Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: Mr Vanneschi begs leave to inform the Nobility and Gentry, that a Licence being granted to him from the Lord Chamberlain's office, with his Majesty's most gracious Approbation, for exhibiting Italian operas at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, Subscriptions for the ensuing Season will be taken in by Mess. Drummond and Co., Bankers at Charing Cross. He humbly desires his Protectors and Subscribers, to oblige him with an early Payment of their Subscription Money, in order that he may be able to give the necessary Securities to Sga Colomba Mattei, and to Sg Pasquale Potenza, as also to the Rest of his Singers and Dancers. It being given out that Mr Vanneschi hath not engaged the Use of the Opera House for the ensuing Season of Operas, it is hereby certified, that the Proprietor thereof hath agreed with Mr Vanneschi for the same. Sign'd by order of the Proprietor. Peter Crawford, Treasurer of said Theatre

Event Comment: While we were at Rehearsal, Mr Aprice, came to Mr Garrick, full of complaints of Mr Foote's taking him off in the Author & a long & high Argument ensu'd, nor was it settled, but a farther meeting appointed at eight that Night at the Rose, where Foote join'd 'em--a great deal of abuse between him & Aprice; I don't know ye particulars, but it was order'd to remain at the bottom for Tuesday, but, as I hear, it is to be done no more (Cross)

Event Comment: For one night only. Never acted before. By particular desire. An Historical Play, taken from Holinshead's Chronicles, and written by the late Mr Lillo, Author of George Barnwell. Tickets for Boxes and Pit to be had of Mr Cross, at his House in Crown Court, Russel St., Covent Garden; and of Mr Varney at the Stage Door. 7 P.M

Event Comment: Receipts: #129 3s. Paid Mr Gifford 17 day's salary from 24 Nov. inclusive, #2 16s. 8d.; Paid Mr Kemp 25 nights [tin man for lamps] to 30 Nov. last at #1 12s. per night, #40

Event Comment: Receipts: #151 18s. Paid Mr Dallon on acct of salary omitted 15th inst. #1 10s. and salary for 22 inst. #1 10s.; Paid Mr Whitefield (assistant in the wardrobe) 3 months salary due 24th inst. #7 10s.; J. Rich on acct #21; Paid Stephen Gom at Uxbridge in full #38 5s

Event Comment: Receipts: #127. Paid Mrs Lee for playing Dorinda in The Stratagem the 20th inst., #5 5s. Paid Mr Weller for extra attendance in getting The Fair ready #2 2s. Paid Mr Kemp 13 nights from the 1st to 15th inst. at #1 12s. per night, #20 16s

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Receipts: #86 1s. Paid Mr Stergess & son for attending Mr Saunders on the wire 48 nights #14 14s. 6d.; Advanc'd to Saunders #4 7s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Mr Ross advanc'd [i.e., received a raise in salary] from 22 Sept. 3s. 4d. per day. Mr Leppy enter'd this day at 8s. 10d. per day; Mrs Leppy enter'd at 5s. per day; Mrs Viviez enter'd at 6s. 8d. per Day. Paid Boys and Girls attendance in the Opera 10s. Memo: Walker enter'd as Constable the 6th instant inclusive in place of Mr Barnes who resign'd (Account Book). [Only #28 5s. 6d. in the Boxes (Account Book). This charge of 10s. for children supers in the Beggar's Opera, occurs regularly throughout the remainder of the season.] Receipts: #114 16s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd out for a Clergyman in distress and Mr Boval, will be taken this night. The Rev. Mr Smith sold 21 Box tickets, for which he receiv'd half value: #2 12s. 6d.; Mr Boval sold (Boxes 54; Pit 89; Gallery 47) #31 11s. His half value came to #15 15s. 6d. (Account Book). Bot by Ledley 20 Doz. Wax Candles at 31s. per: #31. (Account Book). Receipts: #128 19s. plus half value of tickets #18 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Places may be taken at the Theatre. To begin at one o'clock. [The notice is placed as (and continues hereafter to run as) a news item, rather than in the customary form for advertisements in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: In the Gazetteer 25 Feb. appeared a long editorial by "Rectus": "Though the performing oratorios in the time of Lent,is highly censured by many, yet I must own that I think the far greater part of them become enemies to those solemn performances, rather because their ears are more unfit for music than their minds are for the pretended immorality that attends such exhibitions." [The writer wishes not to cry down every entertainment he cannot relish himself and adds], "I have long endeavoured to find out the reason why plays should not be performed on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent as well as on those days all through the rest of the season. I have never yet been able to find out that Lent makes the least difference in people's way of living." [He wonders, however, why the non-sacred oratorios such as Acis and Galatea and Alexander's Feast have been allowed performance. He then registers a mild complaint about the management of the Oratorios because they do not include sufficient solo instrumental entertainment between the parts.] "This custom was wholly dropped last year, and I complained greatly of it in a letter which you did me the favour to insert. I was greatly surprised to find Mr Pinto, who then led the band, was either not permitted or not paid to play a solo, as well as Mr Hay, who played one every night the preceding season. Mr Stanley's illness not permitting him then to play, that omission was overlooked, though it might have been supplied by a performer on some other instrument. This season the managers have thought proper to treat their audience with one solo or concerto every night, but why not have two?" [He liked Barthelemon's solos, but lamented that Stanley sat idle, and he offered final advice that the managers should alternate the solo instruments for "pleasing variety." The admission price demands it.

Event Comment: Paid Mr Cooper for 21 nights in Cymon #11 6d.; Mr Roberts bill for castor #1 13s.; Mr Keen's note #4 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #178 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Tragedy [by Hugh Kelly] never perform'd. The performance of Mrs Yates alone could have counteracted, for nine nights, its natural tendency towards damnation....A gentleman being asked, after one of the representations of this play, if he did not hiss it, replied "How could I? A Man can't hiss and yawn at the same time." (Biographia Dramatica.) [The advertisement to the 1771 edition thanks Mrs Yates, Bensley, Wroughton, "for their great good nature in undertaking their respective characters at the short notice of a week, when Mr Ross unexpectedly returned the part of Anselmo, which had been in his possession above a fortnight." This circumstance, continues the advertisement oblig'd Mr Bensley, cast for Palermo to undertake Mr Savigny's part, orginally Granville, Savigny taking Anselmo, and Wroughton Palermo." The play was brought on anonymously to avoid political repercussions associated with the name of the author.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 7 years. [See 18 Jan. 1765.] Paid Mr Asbridge for exchanging Kettle Drum Banners #4 4s.; Mr Wallis on note #2; Messrs Carver & Messink's Windsor Bill #3 11s. 4d.; Mr Thos French, 7 days-#2 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Theatrical Review, 11 March: Written by the celebrated Milton when he was very young...it would have been sufficient had he never produced anthing more considerable, to have transmitted his fame to the latest posterity. It is inimitable set to music by Mr Handel...not strictly an Oratorio, tho' perform'd as such, the subject not being taken from Holy Writ. To which was added the celebrated Te Deum, composed by Mr Handel for the peace of Utrecht...a very grand masterly piece. End of Act I, a Concerto on the French Horn by Mr Ponta, musician to his Serene Highness, the Elector of Mentz, lately arrived in England. What this gentleman executes with the horn is very surprising, but, not being suited to the genius of the instrument, it is not productive of any good effect, when considered musically; as a matter of novelty it may surprise and please, on which account it is worthy the notice of the curious

Event Comment: Paid Mr G. Garrick's two notes for Mr Weston, #15 12s.; Paid Mr J. French on acct #12 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #227 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Malthus one year's rent Xmas last (#2 2s. 6d. Tax deducted) #30 17s. 6d. Mr J. French on acct. #15 15s.; Mr Batchelor for men's cloaths #5 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #258 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s.; Mr Serres, for painting & rigging ships #63; Mr G. Garrick's note for Mr Weston #44 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [Serres is probably Dominique Serres, 1722-1793, brought to England 1752, apointed marine painter for George III, member of Royal Academy and its librairan after 1792. See Bryan's, Dictionary of Painters and Engravers.] Receipts: #253 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Tallow chandler's 4th Bill #47 15s. 1d.; Mr J. Palmer's draft on the managers #50; Lent Mr Lauchery as per order #3 17s.; Duke of Bedford's rent half year to Mich last #164 2s. 10d.; Tabor & Pipe 5 nights (this incl.) #2 12s. 6d. Receipts: #126 15s. (Treasurer's Book)