Event Comment: Benefit
for the Author [of mainpiece, who is named in the Account-Book, but not on the playbill]. "A considerable tumult prevailed last night among the audience of this Theatre, on account of the unavoidable substitution of
Miss Chapman and
Mrs Harlowe for Mrs Esten and
Mrs Wells (who are both indisposed). It was not that the audience objected to the
former two, but because the names of Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells were printed in the bills usually sold about the Theatre, though not in those properly issued from the House. [Mrs Esten's name, however (but not Mrs Wells'), is listed in the "House" playbill
for this night.] The audience were very violent, and the actors, after having nearly finished the
first Act twice, were obliged to begin the Comedy a third time, be
fore it was suffered quietly to proceed" (
Morning Herald, 9 Feb.). "The fracas at
Covent-garden Theatre on Wednesday evening was occasioned by the dexterity of certain
Lottery Office keepers, who, in order to give notoriety to their shops, daily cause spurious Dramatis Personae of the theatres to be circulated; and on the reverse of these bills is conspicuously held
forth the advantages of the public paying their cash into their gambling treasuries" (
Morning Herald, 10 Feb.). Receipts: #191 17s. 6d. (187.2.6; 4.15.0; tickets: none listed)