Event Comment: [Receipts missing from Treasurer's Book. Expenditure page present.] Paid Mr Wallis rent on 100 nights #11 13s. 4d.; Paid Young Cross for dancing in the Tempest 5s., and Shawford's youngest son for same 5s.; Norton 3 chorus 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Second edition of Merope "As it was acted last season and as it is now acting, with great applause, at Drury Lane." Printed for A. Miller, apposite Katherine St., Strand. Price 1s. 6d. Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: Kite by Mr Layfield from Dublin (Cross). Last night Mons Devisse perform'd (for the 1st time) at Drury Lane, and was receiv'd with general applause (General Advertiser). Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMrs Green went to Bath to play & left us-O fool. Mr Mossop from Ireland play'd Richd -the House was crowded in ten Minutes, he was receiv'd with great Applause but happening to crack towards the end a few hiss'd. but were overpower'd by the Claps--he is very young has been upon ye Irish Stage but two years--his performance was so well, that we cou'd find no want but--Garrick (Cross). Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: A blunder in ye same place (the Giants) a great noise-Horse beans thrown-when ye curtain was down, Mr Woodward went on & said-Gentlemen I am very sorry this Accident shou'd happen, but before this little piece is perform'd again, I'll take care to see it so well practis'd that no Mistake can happen for ye furture. Great Applause.-The play was hiss'd again at the End (Cross). Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 5 years. [See 11 Dec. 1744. For further comment on Dexter, see Genest, IV, p. 341.] One Mr Dexter did Oroonoko , a Gent of Ireland--who never appear'd upon a Stage before--he had ye Greatest applause ever heard & indeed deservedly a Sweet Voice, great feeling--his name was not in ye Bills--only by a Gent (Cross). We hear that a Comedy call'd Eastward Hoe; or, The Prentices, written by Ben Johnson, Chapman, and Marston, is now reviving at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, and will be acted the 29th. [A four page double column account of the text of Oroonoko appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1752, pp. 163-67.] Receipts: #130 (Cross)

Event Comment: Never were the theatres more in Estimation than at present, nor was there ever a time at which so much pains appear to have been taken, in order to continue them upon a good footing. We owe our thanks to Mr Garrick for engaging in the expence of such a number of additional performers, but we owe him also our applause for the success with which they have played (Inspector No 203, in Daily Advertiser and London Gazette). Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: Some Hissing, tho' play'd Well-Garrick Kiteley &c. (Cross). Mainpiece: Written by Ben Johnson, never acted there. Characters Dress'd in the Old English@Manner. Receipts: #200 (Cross). We hear that His Majesty intended to go to the theatre Royal in Drury Lane this evening, to see the Comedy of Every Man in his Humour, wrote by Ben Johnson in 1598, acted the same year by the Lord Chamberlain's Servants, and dedicated to the great Mr Camden; and was reviv'd since the Revolution with Great Applause, having a new Epilogue spoken by Ben Johnson's Ghost , written by the late Earl of Dorset (Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: A New Pantomime, compos'd by Mr Woodward--it went off with great Applause (Cross). [Full prices were demanded throughout the season. Not further noted herein.] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: As the Entertainment call'd Taste, was not quite so well receiv'd as was expected, and as it was solely intended for the Benefit of Mr Worsdale, the Author has suspended its representation till Worsdale's Benefit night; by that time some alterations will be made, which, it is hop'd, will render the piece more palatable to the publick (General Advertiser). [The Inspector No. 271 , commented on Foote's Taste of the previous Saturday: A party against it, but the piece was "heard with attention, and, in consequence with Applause. There is, indisputably more genuine Wit in it than in any piece of the kind ever produc'd among us; the characters are natural, tho many of them uncommon ones; their stile and sentiments are adapted to them with perfect propriety, and the incidents are not forced or crowded together upon the audience." A full discussion of each part follows. (Daily Advertiser and Literary Gazette.] Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: No alterations were made in the farce, but cutting out a little, & it was play'd with great Applause, & given out again with great Clapping. Benefit for Mr Worsdale (Cross). Tickets to be had at the Bedford Coffee House. Part of Pit laid into boxes. We hear that Miss Bellamy, belonging to Drury Lane Theatre, was taken ill on Sunday last, and continues very much indispos'd. Receipts: #230 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Howard. Afterpiece: A Masque (never perform'd here). As it was performed at the Theatre Royal Dublin, with universal applause. The Music composed by Sg Pasquali. Printed Books of the Entertainment will be sold at the Theatre. Tickets deliver'd out by Grandchamps and Madem Camargo will be taken

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never before acted. A tragedy written by Mr Henry? Jones, a Bricklayer of Ireland. This play has been delay'd for 3 Or 4 years. Went of with great Applause (Cross). All the Characters New Dress'd. None to be admitted behind the scenes

Event Comment: New Scenes, Music, Habits, Decorations, Machines &c. Nothing under Full Prices. A new Pantomime-went off with great Applause (Cross). [The afterpiece dealt with in high irony by Murphy in Gray's Inn Journal (29 Dec.): It is writ entirely upon the Grecian plan, so much admired by the French critics, and of course does not bid very fair to please the multitude in this country, whose taste is too much vitiated by Shakespeare's monstruous irregularity, to relish the simplicity of this piece. Mr Ranger will only observe that he is highly pleased with the Fable, the Morality, the University, and Integrity of it, and as the writing is equal all through, he looks upon it to be one of the best Pantomimes in the English language.] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: FFoote play'd Ben , Miss Macklin Miss Prue , Mrs Clive Mrs Frail . Foote cou'd not sing ye Song in Ben, so said two or three times, I can't do it & upon a little Hissing, said, Gentlemen I have no talents for singing-ye whole play Hum (Cross). [Opposed to Cross's summary of the effect of the performance appeared in Gray's Inn Journal the Murphy account (19 Jan.): The excellent Comedy of Love for Love has been revived here this week, the humorous and diverting Part of Ben, the sailor, was performed with great pleasantry by Mr Foote, who showed by his manner and his looks, that he had entered into the secret of the character, tho' twas visible at the same time, that his powers were greatly suppressed by his solicitude for his first appearance in a new character. It may be said of Miss Macklin, tho perhaps better qualified for spirited genteel comedy, that she acquitted herself with great applause in a part in which Mrs Clive has displayed so many inimitable strokes of humour."] Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: On Tuesday next a New Tragedy called Philoclea. On Monday 28 January will be a Benefit for Sga Nicolina Giordani, A comic Opera with dances. Tickets and places for the Boxes may be had at Sg Giordani's Lodging, at Mr Milbourn's Grocer, in James St. Covent Garden. To the Young Gentlewoman who has performed Hermione [see 19 Jan.]: @Great was th' Applause you met, great your desert,@You charm'd the Eye, the Ear, the Head, the Heart.@Amaz'd we saw you at the first appear,@Ev'n in the hardest part, a perfect play'r.@Your person, your deportment set to view,@The youthful princess that the poet drew.@All was propriety, and all was grace,@We read the author's meaning in your face.@Your elocution was both just and strong,@Mix'd with due ease, and not an accent wrong,@Such varied Musick in your voice we heard,@That in the Tones both Taste and Sense appear'd.@Love, Jealousy, and Rage so well expres't@Engag'd our souls, nor knew we which was best,@'Twas Nature all-she form'd you for the stage,@Follow her steps, and glad th' Admiring Age.-Public Advertiser@

Event Comment: Written by Mr Whitehead, author of the Roman Father. (Great applause) (Cross). Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: Speedily will be publish'd at 1s. 6d. Dedicated to David Garrick Esq a New Edition of the Orphan of China...acted at Paris with great applause. [A weekly writer says of this performance: "I could wish that our modern Play-wrights would endeavor to imitate this author in the judicious choice and dispositions of their Fable; and further think this very piece not unworthy the notice of our managers. The Translator has indeed, with great propriety, laid his version at Mr Garrick's door, since there is nobody so well qualified to take the orphan under their protection."] Printed for R. Baldwin in Paternoster Row. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lowe. [See following "puff" from the Public Advertiser. "Sir: Perhaps there never was a period when the members of the stage were more respected than at present; and this favour consequently proceeds from the decency of their behaviour, and an emulative pride to please that public, whose generosity is an ample reward for their assiduity and perseverance; and when we consider the many qualifications, as well natural as acquired, requisite to constitute a player, surely the most rigid judge will be of opinion that the encouragement is not more than equal to the excellence. An actor must feel, that is, have the most refined idea of his part, to make an audience feel likewise; and adequate to the pleasures he enjoys in the applause of his approvers, will rise his degree of unhappiness, if by accident or sickness he is obstructed in the execution of his Genius; and should this happen at the era of his benefit, it must then be his misfortune to supplicate that interest which otherwise his merit would have commanded. "I was led to these reflections by accidentally perusing an advertisement prefix'd to a bill for the benefit of Mr Lowe; a performer too well known to need encomiums here; from whom the Town receive no inconsiderable Satisfaction at the theatre, and whose harmonious performance at our deservedly frequented summer scene of pleasure, has long obtained their highest approbation. We are told that a severe cold and Hoarseness have hindered his performing for some weeks past, and that he is now incapable of going abroad." Follows an elaborate plea for Lowe's friends to excuse his not calling on them, and for them to support his Benefit Night. Signed Veritas.

Event Comment: There are Places inclosed for the Ladies to sit, and it is humbly hoped that the Gentlemen will not be offended, as it is impossible to accommodate everyone with Seats. To begin at Six. Public Advertiser, 12 and 13 June: Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold distinguished themselves beyond expectation and the Company was pleas'd to say that Sga Seratina was in no way inferior to the famous Spiletta. Performed before a very genteel and numerous audience with great applause. It will continue to be performed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: The Uncommon Applause of the new Entertainment...has excited the curiosity of a great many of the Nobility and Gentry that had never seen Marybone before. Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold have distinguished themselves surprisingly; and though this Entertainment is performed in the English Language, clearly proves, that it is in the Power of an Englishman, to excel even the Italians in that kind of performance; Sga Seratina (though an Italian) expresses the English Dialect with all the Graces, and proper Expressions, which that kind of performance requires. [Books of the performance to be had at the Bar 6d. each.

Event Comment: For the Benefit of Mr Crisr Smart, an Ingenious young Man In poetry, but now confin'd in a Mad house the farce had universal applause (Cross). Afterpiece: A new Comedy in 2 Acts. Part of Pit laid into boxes. Tickets delivered out for the 26th of January will be taken. Receipts: #285 (Cross)

Event Comment: A Tragedy written by Mr Murphy went off with great applause (Cross). Scenes, Habits, and Decorations entirely New. No Gentlemen can possibly be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra. Full prices. Receipts: #170 (Cross); #158 3s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: MMarybone Gardens are now opened, and will be continued every evening during the summer season: There will be a musical performance in the orchestra, and after that an English burletta called La Serva Padrona. The music composed by Pergolesi, wherein Sga Seratina, who is now pretty well recovered of her late illness, and who has met with such universal applause in these performances, will perform the principal part. The doors will be opened at Five, the Music begin at Six, and the Burletta at Eight o'clock. Admittance 1s. The Books of the Burletta to be had at the Bar of the Gardens. N.B. Mr Truster's daughter continues to make the rich seed and plumb cakes so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry, and will be sent to any part of the town at 2s. 6d. each. She likewise makes almond cheesecakes that excels anything of that kind and are hot at One o'clock, and are sold at 21s. per dozen. [This notice repeated in subsequent bills.

Event Comment: Paid Patrick (tinman) #51 19s. (Account Book). As the tragedy of Elfrida, written (after the Greek manner) by that most excellent poet Mr Mason, has met with such singular applause at Covent Garden Theatre, I cannot help lamenting that our English Roscius has never had a play of Sophocles (translated into English blank verse) represented at Drury Lane. The plays in general, are the finest ever written; and the Oedipus Tyrannus is, in my opinion, the properest to be represented at present, both for the grandeur of the chorusses and the magnificence of the scenery. I mention this because I think this new species of drama would be better received, by an English audience, than all the Golden Pippins, or Nonpareils, that have lately appeared on the stage. (signed) Cantab (Gentleman's Magazine , XLIII, 74). Receipts: #183 16s

Event Comment: Benefit for Woodward. Mainpiece: Never acted there. Charges #69 12s. 6d. Profit to Woodward #121 2s. 6d., plus #44 10s. from tickets (Box 178) (Account Book). The several Musical Pieces performed last night at Covent Garden, were very agreeably received by a numerous Audience. The well contrasted variety of the Compositions in which each performer exerted their [highest] excellency had the most pleasing effect. Dr Arne's elegant Serenata, as well as the Thunder Ode, composed by Mr Michael Arne, met with the greatest Applause. The Performance will be repeated on Wednesday Next (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #190 15s