Event Comment: MMiss Weller a Pupil of Dr Arne first appear'd and-(Hopkins Diary). London Evening Post, 11 Jan.; A pupil of Dr Arne and scarecely 19 years of age; her figure is that of the tallest of the middle size, well proportioned and at present possesses a dignity and grace which when habit brings her to perfection cannot fail of being universally admired. Her face is oval with an aqualine nose and though from the timidity of a first appearance the rest of her features lost that necessary animation, yet there were periods when she could disposses herself of her confusion, that prognosticated great expression of countenance. Her voice was clear, commanding, and melodious, and her ear and manner both excellent. She is that kind of singer that one can be pleased from looking at as well as from hearing, --an excellence few vocal performers possess. Her acting abstracted from her voice would have done credit to a first appearance, as it was very pleasing and properly accompanied....What the managers could mean in casting Lucy for Miss Pope is extraordinary, as she sung, or indeed rather squalled every song so much out of tune that it was impossible for the music to accompany her; we do not however mean by this to cast the least reflection on so excellent an actress, as her spirited and judicious manner of playing it almost atoned for that of singing it

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By particular Desire. Juliet by Mrs Morland from the Norwich Theater a thin small figure too long a waist--wants power has a small impediment in her Speech she may be useful but never Capital--Pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Mrs Morland the late Miss Westray (O. Smith) (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: [The young lady who played Lady Townly identified by Hopkins MS Notes.

Event Comment: Mr Barry being Ill Mr Reddish play'd Bajazet (not the thing) Miss Hayward Shamefully imperfect in Selima (Hopkins). Paid 8 extra trumpets 6 nights (this incl.) #18 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #241 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Garrick? (Hopkins Diary). Paid one year's insurance to Xmas 1772, #15. Receipts: #271 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy never performed before. This Tragedy was written by Mr Murphy & has great Merit, it is very carefully got up & well perform'd, & receiv'd uncommon Applause Mrs Barry Display great Tragick powers & receiv'd the vast Applause She merited--She will gain great Reputation in the part (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations. Theatrical Review, 26 Feb.: Mrs Barry rose beyond herself, if we may be allowed the expression, in the laborious Character of Euphrasia....The scenes and decorations were well adapted to the importance of the piece. The representation of the city of Syracusev, with a view of the sea; and the Temple scene, with the mausoleum, in particular are extremely well executed, and do credit to the theatre, and honor to the artists who designed and painted them. Paid two notes for Mr J. Aickin, per order #12 1s. 8d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #251 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Cautherly. Don John Mr Cautherly-la, la! (Hopkins Diary). Mainpiece: With Alterations. Not acted these 14 years. [See 13 April 1758.] Receipts: #159 18s. 6d. Charges: #62 13s. 6d. Profits to Cautherley: #97 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Doors open at 5 o'clock. Play to begin promptly at six. Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #236 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Diamond made his first appearance upon the Stage in the Part of Romeo he is very younge a Smart Figure good Voice & made a very tolerable first appearance he met with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Chorus 2 nights (this inc.) #5 1s.; Paid Mr French on acct #20; Paid printer's bill #11. Paid Mr Garland, for copper plate printing #10 17s. 6d.; Paid Mr Weston, per order #18 17s. 4d. [The printer's bill was paid regularly each Thursday, averaged #8 19s. per week, and will not be further noted. Total payments this season #353. See Town and Country Magazine for favorable review of Miss Mansell as Juliet and of Diamond as Romeo.] Receipts: #208 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Farce was wrote on purpose to Shew Mrs Barry in an Irish part. She did not succeed so well in it as was expected but upon the Whole the Farce was well perform'd & met with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly. See Account of the Irish Widow" in British Theatre article, London Magazine, Oct. 1772.] Paid Mr Rochfort for men's cloaths #7 7s. (Treasurer's Book). [The account in Town and Country Magazine of the afterpiece: "Upon the whole it is very indifferent production and as it did not meet with the applause that was expected, no one has adopted the bantling. The many are of opinion that Garrick had a hand in it, as it is got up to the best advantage, and a new dance is introduc'd between the acts to put the audience in a good humour for the succeeding scenes. Mrs Sutton is the principal dancer in the Irish Fair, in which she displayed great spirit and activity. The piece concludes with a song sung by Mrs Barry, which we think injudiciously alloted to her, as her forte does not consist in singing."] Receipts: #200 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Smith Patty for the first time very well & great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Tallow chandler's 2nd bill #36 9s. 5d.; Mr L. Frederick for sattin, #21 9s.; Mr Weston per order Mr G. G. #7 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #156 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 4th Bill #41 6s. 5d.; Spermacetti Candles, #132 18s. Mr Tomlinson for Men's cloaths #11 11s.; Mr J. French on acct #20; Miss Hopkins, 15 nights (19th Dec. incl.) #3 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [The sixth edition of Wm. Law's Absolute Unlawfulness of Stage Representations was published this year (1st. edn. 1726) This day was published the Preliminary Number of the Westminster Magazine, which, monthly, included a section called The English Theatre, which observed generally on the state of the Stage, and commented specifically on new plays. Its view of the stage in general was not as sanguine as had been that of the writer for the Town and Country Magazine (1 April 1772). "We are of opinion, that the English Theatre is now in its decline. Whether it is that the stores of Dramatic Subjects or of Dramatic Genius are exhausted, is not immediately obvious; but there is a fault somewhere....We have seen the Morning star of Wit--the Noon too is past; we have now arriv'd at its evening...There is in Arts, as in Empires, a progress which leads to Refinement; and this refinement leads to Ruin." According to the writer the meridian glory of the English stage was during the reign of Queen Anne. Reviewer damns the Irish Widow, refuses to discuss the Gamesters (revived), damns the Rose and praises the Garrick alteration of Hamlet. This year also appeard Granny's Prediction, a 53-page pamphlet attack on Mrs Barry, condemning her on moral grounds (polygamy) and on aesthetic grounds, commenting on each of her characters. By a spiteful female relative Elizabeth Franchetti.] Receipts: #142 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Tragedy written by Mr Hume was receiv'd with very great Applause Indeed Mrs Barry Seem'd inspir'd She never Appeard to moor Advantage uncommon Applause (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Paid 4 Day's salary list #348 5s.; Tallow chandler's 6th bill #44 14s. Mr Reddish's draft #10 10s.; Mr Racket for Women's cloaths #12; Mr Dibdin Draft #70 (Treasurer's Book). [Westminster Magazine for March gives a long, and unfavorable review of the new tragedy, concluding Home's genius lies not in the tragic way.] Receipts: #237 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Pantomime for the last time this season. Receipts: #252 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr G. very fine in Hastings Miss Young's first appearance in Alicia pretty well She was a little too Mad Mrs Canning a Widow made her first appearance upon the Stage in Jane Shore a Small mean figure very little power (very So, So.) great applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd Stopages #30 5s. 6d.; Paid Salary list #522 18s.; Mr King 6 nights extra salary #3; Mr Johnston's Music Bill for Alfred, &c. #19 16s. 9d.; Mr Baddeley on note per Mr. G G #21. Receipts: #267 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Bills were posted for the School for Wives but Mr King sent word about Eleven o'clock that he was so ill he could not play & fresh bills were put up for Zara. Mrs Barry being out of Town Miss Younge play'd Zara & was very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s. Receipts: #195 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Author's 1st Night. [For profits to Garrick see payments of 21 Jan. 1774.] Paid Mr Hopkins for Licences of Albumazar. Prologue & Epilogue, Deserter, Fair Quaker, School for Wives, & Xmas Tale #9 9s. Receipts: #223 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Young Gentleman identified by Hopkins MS Notes. See also 28 Oct.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: not acted these two years. [See 23 May 1773.] [Young Lady identified by Hopkins MS Note.

Event Comment: Lusignan by Mr G. as Usual very fine (Hopkins Diary). [Judgment confirmed by statement in London Chronicle, 14 Oct.] The Comedy of As You Like It, obliged to be deferred. Paid a cotton bill #2 11s. 4d. Receipts: #219 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Ranger-Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Paid $Mr Barthelemon">Mr Vernon-much Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Paid $Mr Barthelemon for composing The Election &c. #30; Gratuity to Ralph Harwood #5 5s. Receipts: #196 18s. 6d. Charges: #67 4s. Profit to Vernon: #129 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington Phillis first time-Very well (Hopkins Diary). Paid 5 days salary list at #104 4s.; #520 1s. 8d.; Mrs Jewell 11 days not on list #5 10s.; Mr Johnston 4 days not on list #1 6s. 8d.; Blurton 11 days additional salary 18s. 4d.; Carpenter 11 days additional salary 18s. 4d. Receipts: #240 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr G. play'd finely (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #232 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Leonora by Miss Abrams first time-so, so (Hopkins Diary). Paid Machin (chorus singer) #3 10s.; Mr Lalonese for men's cloath's #13 13s. Receipts: #188 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Reddish. Mainpiece: Not acted in 4 years. [See 22 Dec. 1772.] Monimia by Mrs Canning very So, so. The Farce much hiss'd it was badly performed (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd Mrs Groath's one years rent to Xmas last #3. Paid Salary list #416 4s. 4d.; Johnston's Music Bills #24 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine concluded with respect to the afterpiece: "This little drama met with rather an unfavourable reception. It would be breaking a butterfly on the wheel, were we to enter into strict examination of it; and as it was a mere benefit-night performance, it would be going out of our way to dwell much on its defects; suffice it therefore that although we so far join with the audience in condemnation of it, that we allow it wanted terseness of dialogue, brilliancy of wit, and strength of fable, yet we protest we have seen worse singing pieces received with applause. Jerry Jingle had same humor, and the music had great prettiness about it."] Receipts: #140. Charges: #67 14s. Profits to Reddish: #72 6s. (Treasurer's Book)