pepin's Campaign, with great applause. The Music is said to be inimitable in its way. -Daily Advertiser, 17 April

Event Comment: Mainpiece containing the Distresses and death of King Henry VIv; The Artful Acquistion of the Crown by King Richardv; The Murder of Prince Edward and his Brother in the Towerv; the Landing of the Earl of Richmondv, and Death of King Richardv in the memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the houses of York and Lancaster

Event Comment: Containing an account of that notorious Pretender in the Reign of Henry VIII. Aith a short account of Lambert Simnel, a Pretender to the Crown, fostered in like manner by Richard Simon, a Priest of Oxfordshire, with many other Historical passages, similar to the present times [and a synoptic account of the play follows]. A reviv'd Historical Play (not acted in the Memory of Man, and written by an anonymous author, in Shakespeare's Style).--Daily Advertiser, 18 Dec. Prices, Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 2s. First Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. [These prices continue.

Event Comment: Benefit Arne. The demand for Places being more than Double what the Boxes will contain, Mrs Arne is oblig'd to lay the Pit and Boxes together, at 5s., where servants will be allow'd to keep places, as likewise on the stage, which will be form'd into front and side boxes. Ladies send servants by 3 o'clock. Tickets to be had, and places for the boxes to be taken of Arne next door to the Crown and Cushion in Great Queen St., by Lincoln's Inn Fields; and of Hobson at the stage door.--General Advertiser. Tom Arne sends his service; He is forced to put his Pit and Boxes together, which I reckon will be no advantage to him, ladies hoops taking up more room than the difference of price.--Mrs Cibber to Garrick, 8 April (Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 40)

Event Comment: Mainpiece Containing the Distresses and Death of King Henry the Sixth; the Artful Acquisition of the Crown by King Richard; The Cruel Murder of Prince Edward and his Brother in the Tower; the Landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the death of King Richard in the Memorable battle of Bosworth Fieldv; being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Receipts: #160 19s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Containing the Distresses and Death of King Henry the Sixthv; the Artful Acquistion of the Crown by King Richardv; the Cruel Murder of Prince Edwardv and his Brother in the Tower; the Landing of the Earl of Richmondv, and the death of King Richard in the Memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv; being the last that was faught between the Houses of York and Lancasterv. [A customary elaboration of the title, appearing at subsequent performances this season, but not repeated here.

Event Comment: To be seen a Person who performs the most surprizing Things...he presents you with a common Wine bottle, which any of the Spectators may first examine; this Bottle is plac'd on a Table in the Middle of the Stage, and he (without any Equivocation) goes into it in Sight of all the Spectators, and sings in it; during his Stay in the Bottle, any Person may handle it, and see plainly that it does not exceed a common Tavern Bottle. The Performance continues about Two Hours and a Half. These Performances have been seen by most of the Crowned Heads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and never appear'd anywhere Public but once. Stage 7s. 6d. where Masks may be worn. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. [The famous Bottle Conjurer hoax.] Theatre was crowded...by five o'clock; at seven the house was lighted up [but not music]...a Person came before the Curtain, and, bowing, promis'd if Mr Conjurer did not arrive in half an Hour, their Money should be return'd...after near an Hour...a Gentleman in the Box snatch'd a Candle lighted, and in Violence threw it on the Stage; this was the Signal for the Onset of Battle...the Boxes, Seats, Glasses, Scenes, Chairs, Machinery, and all the Furniture of the Play House, were in less than ten Minutes carried into the Street...an excellent Bonfire was made of Mr Foote's Auction Room...it may put a [pe]riod to the Auction, till the Theatre can be refitted.--Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 139. [Potter was still owner of this theatre.] Those opposed to a recent late book would have been gratified had the Conjurer jumped into the bottle and proved that miracles had not yet ceased."--Daily Advertiser, 17 Jan. Last Night a numerous Audience, among whom were several Persons of Quality, was at the New Theatre in the Haymarket, in wonderful Expectation of seeing the Miraculous Man creep into a Bottle, and do several other Miracles; but the only one he perform'd was, that he render'd himself invisible (without any Equivocation) to the no small Disappointment of the gaping Multitude; who, being told from behind the Curtain that the Performer had not yet appear'd, but that if they would stay until the next Night, instead of a Quart Bottle he should creep into a Pint, immediately grew outrageous, and in a Quarter of an Hour's Time broke to Pieces all the Boxes, Benches, Scenes, and everything that was in their power to destroy, leaving only the Shell of the House remaining. Surely this will deter anyone from venturing to impose on the public in the like manner for the future.--General Advertiser, 17 Jan. [See also dl Comment 18, 19, 20, 27 Jan.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 29 Feb. 1748.] Containing the distresses and death of King Henry VIv; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richardv; The cruel Murder of Prince Edward and his brother in the Towerv; the landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the death of King Richardv in the Memorable battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster. [Customary advertisement for this play this season. It will not be repeated further.] This month was published Characters in Dancing; with a Rhapsody (Gentleman's Magazine). Receipts: #164 13s

Event Comment: Containing the Distresses and Death of King Henry VIv; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richardv; the cruel murder of Prince Edwardv and his brother in the tower; the Landing of the Earl of Richmondv, and the death of King Richardv in the memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster

Event Comment: Benefit for Ray, W. Vaughan, G. Burton & ye Sub-Treasurer (Cross). Tickets of Ray, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, St Clement's Church; at the Black Swan Tavern, in Bartholomew Lane; the Old King's Head Tavern, Facing Somerset House; For Vaughan, at the One Ton Coffee House, St. James' Market; for Burton, at Pope's next the Stage Door, Russel St.; and of Hobson at the Stage Door. Tickets deliver'd for the Lady's Last Stake, or the Wife's Resentment will be taken. Receipts: #214 (Cross)

Event Comment: Containing the Distresses and death of King Henry VI ; the Arthful acquisition of the Crown by King Richard ; the Cruel Murder of Young King Edward V , and his brother in the Tower; The Landing of the Earl of Richmond , and the death of King Richard at the Memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv ; being the last that was faught between the Houses of Yorkv and Lancasterv . With many other Historical Passages (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: [The theatres this night met competition from (I) an Assembly at the king's Theatre in the Haymarket, tickets 26s. each, to admit one Gentleman and two ladies. (2) another Assembly at the Five Bells Tavern, behind the New Church, in the Strand, where was opened the Temple of Taste, where will be exhibited a grand concert of Music. Also an attempt towards the Introduction of a new rational entertainment, consisting of an Occasional Prologue by a Gentleman; a panegyric on the Utility of Public Speaking, in which the Design is particularly illustrated; Propositions made from a Gentleman in the Chair, to be debated by the company, such as the Gay and Polite may be supposed to understand, and speak upon with success; to conclude with an Original Epilogue; the whole interspers'd with several grand concertos, Overtures, and Full pieces of Musick. This design, which has for its object the interest of Knowledge, Eloquence and Politeness, needs no Apology, and can be opposed by those, with whom to be at variance, is Virtue. No subject of so Sacred Nature as Religion, will be there canvass'd nor anything that can give Occasion to Indecency, or unmannerly reflection on any Undertaking or Party.-In this attempt all Men of Taste are interested, as they will have an opportunity not only of being pleased, but giving pleasure by considering every subject with candour, and reasoning upon it, with Eloquence and propriety. To this entertainment, the Ladies are likewise invited, who have an unexceptionable right to be present at all Attempts, calculated for the promotion of knowledge, and as their appearance will naturally secure polite behavior, so they may reap some advantage from the Circulation of ideas, which is such an Assembly must necessarily take place. The price of entrance-half a crown each. To begin precisely at seven. The room which is very commodious, will be elegantly illuminated. The SUBJECT for the first Night's Debate will be, "If the Custom of Portioning Daughters was entirely suppress'd, would it not be a good Expedient towards the promotion of Matrimony and the felicity of that state." It continued on four Wednesday nights. Then seems to have died.

Event Comment: To begin at 7 p.m. at the Castle Tavern, Paternoster Row. The Price of Admission will be a half crown each. The house will be illuminated with wax candles. The Ladies are particulary desired to come early. [Notice repeated. The sixteenth night.

Event Comment: Benefit for Cross, Prompter, Mrs Cross, and Son. N.B. Mr Cross takes the liberty to inform the Ladies and Get&ntlemen who intend to honour him with their company, that his constant Attendance upon the Business of the theatre, will hinder him from applying to them in person, and therefore hopes to receive their commands at his house in Crown Court, Little Russel-Street, Covent Garden, or at the Stage Door of the theatre, where Tickets and Places are to be had for his benefit. Receipts: #156 (Cross)