Event Comment: Benefit for the Lying-In Hospital for Married Women, in Brownlow Street, Long Acre. [On 18 Jan. appeared in the Public Advertiser the Occasional Epilogue]: @After this bounteous, well-intentioned play@You think I'm come to banter all away;@To mock the soft compassion in the breast,@And turn at once all charity to jest...@Tir'd of such arts, I'm now so serious grown@I mean to speak plain sentiments alone.@ [Then addressing each part of the house, with appropriate comment--and a good deal of banter--she praises marriage as an institution, and this hospital as an aid.] @Methinks I spy some amorous pairs above [to upper gallery]@Drawn here by tender flames of mutual love.@Close pack'd they sit,-and woo with secret squeeze,@With conscious elbows, sympathetic knees.@Go on my friends,-true to connubial law,@And leave to us the Women in the straw.

Event Comment: Benefit for Lying In Hospital for Married Women in Brownlow Street, Long Acre

Event Comment: First time in 12 years. [See 11 April 1747.] Benefit for Burton and Philips. Tickets at Burton's at the Lock and Key in Brownlow St., Long Acre, and at stage door. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: As Mrs Cibber is not quite recover'd of her illness, the new Tragedy of Agis is deferred for a day or two longer. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Cibber. Tickets delivered for The Orphan will be taken. No building on stage. [Goldsmith, in his Bee (Vol. 1759, p. 56), commenting on Mad Clairon s' excellent preservation of character on stage, glances at Mrs Cibber, perhaps in this night's performance: 'I can never pardon a lady on the stage who, when she draws the admriation of the whole audience, turns about to make them a low courtesy for their applause. Such a figure no longer continues Belvidera , but at once drops into Mrs Cibber." See comment upon her deportment as Ophelia , 29 April 1763.

Event Comment: At Shuter's Booth, George Yard. [Not the name of a play; both Yates and Shuter present long-winded periphrases hinting at what was being played but avoiding the using of titles of productions.

Event Comment: The two new dancers who were so long expected from Italy are arrived (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. Boxes #62 10s. 6d. Macklin's fifth above charges came to #25 2s. 11d. Paid for sundry clothes from Voelcher #30 10s. Paid Blackmore a Bill for Rich #29 10s. and a Bill for the Theatre from 19 April last: #84 (Account Book). [On 1 Feb. one H. F. of the Middle Temple wrote to Macklin suggesting two things to insure the success of the Married Libertine. The first was practical, "bring in a claque of friends to counteract the noise of the Scots Lords who are opposing it." The second was revisional: "The play is too long,--shorten it and give the house notice that you have so done. The scenes wherein Lady Belville is solemn, grave, complaining and moral may be much abbreviated; this will...take away that heavy, lazy and sleepy (however just) part which makes your friends languish and grow cold, and gives your enemies an opportunity to improve their rancor and malignity. This observation may be applied to every recital, narrative or description which is not absolutely necessary or descriptive,--I mean necessarily connected with the frame, contexture & execution of the drama, or something designed or painted with uncommon poetic fire and enthusiasm. Pray consider whether that serious, moral and sentimental part in the character of Angelica might not be curtailed, or entirely omitted. I would have your young captain fully employed in action without ever standing still to moralize or harangue, however sensibly and poignantly he may do it. After all this there will remain a rich and uninterrupted vein of true comic humour and lively representation in short, a well connected series and succession of business which I am convinced would keep the audience so attentive and so entirely possessed that there would be no room for languor or malice to produce any effect to your detriment." (Memoirs of Macklin [Harvard Theatre Collection, extra-illustrated edition, I, part 2, p. 414.] Receipts: #188 14s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the General Lying-in Hospital. (Upper Gallery 3s. 6d.) 3428 helpless women have already been received and preserved, besides 800 out-patients supplied with medicine &c. and many soldiers' and seamens' wives have been taken out of the streets penniless, starving and with Labour pains upon them and admitted at several hours of the night or day without any letter or recommendation whatever. [Long advertisement in Public Advertiser for all to support this charity and at the same time have the "opportunity of seeing a very pleasing Burletta."

Event Comment: At the large Theatrical Booth at the bottom of the Bowling Green. A new Comedy Written on the plan of a gentleman whose abilities have long received the sanction of public approbation. Interspersed with a variety of Entertainments infinitely superior to what have been generally given at the Fairs. The Songs will be new and spirited. The Dances lively and characteristic. By a company of Comedians from both Theatres. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Benefit for the General Lying-in Hospital, Duke St. [a long advertisement in the Public Advertiser, similar to that for 16 April 1761, notes the service the hospital has performed for some 6000 destitute "female objects" wives of soldiers and sailors.] Second Gallery 3s. 6d. 6:30 p.m

Event Comment: MMr Foote's Oratorical Lectures will be continued in the New Theatre in the Haymarket this day, between Twelve and One noon. [In six parts]: 1. Oratory in general, 2. Its utility demonstrated from its universality, 3. Distinct species of oratory, 4. The present practice peculiar to the English, 5. Necessity of an Academy, 6. The propriety of appointing the author perpetual professor. The whole to be illustrated in apt instances by a set of pupils long trained to the art, one of which is amazing proof of the force of Genius when properly cultivated (Public Advertiser). [These lectures were given 36 times and referred thereafter this season as The Orators.

Event Comment: Characters in Mainpiece New Dress'd in the Habits of the Times. [Theatrical Intelligence for 4 Nov. (Theatrical Miscellaneous Cuttings, G 60.23, Boston Public Library) notes: Last night the reformation in dress took place at the theatre in the revival of the second part of King Henry IV. The beauty as well as the propriety of the dresses give great satisfaction. The Old English Habits are indeed admirably suited to the style and manners of the plays of that time, in which a peculiarity prevails very remote from modern dialogue and the present fashion. The effect of this observation of the Costume, as the French call it, is very visible in the representation of Every Man in His Humour, and will, we hope, for the future be strictly observed in dressing every character of the plays of that age." The author then comments on Love's succes as Falstaff, and Garrick's effectiveness as the sick king especially in delivering the long speeches.

Event Comment: This Night is for the Author of the Farce. There being a Command on the 6th Night was the Reason of its being deferr'd so long (Hopkins). Author of Farce (Cross Diary). Receipts: #64 4s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for British Lying In Hospital, Brownlow St., Long-Acre

Event Comment: Benefit for British Lying-In Hospital in Brownlow St., Long Acre. By Particular Desire of several Persons of Distinction

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [Sga Spagnolla had been ill and missed a number of performances. For singers and dancers see following letter.] Sir: I am one of those to whom an Oratorio or an Opera (whether Italian or English) gives exquisite delight; and am therefore glad that, as the town is now full, those entertainments will, very probably, be crowded; and thus amply repay the several managers, for the great risk they run, as to their property, as well as for the vast pains they take to amuse us; for the labour employed, on those occasions, is infinitely greater than is usually imagined. The Italian opera has suffered considerably, this season, by the inability of Sga Spagnoli to exert her musical talents, owing to a most severe cold; but as she has now recovered her voice, 'tis presumed that she will be a source of as great pleasure, among us, to persons of a musical ear, and who have a true taste for that species of dramas, as she was in her native country, where she was always heard with great applause. I myself find great charms in the entertainments, as now exhibiting at the King's Theatre: for, besides Sga Spagnoli's taste I do not perceive the least diminution in Sg Elisi's voice or action, both of which pleased us so much two or three years ago. Ciprandi appears to me a fine player as well as singer; and with regard to Sg Savoi, he is generally thought to have a pleasing voice. [Comments on competence of the Orchestra.] The principal dancers are likewise acknowledged to have considerable merit. The gracefulness and the ease of Sg Adriani are very pleasing, as is the elegant agility of Sga Fabris Monari....Sg Sodi has so often diverted us by his compositions as Ballet master that it were superfluous to bestow any encomiums on him in this place. [Long comment on agreeable performance of Sofonisba, Scenery, etc. A puff by Musidorus in Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: dialogue in The Public Advertiser, 3 March, comments on arrangement of the stage for an Assembly; dimensions are 60 feet wide, 110 feet long, and 35-40 feet high. It has been altered and enlarged recently, for the columns are new and the upper end grew narrow, says the other speaker.

Event Comment: [The Public Advertiser this day contains a long letter from G. F. Theatricus extolling the virtues of Powell, Holland, Yates and Mrs Yates as actors capable of filling the shoes of Garrick and Mrs Cibber, especially with reference to their performance in the Clandestine Marriage, but calling attention also to their excellencies in other parts.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Elliot. This Comedy is intended to be perform'd only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Charges #64 5s. Balance to Miss Elliot #24 9s. 6d. [No tickets seem to have been delivered.] Paid a bill for the Funeral of Mrs Cable #3 8s., and for the funeral of Grace Gould, #4 8s. (Account Book). [The latter had long been a servant in the theatre, and this year was Wardrobe Mistress.] Receipts: #88 14s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: A Tragedy for Warm Weather. Written after the manner of the Worst, as well as the Best of the English Poets, containing amongst a Variety of Particulars, curious, entertaining, and pathetic, the Rebellion of the Journeymen Taylors on the Score of Wages, etc. Neville MS Diary: Half past Six went to ye Haymarket Theatre but could not get into ye Pit or first Gallery, so stood on ye last row of the shilling Gallery, tho' I could see little, to see how ye Taylors, a new tragedy for warm weather, would go off, being the first night of its performance. 3rd Act hiss'd-ye Gods in ye shilling Gallery called for ye Builder's Prologue-hissed off ye part of ye Old Maid twice and Davies who came to make an excuse. The Gentlemen, many of whom were there, cried No Prologue" but to no purpose. At last Foote said if he knew their demands he would be ready to comply with them. The noise ceasing, after some time he was told the Builder's Prologue was desired. He said he had done all in his power to get the performers, having seen them. After some time he came and informed them he had got the performers together, and if the House would be pleased to accept of ye Prologue in our dresses as we are you shall have it." This was followed by great clapping which shows the Genius of our English mobility ever generous after victory. Left ye House after ye Farce began. [Flints were journeymen tailors who refused to comply with the masters' terms and the regulations of the magistrate, in contradistinction to those who submitted and were in derision stiled Dungs. The term dates from 1764-OED. An extract from the Occasional Prologue (the Builder's Prologue) in prose on the opening of the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket, by Foote published in the London Magazine July 1767, p. 351. Foote, Scaffold, and Prompter are the three participants. Foote tells Scaffold he will be paid by the audience. Scaffold notes that the audience must in that case be pleased at all times. Foote promises no long processions [will] crowd my narrow scenes." He assumes that any of the reforms he plans will but echo the public voice. The Prompter then calls the actors on.

Event Comment: Benefit for the British Lying-In Hospital for Married Women, in Brownlow Street, Long-Acre

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Tragedy written by R. Glover. Part of Pit will be laid into Boxes. Send servants by 4 o'clock. Charges #64 19s. Balance to Yates #52 19s. plus #151 3s. from tickets (Box 589; Pit 26) (Account Book). Neville MS Diary: Having places in the Pit at Covent Garden went to see Mrs Yates do Medea in which she is inimitably great. My strong desire to see her in this character was one reason of continuing to town so long. Read her part before the play began. Her husband is truly comic in Tim in the Knights. Receipts; #117 18s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By particular Desire. Juliet by Mrs Morland from the Norwich Theater a thin small figure too long a waist--wants power has a small impediment in her Speech she may be useful but never Capital--Pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Mrs Morland the late Miss Westray (O. Smith) (Winston MS 10)