Event Comment: [Messrs Vincent and Gordon beg the Nobility and Gentry that intend honouring them with their protection the ensuing season of Opera will pay their subscriptions to Messrs Drummonds, Bankers, Charing Cross. The subscription is for 50 nights only. A letter from Timotheus in the Public Advertiser: "I repeatedly see in your paper an advertisement from the managers of the opera to solicit subscriptions from the Nobility and Gentry to enable them to carry it on. Surely, from the specimin they have already given us of their performance in the serious way, never had managers less claim to the countenance and favour of the public. In the whole company but one voice, and that just tolerable and no more; compared indeed to the rest a nightengale. Then, Sir, for their dancers, they seem so perfectly so well suited to the singers, that 't is difficult to pronounce to which of them the palm should be allotted. For the Figurers, one only excepted, they seem in that article to have paid a due attention to their want of every Talent requisite, by reducing them to so small a number that they look like so many mice scudding about an empty barn. In short, Singers, Dancers, Figurers, Cloaths, Decorations, etc., etc., are all so much of a piece, that if the directors either can't or won't engage better performers, the sooner an end is put to the exhibition of Operas the better it will be." See comment in reply, 8 Nov.

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Tickets and places to be taken of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door of the Theatre at Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. 6d. Second Gallery 2s. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at Half past Six. Theatrical Review (London, 1772), appendix, pp. 207-8: The Oratorios performed at this House were conducted by Messrs. Stanley and Smith, for their own emolument; the Managers of the theatre having had no Share of the profit arising from these performances, nor any advantage, except a premium for the use of the house. Mr Stanley's musical abilities are well known. Mr Smith, was, if we are not mistaken, a pupil of the celebrated Mr Handel's; and, we believe, that Gentleman left Mr Smith the greatest part of his music, if not his whole library; so that Mr Smith may with great propriety claim the right of succeeding Mr Handel in the exhibition and conduct of his Oratorios, which he has undertaken (in conjunction with Mr Stanley) every since Mr Handel's death. Their band was composed of some of the most capital performers in this kingdom, and was led by Mr Ximenes. The vocal performers (exclusive of Chorus singers) were Mr Norris, well known to all lovers of Music, for his taste and delicacy of execution. Mr Parry (a Bass voice) from the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. This gentleman, though very young, has an extensive compass, and a great power of voice, and acquits himself with considerable reputation. Mrs Weichsel and Mrs Scott, of whom it would be superfluous and unnecessary to say anything, since their abilities are generally known. And lastly Signora Grassi, a performer of great merit. Theatrical Review, 6 March: This is Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode on St Cecelia's Day, and not an Oratorio, but performed as such...It contains many beauties and such as are worthy of Mr Handel's genius...Being much shorter than the usual length of oratorios, Mr Handel's celebrated Coronation Anthems were added in order to make the evening's entertainment of a proper length. Also a Solo on the Violincello by Mr Janson...lately arrived from Paris, said to have been a pupil of Mr Duport's but, though his taste and excution is very astonishing, we cannot give him the preference of his master. [See 13 April 1773.Charge seems to have been #28 per night plus expenses for oil, candles &c.

Event Comment: Paid salary list (4 days) #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct, #1; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s.; Mr Shorter on Mr J. French's Acct #30 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #258 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Housekeeper's Bill #6 7s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [The Public Advertiser carried a two-column account of Sethona, telling the story of the play act by act. It concluded: Such is the Story of this new Tragedy which was received with universal Applause by a crowded and brilliant Audience and seems to bid fair to become a Stock Play. The Parts were judiciously cast, and the Performers did great Justice to their respective Characters. Perhaps Mrs Barry never appeared in a greater or more amiable Point of View than on Saturday Night. In short her Performance beggared Description; and it is impossible to form an adequate Idea of her Merit in Sethona without seeing her. Mr Barry was also very great in the Old Hermit, and exhibited as pathetic and as chaste a piece of acting as we remember to have seen. The Dresses, Decorations and Scenery of this Play are much superior to those of any modern Tragedy; they do ample Justice to the Author, and likewise do Honour to the Taste and Spirit of the Manager, who seems to have spared no Expence to furnish a splendid and rational Entertainment. The Scene of the Temple of Osiris, and the View of the Egyptian Catacombsv were particularly admired, and are worthy of the Brush of Mr Loutherbourg. The Prologue is a very classical Performance, and was well delivered by Mr Reddish, notwithstanding the noise and the frequent Interruption usual on these occasions. The Epilogue in the character of an Egyptian Fortune Teller was admirably spoken by Mrs Barry, and had an amazing effect. It contains some excellent Strokes of Satire on the Times and a rich vein of Humour which is finely sustained throughout. From several Circumstances we should suppose this Epilogue to be the Production of our English Roscius and it seems to be one of his best."] Receipts: #226 15s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Tragedy by Robert Jephson. New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy having been read by the Author's Friends in most of the great Family's in Town & puff'd up in Such a Manner that the Expectations of the Audience were so much rais'd that it fell far short of what they imagin'd-the four first Acts are heavy & want incident & Plot, the Writing is Clear & Nervous-the 5 Act has more incident & Plot but Writing not so Nervous: No Play had ever more Justice in the getting of it up Mr G. was not Sparing of his Labour & Attendance nor was any Expence deny'd for the Cloaths & Scenery both of which were Superb and it receiv'd with very great applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid Mr Wright per order #6 5s.; Mr Wallis on note #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine for Feb. outlines the plot of Braganza, and comments favorably: "Upon the whole, Braganza, met with general and deserved applause; and we cannot help congratulating the Public on the acquisition of a truly dramatic Genius." The author, Colonel Jephson, was Aid-de-Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Walpole wrote to Mason: "Braganza was acted with prodigious success. The audience, the most impartial I ever saw, sat mute for two acts, and seemed determined to judge for themselves, and not to be the dupes of the encomiums that had been so lavishly trumpeted. At the third act they grew pleased and interested; at the fourth they were cooled and deadened by two unneccessary scenes, but at the catastrophe in the fifth they were transported. They clapped, shouted, hussaed, cried bravo, and thundered out applause." Commends Mrs Yates, and hopes this will spark a new era in dramatic writing. Sweepingly condemns that of last fifty years.] Receipts: #250 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid 4 day's salary list at #94 11s. 6d. per diem #378 7s. 4d.; J. French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [From the Westminster Magazine, March, p. 125: "A disturbance on account of Mrs Yates having left the theatre without speaking the Epilogue to Braganza. The House was clamorous and would not give up their right. Mr Vernon endeavoured to appease their fury, by declaring that Mrs Yates being taken with a hoarseness, had left the theatre,' but this excuse the Audience would not accept. Mr Vernon withdrew, and after a short time returned assuring the House that he had sent to Mr Garrick (who was confined to his room with a fit of the stone) but who had directed the messenger immediately to fetch Mrs Yates, and that her husband was then in the theatre. He was directly called for, and instantly came on the stage to know the pleasure of the Audience. They told him bluntly they did not want to see him, but to hear his wife, whose obstinacy and pride had betrayed her into the present insult. He in vain tried to assure them, that his wife's conduct proceeded from a very contrary cause from that which they alledged; and the cause was real illness. As the clamor was universal, Mr Yates quitted the stage; and at length, an hour and a half being spent in tumult, the overture was suffered, and the farce went on, but not in silence." See note, 9 March.] Receipts: #201 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington continuing ill, The Maid of the Oaks oblig'd to be deferr'd. Soon after the Farce began off off--no, more, no more, was the General Cry with much hissing--Mr King went on Two or three times to know their pleasure but they would not hear him. They Call'd for Mr Garrick he attended--but they would not hear him for a long time tho' Attempted Several times to speak--at last Somebody said hear him! hear him!--Mr G. told them that he would wait their [sic] all Night with pleasUre if they requir'd it--hear him! again was bellow'd out--he told them he waited to know their pleasure--whether they would have the Blackamoor go on or if they would have any other Farce then a great Noise ensued; as soon as they were quiet Mr G. told them that his Theatrical Life would be very Short and he should be glad to end it in peace--A man in the Pit said if you have a mind to die in Peace don't let this Farce be play'd again Mr Garrick was on and off the Stage several times nothing would content them--at Length Mr King told them that the Author had taken the Copy from the Prompter and was gone away with it.--Soon after this they withdrew So ended this troublesome Affair (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble is considerably lengthened.] Paid Mr Rowland's bill for dinners #8 9s. 3d. Receipts: #284 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [MacMillan notes from Kemble: "The Spleen, or Islington Spa was not acted tonight. The Jubilee was perform'd instead of it." The Spleen, tho' advertised was deferred on account of King's illness.] Paid 4 days salary list at #104 1s. 1d. per diem #416 4s. 4d.; Mr Short for attending Jubilee 17 nights #4 5s. Receipts: #212 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Dodd. N.B. Mr King still continuing lame with the Gout is incapable of performing both in Play and Farce. Mr Baddeley, therefore has kindly undertaken, at short notice, to perform the character of Old Groveby, and humbly hopes for the indulgence of the public. Paid Machin, Chorus, 9 nights #2 5s. Receipts: #131 10s. Charges: #70 7s. Profits to Dodd: #61 3s. (Treasurer's Book)