Event Comment: By Their Royal Highnesses' Command. At Penkethman's Theatre. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. Afterpiece: a diverting Droll. Box Tickets at Penkethman's House in Richmond. Daily Post, 5 Sept.: Mr Penkethman...had the Honour to divert their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, with Entertainments of Acting and Tumbling perform'd to Admiration; Likewise with his Picture of the Royal Family, down from the King of Bohemia to the young Princesses, in which is seen the Nine Muses playing on their several Instruments, in Honour of that August Family. There were present Nobility, Gentry and Ladies upwards of 200

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This date marks the opening of the new theatre in Dorset Garden. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 31): The new Theatre in Dorset-Garden being Finish'd, and our Company after Sir William's Death, being under the Rule and Dominion of his Widow the Lady Davenant, Mr Betterton and Mr Harris, (Mr Charles Davenant her Son Acting for her) they remov'd from Lincolns-Inn-Fields thither. And on the Ninth Day of November 1671, they open'd their new Theatre with Sir Martin Marral, which continu'd Acting 3 Days together, with a full Audience each Day; notwithstanding it had been Acted 30 Days before in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, and above 4 times at court. [This play is also on the L. C. lists at Harvard. See VanLennep, "Plays on the English Stage", p. 18: Sir Martin.

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not precisely known, but the opera was in preparation on 15 June 1697. In addition, it was advertised in the Post Boy, 22-24 June 1697, that it would be published on 25 June 1697. As it was occasionally the custom of the theatres to have copies of operatic pieces available at the theatre for a performance, it is possible that the premiere occurred at the end of the week of 21-26 June 1697. Furthermore, a certain performance on 1 July 1697, a benefit for the "Undertaker" of it, probably the third performance, similarly suggests a premiere a few days earlier

Event Comment: The Last Time of Performing in This Theatre. Kemble Mem.: Sheridan wrote the Address [not listed on playbill; see Gazetteer, 6 June], Palmer delivered it. Universal Magazine, June 1791, p. 438: On Saturday night, of a gradual decay, and in the 117th year of her age, died old Madam Drury, who lived through six reigns, and saw many generations pass in review before her...She had a rout of near 2000 people at her house the very night of her death; and the old lady found herself in so much spirits, that she said she would give them 'No Supper' without a 'Song'; which being complied with, she fell back gently in her chair, and expired without a groan. Dr Palmer, one of her family physicians, attended her in her last moments, and announced her dissolution to the company. [This was written by George Colman, ynger.] Gazetteer, 6 June: Samuel Johnson was powerfully and pathetically shewn the universal horror which men feel of the last even towards things indifferent, or sometimes unpleasant; and there seemed to be some apprehension of this sort of pain on Saturday, for a very few attended to take their leave of the scene where they have been so often regaled with fictitious sorrow and gladness. [This theatre was first opened on 26 March 1674. It has been altered and redecorated on several occasions, notably by the architects Robert and James Adam in the summer of 1775, for which see illustration in The London Stage, Part IV, Vol. III, 1650. The new theatre was not in readiness until April, 1794. The principal reason for the delay was that the patent had lapsed, and "it being necessary to obtain one previous to the payment of their respective sums on the part of the subscribers, application was made to Mr Harris, of Covent Garden Theatre, who possessed a dormant patent." The price set was #15,000, and the patent was sent to a banker for inspection. A Mr George White, who had married a daughter of William Powell, one of the former patentees, and had thereby a financial interest, objected to this price, and "obtained a prohibition in the Court of Chancery which obliged the banker to restore the patent to the Manager of Covent Garden Theatre." The subscribers to the new Drury Lane thereupon refused to pay their subscriptions, and work on the demolition of the old theatre was halted (London Chronicle, 30 July 1792). Sheridan finally offered #20,000: #15,000 to Harris and #5,000 to White, which was accepted, and work on the theatre was resumed, the cornerstone being laid on 4 Sept. 1792 (Morning Chronicle, 6 Sept.; London Chronicle, 12 Sept. 1792). The Actual sum eventually paid to Harris was #11,667.] Paid in lieu of Benefits: Kelly #100; Miss Farren #300; Aickin #60; Williames #42. Received from Their Majesties for Season #78. Paid Renters #20 apiece (Account-Book). Receipts: #105 5s. 6d. (74.7.0; 24.0.6; 6.18.0)

Event Comment: Directors of the Oratorios: Linley and Storace. Among the Principal Instrumental Performers are Ashe, W. Parke, Parkinson, Mason, Flack, Ashbridge, &c. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No Money to be returned. Books of the performance to be had at the Theatre. [This was the 1st performance held in the new DL theatre]. Under the Management of Mr Kemble. The Box Office, for the present, is in Little Russell-Street, opposite to the Theatre, where Boxes and Places are to be taken of Fosbrook. The Box Doors are in Little Russell Street and Woburn Street. The whole of the Avenues [into the theatre], and the New Street ["which is intended to be called Woburn-street" (Carlton House Magazine, Apr. 1794, p. 136); see next paragraph] not being yet complete, Ladies and Gentlemen are particularly requested to direct their Coachmen to set down in Little Russell Street (where alone the Carriage Box Doors are at present) with the Horses heads toward Covent Garden, which is the only line in which Carriages can be permitted to pass. Carriages wanting to draw up after the performance should be headed to range in Drury Lane, toward Long Acre and Great Queen Street. The Chair Doors and Footway are in the Court in Woburn Street, where for the accomodation of those who may wish to have their Carriages wait out of the Croud, Chairs belonging to the Theatre and under proper regulations will attend. In order to keep the Colonnades quite clear no Servants can be permitted to wait there, but those belonging to the Carriages actually drawn up before the Pillars, and no Servants whatever can be permitted to pass the Doors of the Lower Saloon. Pit Door. The Temporary Pit Passage is in the center of the Theatre, in Bridges Street, which leads to a Spacious Saloon, which will be opened One Hour before the opening of the Pit Doors. All Carriages for the Pit Door are to wait in Catherine Street, or York-Street, to take up with the Horses heads towards Little Russel Street, and to pass through Great Russel-Street. Gallery Doors. The Gallery Doors, for Admittance, are in Little Russell-Street, and Woburn-Street, but, after the commencement of the Performance, the Gallery Doors, for the present can be only in Woburn Street. Every proper precaution is taken to prevent Croud and Inconvenience at the several Passages. The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. "The Orchestra represented the inside of a Gothic Cathedral [designed by Capon], and the Chorus Singers paid that attention to their attire that rendered the stage respectable. The house is so constructed that every note was distinctly heard at the remotest part of the theatre . . . The audience are so near the performers that the movement of every muscle is seen; a matter essentially necessary, particularly to the exhibition of an English Drama." [This opinion is greatly at variance with that of other commentators on the construction, the acoustics, &c. of the new theatre.] (European Magazine, Mar. 1794, p. 236). "The stage for the oratorios resembles a Gothic Cathedral, with illuminated stained glass windows, &c. The flies . . . [are] carved like the fretted roof of an antique pile, and the wings to the side scenes are removed for a complete screen, like those in use at the foreign theatres." (Thespian Magazine, Mar. 1794, p. 127). Account-Book, 12 Mar.: Paid Cabanel building Stage, on Acct. #130; Capon, painter, on Acct. #61 12s. Receipts: #358 6s. (281/2; 243 tickets sold by Fosbrook: 72/18; 4/6)

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known. A contract between Cibber and Rich was signed on 29 Oct. 1696 (L. C. 3@73, in Nicoll, Restoration Drama, pp. 381-82), with an agreement that it was not to be printed until a month after it was acted. Since the play was advertised in the Post Man, 20-23 March 1696@7, it may have been acted as early as January 1697, certainly not later than February 1697. Possibly Leveridge set the music for a song, Tell me, Belinda, prithee do, which is in A New Book of Songs by Mr Leveridge, advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3293, 3 June 1697. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Lady in Fashion, by a Player, Damn'd. Preface, Edition of 1697: Not to miss the Advantage of Mr Doggett's Excellent Action; I prepar'd a low Character

Event Comment: A New Ballad Opera. [By Henry Potter.

Event Comment: The Rose is a New Musical performance of Two Acts by Dr Arne a very dull insipid piece. Mr G. protested against its being perform'd its being perform'd it was hiss'd from the beginning & wd not Suffer it to be given out again, therefore Mr King went on & told them it Should not be perform'd again until it be alter'd (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. See critical damnation of The Rose in British Theatre Article in The London Magazine, Dec. 1772.] Book of the Entertainment to be had at the Theatre (playbill). Paid Mr Petit for men's cloaths, #8 8s. CTreasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine (Theatre, No. XLI) disappointed with the Rose: "We are told that this precious piece of stuff is the production of an Oxford student; it may be so, of this every auditor is certain, that the collegian who penned it was so entirely lost in the pursuit of some abstruse study, that he has totally forgot grammar, common sense, and even his mother tongue...it was unanimously damn'd."] Receipts: #172 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Robert Jephson. Prologue by the author (Gentleman's Magazine, Jan, 1782, p. 36). Another Prologue, by the Right Hon. Luke Gardiner, "not arriving in London time enough for the first exhibition of the Count of Narbonne, was not spoken" (ibid.). Epilogue by Richard Josceline Goodenough, but beginning with 20 Nov. it was superseded by a new Epilogue written by Edmond Malone (see text)]: With new Scenery and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 1 Nov.: The Management of The Count of Narbonne is . . . under very good Care: Mr Horace Walpole, with a Fondness nothing less than fatherly, directs that part of the Affair which respects the Scenes and Dresses, while Henderson takes Charge of the Rehearsals and the casting of inferior Parts... [Henderson] is to wear a Dress which is lent him from among the Antiquities at Strawberry Hill. "I have been at the theatre, and compromised the affair of the epilogues: one is to be spoken to-morrow, the friend's on the author's night. I have been tumbling into trap-doors, seeing dresses tried on in the green-room, and directing armour in the painting-room" (Walpole [16 Nov. 1781], XII, 95). "I never saw a more unprejudiced audience, nor more attention. There was not the slightest symptom of disapprobation to any part ... It is impossible to say how much justice Miss Younge did to your writing. She has shown herself a great mistress of her profession, mistress of dignity, passion, and of all the sentiments you have put into her hands. The applause given to her description of Raymond's death lasted some minutes, and recommenced; and her scene in the fourth act, after the Count's ill-usage, was played in the highest perfection. Mr Henderson was far better than I excepted from his weakness, and from his rehearsal yesterday, with which he was much discontented himself. Mr Wroughton was very animated, and played the part of the Count much better than any man now on the stage would have done. I wish I could say Mr Lewis satisfied me; and that poor child Miss Satchell was very inferior to what she appeared at the rehearsals, where the total silence and our nearness deceived us. Her voice has no strength, nor is she yet at all mistress of the stage. I have begged Miss Younge to try what she can do with her by Monday. However, there is no danger to your play: it is fully established" (Walpole [to the author, 18 Nov. 1781], XII, 95-96). Public Advertiser, 28 Nov. 1781: This Day is published The Count of Narbonne (price not listed). Receipts: #164 10s. 6d. (163/0/6; 1/10/0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not Acted these Fifty Years. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Shakespear. N.B. The above Play of King Henry IV is the Genuine Play of Shakespear, and not that alter'd by Mr Betterton, and so frequently acted at the other Theatre

Event Comment: The United Company. Newdigate newsletters, 20 Jan. 1682@3: Yesterday was acted at the Theatre Royall the first of a new play Entituled the City Politiques the novelty of wch drew a Confluence of Spectators under both Qualifications of Whigg and Tory to hear and behold a Ld Mayor Sheriffs & some Aldermen with their wives in yr usuall formalityes buffoond & Reviled a great Lawyer with his young Lady Jeared and Intreagued Dr Oates pfectly represented berogued & beslaved the papist plott Egregiously Rediculed the Irish Testemonyes Contradictiorily disproved & befoold the Whiggs totally vanquished & undon Law & property men oreruld & there wanted nothing of Artifice in behaviour and discourse to render all those obnoxious & dispised in fine such a medly of occurences intervened that twas a question whether more of Loyalty designe or Rhetorique prvailed but there were mighty clappings among the poeple of both partyes in Expressing either their sattisfaction or displeasure (Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81). The Prologue and Epilogue, separately Printed, have 20 Jan. 1682@3 as Luttrell's date of acquisition (Huntington Library) and are reprinted in Wiley's Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 166-69. John Dennis, To Mr --- In which are some Passages of the Life of Mr John Crown, Author of Sir Courtly Nice, June 23, 1719: About that time he writ The City Politicks, on purpose to Satyrize and expose the Whigs; a Comedy so agreeable, that it deserv'd to be writ in a much better Cause: But after he had writ he met with very great Difficulties in the getting it acted. Bennet Lord Arlington, who was then Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold, and who had secretly espous'd the Whigs, who were at that time powerful in Parliament, in order to support himself against the Favour and Power of the Lord Treasurer Danby, who was his declared Enemy, us'd all his Authority to suppress it. One While it was prohibited on the account of its being Dangerous, another while it was laid aside on the pretence of its being Falt and Insipid; till Mr Crown at last was forc'd to have Recourse to the king himself, and to engage him to give his absolute Command to the Lord Chamberlain for the acting of it; which Command the King was Pleas'd to give in his own Person (I, 49-50). Morrice Entry Book, Vol.1 1682@3: Mr Crowne [was cudgled on Wednesday last in St Martin's Lane and] hee that beat him said hee did it at the suite of the Earle of Rochester some time since deceased who greatly abused in the play for his penetency &c. (p. 353. I owe this note to the courtesy of Professor David M. Vieth of the University of Kansas and Professor G. H. Jones of Kansas State University)

Event Comment: Not Acted these Thirty Years. Written originally in French by Moliere. Original Weekly Journal, 28 June: On Friday 7-Night one Mr Kelley, an Irish Gentleman, was kill'd by Mr Ryan, one of the Actors of Lincolns-Inn-Fields Theatre; the Accident happen'd thus: Mr Ryan being at the Sun-Eating House in Long Acre at Supper; Mr Kelley, who before had terrified several Companions by drawing his Sword upon Persons whom he did not know, came up into the Room drunk, and abused Mr Ryan, who returned him very civil Usage, and desired his Absence: This did not satisfie Mr Kelley, who drew his Sword, made three Passes at Mr Ryan, before he could get his own Sword, which lay by in the Window; at last finding his own Life in Danger, He drew and ran Mr Kelley in the left Side, who fell down and immediately died

Event Comment: To be seen a Person who performs the most surprizing Things...he presents you with a common Wine bottle, which any of the Spectators may first examine; this Bottle is plac'd on a Table in the Middle of the Stage, and he (without any Equivocation) goes into it in Sight of all the Spectators, and sings in it; during his Stay in the Bottle, any Person may handle it, and see plainly that it does not exceed a common Tavern Bottle. The Performance continues about Two Hours and a Half. These Performances have been seen by most of the Crowned Heads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and never appear'd anywhere Public but once. Stage 7s. 6d. where Masks may be worn. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. [The famous Bottle Conjurer hoax.] Theatre was crowded...by five o'clock; at seven the house was lighted up [but not music]...a Person came before the Curtain, and, bowing, promis'd if Mr Conjurer did not arrive in half an Hour, their Money should be return'd...after near an Hour...a Gentleman in the Box snatch'd a Candle lighted, and in Violence threw it on the Stage; this was the Signal for the Onset of Battle...the Boxes, Seats, Glasses, Scenes, Chairs, Machinery, and all the Furniture of the Play House, were in less than ten Minutes carried into the Street...an excellent Bonfire was made of Mr Foote's Auction Room...it may put a [pe]riod to the Auction, till the Theatre can be refitted.--Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 139. [Potter was still owner of this theatre.] Those opposed to a recent late book would have been gratified had the Conjurer jumped into the bottle and proved that miracles had not yet ceased."--Daily Advertiser, 17 Jan. Last Night a numerous Audience, among whom were several Persons of Quality, was at the New Theatre in the Haymarket, in wonderful Expectation of seeing the Miraculous Man creep into a Bottle, and do several other Miracles; but the only one he perform'd was, that he render'd himself invisible (without any Equivocation) to the no small Disappointment of the gaping Multitude; who, being told from behind the Curtain that the Performer had not yet appear'd, but that if they would stay until the next Night, instead of a Quart Bottle he should creep into a Pint, immediately grew outrageous, and in a Quarter of an Hour's Time broke to Pieces all the Boxes, Benches, Scenes, and everything that was in their power to destroy, leaving only the Shell of the House remaining. Surely this will deter anyone from venturing to impose on the public in the like manner for the future.--General Advertiser, 17 Jan. [See also dl Comment 18, 19, 20, 27 Jan.

Event Comment: At (alias Jubilee Dicky), Norris's, Chetwood's, Orfeur's, and Oates' Great Theatrical Booth, next Mr Bullock's in Bird-Cage Alley. An excellent new Droll, never acted before

Event Comment: DDaily Journal, 22 Dec,: As the Author, in Compliment to that excellent Comedian Mr Wilks, had declared, that whenever he should leave off playing the Character of Sir Harry Wildair, the Comedy might e'en trip to the Jubilee; so the Curiosity of the better Sort was a good deal raised, to see how it would fare in the Hands of a new Company, and were as agreeably surprized to see it play'd to a fine Audience, with universal Applause; and particularly to the Parts of Wildair and Lurewell

Event Comment: Benefit Chapman [who states that he is in danger of losing vision in one eye. Tickets at Chapman's House, the Corner of Bow Street cg.] London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 27 March: Last Week died, after a most tedious and expensive Illness, at Chelsea, Mrs Laguerre, formerly a celebrated Dancer on the Stage. Daily Post, 29 March: During the Rehearsal [on 27 March], of a new Tragedy, written by Mr Thompson, call'd Edward and Eleonora, (which was to have been acted on this Day) he receiv'd, to his great Surprise, a Message from the Lord Chamberlain, absolutely forbidding the acting of the said Play. No Objection having been made to the Whole or any Part of it, we must conclude it was consider'd as immoral or seditious

Event Comment: Ever studious for Public Amusement, I...strayed last Week, to a place near the Haymarket in Westminster, and Temple Bar in Middlesex, call'd James's St., where at the New Theatre, a Play called the Miser, with an Entertainment called the Old Man Bit, or Harlequin Skeleton, I saw rehears'd. J. W. Gray's Inn 12 Oct.-Theatrical Clippings, Folger Library. Benefit Julian Late of Goodman's Fields Theatre. At the New Theatre in James St., near Haymarket...a Concert. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6 p.m. Note, Mr Julian taken this Opportunity to acquaint his Friends, that these Performances will be done with the utmost Regularity and Decoration, most of the Performers having belong'd to the Theatres. [This customary notice about the concert, time and prices will not be included unless changed.

Event Comment: By the Great Mogul's Company of Comedians. Mainpiece: Written by the Author of George Barnwell. Afterpiece: A new Dramatick Satire: With freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick. Written by the Author of Pasquin [Henry Fielding]. These Characters will all be seen cheap; 1n the Boxes at 5s.; in the Pit at 3s.; in the Gallery at 2s. Note, None will be admitted after the House is full; for which Reason, the sooner you come, or secure your Places, the better. All Persons are desir'd to cry at the Tragedy, and laugh at the Comedy, being quite contrary to the present general Practice. Mr Hen gives Notice, that if any Joke is both Hiss'd and Clapp'd, such Division will be consider'd an Encore, and the said Joke be put up again. Daily Advertiser, 22 March: Last Night the two new Performances at the Hay-Market...were receiv'd with the greatest Applause ever shown at the Theatre

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. Flying Post, 2-4 July 1700: At the Request, and for the Entertainment of several Persons of Quality, at the New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, to Morrow, being Friday, the 5th of this instant July, will be acted, The Comical History of Don Quixote, both Parts being made into one by the Author. With a new Entry by the little Boy, being his last time of Dancing before he goes to France: Also Mrs Elford's new Entry, never performed but once; and Miss Evan's Jigg and Irish Dance: With several new Comical Dances, compos'd and perform'd by Monsieur L'Sac and others. Together with a new Pastoral Dialogue, by Mr George and Mrs Haynes; and variety of other Singing. It being for the Benefit of a Gentleman in great distress; and for the Relief of his Wife and Three Children. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 45: Don Quixote, both Parts made into one, by Mr Durfey, Mrs Bracegirdle Acting, and her excellent Singing in't; the Play in general being well Perform'd tis little Inferior to any of the preceding Comedies