Event Comment: New Overture and Pieces of Music Between the Acts. Music by Barthelemon. New Scenes, Habits and Decorations. The Scenes designed by DeLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, Royer, and Greenwood. Books of the songs and Chorusses to be had at the Theatre. This piece is got up in a most Superb manner. The Scenery is beyond description fine -& the whole Performance tho' the most complicated upon the stage went off with uncommon Applause. Mrs Abington played finely--Mr Slingsby & Sga Hidou danc'd for the first time & were Amazingly well Rec'ed. The Ballets are very Grand (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #17 18s.; Paid salary list #567 16s.; J. French on Acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: Never performed before, by John Burgoyne. [The review in the Westminster Magazine, Nov. 1774, tells the plot, and concludes: "After some superb exhibitions of transparent scenery, several characteristic airs, and elegant dances, Mr Oldworth...proclaims Maria his only daughter and gives her to Sir Harry. After a dance of Cupids, Hymen, &c....offering them eternal wreaths, the Druid of the Oaks, freed by the present powers of Beauty from that sequestered habitation to which by mystic spells he had long been doomed, appears to ratify their union, and astonishes the spectators by his magic influence, in a glorious vision of that felicity the virtues of the happy pair had so justly insured. An admirable vaudeville, and a grand dance, conclude the dramatic entertainment....Had it not appeared obvious that the whole was intended as a mere vehicle for the splendid spectacle, we do not suppose, in spite of the managers Orders and Puffs, that the author's labors would have been tolerated. The very excellent scenery, however, of the ingenious Mr Loutherbourg preserved this piece from that damnation, which as a dramatic production, it justly merited."] Receipts: #263 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Comedy is written by Mr Cumberland but I think inferior to his other Productions was tolerably well receiv'd but a most excellent Epilogue was Written by Mr G. & Spoken by Mrs Abington which gave a great Lift to the Play Uncommon Applause to the Epilogue (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid Mr Lauchery per order #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). [From the Westminster Magazine, Dec. 1774: We cannot think Mr Cumberland has courted the Comic Muse in this play so successfully as in the West Indian, and the rest of his comedies. His language is unexceptionably good; he is often as witty as Congreve, as easy as Vanbrugh, and as satirical as Wycherly. But language alone will not do. The plot is ill conducted.] Receipts: #243 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Milwood Mrs King So, so, Barnwell first time by Mr Brereton very well. The Jubilee is reviv'd with Alterations and Additions in the Pageant It was receiv'd with vast Applause (Hopkins Diary). [The Westminster Magazine for Dec. remarked on The Jubilee: "It appeared with still greater splendor [than in its original performance in 1769] from the introduction of more pageants and characters. Romeo and Juliet made a different appearance in this procession, and their was likewise a new Pageant for the Tragedy of Coriolanus, which was not introduced before. The scenes were either all new painted, or quite new."] Receipts: #242 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera of Two Acts written by Mr Bate--Much hissing and Crying out no more no more!--Mr Reddish was desired to give out the Play as soon as Matilda was over--but he with his usual politeness ran up and undress'd himself as fast as he could so that the play was not given out till the End of the Farce as soon as the Blackamoor was given out for the next Night they kept a great Noise and call'd for another Farce to be given out--at length they began to be more appeas'd and went away vowing Vengeance on it the next Night (Hopkins Diary). The Overture and Music of the afterpiece entirely New. Books of the Songs &c. to be had at the Theatre. New Scenes, Dresses, &c. [This is Larpent MS 400. Sir Oliver Oddfish distrusts his servants and is about to replace them with blacks, giving his nephew the chance to introduce Frederick , his daughter Julia 's lover, in disguise as a blackamoor, and to effect an elopement. Act I criticizes Londoners and concludes with the comment, "O that I should ever live to see the day when white Englishmen must give place to foreign blacks." MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid the late Mr Johnston's bill to his executors #44 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Afterpiece reviewed in three columns in the Westminster Magazine for Feb. Reviewer thought it had been produced well in all departments, music, scenery, costume, and acting, but concluded it a theatrical trifle giving not much credit to its author.] Receipts: #166 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Tragedy written by Mr Hume was receiv'd with very great Applause Indeed Mrs Barry Seem'd inspir'd She never Appeard to moor Advantage uncommon Applause (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Paid 4 Day's salary list #348 5s.; Tallow chandler's 6th bill #44 14s. Mr Reddish's draft #10 10s.; Mr Racket for Women's cloaths #12; Mr Dibdin Draft #70 (Treasurer's Book). [Westminster Magazine for March gives a long, and unfavorable review of the new tragedy, concluding Home's genius lies not in the tragic way.] Receipts: #237 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime (never performed). The Music entirely new, by Fisher, New Scenes, Machines, Dresses, and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. [The note about full prices and availability of books of songs, &c. accompanies each subsequent bill for Sylphs this season. The Westminster Magazine (Jan. 1774) fears the afterpiece may have been composed by Woodward. The reviewer recounts the story in some detail, likes the paintings and scenery, but states categorically: "We do not hesitate to pronounce it the worst Harlequin entertainment we remember to have seen...The music too is very insipid and pilfered from other masters."] Receipts: #237 3s. 2d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Tragedy never performed there. Mrs Yates first appearance this stage in 8 years. This Play is from the Orestes of Voltaire Mrs Yates who has been at Covent Garden these 8 years is now return'd & chose to make her first appearance in the part of Electra. Mr Garrick wrote an Excellent Prologue & Epilogue for the Occasion both of which were greatly receiv'd With great Applause. The Play is very dull & heavy & Mrs Yates wanted Spirit greatly in the part of Electra had but little Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days at #91 8s. 10d. #457 4s. 2d.; Mr French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [From Westminster Magazine, Oct. (of the mainpiece): From its want of business, it is a very heavy, tedious performance. Most of the scenes are mere declamations; and a certain air of coldness and apathy, which is the peculiar characteristic of French drama, runs thro the whole, which must ever render it unpleasing as well as uninteresting to an English Audience." Gave a severe comment on the Prologue with its theme "home is home be it ever so homely." Preferred the Epilogue. The perspective scenery of Argosv, the Palace of Aegisthusv, and the Tomb of Agamemnonv, designed by Loutherbourg, and painted by Messrs French and Roy, were warm and spirited, and the dresses elegant and characteristic."] Receipts: #243 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Robins made her first appearance upon the Stage in the part of the Country Girl an agreeable figure as a Woman & also in Breeches-she has a particular Cuddenish wa with her wch is not amiss in this Character, but I am afraid it will be a disadvantage to her in any other. Mr G. took great pains with her, & a long time in Training her before he brought her out he wrote & introduc'd a Song in the part and a New Prologue to introduce her & alter'd the Epilogue. all which & the Lady were very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] The Songs introduced in the Comedy [mainpiece] will be printed, and given at the doors of the Theatre. [The Westminster Magazine for December remarked of Miss Robbins' performance and reception, "The first was spirited and characteristic; the latter very favorable, and in our opinion deservedly so. She is no beauty but has strong expression. Her voice is pleasing, and her articulation was extremely distinct and proper."] Receipts: #149 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Play is alter'd by Mr Lenox from Eastward hoe! it was well perform'd and had Applause--some hisses at the End it won't do much (Hopkins Diary). Characters new dress'd in Habits of the Time. (MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Mr Abrahams by Mr D. G. #40; Mr Caesar for Trimmings #6 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Long review of the play and its merits and demerits as an adaptation appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Nov. It was approved of in general.] Receipts: #189 8s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 12 years. [See 26 April 1763.] This Comedy is reviv'd for the Queen to See Mr G. in Sir Anthony Bramble which he perfkrmed inimitably--he wrote and spoke a New Address to the Ladies in the Character of Sr. Anto. which was receiv'd with very great Applause. The Play is long and heavy (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid salary list #624 6s. 6d.; Westminster Charity Subscription #5 5s.; Griffith 3 weeks 15s.; Mrs Greville for cloaths in Irish Widow, #5 9s. Receipts: #273 1s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comic Opera [by R. B. Sheridan] never perform'd. The Music partly New and partly selected from the most eminent composers. With a New Overture, Scenes, Dresses, and Other Decorations. Books of the songs in the Opera to be had at the Theatre. [This note repeated on subsequent bills.] Afterpiece: Not acted these 10 years. [See 19 May 1767.] [Reviewed in the Westminster Magazine for Nov. which commented on the witty dialogue and effectiveness of the music. It was "puffed" gently in the Public Advertiser 22 Nov.: "Receiv'd with every mark of approbation that could be given. It will be repeated tomorrow evening with the Farce of the Apprentice."

Event Comment: Benefit for increasing the Fund for Support of Decay'd Musicians, or their Families. Pit and Boxes to be put together at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. Doors open at Five. Gallery at Four, to begin at Half an Hour after Six. None to be admitted without tickets. Tickets delivered to Subscribers to this Charity will admit one person into any part of the House. Subscribers tickets may be had of Richard Dawson at his house near Henry the VII's Chapel, Westminster, who is empower'd by the Society to deliver them, and to receive the subscriptions. The Governors beg leave to inform the Nobility and Gentry to whom this Charity is so much oblig'd, that from June 1756 to June 1757 they have necessarily laid out for decay'd musicians and their families, widows of decay'd musicians, and in maintaining and educating orphans who are left in distress, and in putting them Apprentice, and for Physic, Burials, and other incidental charges #532 13s. 7d. The Books are open and may be inspected by subscribers the first Sunday in every month at a meeting of the Governors, at the Turk's Head in Greek Street, Soho. All expenses attending the meetings of the Governors, Court of Affidavits Committee for managing of this Concert, are defrayed by themselves

Event Comment: Principal Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley, leader of the band; C. Ashley, W. Parke, Boyce, Barret, R. Ashley, Parkinson, Woodham, Jenkinson, M'Arthur, the Munros, Purney, Cantelo, Taylor, M'Intosh, Gwilliam, Nicks, Cobham, Leffler, Betts, Flack, Dressler, Cornish, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Ware, J. Ware, Wood, G. Jones, Moorehead, Slezack, Francis, Jackson, Vial, White, &c. Organ by J. Ashley. The Band and Chorusses will be numerous and complete, and assisted by the Trombones and Double Drums, used at Handel's Commemoration at Westminster Abbey [in 1784]. The whole under the direction of Ashley Sen. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the stage door. The Doors to be opened at 6:00, and the Performance to begin at 7:00 precisely [same throughout oratorio season]. Half Price will be taken at 9:00. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance to be had at the Theatre (6d.)