Event Comment: Rich's Company. The evidence for this date as the premiere of The Relapse is Jennens' report on 19 Nov. 1696 that Drury Lane expected to produce a new play on this date, coupled with the fact that Lady Morley saw this play on 25 Nov. 1696. The play was advertised in the Post Boy, 26-29 Dec. 1696. Preface, Edition of 1697: One word more about the Bawdy, and I have done. I own the first Night this thing was acted, some indecencies had like to have happen'd, but 'twas not my Fault. The fine Gentleman of the Play, drinking his Mistress's Health in Nants Brandy, from six in the Morning, to the time he wadled upon the Stage in the Evening, had toasted himself up, to such a pitch of Vigor, I confess I once gave Amanda for gone, and am since (with all due Respect to Mrs Rogers) very sorry she scap'd; for I am confident a certain Lady (let no one take it to herself that is handsome) who highly blames the Play, for the barenness of the conclusion, wou'd then have allowed it, a very natural Close. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 145: This Play was received with mighty applause. Cibber, Apology, I, 216: This Play (the Relapse) from its new and easy Turn of Wit, had great Success, and gave me, as a Comedian, a second Flight of Reputation along with it

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Saunders and Mrs Cox. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

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: Never Acted before. [By Mrs Aubin.

Event Comment: Benefit Vallois and Mrs Vallois (late Widow to Monsieur Roger, the Pierrot in Drury Lane, Deceas'd). Acted by the Comedians form the Theatre in Goodman's Fields. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. 6:30 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 1s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit Le Brun (Harlequin) and Mrs Walter. Afterpiece: By particular Desire

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never Acted before. [By John Hewitt.] Preface to edition of 1737: This Comedy made it's Appearance under many Disadvantages:...It was read for the first Time to the Performers, Tuesday the 15th, and acted Monday the 21st. Mrs Giffard, who had been Ill the Whole Season, undertook the Character of Lady Betty Manly, but finding herself indisposed, returned the Part on Thursday Evening. It was then given to Mrs Hamilton, who on Saturday about one in the Afternoon declared she could not do it unless it was cut, which the Nature of that Part not admitting, there was a Necessity to ask the Favour of Miss Hughes to undertake it, who with a great deal of good Nature, studied and played it perfect, tho' at so short a Warning

Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mrs Centlivre

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: Benefit Mrs Mills. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: At the Great Theatrical Booth, Bowling Green. By Permission. Benefit Laguerre and Boaman. By a Company from the Theatres-Royal, for their Diversion, a Concert...gratis, etc. Boxes 3s. 6d. First Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6 p.m. Daily Advertiser lists Miss Hippisley for Miss Prue in mainpiece and for Kitty in afterpiece, and Mrs Yates for Melissa. In the London Daily Post and General Advertiser bill Mrs Dunstall doubles two roles

Event Comment: Benefit for Taswell, Mrs Bennett, Mrs Ridout

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Clive. Mainpiece alter'd from Dryden by Colley Cibber. Not acted these 30 years [see 27 April 1722]. Servants will be admitted to keep places on the stage, which will be inclos'd and form'd into Front and Side Boxes. Tickets and places to be had of Mrs Clive, at her House in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields; and of Hobson at the Stage Door

Event Comment: Benefit for Bencraft and Mrs Hale. Afterpiece: By particular Desire and for that night only. Mainpiece: Written by Congreve

Event Comment: Nothing said abour ye prolog: (Cross). The Music of the Funeral Procession compos'd by Dr Boyce. [See "William Boyce's 'Solemn Dirge' in Garrick's Romeo and Juliet Production of 1750," by Charles Haywood, Shakespeare Quarterly, Spring, 1960.] This day is Publish'd at 1s. 6d. Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy, revised and alter'd from Shakespear by Theophilus Cibber, First revised in September 1744, at the Theatre in the Haymarket; now acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. To which is added a Serio-Comic Apology for Part of the Life of Mr Theophilus Cibber, Comedian, written by himself. Interspers'd with memoirs and anecdotes relating to the Stage Managements, Theatrical Resolutions, &c. also cursory Observations on principal Players: particularly Mr Quin, Mr Ryan, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Ward, and Miss Bellamy; Mr Garrick, Mr Barry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard, &c. Likewise Original Letters that passed between the late Sir Thomas DeVeil and Mr Theophilus Cibber relating to the Stage Act, Concluding with a copy of Verses, call'd the Contrite Comedian's Confession. Printed for C. Corbett, the Publisher, at Addison's Head, facing St Dunstan's Church, Fleet St; G. Woodfall, at the King's Arms, the corner of Craig's Court, Charing Cross. [See 11 Oct.] Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: [The Gentlewoman who played Polly was probably Mrs Chambers. See 25 Nov.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Mainpiece: Written by Colley Cibber. [The Old Maid for 8 May 1756 reviewed this performance of Lethe, or possibly the one with the same cast on 30 April. The reviewer was 'particularly diverted with Mrs Clive's Italian Song, in which this truly humorous actress parodys the Air of the Opera, and takes off the action, of the present favorite female at the Hay-Market, with such exquisite ridicule, that the most zealous partisans of both, I think, must have applauded the comic genius of Mrs Clive, however they might be displeased with this application of it." The reviewer is lukewarm in praise of the "New Character"..."What is there new in a Lord's having Gout, loving a bottle, pretending to taste, or being follow'd by a flatterer?"] Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Simson Their Son & Daughter (Cross). Receipts: #220 (Cross )

Event Comment: MMrs Clive Ly Wishfort -(bad) Fribble Garrick (Cross). Benefit for Mrs Clive. Part of Pit laid into Boxes Tickets of her in Henrietta St. and of Mr Varney at the Stage Door. Receipts: #310 (Cross)

Event Comment: Not performed for 12 years. [See 5 Nov. 1746.] Mossop, Palmer, Miss Macklin, Mrs Davies, Miss Pritchard played parts for first time. Receipts: #100 (Cross).; #114 10s (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bransby and Champness. Tickets deliver'd by Mrs Bradshaw, Miss Hippisley, Mrs Smith, and Mrs Rowe will be taken. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be taken. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

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 Hamilton. Mainpiece: Not acted in 10 years. [See 16 Jan. 1753.] Afterpiece: By Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Ladies send servants by 3 o'clock. Receipts: #56 16s. plus #154 13s. from tickets (Box 203; Pit 514; Gallery 268) (Account 8ook). Charges: #64 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: MMr Vernon-Macheath, 1st time; Mr Parsons-Filch, Mrs Parsons-Mrs Peachum (Cross Diary). Mr William Parsons came with Mr James Love from Edinburg, and Made his first appearance on the stage in London this evening; He died of an asthma on Tues. 3 February in the severe winter of 1795, and was buried in the churchyard of Lea-Church near Blackheath in Kent; he was in his 60th year (Macmillan [Hopkins MS Notes]). Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 19 Oct. 1759.