Event Comment: [Halpin is identified in MS list in Kemble playbills of new performers for this season. This was not his first appearance; he had acted previously in Dublin (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1796, p. 437; Hibernian Journal (Dublin), 16 Dec. 1789, 20 Jan. 1790). For the naming of the characters in mainpiece, as they were called originally, see 23 Feb. 1792.] Receipts: #255 (193.11.6; 58.4.6; 3.4.0)

Event Comment: "Rule a Wife and Have a Wife is, for the first time, revived with dresses suitable to the times" (True Briton, 2 Feb.). Receipts: #227 10s. 6d. (150.5.0; 72.13.6; 4.12.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Elizabeth Inchbald. Author of Prologue unknown]: With new Dresses, Scenery, &c. Morning Herald, 4 Apr. 1797: This Day is published Wives as they Were, and Maids as they Are (2s). "The Manager of Covent Garden Theatre gives Mrs Inchbald #500 for her new Comedy" (True Briton, 13 Mar.). Receipts: #302 13s. 6d. (295.9.0; 7.4.6)

Event Comment: [1st piece in place of The Prisoner at Large, advertised on playbill of 13 June. Munden was from cg.] 2nd piece: Performed here but once [on 28 Aug. 1794]

Event Comment: [2nd piece in place of The Orphan; 3rd piece of Blunders at Brighton [i.e. The Irish Mimic], both advertised on playbill of 9 Oct.] "Where [Lewis] absolutely exceeded all expectation, even from spirits like his own, was in the first scene of the fifth act, where he meets with Cacafogo, who has been Cozened, too, and by a woman also (indeed the same woman); the convulsive joy of his laugh, frequently renewed, and invariably compelling the whole audience to a really painful sympathy, was one of the most brilliant exploits of the comedian...[Lewis] had one peculiarity, which was the richest in effect that could be imagined, and was always an addition to the character springing from himself. It might be called an attempt to take advantage of the lingering sparks of gallantry in the aunt, or the mother of sixty, or the ancient maiden whom he had to win, to carry the purposes of those for whom he was interested. He seemed to throw the lady by degrees off her guard, until at length his whole artillery of assault was applied to storm the struggling resistance; and the Mattockses and the Davenports of his attentions sometimes complained of the perpetual motion of his chair, which compelled them to a ludicrous retreat, and kept the spectator in a roar of laughter. In short, whether sitting or standing, he was never for a moment at rest--his figure continued to exhibit a series of undulating lines, which indicated a self-complacency that never tired, and the sparkling humour of his countenance was a signal hung out for enjoyment" (Boaden, Siddons, II, 364-66). Receipts: #365 4s. 6d. (357.6.6; 7.18.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; M. ENT 2, by William Linley. Larpent MS 1246; not published]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Overture and Musick entirely new, composed by William? Linley. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. [Notice on playbill of 20 Nov.: The Author of The Pavilion, submitting with deference to the decision of the Public, has withdrawn it for the present to make such alterations as he hopes may render it an Entertainment better entitled to their approbation. (On 21 Jan. 1800, altered, it was acted as The Ring.)] "Miss DeCamp need never wish to have a better foil to her exquisite style of acting, than the puny efforts of Kelly and Mrs Crouch. They may be singers, but never should attempt to perform" (Dramatic Censor, I, 9). Receipts: #291 4s. 6d. (157.3.0; 131.8.6; 2.13.0)

Event Comment: "The bombardment of the fortv, at the conclusion of the Opera, went off better than on the preceding night. Of course, the thunder of guns and mortars, with the suffocating smoke, stench and vapour which pervaded every part of the house rouzed the audience from a state of lethargy and torpor...and the curtain dropped with less opposition and reprobation than on the preceding night" (Dramatic Censor, I, 350). Receipts: #342 11s. (267.17.6; 74.4.6; 0.9.0)

Event Comment: LLucia-a $Miss Bride, a figure dancer surprisingly perfect (Winston MS 9). Great expectations from her [Miss Bride] (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: IIsabel in the Farce by Miss Reed-her first appearance (Hopkins MS Notes). [But see 20 Oct.

Event Comment: PPolly Honeycomb goes off very well-much pleas'd with Mrs Kennedy in the last scene (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber's first appearance this season (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: The first time Mrs Yates acted since April 2,-See April 14 (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: [The young gentlewoman was Mrs Hopkins (Genest, IV, 634) and had acted at Edinburgh.

Event Comment: TThe Beggar's Opera, was advertis'd for this Night, but Miss Williams being Hoarse it was oblig'd to be deferr'd (Hopkins). Receipts: #170 14s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: MMr Marr's part in the Play cut out (Hopkins). [i.e., messenger in Philaster, but Marr still listed in the bill.] Receipts: #191 7s. (MacMillan)

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

Event Comment: MMr Foote's Night. Miss Haughton play'd Elvira, Miss Pope being very ill (Hopkins). Receipts; #64 4s. (MacMillan). [Charges.