Event Comment: The Merchant of Venice and Love a-la-Mode [both advertised on playbill of 19 Dec.] are obliged to be deferred on Account of the Indisposition of Macklin. Receipts: #145 5s. 6d. (139.17.0; 5.8.6)

Event Comment: [The plays originally intended to be acted on this night were The Man of the World and Rosina, both advertised on playbill of 18 Nov. The playbill for this night, however, announces Love in a Village, with Mrs Billington as Rosetta, and Barataria, and carries the note "On Account of the sudden Indisposition of Macklin, The Man of the World is obliged to be deferred." But a third change had to be made; in place of Love in a Village and Barataria were substituted The Conscious Lovers and Hob in the Well, occasioned by the sudden indisposition of Mrs Billington" (World, 20 Nov.).] Receipts: #158 3s. (150.14.6; 7.8.6)

Event Comment: [As mainpiece the playbill announces The Merchant of Venice, but "On Account of Macklin's sudden Indisposition, The Merchant of Venice cannot be performed; and this Evening will be presented...The Nunnery, with...The Child of Nature, [and] The Farmer" (printed slip on BM playbill, cg, Vol. VI).] Receipts: #214 6s. 6d. (206.4.0; 8.2.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Chapman. [In 1st piece the Young Lady is identified in Morning Herald, 20 May, only as "Niece to the late Alexander Fordyce, Esq., and a pupil of the veteran Macklin."] Morning Herald, 10 May: Tickets to be had of Miss Chapman, No. 33, Norfolk-street, Strand. Receipts: #199 8s. 6d. (62/4/0; 10/12/6; tickets: 126/12/0)

Event Comment: "Though not equal to Macklin [Palmer, whose 1st appearance as Shylock was at Liverpool, 2 July 1773] was respectable. He differed from the usual readings in some parts, particularly in the following: 'Many a time-and oft On the Rialto-you have rated me, &c.' This is certainly better...by uniting the oft with the Rialto, which is the most public place in Venice, it gives the observation additional force" (Monthly Magazine, June 1796, p. 408)