Event Comment: This Benefit was given to Mr Kennedy of a dreadful Fire that happened at Mr Youngers in King Street Covent Garden where Mr Kennedy was burnt out (Hopkins Diary). N.B. This night's salary given by part of the Company to the other sufferers #52 6s. 6d. Given by the Managers #6 18s. plus #3 12s. undercharged or 10 guineas. The Music gave this night's pay #7 17s. 6d. to Mr Kennedy, not having subscribed to him before (Treasurer's Book). [See 6 May.] Paid 1 yrs Poor's rate for Covt. Garden to Lady Day Last #2 16s. 8d.; Housekeeper's bills (4 weeks) #15 5s. 7d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts:#128 14s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Kennedy: #44 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMr W. Palmer, made his first appearance this Night in Hymen. a Tolerable Voice; but Extremely Aukward & the worst Speaker I ever heard (Hopkins). This night Mr W[ingfield] Palmer (son of Mr Palmer who married Miss Pritchard) made his first appearance on this stage in the character of Hymen,--a tolerable voice,--but the most aukward, and the worst speaker I ever heard (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #174 17s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Leonora-Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin">Miss Rogers for first time-O Horrible! most Horrible'. (Theatrical Review). Leonora 1st time Miss Rogers very pretty & got Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin, Miss Rogers. Rec'd Stopages, #11 2s. 6d.; From Mr Hopkins, on Acct, #16 10s.; From Mr Clutterbuck, #200; from Sinking Fund #126 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #156 6s. 6d. Charges: #48 8s. 6d. Profit to Aickin & Miss Rogers: #107 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Queen Mab is reviv'd with Alterations and Additions particularly Grand New Scene with a Representation of a Regatta very well executed but is too much like The Naval Review (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Hopkins differs slightly. He also adds from the Public Advertiser, 13 Nov., The last grand scene is a Representation of the whole Regatta sailing by Ranelagh. That and the Red House were invented and drawn by Mr deLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, deRoy, Greenwood, and others."] Rec'd stopages #11 12s. 6d. Paid Salary list #626 16s. 6d. Receipts: #152 12s. (Treasurer's Book). [Fuller descriptions of the Regatta scene appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Nov.: The Scene affords a picturesque view of the Thames on the Surry Side to Ranelagh Gardens representing the procession of barges etc., of the different squadrons, previous to their landing the company. The effect produced by this united scenery and machinery was very pleasing; every barge appeared to be rowed to the time of the band of music which is supposed to be upon the water, and evepy man and oar keeps a regular stroke: the sky, flat behind, was finely designed and executed for the general relief, and disposition of the men and boats near shore, in the foreground, was beautiful and did the painter great credit. The whole concluded with a Tar 's song in character, by Mr Bannister, and a dance by sailors and their doxies.'

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Last time of Garrick's performing Richard . Ladies desired to send their Servants a little after Five to keep places, to prevent Confuson. It is Vanity to endeavor to describe Mr G. Merits they beggar all Descripiton, suffice it to Say he was what he represented (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble conservatively toned down.] Paid Sg Como and Crispi in full #3 8s. 3d. Mr Hurd ditto 7s. 6d. Receipts: #284 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command K. & Q. Ode, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). Waited on Mr & Mrs Barry to know if it would be agreeable to them to go in the Pageant [The Jubilee] on Saturday--They both agreed they would & Mr Barry said he could be able to walk in the Pageant if he could not play. A rehearsal of As You Like It was call'd by Mrs Barry's desire at Ten. She sent word to have the Rehearsal put off for half an hour. The Performers staid for her till past Eleven, but she not coming they went away (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Two Young Lady's made their first Appearance in the Characters of Polly & Lucy Pupils of Dr Arne--Miss Wellers figure is very well for Polly but she wants Spirit & is apt to Sing out of Tune. Mrs Bradley is Tall & a good figure for Lucy and acquitted herself very well in that character they both met with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly: Two young Gentlewomen appeared in the characters of Polly and Lucy,--brought out by Dr Arne,--Miss Weller and Mrs Bradley.--Miss Weller's figure was very well for Polly; but she is a piece of still life, sings out of tune and will never make an actress.--Mrs Bradley,--very tall, and appears to have blackguard requisites enough for Lucy, but will not do for anything else--Hopkins Diary No 7. Mrs Bradley is since married to Mr Prior the Builder.--J. P. Kemble."] Paid Renters #8 [this payment occurs each playing night of the season, 188 times in all, and will not be further noted]; Mr Carver, six days, #6 [a weekly payment outside the pay list throughout the season. Presumably to scene painter. No further noted]; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s. Renters total for season #1592. Carver total for season #088 (Treasurer's Book). [see account of Miss Weller and Miss Bradley in Town and Country Magazine (Theatre XXXVIII): The first performed the part of Polly, and the latter that of Lucy. Their figures are both genteel, and their countenances expressive. Miss weller was much confused upon her first entrance; but from the melody of her voice, tho she did not raise it sufficiently in many parts, there is reason to believe, when she was got the better of her terrors of facing an audience, that she will be an acquisition to the stage, at least as a vocal performer. Miss Bradley's performance of Lucy with great spirit, vivacity and Propriety' and her singing being so well suited to the character, she so much eclipsed Polly, that the audience formed a more indifferent opinion of her abilities than she deserved."] Receipts: #220 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 7 Oct. 1768.] Mr Clinch made his first appearance in the part of Alexander tolerable figure & Voice a Little too much upon the Brogue, he is very wild & Aukward-but was receiv'd with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Dr Arne as per order #31 8s.; Mr Stacie for drawing leases, #3 3s. Tallow chandler's first bill #29 13s. 3d.; Mr Jefferson on note, #200 (Treasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine more favorable to Clinck's performance than is Hopkins.] Receipts: #149 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A New Pantomime of Mr Messinks went off with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Music By Dibdin. New Scenes, Habits, and Machines. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. [Repeated.] Paid 4 days salary list at #85 12s. 11d., #342 11s. 8d.; Miss Mansell on acct #5 5s.; Mr Clinch ditto, #6 6s.; Dr Arne for Mrs Bradley 2 nights per order #5 5s.; Stopages nil (Treasurer's Book). [Full description of the New Pantomime is given in the Westminster Magazine (January 1773): Harlequin born to the Pigmies comes to manhood, gets a job from the Register Office in a Nobleman's family where he meets Colombine. They love, and elope, a chase ensues through several noted places in London, which are detailed in the review. The union of the lovers is finally consended to, and all closes with dancing. "Some of the paintings in the scenery are well executed; and the generality of Mr Dibdin's music deserves equal praise." In it Mrs Wrighten gives a ludicrous imitation of Miss Catley's manner of singing. The reviewer's general thesis about the London stage of this period, given first in the preliminary number, 1 Jan. 1773 continues: "The Stage seems now buried in universal darkness...The Publick for several weeks, has been fed with the lean carcass of two villainous pantomimes."] Receipts: #162 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Eleventh and Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Othello and The Irish Widow, to have been performed this evening for Mr Barry's Benefit, oblig'd to be deferr'd till further notice (playbill). Mr Barry being Ill his Benefit which was to have been this Night is oblig'd to be deferr'd (Hopkins Diary). [So, according to Hopkins, the profits went to the house.] Receipts: #171 19s. 6d. To the Public Advertiser: Sir, I spent an agreeable evening lately with a Country Friend at the Primitive Puppet Show, and was not displeased at the ridicule pointed at the dull, spiritless stuff, which composes modern Sentimental Comedy. I was entertained too with the manner in which some of the Actors were taken off; But I cannot think mimicry worthy to furnish an Evening Entertainment for a Polite British Audience, or suited to the happy ridicule and pointed wit of Aristophanes. The old Roman comedy, as it was called, was designed for nobler purposes: it was directed to improve the head and mend the heart. The keen manly satire of that Comedy was pointed at Upstart, Braggart, Vice, and to expose the dangerous unfeeling craft of innocent Villainy, or to use the words of Mr Pope--Brand the bold front of shameless, guilty man. Such was, and such ought to be, the salutary Direction of Wit, and Satire by exhibiting characters in their genuine colours, when the mask, which disguises and conceals them from the eyes of the Weak the Credulous, and the Ignorant, is drawn off. The words of Horace are--Detrabere et pellam, mitidus qua quisque per ora Cederet, introrsum turpis. Yours, Dramaticus. Poetry for the Public Advertiser. Epigram on the New Tragedy Alonzo. @No wonder that each female voice@Resounds Alonzo's praise;@A sure foundation of Applause,@The crafty Author lays.@ @Against the Virtue of his Wife@A Husband, if he's wise@According to the Gallant HOME,@Should not believe his eyes.

Event Comment: MMr Powell play'd much better than first Night (Hopkins). Receipts: #233 9s. (MacMillan)