Event Comment: Account-Book: Paid Mrs Booth, washing bill, #1 14s. 7d. Receipts: #283 3s. (188.19; 94.1; 0.3)

Event Comment: Comedy by Mrs Griffith, never before acted. [Not well received the first night, but clarified and improved the second Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 59. Prologue and Epilogue printed in Public Advertiser, 28 Jan.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Comic Opera. The Music by Hooke, [text attributed to Thomas Bridges. Prologue spoken in the character of Flora by Mrs Gardner. At the conclusion Dido hangs herself in her own garters. She is cut down and gives her hand to Iarbas.

Event Comment: By Permission of the Right Hon. the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Mrs Pinto, formerly Miss Brett [recte Brent]. Afterpiece: With an additional scene, written by the author of the farce [Isaac Jackman], never performed in London. The Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin precisely at 6:30. Tickets to be had of Mrs Pinto at Mrs Golden's, milliner, Blackmoor-street, Clare-market

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Inchbald. Mainpiece: By Permission of Colman [proprietor of the HAY, owner of the copyright of the play, and author of Epilogue]. Morning Chronicle, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Inchbald, No. 10, Great Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #107 8s. (71/17/6; 5/1/6; tickets: 30/9/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of several persons of Quality. [Mrs Macklin doubled in Mrs Peachum and Diana Trapes.] Afterpiece: Containing his Surprizing Victory over Glumdalca, Queen of the Giants; His Magnificent reception in King Arthur's Courtv; His Marriage with the Princess Huncamunca; With the fatal Jealousy of Queen Dollalolla. And many other Historical Passages

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by Richard Cumberland] never performed. [Genest, V, 282, reports that Garrick was in the House this night and was agreeably surprised at the complimentary reference to him in the Epilogue: Who but has seen the celebrated strife Where Reynolds calls the Canvass into life: And, 'twixt the Tragic, and the Comic Muse, Courted of both, and dubious where to chuse, Th'immortal Actor stands?' A long retelling of the plot appeared in the Freeholder's Magazine for Dec., concluding: This comedy was received with great applause by the Audience. It is said to be written by Mr Cumberland, who has already oblig'd the Public with a musical piece, called the Summer's Tale. The Performers, particularly Mr Smith, Mr Woodward, Mr Yates, Mrs Green, Mrs Bulkley, and Mrs Yates, did great justice to their characters. The Prologue was spoken by Mr Smith, and the Epilogue, which alluded to the celebrated picture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, where Comedy and Tragedy are contending for Mr Garrick, by Mrs Yates." Receipts: #215 18s

Event Comment: New Overture and Pieces of Music Between the Acts. Music by Barthelemon. New Scenes, Habits and Decorations. The Scenes designed by DeLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, Royer, and Greenwood. Books of the songs and Chorusses to be had at the Theatre. This piece is got up in a most Superb manner. The Scenery is beyond description fine -& the whole Performance tho' the most complicated upon the stage went off with uncommon Applause. Mrs Abington played finely--Mr Slingsby & Sga Hidou danc'd for the first time & were Amazingly well Rec'ed. The Ballets are very Grand (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #17 18s.; Paid salary list #567 16s.; J. French on Acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: Never performed before, by John Burgoyne. [The review in the Westminster Magazine, Nov. 1774, tells the plot, and concludes: "After some superb exhibitions of transparent scenery, several characteristic airs, and elegant dances, Mr Oldworth...proclaims Maria his only daughter and gives her to Sir Harry. After a dance of Cupids, Hymen, &c....offering them eternal wreaths, the Druid of the Oaks, freed by the present powers of Beauty from that sequestered habitation to which by mystic spells he had long been doomed, appears to ratify their union, and astonishes the spectators by his magic influence, in a glorious vision of that felicity the virtues of the happy pair had so justly insured. An admirable vaudeville, and a grand dance, conclude the dramatic entertainment....Had it not appeared obvious that the whole was intended as a mere vehicle for the splendid spectacle, we do not suppose, in spite of the managers Orders and Puffs, that the author's labors would have been tolerated. The very excellent scenery, however, of the ingenious Mr Loutherbourg preserved this piece from that damnation, which as a dramatic production, it justly merited."] Receipts: #263 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The playbill assigns Mrs Page to Mrs Wilson, and Mrs Ford to Miss Younge, but on the Kemble playbill both these names are deleted. Mrs Whitfield's name is written above Mrs Wilson's, but the name of Miss Younge's substitute has been cut by the binder; she was almost certainly Mrs Mattocks (see 25 Jan. 1782).] Receipts: #155 1s. (149/18; 5/3)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3]: Written by [John] O'Keeffe. The Music by Shield. With a new French Medley Overture, new Dresses, &c. The Words of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [Mrs T. Kennedy was from the Newcastle theatre.]

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author [of mainpiece, who is named in the Account-Book, but not on the playbill]. "A considerable tumult prevailed last night among the audience of this Theatre, on account of the unavoidable substitution of Miss Chapman and Mrs Harlowe for Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells (who are both indisposed). It was not that the audience objected to the former two, but because the names of Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells were printed in the bills usually sold about the Theatre, though not in those properly issued from the House. [Mrs Esten's name, however (but not Mrs Wells'), is listed in the "House" playbill for this night.] The audience were very violent, and the actors, after having nearly finished the first Act twice, were obliged to begin the Comedy a third time, before it was suffered quietly to proceed" (Morning Herald, 9 Feb.). "The fracas at Covent-garden Theatre on Wednesday evening was occasioned by the dexterity of certain Lottery Office keepers, who, in order to give notoriety to their shops, daily cause spurious Dramatis Personae of the theatres to be circulated; and on the reverse of these bills is conspicuously held forth the advantages of the public paying their cash into their gambling treasuries" (Morning Herald, 10 Feb.). Receipts: #191 17s. 6d. (187.2.6; 4.15.0; tickets: none listed)

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the Gentleman's Journal, January 1691@2, suggests that it was first given in December 1691, although the tendency of this journal to be dated one month and appear in the next month makes the interpretation of its information difficult: We have had a new Comedy this last Month, call'd The Wives Execuse; or Cuckolds make themselves: It was written by Mr Southern, who made that call'd Sir Anthony Love, which you and all the Town lik'd so well. I will send you The Wives Excuse, as soon as it comes out in Print, which will be very speedily: And tho' the Town hath not been so kind to this last, as to the former, I do not doubt but you will own that it will bear a Reading; which some that meet with a better Fate too often do not; some that must be granted to be good Judges commend the Purity of its Language (pp. 51-52). Henry Purcell composed the music for this work. One song, Corinna I excuse thy face, the words (according to the Edition of 1692) by Tho. Cheek, the music by Henry Purcell, but without the singer's name, is in The Banquet of Musick, The Sixth and Last Book, 1692 (licensed 17 Feb. 1691@2). Say, cruel Amoret, sung by Mountfort; Hang this whining way, sung by Mrs Butler; and Ingrateful lover, the words by Major General Sackville, are in Joyful Cuckoldom, ca. 1695. See also Purcell, Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), xxvi-xxix

Event Comment: Not Acted these Eight Years [see 24 April 1741]. Benefit Cibber, Jr. Tickets and places of Hobson at the Stage door. Tickets ddliver'd out for All's Well at Covent Garden theatre will be taken to the above mentioned play this night. [Mrs Clive's Prologue recommended the cause of Liberty to the Ladies of Great Britain. Cibber had pleaded in his advance advertisement on 5 April in the General Advertiser.] As I have in justice to my creditors assigned over so much of my salary as reduces the remainder to a very small pittance, I very much depend on the encouragement and indulgence of the town at my Benefit. [On the day of the benefit he inserted in the General Advertiser a long, double column address to the Publick puffing his Benefit, and scotching a rumor industriously and invidiously spread that he came to Drury Lane only to impede Mrs Cibber in her performance there. In this he washes in public the linen of his domestic affairs at some length, professing his virtue, forbearance, and generosity, and Mrs Cibber's unfairness and ingratitude, citing her salary as about #700 per year, not a penny of which would she afford for his relief from creditors, or to bail him out of the Fleet prison where he languished six months. He alleges that she was instrumental in forming a cartel between the rival theatrical managers with precluded his employment by either house, and that she refused to act a benefit for him when he was in debtor's prison.

Event Comment: At the Great Tiled Booth, Bowling Green, Southwark. For one night only. Benefit for Mrs Yeates. A concert, etc. Prices: 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d. To begin at six o'clock

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted there. Neville MS Diary: Both theatres opened again with The English Merchant. Went into the Pit of cg. Shuter did Freeport pretty well, but had not that appearance of blunt honesty which Yates has in that character....I like Miss Pope better in Molly than Mrs Mattocks. Mrs Goodman by Mrs Ward, who is a very different figure now from what she was some years ago. Her daughter did Amelia pretty well, but has a stiffiness and an indifferent voice. End Act III, The Irish Lilt-The celebrated dancer Aldridge, Sga Manesiere. Entertainment Harlequin Dr Faustus. I hope this emulation between the 2 Houses will cause exertion. Receipts: #146 8s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Yates. Mainpiece: A Tragedy (Written by Voltaire) and translated by [Dr Thomas Francklin] the Author of The Earl of Warwick. Pit and Boxes will be laid together. Ladies are desired to send their servants by 4 o'clock. Mrs Yates will be particularly oblig'd to those Ladies, and Gentlemen, who have seats in the Pit, if they will be co kind as to come as early as possible to prevent confusion in getting their places. [Genest V, 242, conjectures the following assignment of parts: Orestes-Smith; Aegisthus-Bensley; Pammenes-Clarke; Pylades-Perry; Electra-Mrs Yates; Clytemnestra-Mrs Ward; Iphisa-Mrs Bulkley.] Charges #65 7s. 6d. Balance to Mrs Yates #39 1s. plus #180 10s. from 722 Box tickets (Account Book). Total House value #284 18s. 6d. Receipts: #104 8s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Legg, Mrs Lampe, Mrs Jones. Tickets deliver'd for The Maid of the Mill will be taken. The vocal performers continuing too ill to appear in the Maid of the Mill, the Managers have kindly indulged Mr Legg, Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones with the above tragedy. Charges #70. Deficit to Legg #7 8s. 6d.; to Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones #7 6d., covered by income from tickets: Legg #58 (Box 73; Pit 161; Gallery 156); Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones #47 15s. (Box 72; Pit 117; GAllery 122) (Account Book). Receipts: #55 3s. (Account Book)