Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that it was advertised in the Post Boy, 27-29 Feb. 1695@6 and entered in the Term Catalogues, February 1695@6, suggests that it was probably acted not later than January 1695@6. It may have appeared around the turn of the year. One song, While Phillis does drink, set by John Eccles and sung by Coper; and another, So well Corinna likes the joy, the composer not named but sung by Young Laroch, a Boy of seven, are in Deliciae Musicae, The First Book of the Second Volume, 1696. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 45: A Comedy, wrote by Mr George Greenvil, when he was very Young; Extraordinary Witty, and well Acted; but offending the Ears of some Ladies who set up for Chastity, it made its Exit. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: And a good Comedy, tho it had the Misfortune to be ill receiv'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. There is no certainty as to the date of the first performance, and the play has been sometimes assigned to mid-summer 1697 because the Preface refers to a summer production and the play was printed in 1697. Nevertheless, the presence of Verbruggen in the cast suggests that the summer of 1696 is more likely, as Verbruggen left Drury Lane on 1 Jan. 1696@7 and thereafter appeared at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Preface, Edition of 1697: Amongst a number of New Plays that of late have crowded the Stage.... As it is, it may bear up in the Winter, notwithstanding the little Encouragement it met with at its first Appearance from a thin Town, and the Scarcity of Money. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702): Sullen: Unhappy Kindness, the same Author's [as of Mock Marriage], but very word stole. Ramble: The success? Sullen: Damn'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, for the play was apparently not printed until 1704. Nevertheless, some details indicate a performance early in the early in the season of 1696-97. In the first place, the presence of Verbruggen in the cast indicates that it must have been acted before 1 Jan. 1696@7, when Verbruggen was permitted to act at Lincoln's Inn Fields. The play also parodies the works of Mrs Manley, whose The Royal Mischief had been staged (probably) in April 1696, and it is likely that the company would emphasize the pertinence of the parody by presenting it soon after the appearance of the original. Although The Female Wits may not have been acted until later in the autumn, it seems likely that it was acted first in the late summer or early autumn. Preface, Edition of 1704: [The] Success of this Play has been such...having been Acted six Days running without intermission....Among the rest, Mr Powel and his Wife excell'd in the Characters they represented, as did Mrs Verbruggen, who play'd the Chief Character....The Lady whose Play is rehears'd, personated one Mrs M-ly [Manley]

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not known. As the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 20-23 Nov. 1697, it was probably first acted not later than October 1697; and, in view of its apparently unsuccessful appearance, may have been a late summer or early fall production. When this play was entered in the Term Catalogues, it had the title, Love's Reward; or, The Unnatural Mother

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 7-9 July 1698, suggests a premiere in June 1698. In addition, the Preface replies to Jeremy Collier, whose Short View had a second edition appear in mid-May, and the presence of some younger actors--Fairbank and Bullock, for example--in the cast suggests a summer performance. The music for the songs was composed by Daniel Purcell. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: Damn'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 2-4 May 1699, suggests that the premiere occurred not later than early April

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Lucyle Hook, James Brydges Drops in at the Theatre, Huntington Library Bulletin, VIII (1945), 309, speculates that James Brydges' attendance at lif this day may have been prompted by his seeing this new play, as he stayed longer than he often did at a theatrical performance. The comedy was certainly acted before 12 March 1699@1700. James Brydges, Diary: I went to ye play in Lincolns inn fields, where I met Sr G. Coply, who set me down after it was ended (Huntington MS St 26). Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 45: The Way of the World, a Comdey wrote by Mr Congreve, twas curiously Acted; Madam Bracegirdle performance her Part so exactly and just, gain'd the Applause of Court and City; but being too Keen a Satyr, had not the Success the Company Expected

Event Comment: Benefit Lacy. Afterpiece: A new Satyrical, Allegorical, Political, Philosophical Farce, [Apparently by Lacy.] Daily Advertiser, 30 April: Yesterday I accidentally call'd in at the Theatre in the Hay-Market, and saw the Rehearsal of a new Farce call'd Fame...Which is to be acted there on Wednesday next...for the Benefit of Mr Lacy the Author. As I am neither acquainted with him, nor the Master of the Playhouse, I cannot be accus'd of Partiality, in affirming, that I think this the best Farce this Age has produc'd. It seems to be writ in Imitation of Shakespear, and entirely calculated for the present Taste. The Characters are strong, lively, majestic, and just; the incidents natural and moving; the Conduct regular; the Distresses extremely affecting; the Stile sublime; the Sentiments grand, full of Patriotism; and the Catastrophe so masterly wrought up, that, I am persuaded, no Farce whatsoever, now acting, will draw more Tears than this. But what affected me beyond all, was, the Zeal, the exemplary Zeal of a worthy Magistrate, who so strictly adheres to the very Letter of the Law, as to send a rich and honest Merchant, and Freeholder, to the House of Correction, as a sturdy Beggar, or Loiterer. I could enlarg in its Praise, but fear I may do the Author wrong, in raising your Expectations too high. See it, and I am convinc'd you will entertain the same Sentiments of it, as does Your Humble Servant, James Lacy. Alias Fustian, alias Sour-Wit, alias--But hold:--If I should be arraign'd for the Murder of this Farce, so many Alias's will half condemn me before I am heard

Event Comment: Places may be taken at the Theatre. To begin at one o'clock. [The notice is placed as (and continues hereafter to run as) a news item, rather than in the customary form for advertisements in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: [The playbill announces this as "By Command of Their Majesties," but "His Majesty intended going to Drury-lane Theatre last night, but was prevented by the multiplicity of business at St James's" (Morning Post, 19 Nov.).] Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years [acted 2 May 1776]. Receipts: #212 11s. 6d. (184.8.0; 27.6.6; 0.17.0)

Event Comment: By Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Stewart. Mainpiece: In its original state, as it was written by Allen Ramsay, in 1724 [recte 1725]. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2 (?)]: Taken [probably by the author] from The Students [by James Stewart. MS not in Larpent; not published]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. 'Tis hoped that none of Stewart's friends will expect to be admitted behind the scenes, as the audience will, and not without great reason, be much displeased at any such proceedings, nor will it upon any pretence whatever be complied with. No money returned after the curtain is drawn up. Ladies are requested to send their servants by Five to keep places. Tickets to be had at Walker's, the Globe, Pall-mall; the Edinburgh and Jamaica Coffee-houses, Cornhill; the St. Andrew, Wapping; of Denham, bookseller, No. 366, Hermitage Bridge, Wapping; at the Bouncing B Printing Office, Ratcliff Highway; at Stewart's china shop, No. 201, Ratcliff Highway, and at the Theatre, where places for the boxes may be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. The great Overflow from Covent-Garden Theatre, on Tuesday last, has induced many of Mr Bannister's Friends to desire he would again perform the Part of Polly. In Compliance with the Wish of those to whom he is under so many Obligations, he will, this Evening, make his Appearance in that Character, for the last Time of his appearing in Petticoats [but see 3, 13 May]. Tickets delivered for Alexander and Acis and Galatea will be admitted. Receipts: #276 10s. 6d. (167/11/6; tickets: 108/19/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Brett. Public Advertiser, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Brett, No. 7, Catherine-street, Strand. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Booth as Peachum, but "Moody in the absence of Wilson [sic] played Peachum" (Public Advertiser, 3 May).] Receipts: #248 13s. (148/12; tickets: 100/1) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Benefit for Kennedy and King. Public Advertiser, 9 May: Tickets to be had of Mr and Mrs Kennedy, No. 49, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields; and of King, No. 54, Fleet-street. Receipts: #222 14s. (64.18.6; 4.19.6; tickets: 152.16.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: In 2 acts; Not acted these 8 years [not acted since 11 May 1773]. Receipts: #211 8s. 6d. (168.12.0; 42.4.0; 0.12.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wrighten, prompter. 2nd piece [1st time; M.INT I]. Public Advertiser, 1 May: Tickets to be had of Wrighten, New Buildings, Hemming's Row, St. Martin's Lane. Receipts: #250 6s. (38.14; 19.15; 1.7; tickets: 190.10) (charge: #109 8s. 2d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Phillimore, Miss Barnes & Miss Tidswell. Mainpiece: Not acted these 8 years [acted 20 May 1783]. [Kean was from the hay.] Receipts: #283 11s. 6d. (15.12.0; 15.3.6; 0.16.0; tickets: 252.0.0) (charge: #106 1s. 8d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Bernard. 1st piece: Not acted these 8 years [acted 7 May 1784]. 3rd piece: In 2 acts [i.e. abridged from the original 5]. Receipts: #243 3s. 6d. (99.4.0; 4.4.6; tickets: 139.15.0)

Event Comment: Kemble Mem., 18 May: On account of Whitsun Eve the Opera was yesterday [at king's]; we acted therefore at Mr Colman's Theatre. Receipts: #73 (64.3; 8.17)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. 4th piece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 29 Mar. 1792]. Morning Herald, 12 May: Tickets to be had of Bannister, No. 7, Suffolk-street, Charing-Cross. Receipts: #259 6s. (60.16.0; 51.17.6; 4.6.0; tickets: 142.6.6) (charge: #211 7s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer's Orphan Family [see dl, 18 June 1798]. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [see 27 Nov.]. Boxes 6s. Second Price 3s. Pit 3s. 6d. Second Price 2s. Gallery 2s. Second Price 1s. Upper Gallery 1s. Second Price 6d. No Money to be returned. Tickets may be had at Lloyd's Coffee House [for this night only]; and of Fosbrook, at the Box Office, Little Russel Street, where, only, Places for the Boxes can be taken. The Public are respectfully informed that Mr Aickin is appointed Manager. Printed by C. Lowndes next the Stage-Door. Receipts: #571 15s. (519.8.6; 45.17.6; 1.16.0; tickets: none listed; Sundry Sums left at Door: 4.13.0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: The King's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 215. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 345. There is no certainty that this is the premiere, but it or the preceding Saturday may well be, since Sophonisba seems to have dominated the preceding week