Event Comment: Written by Shakespear. Play to begin at 6 o'clock. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Hobson at the Stage-Door of the Theatre. As the Admittance of Persons behind the Scenes has occasioned a general Complaint on Account of the frequent Interruptions in the Performance, tis hop'd Gentlemen won't be offended, that no Money will be taken there for the future. [This notice appears on succeeding bills for the season and will hence not be repeated. See note on public objection to nonadmittance behind scenes 22 Feb. 1748.] Receipts: #150 (Cross); #I26 12s. (Clay MS). Nichols Literary Anecdotes, II, 319-20: There is one part of theatrical conduct which ought unquestionably to be recorded to Mr Garrick's honour, since the cause of virtue and morality and the formation of public manners are very considerably dependent upon it, and that is the zeal with which he ever aimed to banish from the stage all those plays which carry with them an immoral tendency, and to prune from those which do not absolutely on the whole promote the interests of vice such scenes of licentiousness and libertinism as a redundency of wit and too great liveliness of imagination have induced some of our comic writers to indulge themselves in, and to which the sympathetic disposition of an age of gallantry and intrigue had given a sanction. The purity of the English stage was certainly much more fully establish'd during the administration of this theatrical minister than it had ever been during preceding managements; for, what the publick taste had itself to some measure begun, he, by keeping that taste within its proper channel, and feeding it with a pure and untainted stream, seems to have completed; and to have endeavoured as much as possible to adhere to the promise made in the prologue which was spoken at the first opening of that theatre under his direction, @Bade scenic virtue form the rising age@And truth diffuse her radiance from the stage.

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Pit and boxes laid together, and Front and Side Boxes built on Stage [see 7 March]. Tickets to be had at Mr Barry's, the corner of Bow St., Covent Garden. Mr Garrick first play'd Iago (Cross). [He had played it in Dublin 28 Feb. 1746.] Receipts: #289 (Cross); house charges, #60 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Holland. [Farce is the first act of Taste (Foote) connected with a New additional act (never perform'd before) call'd Modern Tragedy written by Mr Foote, with a new character (Genest, IV, 661.] Holland's Bt. deferred till this date so that Mr Garrick may have time to be prepared in the Character of Mercutio" (Folger Bill). The new last act to Taste--great hissed--and almost d-d (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Doors opened at 6 o'clock. To Begin (By Particular Desire) exactly at Seven. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. King of Denmark. Lusignan-Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). For the King of Denmark.--At a Quarter after seven, an Apology was made by Mr Holland--viz.--"The King, being detained longer than he expected, sent word to desire the play might begin as he would not by any means make the publick wait, and he would come as soon as he possibly could,--and he [Holland] desired to know the audience's pleasure whether it should begin before he came."--A great clap and cry'd "No,"--not begin till he comes"--At thirty-five minutes after seven he came, and the play began (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: SSir John Brute, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). The Fair Penitent was advertised for Wednesday the 11th: a Rehearsal was call'd on Tuesday the 10. About nine o'clock in the morning Mr Barry sent for & told me he was so ill that would be impossible for him to play for sometime & that he would give up his salary till he was able to play (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Tragedy never performed there. Mrs Yates first appearance this stage in 8 years. This Play is from the Orestes of Voltaire Mrs Yates who has been at Covent Garden these 8 years is now return'd & chose to make her first appearance in the part of Electra. Mr Garrick wrote an Excellent Prologue & Epilogue for the Occasion both of which were greatly receiv'd With great Applause. The Play is very dull & heavy & Mrs Yates wanted Spirit greatly in the part of Electra had but little Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days at #91 8s. 10d. #457 4s. 2d.; Mr French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [From Westminster Magazine, Oct. (of the mainpiece): From its want of business, it is a very heavy, tedious performance. Most of the scenes are mere declamations; and a certain air of coldness and apathy, which is the peculiar characteristic of French drama, runs thro the whole, which must ever render it unpleasing as well as uninteresting to an English Audience." Gave a severe comment on the Prologue with its theme "home is home be it ever so homely." Preferred the Epilogue. The perspective scenery of Argosv, the Palace of Aegisthusv, and the Tomb of Agamemnonv, designed by Loutherbourg, and painted by Messrs French and Roy, were warm and spirited, and the dresses elegant and characteristic."] Receipts: #243 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: It being the first time of Mr Garrick's playing since his Marriage, the Jests in Benedick were receiv'd with uncommon applause: he married Mad. Viollete, on ye 22d of June: 1749 (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece "Reviv'd" with proper Decorations. 'Tis hoped no Gentlemen will take it ill they cannot be admitted this night upon the stage, or in the Orchestra on account of the Scenery and Music, that are made use of in the play. [These two notes appear throughout the run of the play, and will not be mentioned further.] The Audience excus'd Mr Garrick speaking the Prologue (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. The greatest crowd I ever saw since the Delevals play'd. This (tis said) was Mr Garrick's Benefit (Cross). Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: When Mr Garrick ended the 3d Act with "Die wth pleasure for my Country's good"-a person in the Gall: cry'd no french Dancers then-wch seems to say much resentment will be shewn when the 24 we have engag'd appear (Cross). Receipts: #130 (Cross)

Event Comment: PPrince of Wales, Edward, Augusta, and 2 more princes. Mr Garrick (By Command) did Osmyn (Cross). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMrs Jeffries made her first appearance on this stage in Belinda.--not perfect.--was pretty well received.--is a little smart figure (Hopkins MS Notes). At 15 minutes past 4, took my place in the Pit at Drury Lane to see the Provok'd Wife. Mr Garrick is inimitable as Sir John Brute, Palmer does Heartfree, and Mrs Abington Lady Fanciful (with a song not printed in the play) very well. Constant by Cautherly, whose figure and manner I do not like, Vernon in Col. Bully sings a song (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Ranger Mr Garrick--Very fine (Hopkins MS Diary)

Event Comment: KKing of Denmark--Macbeth, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). For the King of Denmark--put in by Particular desire (Hopkins Diary). Lady Macbeth-Mrs Barry, late Mrs Dancer. The doors (by Particular Desire) will be opened at half past 5 o'clock. The Play to begin exactly at 7 o'clock

Event Comment: To begin at 6 o'clock. Doors open at 5 o'clock. Send servants at 4 o'clock. King of Denmark. Ranger-Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). Both pieces By Command of Their Majesties

Event Comment: SSir John Brute, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: DDrugger, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: HHamlet, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). Wit's Last Stake by Thomas King, as it is performed at Drury Lane, published at 1s

Event Comment: Benefit for Theatrical Fund, Archer--Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). Pit and boxes together. Play to begin at Half past 6. Doors opened Half past 5