Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Constant Couple. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. There is no certainty that this is the first performance, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 7-9 Dec. 1699, suggests that the first production may have occurred in mid-November. The Prologue also refers to the abandonment of Dorset Garden to "That strong Dog Sampson" (see 15 and 25 Nov. 1699). A song, Thus Damon knock'd at Celia's door, set by Daniel Purcell, was published separately about this time. Preface, Edition of 1700: All will join with me in Commendation of the Actors, and allow, without detracting from the Merit of others, that the Theatre Royal affords an excellent and compleat Set of Comedians. Mr Wilks's Performance has set him so far above Competition in the Part of Wildair, that none can pretend to envy the Praise due to his Merit. Preface to The Inconstant (1702): I remember, that about two Years ago, I had a Gentleman from France [The Constant Couple] that brought the Play-house some fifty Audiences in five months. A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), p. 32: Critick: But above all, commend me to the ingenious Author of the Trip to the Jubilee. Ramble: Oh Lord, Sir! you won't quarrel with that Play; never any thing did such wonders. Critick: Oh 'twas admirable! admirable! I wonder the Town did not just then bespeak the Bays for him. Sullen: Nay, for ought you and I know, he may live to enjoy 'em; I assure you all the run of the Town is on his side. The Owl was never more esteem'd at Athens than the Trip to the Jubilee was here. Critick: Indeed I have known a Footman have a great stroak with his Lord at begging a Favour; if all the Footmen in Town that admire him were to club for his Preferment, I don't know what might be done. Ramble: The Footmen? Ay, and the middle Gallery too, I assure you are of his side, and that's a strong Party. Critick: Why, I believe it, 'tis about the pitch of their Understanding; but if ever it diverted one Man of tolerable Sense I'll be hang'd. Sullen: I don't know who are your People of tolerable Sense, Mr Critick, but at the play I have seen the Pit, Box and Stage so crowded--and if that is not a sign

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Mark Londsale. Prologue by the author {London Chronicle, 10 Nov.)]: The Overture, new Airs and Accompaniments composed by [Thomas] Linley [Sen.]. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 18 Nov. 1784: This Day is published The Spanish Rivals (1s.). Receipts: #160 2s. 6d. (104/12/0; 54/18/0; 0/12/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sedgwick. Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Samuel Birch. Larpent MS 983; not published; synopsis of plot in Universal Magazine, May 1793 p. 389]: The Music principally composed by Attwood, with selections from Mozart, Ferrari, Martin y Soler?, Linley? Sen.. And a new Overture by Shaw. Morning Herald, 25 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Sedgwick at his house, Kennington-Green. Receipts: #379 14s. 6d. (70.18.0; 52.12.0; 3.1.6; tickets: 253.3.0) (charge: #162 5s. 1d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: 8th Time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the DL season at King's of 1792-93]. The Musick principally composed by Attwood, with selections from Mozart, Ferrari, Martin (y Soler], Linley [Sen.). With a new Overture by Shaw

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Kemble. "Kemble? Sen. performed the Miller...Here and there we could perceive the liberty of the country performer, by saying more than was set down by the author" (Public Advertiser, 27 Aug.). [Address by John Taylor (European Magazine, Sept. 1788, p. 217).] Public Advertiser, 21 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Kemble, No. 26, Villiers-street, York-buildings, Strand

Event Comment: Benefit for Vestris Sen. Tickets to be had of Vestris, No. 2, Hay-market. 2nd ballet: A new Historical Dance [in 3 acts]. The Music entirely new, composed by VanEsch. With new Dresses, Machinery, and Decorations. [Morning Chronicle, 15 Apr., printed a letter from Vestris complaining that the manage had not fulfilled his promises as regards the scenery. Vestris outlines what he had planned, and concludes with a description of the "3rd and last act, the Olympus descending, which shall fill the whole stage with clouds, and a Glory in which one shall see Jupiter with his whole Celestial Court; Hercules shall appear there mounting in the Olympus to receive his Apotheosis; the Ballet shall be concluded by a general acclamation of joy and admiration of all the people assembled in the place."

Event Comment: By His Royal Highness's Command. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 30 Aug.: On Saturday when his Royal Highness the Prince was at Mr Penkethman's Theatre...he was plas'd to Enquire what Entertainments he and Mr Bullock had in Southwark Fair. In the meantime Mrs Leigh, Daughter of the late Mrs Minns, is preparing for Bartholomew-Fair; but not Bullock and Leigh as some People imagine