Event Comment: Benefit Christian. By particular Desire of several Gentlemen and Ladies. Tickets 2s. 6d. 6:30 P.M. The Hampstead Song is printed, and will be given gratis at the Place of Performance

Event Comment: Benefit Wood. [For a further discussion of licensing the stage, see Prompter, 2 May.]

Event Comment: Benefit Coffey, Author of The Devil to Pay. Afterpiece: A new Ballad Farce. Being the Second Part of The Devil to Pay, &c. Written by the Author of the First Part

Event Comment: See Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb., for a letter from Colley Cibber to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court. Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb.: Whereas it is agreed on between several Gentlemen, to erect a New Theatre for the exhibiting of Plays, Farces, Pantomime, &c. all such Persons as are willing to undertake the said Building, are desir'd to bring their Plans for the same by the 2d of May next ensuing, in order to be laid before the said Gentlemen, the Time and Place of which Meeting will be advertis'd in this Paper on the last of April. Proportions of the Ground: The North Side 120 Feet; the West, square with the North, 130 Feet; the South 110 Feet; and the East on a Bevil, joining the Parallel. Note, There must be a Passage left to go round the Building, and the Stages to be 30 Feet wide at the First Scene; the Distance between Wall and Wall 80 Feet; and the Scene-Rooms, Green and Dressing Rooms, to be on the outside of the last mention'd Measure. The Stage to be either North or South

Event Comment: DDaily Advertiser, 8 March: We hear that the Great Mogul has acceeded to the Treaty of the Hay-Market, which causes various Speculations. Our best Advices assure us, that the Town will be entertain'd there Tomorrow, by a Gentleman who never wrote for the Stage, with a new Performance call'd a Rehearsal of Kings: which will be immediately succeeded by a Dramatick Piece call'd The Historical Register, for the Year 1736, written by the Author of Pasquin. We hear this has given great Alarm to all the Pantomimical Houses in London, Southwark, Rag Fair, &c

Event Comment: Never Acted before. [Author not known. Apparently not published.] By a Company of Comedians dropt from the Clouds, late Servants to their thrice-renown'd Majesties, Kouly Kan and Theodore. With new Scenes, Habits, and proper Decorations. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. 1st N.B. To prevent the Imposition of Box-Keepers, Gentlemen and Ladies are humbly desir'd to take Tickets at the Office, or to send for them at the Theatre, where Attendance will be given every Day, and Places may be taken. 2d N.B. The Company will endeavour to entertain the Town the remaining part of the Season. [In advance bill in Daily Advertiser, 23 Feb.: 2d N.B. Considering the extraordinary Expence that must necessarily attend equipping so many Monarchs of different Nations, the Proprietor hopes the Town will not take Umbrage at the Prices being rais'd. 3rd. N.B. The Proprietor begs leave to enter his Caveat against all (what Names soever distinguish'd) who may hire, or be hir'd, to do the Drudgery of Hissing, Catcalling, &c. and entreats the Town would discourage, as much as in them lies, a Practice at once so scandalous and prejudicial to Author, Player, and every Fair Theatre Adventure.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: And proper Scenes, particularly a New View of St. Dunstan's Church, &c

Event Comment: HHeidegger gets a new leave and license to perform operas at Haymarket Theatre from 8 Dec. 41 to 30 Oct. 45.-Deutsch, Handel, p. 526, from public Record Office L. C. 5@161, p. 97

Event Comment: There is now in practice...two new dances which are to be perform'd there on Monday next, the first call'd The Turkish Pirate, the second the Laundress's Visiting Day both compos'd by Giuseppe Salomon, and to perform'd by him, Mlle Violette, the Padouana, M. Mechel, Salomon's Son, &c

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser, Sir: I have frequently observ'd particular Notice has been taken in your paper of particular Merit, I hope therefore you'll allow room for this short Epistle--I am a great Lover of Public Diversions, especially such as can agreeably amuse, or afford the highest Mirth, without offense to Sense of Decency; Of this kind are the two new dances compos'd by Salomon, and perform'd by him, Mr Cook, Mr Muilment, Madem Violette, Sga Padouana, and the young little Salomon, and others. To say they are excellent in their way is barely doing 'em justice; but in these Dances they may be said to have excell'd themselves. The first, tho' a kind of Serious Pastoral Ballet afforded the Audience great Pleasure; and I believe never did three dancers in a Pas Trois, altogether equal the Execution of Sg Salomon, Madem Violette, and Mr Cook; there was an Elegance peculiar to herself that shone thro' her whole performance. The other Entertainment is the representation of a Fair, to which People of all degrees and nations are suppos'd to resort, it may not improperly be stil'd a very High Piece of Low Humour; and caused as much laughter and applause as the strongest Farce ever produc'd, without offending the Modesty of the Ladies. We have had many performers from abroad, but Sg Salamon and Violette so inimitably express their characters in this entertainment, that I think they excel what we have hitherto seen; and very much deserve the Encouragement of the Town, I am, &c

Event Comment: Gift for ye Sufferers by ye fire in Cornhill (Cross). [A column and a half "Letter to the Author" appeared in the General Advertiser this day, laying historical background for Ford's Lover's Melancholy]. The history of the stage before the Restoration is like a Foreign Land, in which no Englishman had ever travelled; we know there were such things as Playhouses, and one Shakespear a great writer, but the historical traces of them are so imperfect, that the manner in which they existed is less known to us, than that of Eschylus or the theatres of Greece. For this reason, 'tis hoped that the following Gleaning of Theatrical History will readily obtain a place in your paper. 'Tis taken from a Pamphlet written in the reign of Charles I, with this quaint title, "Old Ben's Light Heart made heavy by young John's Melancholly Lover"; and as it contains some historical anecdotes and altercations concerning Ben Johnson, Ford, Shakespear, and the Lover's Melancholy it is imagined that a few extracts from it at this juncture, will not be unentertaining to the Public. [The substance of the remainder retails Jonson's critical cantankerousness and his wounded pride at the failure of the New Inn, quoting some epigrams made at Jonson's expense on his allegation that Ford was a plagiary. This second "puff" for the play, presumably also written by Macklin, formed the basis for a Steevens-Malone controversy late in the century, centering on the existence or nonexistence of the pamphlet referred to by Macklin as "Old Ben's Light Heart made Heavy, &c." A summary account of the evidence appears in the Dramatic Works of John Ford, by Henry Weber (Edinburgh, 1811) I, Intro. XVI, XXXI.] Receipts: #210 (Cross); #208 1s. (Powel)

Event Comment: fterpiece]: A Masque by Mr Dodsley. Went off Toll (Cross). New Dresses, Scenes, Decorations, &c. Music compos'd by Mr Arne. Nothing under Full prices will be taken. [Customary note for all subsequent performances this season. Will not be repeated.] Receipts: #170 (Cross); #161 19s. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Afterpiece [written by Mrs Clive]: A new farce partly singing, part speakg. Went off well (Cross). Music by Dr Boyce. Five rows of Pit &c. [Stage arranged as on 10 March. The framework for financial analysis of receipts appears in Treasurer's Book, but the figures are missing. The parts for The Rehearsal, according to the Larpent MS 86, were: Mrs Hazard, Nelly, Tom, Witling, Mr Cross; Miranda-$Miss Norris; Corydon-$Beard; Marcella, Miss Giggle, Sir Albany Odelove, Miss Sidell, Miss Daudle.] Receipts: #240 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This day is publish'd a Guide to the Stage; or Select Instructions and Precedents from the best Authorities towards forming a polite Audience; with some account of the Players, &c. Printed and sold by D. Job, at the Spread Eagle in King St. [An ironical post-Addisonian quip at theatrical behavior]: I boldly enter the lists as the first champion for theatric decorum. The next thing to be consider'd is disapprobation, which I think may be sufficiently shewn, by an attention to something else, by loud discourse, profuse laughter, and the like. I cannot help thinking it a little out of character, for a polite audience to distort their features by a hiss: however for the sake of some ambitious youths, who thus love to signalize themselves, I shall leave a new play to their mercy. They then are at liberty to exercise their several talents whether they hiss or groan most successfully, or have a greater genius for the cat-call. If you desire to know when you are to shew your dislike, my answer is, when anything displeases you, or in fine when you will provided you have a strong party to second you; for the best hiss or groan in the universe may be drown'd in a general applause. [Never laugh at what passes on stage save it be an error, blunder, or accident. In tragic scenes avoid being visibly moved by humming a tune, regarding the audience, engaging in conservation, or turning your back to the stage. When a female social rival calls attention to herself and away from the stage, let fall your handkerchief into the pit, or call out to an acquaintance in the opposite box, or burst into loud and unexpected laughter. You'll know when to applaud, for the actors will tell you.] On these occasions Cato looks more than unusually big, Hamlet stares with great emphasis, Othello has a most languishing aspect, Monimia is all sighs and softness, Beatrice will bridle, and pretty Peggy Wildair leers you into a clap. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: [MS note in hand of Colley Cibber (in R. J. Smith, History of the Stage, Vol. IV. BM 11826r)]: December 25, 1750 Sr. Tho' Death has been cooling his his [sic] heels at my door these three weeks, I have not had time to see him. The Dayly conversation of my friends have kept me so agreeably alive, that I have not passed my time better a great while. If you have a mind to make [?] us, I will order Death to come another day--to be serious I long to see you, and hope you will take the first opportunity. And so wish as merry a Christmas, as many New Years as your heart can hope for, I am Your real friend and Serv't C. Cibber Xmas Day

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hallam. At the New Wells, Lemon St., Goodman's Fields. For one Night only. A Concert &c. By Desire of Several Persons of Distinction. Boxes 3s. Pit or Gallery 2s. (London Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A new Entertainment in Italian Grotesque Characters. A blunder in the scenes of ye Entertainment & great noise as No more, Off, Off &c. (Cross). [Inspector No 195 appeared giving another favorable accolade to Mossop (Daily Advertiser and Literary Gazette).] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: This Tragedy is taken from ye French by ye Revd Mr Francis. A great Noise before ye play began, occasion'd by ye Music not playing what they lik'd, they being Palted wou'd not come into the Orchestra-a Branch knock'd down, Candles thrown &c.-Mr Garrick went on, order'd ye Music in, & all was quiet-went off with great Applause (Cross). Never acted before. Characters New Dress'd Mr Garrick is intitled to my sincerest Gratitude for his Performance as an Actor, and for his Punctuality as a Manager...his strong good Sence, with that Spirit of Theatrical Criticism, which is his peculiar natural Genius (Prefatory matter by Francis first in ed.). Receipts: 180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Macklin. Afterpiece: A New Dramtic Satire in two acts. N.B. As several of the Town have prejudged the Pit the Boxes and Galleries acting their own parts themselves for their diversion, to be of the same species of the Lick at the Town last year; and that it can mean only the ordinary Approbation or Disapprobation of the Audience, Signor Pasquin thinks it incumbent on himself to assure to Publick that all those conjectures are groundless; And farther, he assures them that the Pit, &c. acting their parts has no other meaning than the common literal sense; and that the Audience are really interwoven in the piece; and are to be bona fide part of the Dramatis Personae; and he makes no doubt but that he shall make them perform their parts to a numerous and polite audience, and with universal Applause. But he begs that those Ladies and Gentlemen who intend to perform in the Pit and Galleries will be at the Theatre betimes, for particular reasons; and those who are to act in the Boxes are requested to send their servants to keep their places by three o'clock. Signor Pasquin has received the letters sent by the Town and the Village, and they may depend upon having Places kept for them upon the Stage. The Hiss concerning the Robin Hood Society will be complied with (General Advertiser). [The parts were: Pasquin, Marforio, Sir Eternal Grinn, Sir Conjecture Positive, Sir Roger Ringwood, Bob Smart, Soloman Common Sense; Count Hunt Bubble, Sir John Ketch, hic and Hac (Scribblers), Hydra, Lady Lucy Loveit, Miss Diana Singlelife, Miss Brilliant, Miss Bashfull (Larpent MS 96).

Event Comment: Paid Charlotte Lane for making a white cloth coat and blue sattin waistcoat, loop'd and bound with silver for Mr Dyer, 18s.; for sewing silk and twist, 4s. 6d. Buckram and stays, 3s.; Hair cloth and wadding, 4s. dimety sleevelining & linnen pockets, 2s. 6d.; 2 doz. & 4 rich silver wire buttons at 8d.-18s. 6d. 19 breast buttons ditto at 4d.-6s. 4d. Dimety body lining to waistcoat and cuffs at 12s.-#1 13s.; 8 yds blue allopeen at 21!2 d.-17s. 4d. 21!4 yds white serge desoy at 5s.-11s. 3d. Also for Mr Dyer for making a yellow sattin waistcoat & cuffs, and mending a coat for Ranger, 8s.; sewing silk and twist, buckran & stays 4s.; three quarters yds white shallbon and interlining at 4d.-6s. 4d. Dimety body lining to waistcoat, 3s. 4d.; Stuff to make the backs 1s. 2 and 3!4 yds Blue Sattin for ye n silver'd buttons at 1s. 6d.-4s. 6d.; 11!2 doz. breast buttons ditto at 9d.-1s. 11!2d; For new buttoning and lacing a coat for Mrs Vincent 6s.; 2 doz. and 4 coat silver'd buttons at 1s. 6d.-3s. 6d.; 11!2 doz. breast buttons at 9d.-1s. 1 1!2d.; Sewing silk &c., 1s. 6d. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick, II, 322)

Event Comment: Benefit for furnishing the new Wards in the Middlesex Hospital. Paid Charlotte Lane for altering a cloth coat, and green corded silk waistcoat lac'd with silver for Mr Wm. Smith, 5s. 6d.; shalloos back & bod lining to coat & stiffening, 3s. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick II, 332). [The Occasional Prologue, written by Mr Boyce was publish'd in the Public Advertiser 19 Dec. 1755]: @And, Britons, Godlike charity is yours...@'Tis yours to silence Misry's plaintive moan@And make the grief of others all your own...@Give balm to Nature's accidental woes,@And sooth th'impovrish'd matron's pregnant throes...@ [The Epilogue, written by C. Smart, and spoken by Shuter in the character of a Man-midwife, was published in the same paper: Shuter enters with a child]: @Whoe'er begot thee has no cause to blush:@Thou'rt a brave chopping boy (child cries) nay, hush, hush, hush.@.......................@Nay if you once begin to puke and cough@Go to the nurse. Within, here, take him off.@Well Heav'n be prais'd, it is a peopling age,@Thanks to the Bar, the Army, and the Stage...

Event Comment: At Bence's Room, Swan Tavern, West Smithfield. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. The scenes, cloaths, paintings and all other decorations are entirely new. The Room is made very Theatrical and commodious for the better reception of Gentlemen and Ladies and a good band of music is provided, consisting of Violins, Bassoons, Hautboys, &c. To begin each day at Twelve o'clock. [This note repeated on subsequent bills.