Event Comment: This Play (Medea) was performed the first time for the Managers-Mrs Yates was fine in her Character; but the Play is too heavy and will not do (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #142 5s

Event Comment: Grist Axalla--some Hisses (+Hopkins Diary). [Prologue by Nicholas Rowe.] Receipts: #193 15s. 6d

Event Comment: Alexander the Great? [announced on playbill of 4 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred. [The playbill lists Mrs Yates as Lady Townly, but see following note. Miss Younge's name appears in all subsequent playbills, except on 19 Dec.] Alexander was advertised for this Night, but Lacy being hoarse, who was to have played Alexander, it was obliged to be deferred, and this Play substituted. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock at (Night) before we got it settled. Mr. Sheridan ordered me not to send to Mrs. Yates about (it) till the Morning. About eight o'clock I sent her Notice that the Provoked Husband was to be performed at Night. A little after nine, she sent Word by her Niece that she was never so ill treated in her life, that she was never before asked to play on the fifth of November [which day was traditionally set aside for the acting of Tamerlane], that she would not play Lady Townly that Night, nor would she play any more; and if she had an Inclination to play, she had no Cloaths ready to play it in; and sent back the Part of Semiramis in a new Tragedy that was preparing [see 16 Nov., 14 Dec.]. I got Miss Younge to do Lady Townly, and an Apology was made by Packer that Mrs Yates having refused this Morning to do Lady Townly, Miss Younge at a Minutes' Notice undertook to do it. Miss Younge was much applauded and Yates had a few hisses (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #179 11s. 6d

Event Comment: Epilogue by David Garrick. Second Ballet: with New Scenes [by deLoutherbourg] and Dresses [by Lupini]. Two new Grand Ballets, composed by Gallet, were introduced in this Piece (The Maid of the Oaks) in which Gallet and Mlle Dupre made their first Appearance upon the Eng. Stage--the first Dance, which was to be in the 2nd Act, was obliged to be deferred till the end of the 3rd Act, as Lupini, who made the Dancers Dresses, had not brought them to the House--this put us all into great Confusion, and Dodd made an Apology to the Audience, that an unforseen Accident had prevented the Dance being done in the proper Place. At the beginning of the 3rd Act most of the Dresses were brought, but not all, and some of the Dancers were obliged to put on what Dresses could be got for them--They were all very much confused--the Music also was not perfect. Gallet went on, and spoke in French to the Audience, and told the Band that he wished they had any Heads. In the first Dance Mlle Dupre fell down, and a little after Gallet fell down, but (they) did not hurt themselves, and the Dance went on--and even with all these Disadvantages was much applauded (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #181 19s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years [not acted since 20 Apr. 1765]; in [it] will be introduced a Grand Triumphal Entry of Publiusv, with the original Music composed by Boyce. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] This is the first Time that Mrs Yates played since the Paper Quarrel between the Managers and her. Before the Play began Mrs Yates went on, and made the following apology, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope what has been already published has been sufficient to satisfy the Publick that I did not intend to affront or insult them. I have only to add, that it ever has (been) and ever shall be my Study and Endeavour to please that Publick from (whom) I have received so many Favours." The Audience applauded, and the Play went on--Mrs Yates played finely and had great applause (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #145 2s. 6d

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Smith Don Felix--very so, so. The Play was very imperfect (+Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #249 12s. 6d. (235.6.0; 12.15.6; 1.11.0)

Event Comment: "When Brabantio speaks to Iago and Roderigo from the Window, Aickin should not show to the audience that he stands upon a Ladder, which he manifestly does, by getting down first, and pulling the Window down after him ... Mrs Ward and Mrs Hopkins seemed to have forgot their Engagement on the Stage, and dressed themselves for a Card Party ... frizzed, hooped and fly-capp'd" (Public Advertiser, 4 Oct.). [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #152 0s. 6d. (107/7/0; 44/11/0; 0/2/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Hull and Miss Hopkins. 2nd piece: Written by [John] Hoole, the elegant Translator of Tasso, Ariosto, &c. Receipts: #208 0s. 6d. (55/2/0; 7/10/0; tickets: 145/8/6)

Event Comment: This Musical Farce of one Act was wrote by Mr G on purpose to introduce Miss Abrams (a Jew) about 17 Years old. She is very small, a Swarthy Complexion, has a very sweet Voice and a fine Shake, but not quite power enough yet-both the Piece and Young Lady were receiv'd with Great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Books of the Songs, Choruses etc. of Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. The Conscious Lovers oblig'd to be deferred till Monday, with which will be performed the last new Grand Ballet, The Savage Hunters. [Advertisement to the published edition: "The author of this musical Farce, begs leave to inform the readers, if there should be any, that it was merely intended to introduce The Little Gipsy to the public, whose youth and total inexperience of the stage made it necessary to give as little dialogue to her character as possible, her success depending wholly upon her singing-This reason added to another, which is that the piece was produced at an early part of the season, when better writters are not willing to come forth, is the best apology the Author can make for its defects."] Paid 6 days salary list at #104 7s.-per diem, #626 2s.; Mr Lamash on note #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [The note on sale of books of the songs and choruses for the afterpiece occurs on all subsequent bills this season in which May Day is mentioned. The songs and chorusses and overture by Dr Arne. The afterpiece reviewed in Westminster Magazine for Nov.: The preparation is palatable, and the hand of the preparer is discoverable from the affinity between the scene of Roger and the Old Man, and that of whittle and Thomas in the Irish Widow....The Music of the overture and Finale were remarkably light and pretty: some of the airs also did Dr Arne credit. As to Miss Abrams, she has a sweet pipe, and a natural shake that charmed us;-If maturity does but strengthen her voice, at the same time that it gives her ease in deportment, she will prove an ornament to the stage."] Receipts: #205 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by George Edward Ayscough, based on Semiramis, by Voltaire. Prologue by the author. Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (see text)]: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy is a translation from Voltaire by Captain Ayscough. Mrs Yates played finely, and met with the Applause she deserved. Mrs Reddish, alias Mrs Canning, who played the part of Azema, was hissed all through, and must never perform again. Indeed she was very bad. The Play was greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 24 Dec. 1776: This Day is published Semiramis (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 3s. 6d. (224.16.6; 0.0.0; 1.7.0)

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber's first appearance this season (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: MMrs Love play'd Mrs Peachum very bad. Her fit seem'd a very Aukward Imitation of Mrs Pritchard in the Jealous Wife (Hopkins). Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money received at the Stage Door. None returned after the curtain is up. Play to begin exactly at 6 o'clock. Places may be had of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door. Vivat Rex et Regina. [Customary notice, which will not be repeated here, Sept. 15 David Garrick & his Lady set out for Italy from his house in Southampton St. Covent Garden (Winston MS 9). Winston also refers to a Sept. 9 Letter from T. Davies, cg, to the poet Charles Churchill begging he would not introduce so unimportant a person as himself in his Smithfield Rosciad.] Receipts: #248 9s. (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: MMrs Yates very imperfect, and played very bad (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #63 5s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: MMrs Fitzhenry hissed a little. Mr Dodd being ill, Master Burton played Fribble in the pantomime (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: MMrs Jeffries made her first appearance on this stage in Belinda.--not perfect.--was pretty well received.--is a little smart figure (Hopkins MS Notes). At 15 minutes past 4, took my place in the Pit at Drury Lane to see the Provok'd Wife. Mr Garrick is inimitable as Sir John Brute, Palmer does Heartfree, and Mrs Abington Lady Fanciful (with a song not printed in the play) very well. Constant by Cautherly, whose figure and manner I do not like, Vernon in Col. Bully sings a song (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: MMrs Hippisley d---k, and could not speak (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: MMrs Aubin against Mr Henly. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality Mrs Aubin will make an Oration. Also a Concert. At Topham's Great Room, now The Lady's Oratory. At 6 p.m. Tickets 2s. 6d

Event Comment: MMrs Pendarves, 27 Nov.: They [The king's] have Farinelli, Merighi, with no sound in her voice, but thundering action-a beauty with no other merit; and one Chimenti, a tolerable good woman with a pretty voice, and Montagnana, who roars as usual! With this band of singers, and dull Italian operas, such as you almost fall asleep at, they presume to rival Handel-who has Strada, that sings better than ever she did; Gizziello, who is much improved since last year; and Annabali, who has the best part of Senesino's voice and Caristini's, with a prodigious fine taste and good action! We have had Alcina, and Atalanta, which is acted tonight for the last night with the fireworks....Mrs Porter acts three times a week; I have made a party to go next week; she is the only support of the stage, the house is crammed whenever she acts.-Delany, Autobiography, I, 5578-79

Event Comment: MMrs Woffington continuing greatly indisposed, the Play of All's Well that Ends Well is oblig'd to be deferr'd till further notice. Receipts: #60

Event Comment: MMrs Woffington fainted (Rylands MS.). Last night, in the First Act of All's Well, which was acted at Drury Lane, Mrs Woffington was taken so violently ill, that she fainted away, as she stood at the scenes, ready to come on; After a proper Apology being made, the Audience with great Humanity and Patience, waited till another person dress'd to read the part.--This night the Alchemist (by Particular Desire) is to be performed; and on Thursday, His Royal Highness and the Duke and Princesses have commanded the Tender Husband. On Friday the Play All's Well will be represented; when if Mrs Woffington is not recover'd, Mrs Mills will be ready in the part. Receipts: #100

Event Comment: MMrs Cross now doubling in Mrs Peachum and Diana Trapes

Event Comment: MMrs Tame (see 15 April hay) had announced for her benefit this night The Old Batchelor, with Cibber as Fondlewife, Giffard as the Old Batchelor, and Mrs Giffard as Laetitia, to be followed by Tom Thumb, with Mrs Tame playing Tom Thumb, but a notice of 11 April states that Mrs Tame was ill and the performance had to be deferr'd

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber being perfectly recovered of her late indisposition will certainly perform on Saturday next in Hercules