Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Pope, but she "was suddenly taken ill on Monday evening, in consequence of which the part of that interesting and favourite actress, in Reynolds's new comedy, was undertaken at a few minutes notice by Mrs Litchfield" (Morning Herald, 19 Dec.).] Receipts: #274 10s. 6d. (265.5.0; 9.5.6)

Event Comment: By Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Lacy, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane. Tickets to be had of Fosbrook, at the Box Office of the Drury Lane Theatre, and Rice, at the Box Office of the Theatre-Royal, Haymarket, where Places for the Boxes may be taken. [Address by John Taylor (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 370). On this night the following appeared both at dl and at the hay: Hollingsworth, Caulfield, Bannister Jun., Suett, Miss Pope, Mrs Bland.

Event Comment: MMiss Weller a Pupil of Dr Arne first appear'd and-(Hopkins Diary). London Evening Post, 11 Jan.; A pupil of Dr Arne and scarecely 19 years of age; her figure is that of the tallest of the middle size, well proportioned and at present possesses a dignity and grace which when habit brings her to perfection cannot fail of being universally admired. Her face is oval with an aqualine nose and though from the timidity of a first appearance the rest of her features lost that necessary animation, yet there were periods when she could disposses herself of her confusion, that prognosticated great expression of countenance. Her voice was clear, commanding, and melodious, and her ear and manner both excellent. She is that kind of singer that one can be pleased from looking at as well as from hearing, --an excellence few vocal performers possess. Her acting abstracted from her voice would have done credit to a first appearance, as it was very pleasing and properly accompanied....What the managers could mean in casting Lucy for Miss Pope is extraordinary, as she sung, or indeed rather squalled every song so much out of tune that it was impossible for the music to accompany her; we do not however mean by this to cast the least reflection on so excellent an actress, as her spirited and judicious manner of playing it almost atoned for that of singing it

Event Comment: MMiss Hollyday. By Command of His Royal Highness. Receipts: money #61 1s. 6d.; tickets #71 7s

Event Comment: MMiss Thurmond play'd (Cross). Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years. Receipts: #150 (Cross); #141 15s. (Powel)

Event Comment: MMiss Bellamy Alicia (Cross). Afterpiece: By desire. Receipts: #70 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Norris did Polly (well) (Cross). Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Bellamy spoke Orig. Epilogue for ye 1st time (Cross). Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Bellamy taken ill. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Bellamy has lain in & is up (Cross). [This month published, The Upper Gallery, a poem, neatly descriptive of the opening scene in a playhouse from the vantage point of the first Gallery. This is an expanded, revised and modernized version of The Upper Gallery inscribed to the Rev Dr Swift, Dublin, 1733.] Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Thomas sung for ye first time in ye Chaplet-very well (Cross). Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Nossiter's name first appeared in the Bills (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Nossiter did Belvidera-vast applause (Cross). [$Murphy in Gray's Inn Journal, 16 Nov., noticed Miss Nossiter's appearance in Belvidera, commenting "that she is, upon many occasions Mistress of the Surprising Attitude and Action," agreeing that she gave promise of excellence, wishing that her voice would mellow into more harmony and softness, and delivering a paragraph of advice from Quintilian on the error of false emphasis in elocution.

Event Comment: MMiss Bellamy play'd Athenais. Sad House (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Kennedy from Bath did Clarinda. Dancing by Marinesi (who lately broke his arm) and Sga? Bugiani (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Macklin's benefit will be on Tuesday the 5th of February; the Play will be the Recruiting Officer, in which she will act the part of Sylvia , and Mr Foote the part of Brazen , being the first time of their appearing in those characters. To which will added a piece by Foote call'd the Knights. Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Macklin did Sylvia -G[reat] Ap[plause]. Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Midnight will give Tea. &c. Benefit for Pittard le Charpentier and a Free Mason

Event Comment: MMiss Macklin did Polly -Well (Cross). Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Haughton did second Constantia-Mrs Cibber gave it up-some days ago ($Cross). [Early in the next year was published The Devil upon Crutches in England; or, Night Scenes in London. By a Gentleman of Oxford. Chapter V gives a Short View of the Theatres including sharp criticism of 'the most barefaced bawdry Farce...that ever disgraced the stage, in which the Manager, who has caused it to be reviv'd, is to perform the principal part. The Play, Sir, is call'd the Chances...and this is the tenth night of its representation to crowded houses...Your fair country women...are fond of the most fulsome obscenity on the stage."] Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Wilkinson has not only complied with the Vulgar Method of printing Bills, but as more elegant Form of Invitation, has sent complimentary Cards to all the Ladies of Distinction. [A debate on the superiority of the fair sex, after which Miss Wilkinson performed on the wire. A Praemium and peroration were spoken by George Alexander Stevens. Well advertised in advance bills. It began at 7 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. This performance, soon changed to A Short Comic Oratorio and had a run here, almost always advertised as by the particular desire of several ladies of quality.

Event Comment: MMiss Young so hoarse she cou'd not sing one Song--Yet all went Calm (Cross). Books of the Masque will be sold at the Theatre. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Pritchard did Lady Betty, & had great applause (Cross). Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Barton for her first appearance did Lady Pliant pretty well--Foote, Sir Paul--the farce was hiss'd ($Cross). [N.B. The Folger Shakespeare Library has this bill, as a stage manager's MS for the printer.] Receipts: #130 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMiss Pritchard did Juliet tho' Mrs Cibber is engag'd (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)