Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by George Edward Ayscough, based on Semiramis, by Voltaire. Prologue by the author. Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (see text)]: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy is a translation from Voltaire by Captain Ayscough. Mrs Yates played finely, and met with the Applause she deserved. Mrs Reddish, alias Mrs Canning, who played the part of Azema, was hissed all through, and must never perform again. Indeed she was very bad. The Play was greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 24 Dec. 1776: This Day is published Semiramis (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 3s. 6d. (224.16.6; 0.0.0; 1.7.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick. Epilogue by George Colman elder (London Chronicle, 9 May). Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1780]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "No modern theatrical piece ever met with a fuller success, nor deserved it more... The performers deserve every sort of commendation for their spirited exertion in supporting the respective characters, especially Smith, King and the incomparable Mrs Abington" (Gazetteer, 9 May). "To my great astonishment there were more parts performed admirably in The School for Scandal than I almost ever saw in any play. Mrs Abington was equal to the first of her profession, Yates (the husband), Parsons, Miss Pope, and Palmer, all shone. It seemed a marvellous resurrection of the stage. Indeed, the play had as much merit as the actors. I have seen no comedy that comes near it since The Provoked Husband" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 82). Receipts: #224 10s. (215.12.0; 8.14.6; 0.3.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted here. [Mrs Armstead is identified in Morning Chronicle, 16 May. Prologue by George Colman elder (Collection...of English Prologues and Epilogues, II, 207).] Afterpiece: Not acted these 20 years. With a new Overture, the Original Prologue [by David Garrick], and a New Scene, in which will be introduced an air. With a Grand Jubilee-Pageant, in Honour of Gulliver. The Music, Dresses, Scenes, Trophies and Decorations entirely new. The Music composed by Dr Arnold. ["Lilliput was altered by Garrick (its author), and a procession of cards introduced in it, Gulliver walking as the Knave of Clubs" (Gilliland, I, 121-22). London Chronicle, 16 May, gives a synopsis of this pageant.] The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be taken at the Theatre. After this Evening the Entertainments of this Theatre will be discontinued till further Notice, on account of the Performers employed at Drury Lane Theatre [see 28 May]

Event Comment: By Permission [of the Lord Chamberlain]. Mainpiece [1st time in London; C 5, by Robert Hitchcock, 1st acted at Hull, 14 Nov. 1775]. Afterpiece: Written by George Alexander Stevens. [This was not Charles Macklin's play, The True-Born Irishman, 1st published in Jones' British Theatre, 1795, but Stevens's The French Flogged; or, The British Sailors in America.] Tickets delivered for the 23rd of September and for the Evening will be admitted

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] Paid DeLoutherbourg #41 13s. 4d. [this paid monthly throughout season]. Receipts: #104 3s. 6d. (75.9.0; 27.16.0; 0.18.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time in London; F 2, by John O'Keeffe, 1st acted at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 13 Apr. 1774. Prologue by George Colman elder (Prose on Several Occasions, III, 222)]. Public Advertiser, 16 Aug. 1780: This Day is published Tony Lumpkin in Town (1s.)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] Receipts: #139 15s. 6d. (108.13.0; 30.15.6; 0.7.0)

Event Comment: Public Advertiser, 22 Mar.: At the particular Desire of the Nobility and Gentry, the Subscribers to this Theatre, on account of the young Prince's Christening there will be no Opera to-morrow. This delay will prove very convenient for compleating the great Preparations which in every respect are necessary to present [the new] Opera [see 25 Mar.] in all the Magnificence it requires. [Prince Octavius, 8th son of George III, was christened on 23 Mar.

Event Comment: Benefit for Daly. Public Advertiser, 14 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Daly, No. 8, George-street, York Buildings

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Beaumont and Fletcher [and altered by George Colman elder]. The Music by Purcell. New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice at the Theatre. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Servants to keep places are to be at the Door in Suffolk-street by Five o'Clock

Event Comment: [Mainpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [Prologue by George Colman, the elder.

Event Comment: [Mainpiece: Prologue by Richard Cumberland. Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] To begin at 6:00. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Sharp and Mrs Brereton. [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] Receipts: #175 18s. (64.12; 34.2; 0.17; tickets:76.7) (charge: #65 0s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. Morning Chronicle, 22 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Quick, No. 151, Drury-lane. 1st piece [1st time; M. PREL I, by George Downing]: The Music by Hook. 3rd piece: Not acted these 18 years. With a grand burlesque Procession and triumphal Entry of Alexander into London. The Nobles, Guards, Officers and Attendants will be all dressed in the Habits of the Times. Receipts: #274 14s. (173.9; tickets: 101.5) (charge: #70 7s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Sophia Lee, based partly on Le Pere De Famille, by Denis Diderot. Prologue by George Colman elder (see text)]. Public Advertiser, 14 Sept. 1780: This Day is published The Chapter of Accidents (1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] Receipts: #90 12s. (64.16; 25.16; 0.0)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. [1st time; M.ENT 3, by George Alexander Stevens. Larpent MS 533; not published. Songs published by R. Snagg, 1780.] The Overture, most of the Airs [see 6 Nov.], and Decorations entirely new. Ne Quid Nimis; or, Too much of one Thing is good for Nothing. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. The Public are respectfully informed that the Upper Gallery will not be opened. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. The Songs, written by G. A. Stevens, are to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. 1st piece: Never acted here; with Alterations. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2, author unknown, based on George Dandin, by Moliere, and on The Amorous Widow, by Thomas Betterton, and on the anonymous No Wit Like a Woman's. Text 1st published by S. Bladon, 1788.]. Receipts: #283 8s. 6d. (186.11.6; tickets: 96.17.0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #197 9s. 6d. (141/14/0; 55/1/0; 0/14/6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by John O'KeefFe, altered from his The She Gallant; or, Square-Toes Outwitted, 1st acted at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 14 Jan. 1767, and in London at the HAY, 13 Oct. 1779. Incidental music by Michael Arne and William Shield. Text 1st published by T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1800. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, m, 231)]. Receipts: #228 10s. 6d. (226/14/6; 1/16/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Afterpiece: As performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket [beginning 6 Aug. 1779]; by the Author of the Son-in-Law, the Agreeable Surprise, &c. [John O'Keeffe]. [Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #195 9s. 6d. (161/11/6; tickets: 33/18/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; c 5, ascribed to Frances Burney (see Boaden, Siddons, 1, 272). MS: Larpent 596; not published; synopsis of plot in London Magazine, July 1782, p. 312. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, III, 235). The play is anonymous.]