Event Comment: [The Public Advertiser this day contains a long letter from G. F. Theatricus extolling the virtues of Powell, Holland, Yates and Mrs Yates as actors capable of filling the shoes of Garrick and Mrs Cibber, especially with reference to their performance in the Clandestine Marriage, but calling attention also to their excellencies in other parts.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Elliot. This Comedy is intended to be perform'd only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Charges #64 5s. Balance to Miss Elliot #24 9s. 6d. [No tickets seem to have been delivered.] Paid a bill for the Funeral of Mrs Cable #3 8s., and for the funeral of Grace Gould, #4 8s. (Account Book). [The latter had long been a servant in the theatre, and this year was Wardrobe Mistress.] Receipts: #88 14s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #67 2s. (Treasurer's Book). N.B. Dido is oblig'd to be deferr'd a few days (playbill). Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #29 18s. 6d.; Paid Mr Pinto for 3 sets of symphonies #1 11s. 6d. B. Jonson's Head #1 19s. 1d.; Mrs Pritchard's gratuity #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Put on my old clothes and at 5 went to Drury Lane, found the Pit and 2s. gallery quite full, at last had myself squeezed into the Pit, where I was most woefully pressed, but saw very well and got a seat ere the farce began. The play was Cymbeline, with The Deuce is in Him. This play pleases me. The dresses were tolerably proper, ye scenes (particularly that of Imogen's chamber and the Cave) pretty and ye performance of ye principal characters good, but having never read the play, lost a great deal of the effect. Imogen, Mrs Yates, she is very hoarse. In Act II a Masquerade Dance, with singing by Mrs Vincent. After Act III the Vintage. After the play, King in the character of Linco, with Dorcas and others of his neighbors, asking him questions, partly spoke and partly sang, for this night only,-a new very humorous little piece called Linco's Travels, particularly in England. Glad I did not go to the other House, tho I wished to see Macklin, who played there this night only for his daughter's benefit. When the Farce began, the Gods (as those in the Upper Gallery are called) called for the Prologue, on which Packer came on and said, Mr King has not spoke the Prologue this winter, and is now dressing to play in the Farce and hopes the Audience will excuse him." Miss Pope and Miss Plym coming on again were hissed off, and after we had waited some minutes longer, King spoke the Prologue, which was lucky for me who had never heard him speak it. The gods called for it on Monday last, but desisted on the above excuse being made. Almost eleven ere all was over. I now know all the entrances into the Pit and Gallery at Drury Lane (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 12 years. [See 24 Jan. 1758.] Prologue written by Paul Whitehead. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant (only) at the Stage-Door. No persons can be admitted behind scenes, nor any Money returned after curtain is drawn up. To begin exactly at 6 o'clock. [Customary note in succeeding bills.] Receipps: #190 14s. (Account Book). @The New Occasional Prologue@As when the merchant to increase his store@For Dubious seas, advent'rous quits the shore;@Still anxious for his freight, he trembling sees@Rocks in each buoy, and tempest in each breeze@The curling wave to mountain billow swells,@And every cloud a fancied storm fortells:@Thus rashly launch'd on this Theatric main,@Our All on board, each phantom gives Us pain;@The Aatcall's note seems thunder in our ears,@And every Hiss a hurricane appears;@In Journal Squibs we lightning's blast espy,@And meteors blaze in every Critic's eye.@Spite of these terrors, still come hopes we view,@Hopes, ne'er can fail us--since they're plac'd--in you.@Your breath the gale, our voyage is secure,@And safe the venture which your smiles insure;@Though weak his skill, th' adventurer must succeed,@Where Candour takes th' endeavor for the deed.@For Brentford's state, two kings could once suffice;@In ours, behold! four kings of Brentford rise;@All smelling to one nosegay's od'rous savor@The balmy nosegay of--the Public favor.@From hence alone, our royal funds we draw,@Your pleasure our support, your will our law.@While such our government, we hope you'll own us;@But should we ever Tyrant prove--dethrone us.@Like Brother Monarchs, who, to coax the nation@Began their reign, with some fair proclamation,@We too should talk at least--of reformation;@Declare that during our imperial sway,@No bard shall mourn his long-neglected Play;@But then the play must have some wit, some spirit,@And We allow'd sole umpires of its merit.@For those deep sages of the judging Pit,@Whose taste is too refin'd for modern wit,@From Rome's great Theatre we'll cull the piece,@And plant on Britain's stage the flow'rs of Greece.@If some there are, our British Bards can please,@Who taste the ancient wit of ancient days,@Be our's to save, from Time's devouring womb,@Their works, and snatch their laurels from the tomb.@For you, ye Fair, who sprightlier scenes may chuse,@Where Music decks in all her airs the Muse,@Gay Opera shall all its charms dispense,@Yet boast no tuneful triumph over sense;@The nobler Bard shall still assert his right,@Nor Handel rob a Shakespear of his night,@To greet the mortal brethren of our skies [upper galleries]@Here all the Gods of Pantomime shall rise:@Yet midst the pomp and magic of machines,@Some plot may mark the meaning of our scenes;@Scenes which were held, in good King Rich's days,@By sages, no bad epilogues to plays.@If terms like these your suffrage can engage,@To fix our mimic empire of the stage;@Confirm our title in your fair opinions,@And crowd each night to people our dominions.@--(Poems and Miscelaneous Compositions, Ed. Capt. Edward Thompson, 1777) Covent Garden opened with the Rehearsal with alterations. I was in the Pit. Powell, from Drury Lane, one of the new managers who have bought the patent from Rich's heirs, spoke an occasional Prologue. Shuter did Bayes pretty much to my liking, adding many crochets of his own.... Entertainment The Mock Doctor,...Young Jasper pretty well by one Massey, being his first appearance on that stage (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Doors opened at 6 o'clock. To Begin (By Particular Desire) exactly at Seven. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. King of Denmark. Lusignan-Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). For the King of Denmark.--At a Quarter after seven, an Apology was made by Mr Holland--viz.--"The King, being detained longer than he expected, sent word to desire the play might begin as he would not by any means make the publick wait, and he would come as soon as he possibly could,--and he [Holland] desired to know the audience's pleasure whether it should begin before he came."--A great clap and cry'd "No,"--not begin till he comes"--At thirty-five minutes after seven he came, and the play began (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for the British Lying-In Hospital for Married Women, in Brownlow Street, Long-Acre

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Tragedy written by R. Glover. Part of Pit will be laid into Boxes. Send servants by 4 o'clock. Charges #64 19s. Balance to Yates #52 19s. plus #151 3s. from tickets (Box 589; Pit 26) (Account Book). Neville MS Diary: Having places in the Pit at Covent Garden went to see Mrs Yates do Medea in which she is inimitably great. My strong desire to see her in this character was one reason of continuing to town so long. Read her part before the play began. Her husband is truly comic in Tim in the Knights. Receipts; #117 18s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: For the Benefit of the British Lying In-Hospital for Married Women in Brownlow Street, Long Acre (Hopkins). Paid Salary list #501 13s. 6d.; Mrs Abington cloaths acct #2; Mrs S. French, 6 days #1 10s.; Mrs Weston 29 nights at 2s. 6d. per night #3 12s. 6d. Rec'd stopages #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 10s. 6d. Charges #84. Profit to hospital #96 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Egerton. Afterpiece: Not acted in 3 years. [See 3 April 1769.] [Genest in Volume of News Clippings (Harvard Library) quotes Edinburg Evening Courant of 29 April: Last night between the play and the farce at Drury Lane Theatre, a disturbance arose which continued for a full hour. Mr Weston it appeared was in debt to the managers a considerable sum of money, on which account they had impounded all the cash received on his benefit night. This the comedian did not like, and therefore yesterday evening sent word that he could not play, that he was arrested and detained in a springing house, but desired that no apology should be made of his being 'suddenly ill' (the usual stage plea) as it would be an egregious falsehood. After the play Mr Vernon came forward and inform'd the audience that Mr Weston 'was suddenly taken ill' and could not perform. Weston instantly started up in the front of the upper Gallery, and inform'd the house that he was not ill, but in the custody of an officer, and if the audience would have patience he'd inform them of the whole affair. A long altercation ensued. The Managers sent on Mr Vernon repeatedly; and after much pro and con Weston came down and played his part of Sneak." The article must have referred to the 24th of April, when Weston play'd Sneak in The Mayor of Garratt. The Managers promis'd the Town a publication of the whole affair."] Paid Mr Brathwait for men's cloaths #33s. Receipts: #200 8s. Charges: #70 12s. Profit to Mrs Egerton: #129 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Norris. [The play is submerged in a long cconcert program of vocal and instrumental music.] At the Grotto Gardens, St George's Fields

Event Comment: The Tragedy of Hamlet having been greatly Altered by D. G. was perform'd for the first time Mr Garrick playd divinely & Merited the great Applause he receivd It is Alterd much for the better in regard to the part of Hamlet & I think the alterations very fine & proper (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble considerably briefer. See "Garrick's Long Lost Alteration of Hamlet," PMLA, Sept. 1934.] Paid Mr George Garrick on account #100; Mr Bulkley for Mr Weston, #2 8s. (Treasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine comments unfavorably on the Hamlet alteration: "How far the critics will approve these mutations we will not at present determine; but the admirers of Shakespeare must certainly be displeas'd, whenever they see his immortal works mutilated."] Receipts: #284 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy [by Arthur Murphy] never performed The Music by Dr Arne. The Characters New Dress'd. [Long account and generally unfavorable review of Alzuma in the Westminster Magazine for March.] Receipts: #206 18s. 6d

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: [Maria Macklin wrote her father (13 March 1773): Smith has rais'd such a fury in the Town, owing to Colman's having refus'd Mrs Yates to play for him, that last Saturday [6 March] being the fifth night of Alzuma, when the play ought to have begun, the Audience made a most violent noise, called for Colman, insisted that the play should not begin till he was found & the reasons given why Mrs Yates was not suffered to play for Smith. In vain did Bensley endeavor frequently to speak and tell them that Colman was not to be found. The still continued hissing and roaring, and this last till past seven o'clock. Dagge and Harris were behind in a dreadful consternation least the house should be demolished, of which indeed it was in some danger. At last they said something must be said to quiet them, when Smith in the confusion ran on and told them that the managers had consented Mrs Yates should play for him. Then they sent him off to tell them that his day must be settled whenever he thought proper, to give her time to come here. He went off and made them fix it for the 19th of April, went on and told them it was settled. They then insisted that Smith should tell them whether everything was settled to his entire satisfaction. He assured them it was. The play was then ordered to begin. I am told they have given him up his articles for three years, at his desire. Several Gentlemen went round into the Hall and sent for Smith, telling him his private quarrels with the managers were nothing to them. That if Mrs Yates play'd they should be glad to see her, but that as she was not in the company it was not right in him to disturb the play and hinder them from seeing it. He expostulated with them and told his story. The Town rings with this affair. Various are the opinions. Some think it is her plan to get once more upon the stage, and they say there is a most powerful Party making to oppose her & that she shall not play that night. Others say Colman is very wrong to hinder her. I find she entirely built upon your playing for me, and there has been a very impatient card in the Ledger to Colman insisting upon his telling the town why Mrs Yates was hindered to play, and why Mr Macklin had any more right to be suffered to come over so long unmolested to play for Miss Macklin? But that everybody sees thru'....Colman I am certain has not a thing against your playing for me. He seems rather to wish for your coming....I do not think the Yeats's will be engag'd tho' the Town rail much at Mrs Hartley & Miss Miller, and sure enough they are bitter bad....On Tuesday I shall send you the fate of Dr Goldsmith's Comedy, which comes out on Monday next. It is call'd the Mistakes of a Night....Foote's Rary Shew has been rehears'd three mornings but he got no money, so he shews off again at night instead-but it does not fill violently. Alonzo goes on but Barry is too ill to play. The great support of it is Mrs Barry's acting." (Harvard Theatre Collection, A.L.S.)] Receipts: #196 19s

Event Comment: Doors open at 5 o'clock. Play to begin at 6 o'clock. Prices: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places to be had of Mr Johnston at the Stage door. [Customary note, repeated.] Rec'd Mrs Groath's one year's rent to Xmas last #3; Paid Renters #8 (Treasurer's Book). This regular expenditure was made nightly for the 189 acting nights of the season, as well as for the 11 nights on which Oratorio's were given in the Spring. The total amount came to #1600. No further note will be made of this item this season. The Westminster Magazine this month, reiterated its doleful cry "that the stage is on its decline." In a long article on "Stage Effect, or Dramatic Cookery," it concluded that our "Theatrical managers and even our Theatrical Critics seem to have resolved all the merit of dramatic composition into stage trick, and rest their criterion of Dramatic Genius on the knowledge of what they are pleased to call Stage effect." The "Theatre" article for the month remarked upon the boldness of Garrick's opening with the Beggar's Opera, "notwithstanding he was requested by the Bench of Justices at Bow-Street, to suppress it, as they were of opinion it had done a great deal of mischief among the low class of people." Lloyd's Evening Post, 17 Sept., included extracts from letters against playing the Beggar's Opera, "because every performance makes from one two twenty thieves." Sir John Fielding and his associates had addressed a letter to Garrick requesting him not to perform the opera for the same reason. The Morning Chronicle, 23 Sept., praised Garrick for not complying with the Justices' request. Wm Augustus Miles published a Letter to Sir John Fielding occasioned by his extraordinary Request to Mr Garrick for the suppression of the Beggar's Opera (44 pp.). In this he vindicated the moral effect of the opera.] Receipts: #158 (Treasurer's Book). [Note: For perform ance at hay 18 and 20 September, see Season of 1772-1773, p. 1740

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece by Monsigny, Phillidor, and Dibdin. Books of songs at Theatre. The Farce was well rec'd the Music is very pretty. rather too long--much applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Receipts: #183 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 25 Jan. 1772.] [Brown identified by Kemble note on playbill. Macklin no longer appears on the playlist. This day is published at 1s. 6d. The Duellist, a Comedy, as it was represented at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. To which is prefixed a concise Narrative of the very Extraordinary Circumstances attending its Reception. T. Evans Bookseller.] Receipts: #188 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: This Comis Opera is Written by the Revd Mr Bate. It is very Pleasant & the Music pretty. It is admirably Perform'd & was receiv'd with very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). The Music of the Afterpiece by Mr Carter. New Scenes, Dresses, Decoartions for afterpiece. Paid for Licences of Matilda & Rival Candidates #4 4s.; Mr Baddeley on note #10 10s.; Miss Berkley #2 2s. on note (Treasurer's Book). [A long rewiew of the plot of the afterpiece appeared in the Feb. Westminster Magazine, concluding: "In point of dialogue, poetry or music, it is inferior to few, if any, of the modern attempts of a similar kind; amongst which number, however, we desire to be understood not to include the ribald, unmeaning, sing-song compilations of the monotonous Mr Dibdin. The Fable, indeed, is too light and trival to endure the severity of a critical analysis; but it is at least sufficiently important to serve as a vehicle for the music; and the catastrophe has peculiar vivacity and theatrical spirit. Upon the whole the author has fully answered the end he proposed of introducing a deserving young composer whose name, it seems is Carter, to the public and who more than promises to be a composer of taste and genius. In this his first performance he both received and deserved the greatest encouragement and applause. Mr Weston spoke a humorous Epilogue accompanied by a large dog named Dragon, which had a very good effect, but as it was poor Dragon's first time of appearing on the stage, he, like all young performers of true feeling, seemed a good deal frightened...but having conquored his fears, and recovered himself a little, he performed his part very chastely and to the entire satisfaction of all present." Epilogue ends with a satirical remark upon Sg Rossignol, the "bird imitator" at Covent Garden. See 6 Jan. cg.] Receipts: #204 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Barsanti. The Long Continuance of Miss Barsanti's illness, together with a very recent affliction which has fallen the family, having rendered it impossible for her to appear on the stage, Mrs Bulkley has kindly undertaken to perform's for her; which Miss Barsanti humbly hopes will be agreeable to her friends, and that any little apparent Omission, under such peculiar circumstances, will not be construed into want of respect, but that she shall nevertheless obtain the favour of their accustomed patronage

Event Comment: The Managers have given orders that no performer shall appear behind the scenes who is not concerned in the business of the night. The performers now come on and go off without interruption, and the audience in the Upper Boxes are no longer insulted with the monkey tricks of the unemployed actors who used to infest the wings (Folger news clipping from the Morning Post 28 Sept.)

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: Street Ballad, The Duenna or the Double Elopement, a new song to an old Tune: @In the days of Gay, they sing and say,@The town was full of folly:@For all day long, its sole sing-song@Was pretty, pretty Polly.@So now-a-days, as it was in Gay's,@The world's run mad again-a@From morn to night its whole delight@To cry up the Duenna.@One half the town still talks of Brown@The other of Leoni,@While those sly curs, the managers,@Keep pocketing the money... [Brown was the original Clara in the opera. See 16 Dec. 1775 (Hampden, Journal).

Event Comment: Mrs Abington continuing ill, The Maid of the Oaks oblig'd to be deferr'd. Soon after the Farce began off off--no, more, no more, was the General Cry with much hissing--Mr King went on Two or three times to know their pleasure but they would not hear him. They Call'd for Mr Garrick he attended--but they would not hear him for a long time tho' Attempted Several times to speak--at last Somebody said hear him! hear him!--Mr G. told them that he would wait their [sic] all Night with pleasUre if they requir'd it--hear him! again was bellow'd out--he told them he waited to know their pleasure--whether they would have the Blackamoor go on or if they would have any other Farce then a great Noise ensued; as soon as they were quiet Mr G. told them that his Theatrical Life would be very Short and he should be glad to end it in peace--A man in the Pit said if you have a mind to die in Peace don't let this Farce be play'd again Mr Garrick was on and off the Stage several times nothing would content them--at Length Mr King told them that the Author had taken the Copy from the Prompter and was gone away with it.--Soon after this they withdrew So ended this troublesome Affair (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble is considerably lengthened.] Paid Mr Rowland's bill for dinners #8 9s. 3d. Receipts: #284 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit and Increase of a Fund established for the support of Decayed Musicans, or their Families. N.B. The singers have taken cold by sitting too [long] on the stage, it is humbly requested that the [audience] will indulge them with coming on to sing and leaving when the song is finished (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire and advertised as Garrick's last time of performing the character of Lusignan. This Farce of Two Acts was written by Mr Colman -the first Act was receiv'd with great Applause the second Act a little heavy -and not so much Applause as the first (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Park 1 chorus 4 nights (Jubilee) #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine for March tells the plot of the afterpiece, and concludes: "The wit and dialogue of this piece will hardly keep it long in esteem with the public. They are sometimes lively, but generally pert and affected."] Receipts: #272 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)