Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Brunton. 1st piece [1st time; T 3, by Mariana Starke, based on La Veuve du Malabar, by Antoine Marin LeMierre. Prologue by William Thomas Fitzgerald. Epilogue by Richard John Hughes Starke (see text)]: With new Scenes and Dresses. And a Procession representing the Ceremonies attending the Sacrifice of an Indian Woman on the Funeral Pile of her deceased Hqsband. 2nd piece: Not acted these 18 years [acted 4 May 1776. Miss E. Brunton was from the Norwich theatre]. Morning Chronicle, 1 Feb. 1791: This Day is published The Widow of Malabar (1s. 6d.). Public Advertiser, 21 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Brunton, No. 35, Gerrard-street, Soho. [The mainpiece is sometimes stated to have been 1st acted at Mrs Crespigny's private@theatre@in@Camberwell, 1790, but "'The Widow of Malabar' was not first produced at Mrs Crespigny's Theatre. The Tragedy performed there is called 'The British Orphan' (also by Mariana Starke)" (Gazetteer, 24 Jan. 1791).] Receipts: #338 13s. (208.7; 2.8; tickets: 127.18)

Event Comment: [Fennell had acted Douglas at Edinburgh on 5 July 1788, and perhaps Previously.] Afterpiece [1st time: P 2, by Charles Bonnor and Robert Merry. Larpent MS 886; not published. Synopsis of action in Universal Magazine, Dec. 1790, pp. 321-23. Author of Prologue unknown]: Interspersed with Dialogue, Airs, Duettos, Chorusses, Dances, &c. &c. &c. The Scenery, Machinery, and Decorations entirely new, and painted by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, Pugh, Malton, with many Assistants [including W. Hamilton (European Magazine, Dec. 1790, p. 468]. Among others will be exhibited the following Scenes taken from accurate Drawings made on the Spot: The Jacobines Convent, Rue St. Honorie; Places de Greve; Inside of the Hotel de Ville; View of the New Bridge called Pont Louis Seize; Fountain des Innocens; Palais Bourbon; View of the Champ de Mars, with the Grand Pavillion preparatory to the Festival; A Grand Assembly; View of the Triumphal Arch, prepared for the Procession to the Champ de Mars; Perspective View of the Champ de Mars, with the Bridge of Boats. With an exact Representation of the Banners, Oriflammes, &c. &c. in the Grand Procession to the Champ de Mars. The Whole to conclude with a Representation of the Grand Illuminated Platform, as prepared by the City of Paris, on the Ruins of the Bastille, for the Entertainment of the Provincial Deputies, and the Public. [The above has reference to the "Grand National Fete" held in Paris, 14 July 1790, in commemoration of the first anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. It is included in all subsequent playbills.] The Dances [composed] by Byrn. The Music composed and compiled [from Reeve and Naumann] by Shield. The Dresses all Characteristically French and New. Books of the Songs, &c. with a short Description of the Performance [T. Cadell, 1790] to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Account-Book, 11 Jan. 1791: Paid Bonnor #200. Receipts: #316 16s. (296.14; 20.2)

Event Comment: [In Afterpiece Elizabeth was originally called Miss Doiley.] Receipts: #238 (191.7.0; 44.18.0; 1.7.6; tickets not come in: 0.7.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Badini. Gazetteer, 18 June: The novelty of the evening was what was called the singing of a Tulip and a Rose; that is, of two performers concealed in pedestals, upon which were placed pots of flowers

Event Comment: Paid Johnston's bill #7 10s. 6d.; Supernumeraries #6 12s.; Chorus by R. Shaw #10; Mantuamaker #13 5s. 4d.; Foulis for Music Copying #2 8s.; Land Tax 1 Yr. #79 12s. 6d.; Billstickers #3 6s.; Booth, tailor, #14 13s. 1d. "Mrs Jordan has a voice, the tones of which are infinitely more musical and sweet than those of any professional singer we have. There is also an interest about her singing, arising not from what may be called musical feeling, but the impression of the subject. Thus, though sometimes a little untrue, we love her songs, and forbear to weigh them in the diatonic or chromatic scales" (Oracle, 3 Oct.). Receipts: #450 3s. (393.2; 56.3; 0.18)

Event Comment: [For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.] Receipts: #218 5s. 6d. (184.6.6; 30.2.0; 3.17.0)

Event Comment: 1st piece: With Alterations; Not acted these 6 years [acted 18 May 1792]. [The playbill announces this performance as "By Command of Their Majesties," but they, "who had been expected here last night, did not arrive; the indisposition of two of the Princesses having detained them at Windsor" (Morning Herald, 16 Apr.). "After the Relief of Williamstadt [which is not listed on the playbill, but which on 13 Apr. is called '8th Time,' and on 16 Apr. '10th Time'], the Irishman in London...was attempted to be performed; but after many unsuccessful apologies, the piece was not suffered to proceed, and the farce originally intended for representation, The Lying Valet, not without considerable difficulty, many of the performers having quit the theatre, was gone through with, to the gratification of a part of the audience who appeared determined rather to exercise their power than adhere to propriety" (Public Advertiser, 16 Apr.).] The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same for rest of season]. Receipts: #345 5s

Event Comment: Benefit for Wild. 2nd piece [1st time; F 1, by Robert Woodbridge]. Morning Herald, 4 June 1793: This day is published The Pad (price not listed). 3rd piece [1st time; BALL. P 2 (?), by James Byrn, altered from his The Provocation!]: The Incidents partly new, and partly selected from the much admired Pantomime called Provocation. In the course of the Pantomime a representation of an Engagement between an English and French Man of War; A Ship-wreck; The original Allegoric Scene from Provocation: A View of an English Camp; A Naval and Military Procession. Morning Herald, 9 May: Tickets to be had of Wild, No. 46, Drury-lane. Receipts: #335 1s. 6d

Event Comment: [Fennell had acted Douglas at Edinburgh on 5 July 1788, and perhaps Previously.] Afterpiece [1st time: P 2, by Charles Bonnor and Robert Merry. Larpent MS 886; not published. Synopsis of action in Universal Magazine, Dec. 1790, pp. 321-23. Author of Prologue unknown]: Interspersed with Dialogue, Airs, Duettos, Chorusses, Dances, &c. &c. &c. The Scenery, Machinery, and Decorations entirely new, and painted by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, Pugh, Malton, with many Assistants [including W. Hamilton (European Magazine, Dec. 1790, p. 468]. Among others will be exhibited the following Scenes taken from accurate Drawings made on the Spot: The Jacobines Convent, Rue St. Honorie; Places de Greve; Inside of the Hotel de Ville; View of the New Bridge called Pont Louis Seize; Fountain des Innocens; Palais Bourbon; View of the Champ de Mars, with the Grand Pavillion preparatory to the Festival; A Grand Assembly; View of the Triumphal Arch, prepared for the Procession to the Champ de Mars; Perspective View of the Champ de Mars, with the Bridge of Boats. With an exact Representation of the Banners, Oriflammes, &c. &c. in the Grand Procession to the Champ de Mars. The Whole to conclude with a Representation of the Grand Illuminated Platform, as prepared by the City of Paris, on the Ruins of the Bastille, for the Entertainment of the Provincial Deputies, and the Public. [The above has reference to the "Grand National Fete" held in Paris, 14 July 1790, in commemoration of the first anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. It is included in all subsequent playbills.] The Dances [composed] by Byrn. The Music composed and compiled [from Reeve and Naumann] by Shield. The Dresses all Characteristically French and New. Books of the Songs, &c. with a short Description of the Performance [T. Cadell, 1790] to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Account-Book, 11 Jan. 1791: Paid Bonnor #200. Receipts: #316 16s. (296.14; 20.2)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Aickin as Jarvis, but "Packer Jarvis, Aickin ill" (Powell). This is inaccurate: "Aickin's part was played by Benson" (Thespian Magazine, July 1794, p. 275; and see 5 June).] Powell: Natural Son rehearsed at 10 (Suett ill; Miss Pope one scene; Burton not called till 12); Lodoiska at 12. Receipts: #267 18s. 6d. (199/8/0; 60/9/6; 8/1/0)

Event Comment: [For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.) Powell: Douglas rehearsed at 10:30 (Mrs Siddons ill; Barrymore one scene); Lodoiska at 12 (Miss De Camp absent). Receipts: #365 1s. 6d. (298/11/0; 60/1/0; 6/9/6)

Event Comment: [For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.] Powell, 3 Oct.: Siege of Belgrade rehearsed at 10; Douglas at 12 (for Bensley). Receipts: #414 18s. 6d. (325.11.6; 87.6.6; 2.1.0)

Event Comment: [For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.] Afterpiece: By permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal, Hay Market. Receipts: #272 17s. (181.9.6; 87.9.6; 3.18.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Rose. The Opera [will be performed] instead of Antigona, already announced in the papers of yesterday, it having been found impossible to get ready the machinery of the new Ballet after the performance of the Serious Opera. Mme Rose having been presented with an Engraving Ticket for her night, she proposes to give one with each Ticket, separately from the Ticket which will be admitted at the door. The Nobility and Gentry are respectfully entreated not be on that part of the stage where the mountain stands, as the machinery of the Ballet will be attended with danger. Tickets to be had of Mme Rose, No. 9, Hay-market. "The most bewitching dance we ever witnessed, for novelty of idea, charm of fancy, and delicacy of passion was performed last night. Not content with the common praise, the audience called forward the author, Didelot, and paid to him the tribute due to original and inventive talents. The ballet was entitled L'Amour Vange. The invention, which was perfectly new, was that of bands of Cupidsv floating in air-suspended seemingly on their own wings, without the intervention of any grosser medium" (Morning Chronicle, 3 June)

Event Comment: [Mrs Gilbert was from the Birmingham theatre. Epilogue to 2nd piece not listed on playbill, but "The Epilogue was vociferously called for, and spoken by Vapid" (Oracle, 24 Sept.).] Receipts: #215 3s. 6d. (198.10.0; 16.13.6)

Event Comment: [Halpin is identified in MS list in Kemble playbills of new performers for this season. This was not his first appearance; he had acted previously in Dublin (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1796, p. 437; Hibernian Journal (Dublin), 16 Dec. 1789, 20 Jan. 1790). For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.] Receipts: #255 (193.11.6; 58.4.6; 3.4.0)

Event Comment: "A character [in mainpiece] called Grand Pas for Murray...is now cut out of the play" (Oracle, 21 Nov.). [Miss Wallis's 1st appearance as Catharine was at Bath in the season of 1792-93.] Receipts: #175 12s. 6d. (170.17.6; 4.15.0)

Event Comment: On account of Mrs Crouch's sudden Indisposition, the new Musical Entertainment called A Friend in Need [advertised on playbill of 6 Feb.] is obliged to be deferred till Thursday. Receipts: #167 8s. (101.14.0; 61.13.6; 4.0.6)

Event Comment: [The playbill omits the Epilogue to 1st piece, but the Gallery called for it, and after "a shower of oranges and apples, some of which hit the performers" Mrs Mattocks was induced to speak it (True Briton, 27 Feb.)]. Receipts: #209 14s. 6d. (203.12.6; 6.2.0)

Event Comment: [2nd piece in place of The Orphan; 3rd piece of Blunders at Brighton [i.e. The Irish Mimic], both advertised on playbill of 9 Oct.] "Where [Lewis] absolutely exceeded all expectation, even from spirits like his own, was in the first scene of the fifth act, where he meets with Cacafogo, who has been Cozened, too, and by a woman also (indeed the same woman); the convulsive joy of his laugh, frequently renewed, and invariably compelling the whole audience to a really painful sympathy, was one of the most brilliant exploits of the comedian...[Lewis] had one peculiarity, which was the richest in effect that could be imagined, and was always an addition to the character springing from himself. It might be called an attempt to take advantage of the lingering sparks of gallantry in the aunt, or the mother of sixty, or the ancient maiden whom he had to win, to carry the purposes of those for whom he was interested. He seemed to throw the lady by degrees off her guard, until at length his whole artillery of assault was applied to storm the struggling resistance; and the Mattockses and the Davenports of his attentions sometimes complained of the perpetual motion of his chair, which compelled them to a ludicrous retreat, and kept the spectator in a roar of laughter. In short, whether sitting or standing, he was never for a moment at rest--his figure continued to exhibit a series of undulating lines, which indicated a self-complacency that never tired, and the sparkling humour of his countenance was a signal hung out for enjoyment" (Boaden, Siddons, II, 364-66). Receipts: #365 4s. 6d. (357.6.6; 7.18.0)