Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard (Cross). Mainpiece: Not acted these 30 years. This day publish'd. Price 1s. Reflections upon Theatrical Expression in Tragedy. [By Roger Pickering. This is a defense of the theatrical profession, "which in all countries is considered low and contemptible." Author's thesis: "A master of theatrical expression in all its extensive significancy must be possess'd of such accomplishments, as to set the profession above all contempt." Garrick is mentioned as best example. True tragic expression "requires Genius, Education, Reading, Experience...and a solidity of thought which never accompanies abject morals" (p. 11). Includes an interesting treatise on acting-sections on figure, voice, ear, memory, management of feet and legs. Comments on costume: "Taste in dress demands that an actor be conversant in the mode of dress ancient and modern, in other countries as well as in our own...Alexander and Cato were not masters of the snuff box, nor Greek women of French heels." The appendix asks why all our plays are not dressed in character in point of time and place, and why they do not contain at least one "scene" proper to the country. The author (p. 61) sees need for variety in acting same role, especially when a play has a continuous run of several nights. He calls (p. 77) for creation of appropriate mood for the play by selection of proper music between the acts. Wants a softening of the prompter's bell. Concludes by damning contemporary audience manners, especially those of the stage loungers (pp. 79-81).] Receipts: #314 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Gibbons, Watson, and Master Moore. Tickets deliver'd out by Mr Walker, Dancing Master, and Marr will be taken. Tickets for the Revenge will be taken. Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: Notice is hereby Given that the Annual Feast of the Shakespeare Society will be held on Wednesday the 10th of March next, at the Shakespeare's Head Tavern, Covent Garden, and that tickets are left with the Master of that House to be disposed of to the Gentlemen who subscrib'd for tickets for the last Feast, and who are to call for them on or before the 7th of February. Such Tickets as are not call'd for by that day will be delivered to the Steward to be otherwise disposed of; The person's name to whom a ticket is deliver'd, will be indorsed thereon, and no other person admitted thereby. E.B. Secreatary (Public Advertiser). Receitps: #170 (Cross)