Event Comment: Benedick by Obrien-1st time (Hopkins). Benedick does not sit so well upon Mr O'Brien as Ranger-Miss Pope Beatrice-indifferent (+Hopkins Diary-$MacMillan). New Occasional song introduc'd in The Rites of Hecate, the words will be printed and given away at the theatre. Receipts: #130 9s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Part of Pit laid into Boxes

Event Comment: Benefit for Noverre and Miss Pope

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. No Building on Stage

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Beaumont and Fletcher, reviv'd. Afterpiece: Not acted these three years. [See 8 Aug. 1761.] Mr Powell made his first appearance this Night in Philaster. His Reception was very great, he play'd the part amazingly well, & Seems to have Requisites to make a very Capital Performer. N.B. Covent Garden Theater begun to play every Night (Hopkins). Philaster by Mr Powell. Prodigious applause (Cross Diary). This play [Philaster] was wrote by Beaumont and Fletcher, and is now altered by Mr Colman. Mr Powell, a young gentleman clerk to Sir Robert Ladbrook, made his first appearance in the character of Philaster.--A greater reception was never shown to anybody,--he was so very much frightened, he could not speak for some time, and, when he did, the tears ran fast down his cheeks,--but he soon recovered himself, and went through the part with a great deal of nature and feeling,--Continued claps and huzza of bravo! &c. &c. Upon the whole I think him possessed of every requisite necessary to make him an ornament to the stage.--N.B. Mr D. Garrick instructed him in this part--when I see him in another shall be able to judge better of his capabilities.--Miss Pope appeared this Night in the character of Maria in the Citizen,--by endeavoring to be very fine she overdid it,--and it was plain to see she wanted her master. N.B.--Covent Garden began to play of our nights--the first time they ever begin first since Mr Garrick was manager (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #258 11s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Mr Lee-Young Belmont (Hopkins). No Building on Stage; The Deuce is in Him oblig'd to be deferr'd. The Foundling not in 16 years. [See 26 March 1750.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Drury Lane--New Painted and Decorated. Miss Pope's good acting is said to have made up for her deficiency in singing (Genest, V, 314). On Sept. 19 Fisher, Musician, married the widow of the late Powell, Patentee of cg (Winston MS 10). Rec'd Mrs Johnston's 1 year's rent to Lady Day Last #6; Paid Mr French on Acct per order Mr G. G. #20. Paid Renters #8. [This payment occurs each playing night throughout the season, and is not noted further.] The total amounted to #1576 (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #188 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Miss Humphries, who was from the Private Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill. In afterpiece the playbill retains Barrymore as Sir Rowland, and Bannister Jun. as Walter, but "The Public are respectfully informed that Bannister being suddenly afflicted with a Hoarseness, and Barrymore having met with an unfortunate Accident, are both rendered incapable of the honour of appearing before them this Evening. To prevent a disappointment of The Children in the Wood Dowton will perform...Walter, and C. Kemble Sir Rowland, presuming humbly upon the usual kind indulgence experienced upon such emergencies" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Receipts: #259 18s. (160.0.6; 98.12.6; 1.5.0)

Event Comment: [Miss Goddard was from the Margate theatre.] Receipts: #295 4s. (199.16.6; 91.12.0; 3.15.6)

Event Comment: [Miss Prideaux was from the hay.] Receipts: #170 12s. 6d. (119.18.0; 48.12.0; 2.2.6)

Event Comment: [Miss Brown is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill. "Notwithstanding the bills...[she acted] the summer before last, on the boards of the Richmond theatre" (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1798, p. 308). In afterpiece the playbill retains Mrs Roffey as Nelly, but she "who usually performed the part of the Servant Maid, [was] suddenly taken ill; her substitute [was] Miss Tidswell" (Morning Herald, 12 Nov.).] Account-Book: Received of Hammersley & Co., lent to pay the Company #500; paid Lowndes, printer, #10; Chorus #6; Rablus, tallow candles, #10. Receipts: #203 12s. (126.3.6; 76.7.6; 1.1.0)

Event Comment: Miss Biddy by Miss Jarratt (an apprentice to Mr Jefferson) a pretty little figure & met with Applause. Not much of an Actress (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Mr L. Frederick for sattin, #57 18s. 6d.; Mrs Sykes for women's cloaths #13; Mr Vernon on note #9 9s. (Treasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine (Treatre, XL) writes of Miss Jarratt, she has been under the tuition of Mr Jefferson and promises to be become an agreeable actress in parts (such as Biddy").] Receipts: #224 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Miss Dufour's 1st appearance in public was in a concert at king's 11 Feb. 1796.] Receipts: #329 10s. 6d. (236.17.0; 88.12.6; 4.1.0)

Event Comment: Miss Younge having been a Season in Ireland is now return'd play'd Well & was receiv'd with Great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Potter, Theatrical Review: We must beg leave to point out a small error in her playing the part of Imogen; and which was too obvious to escape notice: --When Iachimo arrives from Italy...he is introduc'd to her by Pissanio who says..."Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome comes from my Lord with letters." And Iachimo on his first appearance informs her, that "the worthy Leonatus is in safety." These circumstances ought to awaken the highest joy and transport in Imogen, instead of which, we wer sorry to observe, she dropped a solemn curtsey, and without one joyous feature said, with the utmost langor, "Thanks good sir, &c." And even after she had read the letter...she addresses herself to him again with the same indifference. Rec'd Mrs Groath, 1 yrs. Rent to Xmas last #3, and from Mr Atkins on Acct #5 5s.; Advanc'd Mr Barry, Box Office keeper #15; Ditto to Mr Watson, Box Office Keeper #10 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #164 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Robins made her first appearance upon the Stage in the part of the Country Girl an agreeable figure as a Woman & also in Breeches-she has a particular Cuddenish wa with her wch is not amiss in this Character, but I am afraid it will be a disadvantage to her in any other. Mr G. took great pains with her, & a long time in Training her before he brought her out he wrote & introduc'd a Song in the part and a New Prologue to introduce her & alter'd the Epilogue. all which & the Lady were very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] The Songs introduced in the Comedy [mainpiece] will be printed, and given at the doors of the Theatre. [The Westminster Magazine for December remarked of Miss Robbins' performance and reception, "The first was spirited and characteristic; the latter very favorable, and in our opinion deservedly so. She is no beauty but has strong expression. Her voice is pleasing, and her articulation was extremely distinct and proper."] Receipts: #149 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)