Event Comment: A Free Benefit for Ryan. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late Mr Hughes. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [Ryan had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be The Siege of Damascus and a new Dramatic Satire called The Anniversary, being a Sequel to Lethe. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the Siege of Damascus and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but Ryan judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of Lethe; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."

Event Comment: Benefit for Barrington and Mrs Lampe. No building on stage. Receipts: by income from tickets: Barrington #90 16s. (boxes 142; pit 286; gallery 12); Mrs Lampe, #53 2s. (boxes 52; pit 180; gallery 131) (Account Book). [The original title of afterpiece, a burlesque opera by Henry Carey, was Margery; or, A Worse Plague than the Dragon a sequel to the Dragon of Wantley. The music was advertised as by the late Mr Lampe.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Davies. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Collins and Crudge. Receipts: #34 15s. 6d. Charges #71 10s. [The charges were split: Collins, #31 10s.; Crudge, #40. The prorated deficits of Collins (#14 2s. 3d.) and Crudge (#22 12s. 3d.) were covered by income from tickets: Collins, #63 17s. (boxes 18; pit 277; gallery 178); Crudge, #98 (boxes 179; pit 301; gallery 81).] Rec'd from His Majesty by Mr Finch, #10 (Account Book)

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: As 11 Aug., but: Mr Trufler's daughter continues to make the Rich Seed and Plomb cakes, so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry. They are made in a square Form, and will cut out in as large Slices as those of four Times the price. they are always kept ready made, and will be sent to any Part of the Town when bespoke, at Half a Crown each. [The piece was not advertised for 15. Aug. in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: [Not listed in Public Advertiser, but notice of continuation at admission price of 1s. is given.] Before the performance Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold and others will sing several new songs

Event Comment: At Yates@Shuter Booth. [The Daily Advertiser notes: "the pleasure Mr Shuter gives to every Audience by an unwearied Display of that masterly Genius...and notwithstanding his laboring thro' so many Drolls daily with uncommon Spirit, yet his executing the London Cries at the end of Interlude, and each time new to the hearers."

Event Comment: Benefit for Charles Sarjant, late of Uxbridge, under Misfortunes. Afterpiece not acted this season. Ladies send servants by half after three. Mr Sarjant hopes his friends will favor him with their company tonight, and excuse his not having paid his respects to them in person, having been unhappily confined by the gout

Event Comment: LLa Serva Padrona; or, The Servant Mistress announced but cancelled. [This entertainment was advertised as to be given by particular desire, with the addition of a new act, and a new character, as it was performed originally at the Theatre Royal in Naples. Set to music by Pergolesi. With Dancing. The Scenes and Cloaths entirely new. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. The house to be illuminated with wax candles. The whole to be under the direction of Sg Storace and Mr Oswald. Sga Seratina being recovered from her late indisposition to perform this night. Notice, however, on the proposed day of performance appeared in the Public Advertiser: "La Serva Padrona is stopp'd by a particular order of the Lord Chamberlain, but as a great many of the Nobility and Quality are very desirous to see this entertainment, it will be soon presented at another theatre." See 29 March.

Event Comment: This day is publish'd Judas Maccabaeus: a Sacred Drama. Set to Music by Mr Handel, as it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Printed for J. Watts and sold by B. Dod at the Bible and Key

Event Comment: This Day Publish'd elegantly printed in one Volume Octavo (Dedicated to the Right Hon. Garret, Lord Mornington) A General View of the Stage, by Mr Wilks, of Dublin. Printed for J. Coote. [Contains 355 pages on the stage and its usefulness in presenting tragedy, comedy, opera, farce and pantomime. Discusses the art of acting, reviews plays and parts. Chapter VI on [Dress and its propriety" suggests the growing interest in historical authenticity in costume: [The judicious propriety in 'dress' adapted with sufficient exactitude to the age, time, and circumstances of [the] character...may be call'd the last colourings and finishings of [the] picture; and in this case very much will depend on knowledge of ancient history and historical paintings." Thirty-two pages praising Garrick the actor, and discussing in some detail all the characters he had performed to that time.

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. The Burletta, with the Addition of a new Act and a new Character, as originally performed at the Theatre Royal in Naples. At the Great Room in Marybone Gardens properly and elegantly fitted up for that purpose. 7:30 p.m. Admittance 3s. N.B. Mr Trotter's dauthter continues to make the rich seed and plumb cake, so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry at 2s. 6d. each, and likewise makes almond cheesecakes in a small size at 2s. per dozen. Six or eight make a Dish, and are hot every day one o'clock