Event Comment: The King's Company. For an edition of this play from the MS prompt copy, see The Change of Crownes, ed. F. S. Boas (Oxford University Press, 1949). For the consequences of Lacy's ad libbing, see 16, 20, and 22 April, and 1 May. Pepys, Diary: I to the King's house by chance, where a new play: so full as I never saw it; I forced to stand all the while close to the very till I took cold, and many people went away for want of room. The King and Queene, and Duke of York and Duchesse of York there, and all the Court, and Sir W. Coventry. The play called The Change of Crownes; a play of Ned Howard's the best that ever I saw at that house, being a great play and serious; only Lacy did act the country-gentleman come up to Court, who do abuse the Court with all the imaginable wit and plainness about selling of places, and doing every thing for money. The play took very much.... Gervase Jaquis to the Earl of Huntington, 16 April: Here is another play house erected in Hatton buildings called the Duke of Cambridgs play-house, and yester-day his Matie the Duke & many more were at the King's Playe house to see some new thing Acted (Hastings MSS, HA 7654, Huntington Library)

Event Comment: [By Lewis Theobald.] With new Scenes and Habits

Event Comment: Under the Patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Duke of Clarence, Duke of Cumberland, and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York [and] the Duchess of Devonshire and the Duchess of Gordon. Benefit for O'Keeffe, the Unfortunate Author of the following successful Dramatic Pieces: The Son in Law, Agreeable Surprise, Peeping Tom, Dead Alive, Young Quaker, Life's Vagaries, Castle of Andalusia, Czar, Tony Lumpkin in Town, Poor Soldier, Modern Antiques, Basket Maker, Wild Oats, Wicklow Mountains, French Grenadier [never acted], Positive Man, Love in a Camp, Tantara Rara Rogues all, Beggar on Horseback, Toy, London Hermit, Highland Reel, Blacksmith of Antwerp, Man Milliner, Irish Mimic, Little Hunchback, World in a Village, Fontainbleau, Magic Banner, Farmer, Doldrum, Sprigs of Laurel, Birth Day, Prisoner at Large, &c. &c. Tickets delivered for The Belle's Stratagem will be admitted. [O'Keeffe is referred to as being unfortunate because he was totally blind. In delivering his Poetical Composition, which is printed in Dramatic Censor, II, 265-67, the Monthly Mirror, June 1800, p. 367, reports that he was led on and off the stage by Lewis. It also notes that "Mrs Jordan...came from Drury-Lane, where she had performed the Child of Nature, to officiate at Covent-Garden as the handmaid of charity."] The Last Night of the Company's performing this season. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second is to be had this Day at the Theatre. Afterpiece: With all the Scenes, Machines, Flyings, and other Decorations. Receipts: #86 9s

Event Comment: Benefit Roberts. Particular Care is taken to perform the Play with Decency and Regularity, to the best Capacity of the Company. [Advertised in Craftsman, 19 Dec., and notice exists also in a clipping in BM, 11791 dd 18, Volume 5.

Event Comment: Benefit Evans and Miss Cole

Event Comment: Benefit Turbutt and Leviez. N.B. There having been a Parcel of Tickets lost or Mislaid, to prevent Impositions on the Publick, notice is hereby given, that proper persons are appointed to attend the Passages of the Theatre, and stop the Admission of Tickets sold by Orange Woman, and others. Tickets deliver'd out by a Gentleman will be taken. Tickets and places to be had of Bradshaw, &c; and at Ben Johnson's Head, in Little Britain; and of Leviez at the Blue Door in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Receipts: #150

Event Comment: Benefit for Scrase, Ackman, Sturt and Mrs Cooke. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Austin and Wood, Sub-Treasurer. Tickets delivered out for Mozeen will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Raftor, Walker and Mrs Simson. Tickets deliver'd by Mr Carltons will be taken