Event Comment: Benefit for Johnston. [He had 1st acted Hamlet at Edinburgh, 9 July 1794: Egerton's 1st appearance at cg was on 5 June 1797.] 2nd piece [1st time at this theatre; M. PAST 1, author unknown. Larpent MS 1207; not published. 1st acted at Sadler's Wells, 28 May 1787, when the playbill gives the 2nd title as "The Highland Laddie", and adds "The Words of the Airs selected from Allan Ramsay"]. Times, 13 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Johnston, No. 31, King-street, Covent-garden. Receipts: #230 19s. 6d. (110.2.6; 1.14.0; tickets: 119.3.0)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington Phillis first time-Very well (Hopkins Diary). Paid 5 days salary list at #104 4s.; #520 1s. 8d.; Mrs Jewell 11 days not on list #5 10s.; Mr Johnston 4 days not on list #1 6s. 8d.; Blurton 11 days additional salary 18s. 4d.; Carpenter 11 days additional salary 18s. 4d. Receipts: #240 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 3 (except for 1st two performances, which were 2), by James Harvey D'Egville. Synopsis of action (C. Lowndes [1795])]: A Representation calculated to shew the extent and powers of the New Stage, and which has been in preparation during the whole of the Season (notice on playbill of 10 Feb.). The Musick composed by Krazinsky Miller. The Scenes, Machinery, Dresses and Decorations are entirely new. The Scenery designed and executed by Marinari, and his Assistants. The Machinery designed by Cabanel, and executed by him and Jacobs. The Dresses and Decorations by Johnston and Miss Rein. Powell: [The pantomime] was astonishingly well received, except the chorus of 'Happy Pair' at the end, which was so shamefully managed that the performers met with, what they much deserved, great disapprobation. The acting of the piece was in general well conducted, but the Processionv [The Piece will conclude with the Entry of Alexander into Babylonv, and his Marriage with Statirav (playbill)], for want of room to arrange behind, was unavoidably sent on in a very confused manner...Alexander's car could not be sent on this evening, not being yet complete. [These difficulties are somewhat surprising, in view of the fact that the pantomime had had 54 rehearsals. And see 13 Feb.] 11 Feb.: Chorusses to New Ballet rehearsed at 10; Natural Son at 11; New Ballet at 11; New Ballet (full rehearsal) at 6; 12 Feb.: New Ballet rehearsed at 12. Receipts: #504 3s. 6d. (417.2.0; 83.16.6; 3.5.0)

Event Comment: Mrs Barry was not in Spirits--not much applause (Hopkins Diary). Mrs Barry Failed greatly tonight from what she did the first night (MacMillan). Rec'd Mr Condill's 2nd payment for Fruit Office #20; Mr Burges one yrs rent to Xmas last with #4 4s. King's tax deducted, #16 16s.; Paid Mr Burges, Bricklayer #53 14s. 6d; Barrow & Co. for Oil #96 1s.; Mr Lawrence, paperhanger, #24 4s. 6d.; Mrs Lowe and Co., glaziers, #13 2s. 6d.; Mr Cropley, linen draper, #17 18s.; Mr Hatsell, mercer, #112 17s.; Hewetson & Co., lacemen, #28 19s. 6d.; Mr Scott, copper laceman, #37 6s. 6d.; Spermacetti Candles' Bill #286 8s.; Mr R. Johnston's Bill #124 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine this month printed a counterblast to the flattering Picture of Garrick given 1 Feb. This article damned him as a manager, and quoted Smollett from Roderick Random, II, 260.] Receipts: #176 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: IImogen, for 1st time, Mrs Baddeley, pretty well, --but an indifferent figure in Breeches.--Mrs Johnston hissed in the Queen (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Benefit for Johnston (Box-book and Housekeeper)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 2, by George Colman, ynger, based on Raoul Barbe Bleue, by Michel Jean Sedaine (although, in the 1st edition of the play, this denied by Colman). Text (Cadell and Davies, 1798)]: The Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, and Decorations entirely new. The Musick composed and selected [from Paisiello] by Kelly. The Scenes designed and executed by Greenwood? Jun, Chalmers, and others. The Machinery, Decorations, and Dresses designed and under the direction of Johnston, and executed by him, Underwood, Gay, and Miss Rein. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. Times, 8 Feb. 1798: This Day is published Blue Beard (1s. 6d.). "In the course of the representation, many blunders in working the scenery, which are unavoidable in a first representation of this nature, occurred, and the delays which took place were frequently very great...It was twelve o'-clock before the curtain dropped...The Expense of getting it up is said to be not less than #2,000" (London Chronicle, 18 Jan.). Proud swells the tide, with loads of capering heels, And vacant Folly shouts applause in peals; Hoards, even beyond th miser's wish, are thrown, To deck some sham farago for the town...Money for dresses, money for new scenes, New music, decorations, and machines; The cost of these, including every freak, Would pay ten decent players four pounds a week. Anthony Pasquin (pseud. for John Williams), "Innovation," in The Devil [1787], II, no. 2, 46. Receipts: #319 14s. 6d. (216.17.6; 102.2.0; 0.15.0)