Event Comment: Benefit for Hull. Books of the afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. Afterpiece: Founded on the plan of the old Ballad of that name. The songs adapted to old English, Irish and Scotch tunes. [Shuter's Prologue is Larpent MS 218, wherein he enters in character of a Ballad singer, interrupting the music as the overture comes to a close. He sings snatches from some ten old ballads, stopping in the midst of each to comment on the superiority of modern circumstances which parallel those referred to in the old ballads. As the bell rings he introduces the afterpiece.

Event Comment: Paid Ben Johnson's Head [a local Tavern, for food and drink] a bill 15s. 1d.; Paid Baker for concerto #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #139 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: They have better gangs of Highwaymen and whores here than at ye other Theatres. The Farce was ye School Boy, a low smutty thing (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: [T+Theatrical Monitor, No VI appeared this day with a blast, in the form of an occasional Epilogue, at the morals, language and plan of the Oxonian in Town. This was the first performance of Macklin's afterpiece in London. It had been played in Dublin. "Its curious idiom, half-brogue, and half Cockney, puzzled the audience, as did its highly topical Irish allusions. With his usual candor, Macklin observed: 'I believe the audience are right. (The play was withdrawn after this single performance.) There's a geography in humor as well as in morals, which I had not previously considered--'" Cooke, Macklin, p. 270. According to Kirkman, in his curtain speech Macklin "courageously admitted: 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very sensible tha there are several passages in this play which deserve to be probated and I assure you that they shall never offend your ears again!' As soon as Mr Macklin had finished this address, the audience testified their approbation of his determination, by loud and reiterated plaudits" (Kirkman, Memoirs of the Life of Macklin, II, 3). See Also Charles Macklin: An Actor's Life by William W. Appleton (Cambridge, Mass., 1960), p. 141.

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Event Comment: Benefit for Hull. Mainpiece: Not acted this season. Charges #65 17s. Deficit to Hull #17, covered by #121 3s. from tickets (Box 233; Pit 280; Gallery 209). Paid Hull for The Garland, The Spanish Lady and Altering the Comedy of Errors #50. Paid Miss Mary Twist and Miss Charlotte Twist for walking 12 nights in Man and Wife #1 10s. apiece (Account Book). Receipts: #48 17s

Event Comment: This New Comedy [Mainpiece] written by Mr Cumberland receiv'd with the greatest applause imaginable particularly Mr Moody's part. He play'd finely--it will have a great run (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations, &c. (Winston MS 10). [A six and one-half column review of the plot appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine for Feb. 1771.