Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick. Epilogue by George Colman elder (London Chronicle, 9 May). Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1780]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "No modern theatrical piece ever met with a fuller success, nor deserved it more... The performers deserve every sort of commendation for their spirited exertion in supporting the respective characters, especially Smith, King and the incomparable Mrs Abington" (Gazetteer, 9 May). "To my great astonishment there were more parts performed admirably in The School for Scandal than I almost ever saw in any play. Mrs Abington was equal to the first of her profession, Yates (the husband), Parsons, Miss Pope, and Palmer, all shone. It seemed a marvellous resurrection of the stage. Indeed, the play had as much merit as the actors. I have seen no comedy that comes near it since The Provoked Husband" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 82). Receipts: #224 10s. (215.12.0; 8.14.6; 0.3.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Altered from [The Scornful Lady, by] Beaumont and Fletcher [1st time; c 5, by William Cooke; incidental music by Michael Arne. Prologue by the alterer. Epilogue by George Colman, the elder (see text)]. Public Advertiser, 27 Jan. 1783: Wednesday Morning [29 Jan.] will be published The Capricious Lady (price not listed). "The costume of James's reign was strictly attended to in the dresses of the characters; and I remember the enjoyment of Mrs Abington, in a high ruff and a rich silver silk edged with black velvet" (Boaden, Siddom, I, 371). Receipts: #228 4s. 6d. (218/10/6; 9/14/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Abington. Pit and Boxes will be laid together. Ladies and Gentlemen are most earnestly requested to come early, to prevent Inconvenience in getting to their Places, and to send their Servants to keep them by Four o'clock. "At the close of the entertainment Mrs Abington came forward, and delivered a short poetical address to her fashionable auditory [written by Maurice Morgann (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1797, p. 263)], apposite to her feelings on the present occasion" (Morning Herald, 11 Feb.). "The character [of Scrub] throughout was well conceived, and executed with a sprightliness and degree of humour that kept the house in a continual roar of laughter" (Public Advertiser, 11 Feb.) "Mrs Abington's voice was in its usual tone; her manners and deportment were inattentive and torpid, rather than active and interesting" (Morning Post, 11 Feb.). "With all her endeavours to give new points to the character, she entirely failed. Her appearance en culottes, so preposterously padded, exceeded nature. Her gestures to look comical could not get the least hold of the audience, though they had seen her before in men's clothes, when playing Portia in The Merchant of Venice, where her figure, dressed as a lawyer in his gown, gave effect to her excellent delivery on mercy, and the audience had been always delighted. But this leu de benefice, comparatively speaking, was disgusting and absurd as she dressed the character ... However, I have heard it originated in a bet she had previously made" (Henry Angelo, Reminiscenes, 11, 281-82). Receipts: #406 13s. 6d. (249/9/6; 1/9/0; tickets: 155/15/0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Abington

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Benefit for Mrs Abington. Part of Pit laid into boxes. House Charges #64 4s. [Profit to Mrs Abington #166 2s. 6d.] [The Farce-2 acts all from the comedy 'What we must all Come to' by Arthur Murphy, The airs by Hook.] Paid Blake (hosier) bill #3 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #230 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)