Event Comment: According to the Flying Post, 18-20 Oct. 1698: On Tuesday October 18, 1698, the Penny Lottery began at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden with the first draw. [On 28 Sept. 1698 James Brydges, Diary reported that he had gone into dg to see the "engine" for the lottery.] The Post Boy, 18-20 Oct. 1698: There is now Acting at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden a Tragy-Comedy called The Wheel of Fortune, or The Fools Expectation. And 'tis thought the Author will have a good Sixth Day. According to the Post Boy, 20-22 Oct. 1698: On Monday next will be publish'd, a Comical and Satirical Prologue and Epilogue, intended to be spoken at the Acting of the new Invented Farce, call'd, the Wheel of Fortune, or the Fools Expectation. [The Prologue and Epilogue are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 305-10.] It seems probable that the lottery was dignified, for satiric purposes, by being given the title of a play, with a satirical Prologue and Epilogue. Post Man, 20-22 Oct. 1698: The Entertainment performed at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden, at drawing the Lottery, called the Wheel of Fortune; being the Speeches addrest to the Spectators, as Prologues and Epilogues. During a Symphony of Musick the Curtain rises slowly, and discovers two wheels upon the Stage; then two Figures, representing Fortunev and Astraea the Goddess of Justicev, descend over each Wheel, in two rich Chariots gilt with Gold

Event Comment: Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 518-79: This day being the anniversary of the kings birth...there was also a fine ball at St. James to conclude the solemnity, where the king was present: their royal highnesses the prince and princesse dined with his majestie at Kensington, who all the while were diverted with a fine consort of musick; and Mr Tate, the poet laureat, presented the king with a curious ode

Event Comment: On this day James Brydges attended an unnamed play at this theatre (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. James Brydges, Diary: About 8: Sr G; [Coply] & I...going by ye playhouse in Lincolns inn fields, met Mr Edwin (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. James Brydges, Diary: About 6: he [Brydges' brother Henry] set me down at y- Playhouse in Lincolns inn fields, where I met Me Coke, Mr Hammond, & Sir Godfrey Coply: about 8: I came home (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: Flying Post, 13-15 June 1700: We are credibly informed, That Yesterday a Trial brought on in the Court of Common-Pleas, against one of the players, for Prophanely using the name of God upon the Stage, contrary to an Act of Parliament made in King James the First's time; and that the Verdict was given against the Player; according to the Tenor of the said Act, &c

Event Comment: Benefit James Graves and John Garee. Tickets 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit James Graves. Tickets 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Not Acted these 50 Years. Written by Shakespear in the Reign of King James the First. N.B. There will be a Play acted upon every Tuesday and Friday during the Summer-Season

Event Comment: Benefit Spiller. For the Entertainment of Robinson Crusoe. And whereas I James Spiller of Gloucestershire, having receiv'd an Invitation from Hildebrand Bullock of Liquor-Pond-Street, London, to exercise the usual Weapons of the Noble Science of Defence, will not fail to meet this bold Inviter; desiring a full Stage, Blunt Weapons, and from him much Favour

Event Comment: Translated from the Latin, as it was acted before King James the First by the Students at Cambridge

Event Comment: Benefit Spiller. Your Vote and Interest are desired for James Spiller Comedian, being a Persons well affected to the present Establishment of the said Theatre. Receipts: money #45 13s. 6d.; tickets #52 12s

Event Comment: For a long critique of the play, see St. James Journal, 15 Nov

Event Comment: Never Acted before. [By James Ralph.

Event Comment: Receipts: #32 4s. [Universal Spectator, 16 Jan., reports that the subscription for Rich's new playhouse in Covent Garden has reached #6,000 and that James Sheppard, the architect, has completed the plans for the structure.

Event Comment: Never Perform'd in Publick before. As it was compos'd originally for the most noble James Duke of Chandos, the Words by Mr Pope, and the Musick by Mr Handel. 7 p.m. 5s

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Persons of Distinction. By the Lilliputian Company of Comedians. At the Tennis-Court, in James-street, in the Hay-Market. 7 P.M. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. N.B. The Company will continue to Play every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during the Summer Season. Daily Advertiser, 29 April: I went to see them; upon my entrance I was surpris'd at the Spaciousness and Decencies of the Place; when the Curtain was drawn up, I found the Scenes not inferior to any I had seen, the Stage copious, the Decorations regular, the Actors perfect both in Words and Performance

Event Comment: Benefit a Family in Distress. For the Entertainment of Che-sazan Outsim, Hindy-Gylesangbier, Charadab-sina, Gulgulachem-Chemaunim, and Tichucbactey Ormophan, Sacheoutzim-Sinadab Caocormin, the Chineze Mandarines, lately arrived in England, on a Tour through Europe, being the only People of that Nation, who have been in England since the Reign of King James I. Mainpiece: Written by Colley Cibber, Esq; Poet-Laureat

Event Comment: Tickets for James taken. Receipts: money #7 9s. 6d.; tickets #46 3s. [Benefit for Marshall, according to Egerton 2267.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: This Tragedy is founded on Fact, which happened in the Year 1618, and is recorded in the Annals of King James I

Event Comment: Benefit a Tradesman under Misfortunes. At the Old Tennis-Court in James Street...a Concert of Musick, divided into Two Parts. To which will be given gratis [the two plays]. Stage-Boxes 3s. Front Boxes 2s. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6 p.m. [Announced in Daily Advertiser only.

Event Comment: Benefit a Gentleman who has wrote for the Stage. [Professor John B. Shipley of the University of Colorado has called to my attention a letter written by James Ralph to Thomas Birch, dated 14 February 1741, in which he states that this benefit is to be for Ralph. See B.M. Add. MSS. 4317, fol. 94.

Event Comment: Benefit a Person under Misfortunes. At the Tennis Court, James Street. A Concert. Mainpiece: Written by Colley Cibber, Esq. Places: 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s. 7 p.m

Event Comment: At the Theatre in James Street, near the Haymarket...between the two Halves of a Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick will be presented...gratis...Benefit of Miss Rogers. 6 p.m. Prices, Boxes 3s., Pit 2s., Gallery 1s. Tickets may be secured from Pinchbeck. [Customary notice of prices and concert formula repeated in every notice of performance.