Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. When the play began there was a very great Noise the performers were oblig'd to Stop and go off the Stage Mr Reddish went on and desir'd to Know their pleasure they said they wanted the Pit door be open'd to let out some of the people for so many had Crowded in that they could not Sit down-the door was open'd and in a little time after all was quiet and the Play was begun once more at a quarter after Seven. During this time the King Sent Two Messages to Mr G. to desire that he would not let this Noise disconcert him and his Majesty would take care that all should be quiet before the play began (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble: "I cannot say enough of Mr Garrick's Performance tonight." Kemble further notes that Garrick's fatigue led them to abandon further performances until Saturday 8 June.] Paid Mr Heard extra allowance #3; Ditto on note #5 5s.; Mr Carpenter's salary 15s.; Mr Martini a grautity #10 10s.; Wallis salary in full 13s. 4d. Receipts: #293 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Digges refused to make use of "the too familiar modern manner of speaking blank verse" (London Chronicle, 30 Aug., which also identifies Fotteral, although misspelling his name as "Fotheril").

Event Comment: "In no part of Bensley's voice is there an atom of the tender of mournful. [King Henry] is a part totally unsuited to his powers" (Public Advertiser, 19 Feb.). Receipts: #158 15s. (119.2; 37.15; 1.18)

Event Comment: "Harley's youth and vigour so repeatedly got the better of his endeavours to conceal them under the veil of assumed debility that it was rather the grandson of Lear, who was rehearsing the part of that injured Prince and parent, than the good old King himself" (Diary, 5 Jan.). Receipts: #269 8s. 6d. (266.13.0; 2.15.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Banquet, Court, Procession, as 18 Oct. [Mainpiece in place of King Lear, advertised on playbill of 8 Dec.] Powell: Confederacy rehearsed at 10; Cherokee (music) at 11. Receipts: #189 10s. (136.4; 49.6; 4.0)