Event Comment: The United Company. The date of this production is determined by a letter (see below). For a discussion of the origin and development of this play, see Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, pp. 274-76. A song, Why shou'd the world mistake, the music composed by John Eccles and sung by Mrs Hudson, is in Thesaurus Musicus, 1695. An unidentified letter, 22 March 1693@4: We had another new play yesterday, called The Ambitious Slave, or a Generous Revenge. Elkanah Settle is the author of it, and the success is answerable to his reputation. I never saw a piece so wretched, nor worse contrived. He pretends 'tis a Persian story, but not one body in the whole audience could make any thing of it; 'tis a mere babel, and will sink for ever. The poor poet, seeing the house would not act it for him, and give him the benefit of the third day, made a present of it to the women in tie house, who act it, but without profit or incouragement (Edmond Malone, An Historical Account of the Stage in Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare [London, 1821], III, 163-64). Gentleman's Journal, March 1694: 'Tis not altogether strange for a Play to be less kindly receiv'd, immediately after one that has deservedly ingross'd all the Applause which the Town can well bestow in some time on new Dramatic Entertainments. Perhaps Mr Settle may partly impute to this, the want of success of a new Tragedy of his which was lately acted, 'tis called, The Ambitious Slave; or, The Generous Revenge. [This play followed Southerne's The Fatal Marriage.

Event Comment: [By Ambrose Phillips.] At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. William Egerton: And in the Spring came on Mr Phillips's Tragedy, The Distrest Mother. Mrs Rogers, an Actress, who in her Turn, had made a considerable Figure on the Stage, was designed the Part of (Andromache, Hector's Widow, &. i.e.) the Distrest Mother. But the Author, as well as his Friends, were soon convinced that Mrs Oldfield was infinitely the more accomplished Person for so Capital a Part. Upon its being given to Her, Mrs Rogers raised a Posse of Profligates, fond of Tumult and Riot, who made such a Commotion in the House, that the Court hearing of it send four of the Royal Messengers, and a strong Guard, to suppress all Disorders. This being effected, the Play was brought upon the Stage and crowned with deserved Success (Egerton, pp. 31-32)

Event Comment: Not Acted these Thirty Years. Written by the late Mr Wycherley, Author of the Plain Dealer, and the Country Wife

Event Comment: Not Acted these Twenty Years. With new Scenes, Machines, Flyings, and other Decorations. The Musick compos'd by Mr Galliard

Event Comment: By Command of His Royal Highness. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. [Prince of Wales, attended by Lord Ashburnham and Colonel Townshend, attended. In Daily Post, 5 Nov., The Conscious Lovers had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: [The opening of Covent Garden Theatre.] Written by the late Mr Congreve. The Cloaths, Scenes, and Decorations entirely New. And, on Account of the great Demand for Places, the Pit and Boxes, by Desire, will be laid together at 5s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. And to prevent the Scenes being crowded, the Stage Half a Guinea. All Persons who want Places are desir'd to send to the Stage Door (the Passage from Bow-street leading to it), where Attendance will be given, and Places kept for the following Nights as usual. Receipts: #115

Event Comment: Benefit J. Roberts, Yates, Mrs Mullart. Written by Mr Durfey. [Tickets for Mrs Marshall and Miss Ferguson also taken.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Giffard. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Part of the Stage will be formed into Side-Boxes. [Tickets at Giffard's Lodgings (Mr Bolney's) in Great Queen Street, near Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Play to begin exactly at Six. Places for Boxes to be taken at Mr Bradshaw's, Box-Keeper, at the King's Arms in Russell Street, near the Playhouse. 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. [This customary notice about time, tickets, and prices will hereafter be silently omitted.] Receipts: #120

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hamilton. Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years. Ladies send sevants by 3 o'clock. Mrs Hamilton is obliged to change her Farce on account of Miss Brent's indisposition. Receipts: #85 10s. 6d. in cash, plus #161 1s. from tickets (Boxes 230; Pit 481; Gallery 314). Total income #246 11s. 6d. Charges #64 5s. Paid Stede a bill for writing #10 13s. 6d. Paid Mr Long for 3 dozen drums #2 14s. [To the house charges this season Rich adds extras: candles (wax) #1 5s.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Arne. Afterpiece: By Desire. House Charges #68 16s. 6d. [Profits to Mrs Arne #150 18s. 6d.] Tickets deliver'd for The Beggar's Opera will be admitted. Dido oblig'd to be defer'd a few days. Paid 1 year's Watch for St Martin's #10 2s.; Reynolds Oil bill #46 4s.; Carpue (silk dyer) #7 9s. 6d.; Jennings (glover) #13 12s.; Vernon on note #21; Chorus 1 night #2 5s. 6d.; Hautboy 5s.; Salary list #294 2s. 8d. [Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #219 14s. (Treasurer's Book). At 4 dined at the Chop House in St Clements. At 5 went to Drury Lane to see the Tempest for the benefit of Mrs Arne the prettiest performer at the house...She has a sweet little voice...A grand Dance of Fantastic Spirits in different shapes. At the end of the play a Double Hornpipe by Mr Walker and Miss Tatley. We had the entertainment of Daphne and Amintor with dancing by Sg and Sga George, Sg Tessoni, Miss King, &c. Having a seat in the third row of the Pit, was much pleased as all the principal characters were well played and the scenery is very fine. Had I been later in going, I should not have got in (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Poitier. Afterpiece: Alter'd from Addison. The Music entirely new set by Mr Arnold. [Original three acts reduced to two.] To be performed for this night only. Charges #75 14s. [Profit to Mrs Thompson #59 7s. 6d. plus #48 9s. from tickets (Box 135; Pit 98) (Account Book). As indicated by the name Mrs Thompson in the Account Book, Miss Poitier was already married by this time, although she does not appear in the Bills under the name Mrs Thompson until 16 Sept. 1767. She was first married to Vernon, the singer at Drury Lane.] Receipts: #135 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Comedy from Moliere and Cibber. Hopkins Diary: This comedy [Hypocrite] is the Non Juror altered, and two new characters introduced,--went off very well,--some few hisses,--but the play will do.--The alterations are by Mr Bickerstaffe. [Full account of the mainpiece, but without critical observation, appeared in the Lloyd's Evening Post, Nov. 18-21.