Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Davies. Oroonoko by Mr Powell (Hopkins). Very well (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #166 10s. (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Profit to Mrs Davies: #102 6s.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Vincent. No building on the Stage. Mr Havard sent word that his Wife dy'd this morning. Mr Lee read his part. Imogen by Mrs Palmer (Hopkins). Charges: #64 4s. (MacMillan). Mrs Havard died this morning, on which account Mr Lee read Bellarius, and introduc'd two long speeches that were never spoke before. Miss Bride, being with child, cou'd (not) go into breeches, Mrs Palmer-Imogen (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Simpson and for a Public Nusance &c. (Hopkins). Benefit of Mrs Simson, and removing a Public Nuisance, by opening the way at the end of Great Queen Street (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). By Particular Desire

Event Comment: Benefit for Bowers, Veal, and Broad. Mr Lee read Lord Trinket (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Hopkins, Mrs Hopkins. The Distressed Mother was oblig'd to be deferred on account of the death of Mr Holland's father (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Tickets deliver'd for that play will be taken

Event Comment: Full Prices. Afterpiece: A Pantomimic dance by Love (Biographia Dramatica). Much followed and brought several crowded houses, and the success chiefly owing to the reports our newspapers were, at that time, daily filled with, of the French wild Beast that was devouring (and yet pursued by) children. This wild beast was happily introduced in this pantomime, pursued by boys led on by a Frenchman. At last the Beast made his Re-entry, and ran across the stage with the poor Frenchman in his mouth, to the great joy of the Pit, Box and Galleries (Victor, History of Theatres, III, 72). Dorilas for the first time by Mr Cautherly--very decent, but wanted spirit. This pantomime is fathered by Mr Lowe [?]--went off with applause, --Mr Garrick made most of the Business to it, which is very good (Hopkins Diary). [Letter from C. V. Theatricus on ladies' removing their hats in the theatre. A Gentleman had requested it and a debate ensued in the Public Advertiser, as to whether he wished to see the play better or to gaze more audaciously on many pretty faces. Long letter also from G. F. Theatricus to the Public Advertiser, commenting on the excellence of Powell, Mrs Yates, Holland, the Palmers, Cautherly and Bensley for their performance in Venice Preserved, Romeo and Juliet, and Mahomet respectively.

Event Comment: Full Prices. N.B. Merope is oblig'd to be deferr'd. Mrs Baddeley, Ophelia-very bad, all but the singing (+Hopkins Diary.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Mr Packer being hoarse, Mr Aickin played Young Belmont (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: MMr Burton being taken ill this morning, Mr Aickin read Narbas (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: MMrs Fitzhenry hissed a little. Mr Dodd being ill, Master Burton played Fribble in the pantomime (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: QQuin Died (Winston MS 9). Mrs Vincent imperfect in Polly (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Mr Garrick played Lusignan and Lord Chalkstone. It is almost impossible to express how finely he played both characters. The Prologue was called for. Mr Garrick went on directly to speak it--as soon as he appeared a general clap and a loud huzza,--and there was such a noise from the House being so crowded, very few heard anything of the prologue.--As soon as the play began there was a great disturbance in the Gallery, and some called out, Guards Guards! that they could not go on.--Mr Lacy went on the Stage, and looked up to the gallery, and came off again without saying anything.--They soon grew quiet, and the play went on.--Monsr Rousseau sat in Mr Garrick's box (Hopkins Diary). [Account in the Public Advertiser of the original story upon which VanBrugh founded some circumstance in his Provok'd Wife, signed Heartfree. The Gentleman's Magazine, January, in the Historical Chronicle section noted that Jean Jacques Rousseau arrived in England on 13 Jan. and "was at the play on the 23rd, and presented himself in the upper Box fronting his Majesty."

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Rec'd stopages #1 8s.; from John Palmer in part of his bond #70; Paid 5 days salary list #367 13s. 4d. Receipts: #173 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Went to the 2 shilling Gallery to see the new tragedy, with its musical entertainment The Cunning Man, a sort of translation of Rousseau's Devin du Village. Holland, Powell and Bensley played Warwick, Edward and Pembroke very well. Mrs Yates did great justice to Queen Margaret. Mrs Palmer did Elizabeth. The Prologue was spoken by Bensley, the Epilogue by Mrs Yates. The characters were very richly dressed in the dresses of the time. The improper use of ridiculous modern dresses on the stage often offends me (Diary of Sylas Neville, unpublished MS portion)

Event Comment: CCymon deferred on account of Mrs Arne's hoarseness. Neville MS Diary: Saw the Provok'd Wife, Young Brute inimitably played by Garrick...The heat was very great. The tendency of the Provok'd Wife is very immoral, as it presents an intention to commit adultery in too agreeable a light. Receipts: #247 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Prologue to the Perplexities and Epilogue publish'd in the Public Advertiser.] Saw the Comedy of the Perplexities. Beard spoke the Prologue....Mrs Mattocks spoke the Epilogue. We had a Dance and the new Masque of the Fairy Favour, which is perform'd by children only. The boy who does Puck played on the violin and danced a hornpipe, with great spirit. The scene which represents Kensington Gardens, the canal, &c. by moonlight is very pretty, the moon and stars are very natural (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #192 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: My old clothes are become very strait. I wear them and my great coat commonly when I go to the Play, as one is much exposed in getting out to Flambeaux, Chair poles, &c. (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #166 6s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid Cooper (printer) as per bill, #41 9s. (Account Book). Went to Covent Garden-could not get into either Pit or Gallery, so came home (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #230 18s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Neville MS Diary: I got a seat before the play began, which was the Jealous Wife, with the musical entertainment the Cunning Man. Oakly by Garrick...Never saw Garrick, Pritchard and Clive in Perfection before, & I think none of the characters were ill performed. Receipts: #246 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Neville MS Diary. Went into the Pit of Covent Garden. The Miser and Harlequin Dr Faustus. Shuter an excellent Lovegold. Harriet-Miss Vincent. The scenes and machinery of the Pantomime pretty; the Cascade, the Windmill &c. $Woodward an excellent Harle. Receipts: #173 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: BB. Johnson's Head Bill 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Drank tea with my Landlady and went with her husband and two gentlemen to see the new Play...as I did not care to refuse. Could not get into the Pit, at which I was not displeased. I fancy this comedy will take, tho it had nothing else to support it but the character of Freeport, which is played by Yates...We had a Prologue written by the author of the play and spoken by King; and an Interlude by way of Epilogue written by Garrick and spoken by King and Mrs Abington. A concerto on the Harpsichord by Burney Jr and dance. The play is taken from L'Ecosseisse of Voltaire (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #193 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Half past 5 went to the 5s. Gallery at the Opera House to see the comic opera La Buona Figliola, altered from Goldoni. The Music by Sg Nic Piccini, a Neopolitan composer. The Marq by Sg Lovatini, Castina by Sga Zamporini, the German by Sg Marigi. These I believe are reckoned the best of the company. I can't say I was greatly entertained, tho the music is very pleasing. There is something very absurd and truly characteristic of the present age in supporting a set of people at an immense expense to perform plays in a language which very few here understand. We had dances after every act by Sg Adriani, Sga Radicati, &c. It is said the dances at the opera are better than those at the theatres, but I am no great judge either of music or dancing. The scenes, particularly that of the Garden with waterworks &c. are very fine. They who go into the Pit &c. must be in a vile French dress (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Paid Fisher for tunes and use of the organ in Love in the City #1 (Account Book). Could not get into the Pit, 2s. Gallery or the slips at Covent Garden (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #228 19s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. With the latest improvement by Mr Handel. Pit and boxes to be put together. Tickets will be deliver'd that day, at the Office in the theatre at Half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at Half an Hour past Four. Pit and Boxes at Five. To Begin at Half an Hour after Six (Public Advertiser, 4 March). [N.B. This is an Advance notice. No notice occurs on this day, but the following: This Day publish'd Esther: An Oratorio, with the last improvements by Mr Handel. To be performed, by Their Majesties Command at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Price 1s.] Went into the First Gallery at Covent Garden to hear the Oraortio, Esther, composed by Handel. The Stage was formed into an orchestra, like one side of an amphitheatre divided by an organ, atop of which was a head of Handel in a radiated frame. In the front sat the vocal performers, Champney, Vernon, Mrs Arne, Mrs Pinto, Miss Young, and Mrs Frasi. Stanley played on the Organ but retired after the 1st or 2nd act. The house was not much crowded, tho the King and Queen, those idols of fools, were there (Neville MS Diary). Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard. Part of pit laid into boxes. House charges #61 4s. [Profit to Mrs Pritchard #68 8s.] Lent to Mr Johnston, Prompter, by order #2 2s.; Paid to James Aickin on his note #40; Paid Poor's rate (1!2 year for St Martin's) #20 4s.; Salary list #294 2s. 8d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #129 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Went to see Macbeth for Mrs Pritchard's Benefit. Got a good seat in the Pit, which was not full for half an hour after I went, tho part of it was laid into the boxes. Read the Public Advertiser of Today' and part of London Chronicle before the play began...Dance of the Furies in the 4th Act, and end of the Play (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Tickets to be had of Shuter at Number 2, in Martlet Court, Bow St. Covent Garden; and of Mr Sarjant, Book-Keeper. Charges: #65 2s. [Profits to Shuter #150 6d., plus #70 11s. from tickets (Box 233; Pit 82).] Paid Miss Elliott the balance of her two nights Jan. 13 and Feb. 18, #90 13s. 6d. and gave her as a present from the managers by deducting the charge of the Farce for her 2nd night, Feb. 18th, #21 (Account Book). Receipts: #215 2s. 6d. (Account Book). About 5 with great difficulty got into the Pit at Covent Garden to see...the benefit for Mr Shuter. Stood all night at the bottom of the Pit in a most disagreeable situation, though I saw very well and heard too, unless when prevented by the noise on occasion of which Shuter very smartly applied the Passage, But if we all speak together, how shall we hear one another," and again when a great noise was made about someone in the Gallery, he cried 'Give him a knock o' the head and make him quiet,' and another bawling Silence," he cried Silence, Silence why don't you be quiet.'At the end of Act II, the Cries of London', with additions by Shuter. In going off he shook his head on hearing it encored, but was oblig'd to comply by repeating the greater part. End of Opera Shuter entertained us with his Serious, Comic Post-Haste Observations in his Journey to Paris, to hear which was a principal reason of my not dining at Holliss's. The Barber in the Upholsterer inimitably played by Woodward (Neville MS Diary)