Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve, London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 2 Oct.: Last Night in the Entertainment of Dr Faustus...when the Machine wherein were Harlequin, the Miller's Wife, the Miller and his the Miller's Man, was got up to the full Extent of its flying, one of the Wires which held up the hind part of the Car broke first, and then the other broke, and the Machine, and all the People in it fell down Upon the Stage; by which unhappy Accident the young Woman who personated the Miller's Wife had her Thigh broke, and her Kneepan shatter'd, and was otherways very much bruised, the Harlequin had his Head bruised, and his Wrist strained; the Miller broke his Arm; and the Miller's Man had his Scull so fractured that his Life in despaired of. Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole, 6 Oct.: Covent Garden has given me a sort of surfeit of Mr Rich and his cleverness, for I was at [cg] when the machine broke t'other night; the house was in amaze for above a minute, and I dare say a great many in the galleries thought it very desterously performed, and that they screamed as naturally as heart could wish, till they found it was no jest, by their calling for surgeons, of whom several luckily happened to be in the pit. I stayed to see the poor creatures brought out of the house, and pity poor Mrs Buchanan not a little, whom I saw put into a chair in such a fright that as she is big with child, I question whether it may not kill her.-Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Thomas Gray, I, 113-14

Event Comment: Receipts: #130 18s. Paid John Rich #500

Event Comment: Receipts: #147 11s. Paid Jno Rich for Mr Morris, #246 3s

Event Comment: TThe Jovial Crew deferred because of Indisposition of Miss Brent. Receipts: #135 16s. Paid Kemp for Lamps #6 8s. Dall returned to salary list at #1 10s. Paid John Rich #500

Event Comment: Receipts: #128 16s. Paid Rich on account, #600

Event Comment: Receipts: #207 6s. Paid Rich #50; Advanc'd to Miss White #1 11s. 6d

Event Comment: Receipts: #82 15s. Paid Kemp #6 8s.; Paid Rich on Acct #500; Paid Mrs Margaret Lambe 6 months interest due 8th inst. #7 10s.; Paid Bates for writing Music #11 12s. 6d

Event Comment: Full prices. Last time of performing till Easter Holidays. Receipts: #214 11s. Paid Kemp #6 8s.; Meares #0 10s. 6d.;Mr Platt for mahogany chair frames (12), #9 12s.; Paid Rich #50; Paid 10 night's Rents for Oratorios #100. I was to see the Jovial Crew and the Fair again, at the Gallery at Covent Garden, where I see Mrs Viebert, Miss Meredith & Mr Madan. Slept in at Drury Lane Gallery where I see the best part of Catherine & Petruchio for King's Benefit (Hailey, Brietzcke Diary, Vol. 197, p. 210)

Event Comment: Income from Boxes #15 17s. 6d. Given to Mr Shaw by Mr Rich for performing Osmyn 19 Oct. #10 10s. Receipts: #67 6s. (Winston Theatrical Record)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Afterpiece: Not acted these 12 years. [See 9 Nov. 1761.] With Additions and Alterations. [The Additions to The Fair seem to have included a number of actual animals (instead of the men costumed as an Ass and a Hog as used in Mother Shipton), for the Account Book this year for the first time notes payments, 22 March 1774, "for the hire of Horses in The Fair," and 18 June 1774, "To Mr Brooks for attending with the Camels &c. in the Fair." The tradition of bigger and better spectacles seems to have passed on from Rich to Colman.] Receipts: #180 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit John and Ch. Rich. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Receipts: #60 10s. 6d

Event Comment: Afterpiece: The principal parts of the Compilation from The Choice of Harlequin. The Magic Cavern, The Enchanted Castle, The Sylphs, The Sorcerer. The Music compiled from, and composed by Michael Arne, Shield, J. C.? Bach</a>, Spofforth, &c. The Scenery, Machinery and Decorations are partly new, and the rest completely repaired by Hodgins, Phillips, Hollogan. Blackmore, and assistants. Receipts: #210 14s. 6d. (209.16.6; 0.18.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, author unknown]: The Pantomime partly new and partly compiled. The principal parts of the Compilation from The Choice of Harlequin, The Magic Cavern, The Enchanted Castle, The Sylphs, and The Sorcerer. The Music compiled from, and composed by, Michael Arne, Shield, J. C.? Bach</a>, Spofforth, &c. The Scenery, Machinery, and Decorations are partly new, and the rest completely repaired by Hodgins, Phillips, Hollogan, Blackmore, and assistants. The Dances composed by Byrn. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #274 14s. 6d. (254.13.0; 20.1.6)

Event Comment: [By Lewis Theobald.] Never Acted before. Receipts: #25 8s. 6d. Preface: I am only sorry, it did not answer so well to Mr Rich, as I hop'd it would have done....The Play was got up with indefatigable Application, in Twelve Days time from the first Reading, which is less than ever any Tragedy was known to be got ready in

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Rose Didelot. Tickets to be had of Mrs Rose Didelot, No. 8, Haymarket. 2nd ballet: 1st time; composed by J. D'Egville. [In all subsequent performances this was billed as Tarare.] "D'Egville, Laborie, and St.Pierre are excellent dancers and fine manly figures. Laborie possesses more elegance than St. Pierre; but the latter greater animation. D'Egville displays much taste and poetical spirit in the invention of ballets...[which] are far richer in naive situations, and possess a more free poetical spirit than those of Paris" (Goede, 265-66)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill assigns the 1st Gravedigger to Parsons, but "an Apology was made for Parsons, and Suett went through his Part" (Public Advertiser, 2 Oct.). In afterpiece the playbill retains Parsons as Solomon; for Fawcett see 26 Nov.] "We have for so many years been accustomed to see Hamlet dressed in the Vandyke costume, that it may be material to state that Mr Kemble played the part in a modern court dress of rich black velvet, with a star on the breast, the garter and pendant ribbon of an order-the mourning sword and buckles, with deep ruffles: the hair in powder; which, in the scenes of feigned distraction, flowed dishevelled in front and over the shoulders" (Boaden, Kemble, I, 104). Receipts: #285 16s1. (265/14/0; 19/19/6; 0/2/6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece:In I A Grand Masqueradev. Afterpiece [1st time; M. INT 1, by Thomas John Dibdin]: To conclude with a new Scenic Representation of Britannia Triumphantv. Interspersed With a Variety of favorite old Airs, popular Songs, Parodies, &c. The Overture and new Songs composed and the Music in general arranged by Moorehead. The Machinery invented and executed by Cresswell. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre, price Six-pence. Morning Chronicle, 16 Oct. 1799: This day is published The Naval Pillar (price not listed). The afterpiece had reference to the contemplated erection of a "Naval Pillar" on Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth, in commemoration of the recent victbries of the English navy. A plain pillar is at the last introduced, with the names of the most celebrated admirals on a scroll, round which the sailors and their sweethearts dance with peculiar festivity. The pillar now flies open, and displays a most magnificent and appropriate spectacle--consisting of Britannia, personated by Mrs Chapman, under a rich canopy, with the figures of a sailor and a soldier for supporters, pointing to the letters G. R. over a brilliant sun, which turns on the center; shrouded in clouds above, and surrounded by angels, is a medallion of Lord Howe, and on columns on each side of the canopy are medallions of your great living naval commanders" (Monthly Visitor, Oct. 1799, p. 180). Receipts: #284 10s. 6d. (277.18.6; 6.12.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. This Benefit was given to Mr B. after the Season Clos'd on Account of Some trouble he was in (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [June 2 by Treasurer's Book.] Profits to Bannister after all charges #106 6s. 5d. This month was publish'd Theatrical Portraits, epigrammatically delineated, &c. 4to. Price 1s. 6d. (Gentleman's Magazine Catalogue). Receipts: #210 6d. (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES (Treasurer's Book). Rec'd: 15 June: Mr Parsonage's (late Williams) Rent 1 yr to Lady day last with 4s. 10d. deducted, #43 10s.; Mr Harrison's Rent 1 yr to ditto with #7 17s. 6d. Land Tax deducted, #38 2s. 6d.; for candles, oil & lampmen on Theatrical Fund Night #3 18s. 6d. 18 June: From Public Advertiser this season #50; from Daily Gazetteer #50; from Mr Pope 1 yrs. rent to Lady Day last with #1 13s. land tax deducted, #28 7s. 23 June: From New Additional Sinking Fund #241 13s.; Patentees' Draft on Mr Clutterbuck #50; Music forfeits this season, Mr D. Richards included, #25 14s. 7d. 25 June: Their Majesties Account 8 nights #80, the Queen's Ladies 2 nights #6. 29 June: Mr Rowland's Rent 1 year to Lady Day last with #2 2s. land tax deducted #40 18s. 30 June: Mr Evans (wardrobe?) sundry forfeips this season #47 8s. Paid: 4 June: Tallow chandler's 9th & last Bill (#37 12s. 9d., but with a discount at 8 on #350 16s. amount of this season's Bills) #9 11s. 6d. Mr Page in full of #25 this season, #1 10s.; Rector & Watch Covent Garden parish 1 year to Lady Day last #1 8s. 4d. 10 June: Two Housekeeper's Bills #11 3s.; half yrs, paving &c. St Martin to Lady Day last #17 13s. 15 June: Messrs Barrow & Co., Oil, #191 14s. 6d.; Messrs Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #55 3s.; Mr Cropley (linen draper) #15 13s. 6d.; Mr Cole (turner) #12 15s.; Mr Dalmaine (embroiderer) #3 13s. 6d.; Mr Landall (Undertaker) #3 4s. Mr Hatsell (mercer) #37 7s.; Mr Carpue (silk dyer)#7 7s. 6d.; Mr Barrett (wax chandler) #27 1s. 6d.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #7 16s. 6d.; Messrs Sandys & Co. (colourmen) #72 6d.; Mr Carter (scowrer) #20 6s.; Messrs Hewetson & Co. (lacemen) #27 3s.; Mr Stephens (mason) #4 6s.; Mr Cubit (tinman) #12 4s. 6d.; Mr Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #10 18s.; Mr Powney (stationer) #4 7s. 16 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; half yrs rent to Duke of Bedford to Lady Day last #165 2d.; Loss on sale of 330 and 1!2 light Guineas, #17; Mr Pope's Bill for Wigs, &c. #14 2s.; Mr Pope for 69 nights extra dressing this season #6 18s.; Mr J. Johnston's Music Bill, #16 12s. 6d. 23 June: Lowe & Co. (glaziers) #4 7s. 6d.; Scott & Co. (lacemen) #17 11s.; Waller & Co. (hosiers) #7 10s.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #28 10s.; Bibb (sword cutler) #1 5s.; Gardner (shoemaker) #6; Thomson (smith) #23 7s.; Chettell (timber) #40 17s.; Ireland (upholsterer) #35 1s.; Blakes (hatter) #3 1s.; Palmer (spermacetti candles) #124; Dorman (coals) #27 15s.; Dorman for attending practices of dances this season, #10 10s.; A. Johnston's Bill for sundrys #47 11s.; Mrs Garwood (laundress) #12 15s. 29 June: Black Lyon Bills for Wardrobe, Carpenters & Surveyors Dinners #25 14s.; Mr J. French on Acct #9 10s. 30 June: One yrs paving &c. to Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last #3; Hopkins' Prompter's Bills #30 17s.; Victor's gratuity #30., and extra salary 2 weeks #5; Evans in lieu of Benefit #42, and extra salary 2 weeks #3. Books closed 30 June 1774: @Total Receipts #33,075 1s. 11d.@Total Expense #30,153 15s. 10d.@Profits #2,921 6s. 1d. divided as follows:@To Patentees #1840@To Mr Clutterbuck #1,081 6s. 1d.@*c1774 06 02 dl Benefit for Bannister. This Benefit was given to Mr B. after the Season Clos'd on Account of Some trouble he was in (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [June 2 by Treasurer's Book.] Profits to Bannister after all charges #106 6s. 5d. This month was publish'd Theatrical Portraits, epigrammatically delineated, &c. 4to. Price 1s. 6d. (Gentleman's Magazine Catalogue). Receipts: #210 6d. (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES (Treasurer's Book). Rec'd: 15 June: Mr Parsonage's (late Williams) Rent 1 yr to Lady day last with 4s. 10d. deducted, #43 10s.; Mr Harrison's Rent 1 yr to ditto with #7 17s. 6d. Land Tax deducted, #38 2s. 6d.; for candles, oil & lampmen on Theatrical Fund Night #3 18s. 6d. 18 June: From Public Advertiser this season #50; from Daily Gazetteer #50; from Mr Pope 1 yrs. rent to Lady Day last with #1 13s. land tax deducted, #28 7s. 23 June: From New Additional Sinking Fund #241 13s.; Patentees' Draft on Mr Clutterbuck #50; Music forfeits this season, Mr D. Richards included, #25 14s. 7d. 25 June: Their Majesties Account 8 nights #80, the Queen's Ladies 2 nights #6. 29 June: Mr Rowland's Rent 1 year to Lady Day last with #2 2s. land tax deducted #40 18s. 30 June: Mr Evans (wardrobe?) sundry forfeips this season #47 8s. Paid: 4 June: Tallow chandler's 9th & last Bill (#37 12s. 9d., but with a discount at 8 on #350 16s. amount of this season's Bills) #9 11s. 6d. Mr Page in full of #25 this season, #1 10s.; Rector & Watch Covent Garden parish 1 year to Lady Day last #1 8s. 4d. 10 June: Two Housekeeper's Bills #11 3s.; half yrs, paving &c. St Martin to Lady Day last #17 13s. 15 June: Messrs Barrow & Co., Oil, #191 14s. 6d.; Messrs Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #55 3s.; Mr Cropley (linen draper) #15 13s. 6d.; Mr Cole (turner) #12 15s.; Mr Dalmaine (embroiderer) #3 13s. 6d.; Mr Landall (Undertaker) #3 4s. Mr Hatsell (mercer) #37 7s.; Mr Carpue (silk dyer)#7 7s. 6d.; Mr Barrett (wax chandler) #27 1s. 6d.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #7 16s. 6d.; Messrs Sandys & Co. (colourmen) #72 6d.; Mr Carter (scowrer) #20 6s.; Messrs Hewetson & Co. (lacemen) #27 3s.; Mr Stephens (mason) #4 6s.; Mr Cubit (tinman) #12 4s. 6d.; Mr Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #10 18s.; Mr Powney (stationer) #4 7s. 16 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; half yrs rent to Duke of Bedford to Lady Day last #165 2d.; Loss on sale of 330 and 1!2 light Guineas, #17; Mr Pope's Bill for Wigs, &c. #14 2s.; Mr Pope for 69 nights extra dressing this season #6 18s.; Mr J. Johnston's Music Bill, #16 12s. 6d. 23 June: Lowe & Co. (glaziers) #4 7s. 6d.; Scott & Co. (lacemen) #17 11s.; Waller & Co. (hosiers) #7 10s.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #28 10s.; Bibb (sword cutler) #1 5s.; Gardner (shoemaker) #6; Thomson (smith) #23 7s.; Chettell (timber) #40 17s.; Ireland (upholsterer) #35 1s.; Blakes (hatter) #3 1s.; Palmer (spermacetti candles) #124; Dorman (coals) #27 15s.; Dorman for attending practices of dances this season, #10 10s.; A. Johnston's Bill for sundrys #47 11s.; Mrs Garwood (laundress) #12 15s. 29 June: Black Lyon Bills for Wardrobe, Carpenters & Surveyors Dinners #25 14s.; Mr J. French on Acct #9 10s. 30 June: One yrs paving &c. to Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last #3; Hopkins' Prompter's Bills #30 17s.; Victor's gratuity #30., and extra salary 2 weeks #5; Evans in lieu of Benefit #42, and extra salary 2 weeks #3. Books closed 30 June 1774: @Total Receipts #33,075 1s. 11d.@Total Expense #30,153 15s. 10d.@Profits #2,921 6s. 1d. divided as follows:@To Patentees #1840@To Mr Clutterbuck #1,081 6s. 1d.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy never performed before. This Tragedy was written by Mr Murphy & has great Merit, it is very carefully got up & well perform'd, & receiv'd uncommon Applause Mrs Barry Display great Tragick powers & receiv'd the vast Applause She merited--She will gain great Reputation in the part (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations. Theatrical Review, 26 Feb.: Mrs Barry rose beyond herself, if we may be allowed the expression, in the laborious Character of Euphrasia....The scenes and decorations were well adapted to the importance of the piece. The representation of the city of Syracusev, with a view of the sea; and the Temple scene, with the mausoleum, in particular are extremely well executed, and do credit to the theatre, and honor to the artists who designed and painted them. Paid two notes for Mr J. Aickin, per order #12 1s. 8d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #251 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 10 May 1771.] Benefit for J. Bannister and W. Barry. Paid Easter Offering for St Martin's one year 10s. 6d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Tickets delivered by Kear will be taken. Receipts: #135 11s. Charges: #84. Profits to J. Bannister and W. Barry: #51 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years. [See 19 April 1751.] New Scenes, Machines, Decorations &c. The Characters dress'd in The Habits of the times. This Masque is very well got up with New Scenes & Decorations particularly a Representation of the Grand Naval Review design'd by Mons DeLoutherberg & vastly well Executed had great Applause the piece is very dull (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid five day's salary at #86 13s. 10d. per diem, #433 9s. 2d.; Miss Younge 6 days not on the list #1; Mr Courtney 3 days not on list 7s. 6d.; Mr J. French</a> on Act #10 (Treasurer's Book). The Songs, Chorusses, &c. in the Masque (in the order they are now performed) to be had at the Theatre. The Music by Dr Arne and other masters (playbill). Receipts: #158 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Characters will be dressed in the Habits of the Times. The Musick of Macbeth had a proper Attention paid to it in the getting up by Mr Linley (who composed the Additional Accompaniments) and went off with great Applause. Mrs Melmoth, who came out at Covent Garden [on 26 Feb. 1774], made her first Appearance upon this Stage in Lady Macbeth, was very wild in the Part, met with some Applause. The Play was dressed in the Habits of the Times. [Note added by J. P. Kemble: I have seen some of these Habits, and very paltry and very improper they were] (Hopkins Diary). [Mrs Melmoth was from the Edinburgh theatre.] Receipts: #191 1s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for J. D'Egville. Ballet: As composed by Dauberval, and performed at the king's Theatre in the Hay-Market. To conclude with a Grand Display of the Manual Exercise. Morning Chronicle, 8 May: Tickets to be had of J. D'Egville, No. 29, Litchfield-street, Soho. Receipts: #376 9s. (151.16; 45.10; 6.14; tickets: 172.9) (charge: #247 12s. 9d.)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; D 3, by Henry Neuman, based on Der Opfertod, by August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue. Text (R. Phillips, 1799) assigns no parts]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. 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. The Theatre, since the last Season, has been newly Decorated. [Beginning with 19 June the playbill: Printed by T. Woodfall, Drury Lane; on 4 Sept.: No. 104, Drury Lane.] Morning Chronicle, 27 June 1799: This Day is published Family Distress (2s.). Gentleman's Magazine, May 1800, pp. 406-8, prints a letter from "J. B." in which strong exception is taken to Kotzebue in general, and this play in particular. "Theatrical entertainments have an extensive influence upon the manners of Society. When well regulated, and the pieces for representation well selected both as to matter and manner, they may be esteemed friendly to morality, and improvers of public taste. But what shall we say when both these ends are disregarded; when moral virtue is banished from the scene, and purity of taste is destroyed by affected language and pantomimical decorations? Improvements in almost every art and science have been within a few years, rapid and important. But that is not the case with the stage; nor can it be, while Kotzebue and his friends usurp the venerable boards of Shakespeare." The writer then, in sarcastic terms, outlines the plot of Family Distress. [Pope and Miss Chapman were both from cg.