Event Comment: On Friday morning at nine o'clock will be a general practice of the new Opera Tolomeo

Event Comment: Benefit for General Lying-In Hospital, Duke St

Event Comment: Benefit for the General Lying-in Hospital, Duke St. [a long advertisement in the Public Advertiser, similar to that for 16 April 1761, notes the service the hospital has performed for some 6000 destitute "female objects" wives of soldiers and sailors.] Second Gallery 3s. 6d. 6:30 p.m

Event Comment: MMr Foote's Oratorical Lectures will be continued in the New Theatre in the Haymarket this day, between Twelve and One noon. [In six parts]: 1. Oratory in general, 2. Its utility demonstrated from its universality, 3. Distinct species of oratory, 4. The present practice peculiar to the English, 5. Necessity of an Academy, 6. The propriety of appointing the author perpetual professor. The whole to be illustrated in apt instances by a set of pupils long trained to the art, one of which is amazing proof of the force of Genius when properly cultivated (Public Advertiser). [These lectures were given 36 times and referred thereafter this season as The Orators.

Event Comment: Benefit for The General Lying In Hospital, By Particular Desire of the Foreign Ambassadors and others of the Nobility. Part of Pit will be laid into Boxes, where Servants will be allowed to keep places

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. A new comic Opera...by several...composers. [A general Practice upon the Stage at 11 a.m. 6 Jan.

Event Comment: A new comic Opera...By Command of their Majesties. Music-Galuppi. Overture-J. S. Bach. Text-Goldoni. The first performance in England. Deferred from 30 Jan., because of Martyrdom of King Charles I. [A general Practice upon the Stage at noon 28 Jan.

Event Comment: [The following notice appeared in the Public Advertiser]: Whereas a very unjustifiable disturbance happened last night at this theatre; the managers think it incumbent upon them to acquaint the Publick that when the Opera of Artaxerxes was in rehearsal it was determined that no expence should be spared to render the performance as elegant as the nature of so peculiar an Entertainment would admit. This desire occasioned so considerable an increase of the nightly charge 'twas thought by many disinterested persons would justify additional prices; but to avoid giving the least umbrage, and in gratitude for the Public indulgence on other occasions, no such advance was attempted. When it is known that the extraordinary nightly expence attending this performance amounts to upwards of Fifty Pounds it is humbly apprehended no persons of justice and candour will think the Full Price an exorbitant gratification for such unusual disbursements. The Management therefore flatter themselves that a resolution to oppose the arbitrary and illegal demands of a particular set of persons, contrary to the general sense of audience, will not be deemed arrogant or unreasonable, especially when those demands are enforced by means subversive to Private Property, and in violation of that decorum which is due to all public assemblies

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera. Music by several composers. [General rehearsal had taken place at noon 13 April.

Event Comment: Benefit for the General Lying-In Hospital

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door of the Theatre. No money to be return'd after the curtain is drawn up. To begin at 6 o'clock. No persons to be admitted behind Scenes. [Customary notice on each bill. Only significant differences will be noted hereafter. Special notice appeared on all Bills this season from 19 Sept.-19 Nov. 1763]: Whereas many Complaints have been made of Interruptions, in the performances at this theatre, occasion'd, by the Admission of Persons behind the Scenes; in Order to prevent the Like for the Future, it is humbly hop'd, no Nobleman or Gentleman, will insist on a Privilege so displeasing to the AUDIENCE in General; whose APPROBATION it is the DUTY, as well as the INTEREST, of the Managers, to endeavour, on all Occasions, to deserve

Event Comment: Benefit the General Lying-In Hospital. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Subscriber's tickets will be admitted

Event Comment: A New Opera, the Musick by Dr Arne. [A general rehearsal had been put on for subscribers on Friday.

Event Comment: Benefit for The General Lying-In Hospital. Tickets to be had at the Smyrna Coffee House, Pall Mall, and at the Stage Door. N.B. Tickets deliver'd for The Distress'd Mother will be admitted

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c

Event Comment: By Particular Desire of the Right Honorable and Honorable The Governors (Being the Last Time of performing till the Holidays). Not acted this season. For the Benefit of the General Lying-In Hospital, Quebec Street, Oxford Road. Charges #85 5s., Balance to Hospital #5 6d. Hospital also receiv'd #156 10s. from tickets (Box 544, Pit 116, Gallery 31). Paid for 1 year's watch for theatre due at Xmas #12 10s. and for the House in Bow Passage 12s. 6d. Paid Dunstall the balance due for the theatrical Fund #136 17s. (Account Book). Receipts: #90 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Author's Night. N.B. As the time limited by Mr Foote's Patent is now expiring the Company will perform every night of the week, (Saturday excepted). Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Barry and Mrs Dancer. Tuesdays and Thursdays Mr Foote (Public Advertiser). Set down as much as I can remember of the additions to the Orators. In the evening finished a copy for the Printer of the General Evening Post of an answer to a flattering letter which appeared in that paper some time ago. It is in praise of the Duke of York and other wretches, who not knowing how to spend enough of the Nation's money have fitted up a Theatre in St James Street on which to exhibit their own folly and profusion (Neville MS Diary). [Neville's piece appeared in the Post 8 Sept.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Theatrical Register, 1769: This is a very masterly performance, in general more pleasing (though less grand) than many of Handel's Oratorios, the subject of the drama not requiring that Solemnity of stile which some others demand. Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: To be published by Subscription: A General History of The Stage, for the last ten years; comprehending all remarkable Occurrences during that Period, the Production and Success of every new Piece, and Anecdotes of the Principal Performers. By Joseph Younger. Prompter to the Theatre Royal In Covent Garden. Printed Proposals to be had Becket and DeHondre in the Strand, and of Griffin in Catherine Street

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pinto. Last time of performing till the Holidays. Advertisement for Younger's General History of the stage, repeated. Charges #74 9s. Balance to Mrs Pinto #77 4s. 6d. plus #93 14s. from Tickets (Box 300; Pit 98; Gallery 40) (Account Book). Receipts: #151 13s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Younger. Tickets deliver'd for Macbeth , by Branson and Miss Helme, will be taken. Mr Younger being oblig'd by Mr Powell's illness, to change his play of Macbeth to the above tragedy, humbly hopes for the Indulgence of his Friends and the Public in general. Charges #67 9s. Balance to Younger #18 3s. 6d. plus #48 9s. from tickets (Box 97; Pit 110; Gallery 77). [Branson and Miss Helme seem to have borne none of the charges and to have received full value for their tickets]: Branson #33 (Box 29; Pit 99; Gallery 109); Miss Helme #16 14s. (Box 1; Pit 63; Gallery 70). Receipts: #85 12s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for New General Lying In Hospital in Store St., Tottenham Court Road. Charges #85 10s. Balance to Hospital #10 17s. 6d., plus income from tickets #116 15s. (Box 377, Pit 150). Paid Tenducci for his performance in Amintas the 21st Inst. #30 (Account Book). [Shuter's Occasional Epilogue is Larpent MS 303.] Receipts: #96 7s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick, Fox, Hamilton and Bates. Tickets sold at the doors will not be admitted. Charges #65 14s. 6d. Deficit to each actor #5 9s. 1 1!2d., covered by income from tickets: Quick #45 13s. (Box 40; Pit 169; Gallery 103); Fox #54 13s. (Box 60; Pit 219; Gallery 68); Hamilton #28 12s. (Box 40; Pit 72; Gallery 78); Bates #27 3s. (Box 28; Pit 69; Gallery 98). Paid Mr Osborne the Balance due for Benefit of New General Lying in Hospital the 22d Dec. last #10 17s. 6d. Half values from tickets receiv'd from Rose, Wilkinson, Mrs Griffiths, Flight, Roberts, Robson, Norbury, Fransdorf, Miller, and Walker (Account Book). Receipts: #43 18s

Event Comment: By authority. Benefit for Vandermere. As this play is desired in Lieu of the Clandestine Marriage, Mr Vandermere humble hopes it will be acceptable to his Friends in general. Tickets for the Clandestine Marriage will be taken

Event Comment: Benfit for New General Lying In Hospital, Store Street, Totenham Court Road. Last time of performing till the Holidays