Event Comment: [The playbill retains Mrs Jordan as Matilda and Mrs Crouch as Laurette, but Mrs Jordan "sent word she was too ill to perform this Evening. The audience called for Crouch to act Matilda" (Kemble Mem.). "She instantly complied...and was received with the most marked respect" (Morning Chronicle, 28 Nov.). The audience refused to believe that Mrs Jordan's illness was genuine, and for several days she was treated harshly by letters to and paragraphs in the newspapers. For her letter explaining her "real inability from illness to sustain her part in the entertainment" see Oulton, 1796, II, 103-6; see also 10 Dec. "Richard Coeur de Lion was advertised as the afterpiece; but on account of the sudden illness of Mrs Jordan, High Life below Stairs was proposed to be substituted; the house, however, seeming to disapprove of this change, Mrs Crouch kindly undertook the part of Matilda; Miss Hagley took hers of Laurette" (Public Advertiser, 28 Nov.).] Receipts: #285 10s. (220.3; 64.10; 0.17)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Jordan. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Simon, based partly on La Bonne Mere, by Jean Pierre Claris deFlorian; incidental music by Johann Gottlieb Nicolai. Larpent MS 940; not published]: To conclude with a Rural Breakfast [a representation of that given by the Countess of Buckinghamshire for the Prince of Wales at her villa near London (Genest, VII, 53)], and a Dance by the Characters. Morning Herald, 31 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Jordan, No. 14, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Receipts: #548 9s. 6d. (216.8.6; 30.2.0; 5.9.0; tickets: 296.10.0) (charge: #153 5s. 10d.)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Jessica to Mrs Bland, but "an apology was made stating the indisposition of Mrs Bland, and requesting that Miss Heard might be permitted to perform Jessica, which was agreed to" (Thespian Magazine, Apr. 1793, p. 243). In afterpiece the playbill assigns Mrs Matadore to Mrs Hopkins, but "Benson informed the audience that owing to a mistake in the bills, Mrs Hopkins's Name had been inserted instead of Mrs Booth's (ibid).] Receipts: #139 11s. (136.12; 2.19)

Event Comment: [For Mrs Cary see 4 and 10 Oct.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pope. 1st piece: Not acted these 5 years. Morning Chronicle, 15 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Pope at her house, Half Moon-street, Piccadilly. Receipts: #412 14s. (255/19; 6/18; tickets: 149/17)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Kemble. 3rd piece [1st time; MF 1, by Robert Benson; music by Dr Arnold]: The Piece to conclude with a representation of the late Grand Naval Review [held at Portsmouth, in honor of George III's visit to that place, 28 June]. The Machinery, &c., entirely new for the occasion. Books of the Entertainment to be had at the Theatre. Morning Herald, 21 Aug. 1794: This Day is published BRITAIN's GLORY (price not listed). Morning Chronicle, 18 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Kemble, No. 24, Haymarket

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow of the Late Mr Farren [who had died on 9 May]. Morning Herald, 11 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Farren, No. 85, Gower-street, Bedford-square. Receipts: #391 6s. (104.8; 8.3; tickets: 278.15)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Mountain. 2nd piece: Engagement and Funeral Processionv as 6 May. Morning Herald, 18 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Mountain, No. 6, York-street, Covent Garden, Receipts: #245 18s. 6d. (89.18.0; 6.15.0; tickets: 149.5.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Richardson and Mrs Davenport. 1st piece: Not acted these 20 years [acted 9 Oct. 1778], and compressed into one Act. [Miss Hay, whose 1st appearance on the stage was at Richmond, 15 Sept. 1792, is identified in Thespian Dictionary, 1805, under Mrs Litchfield.] Receipts: #234 5s. (69.1.6; 2.6.6; tickets: 162.17, of which Richardson sold 84.0, and Mrs Davenport 78.17)

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the Fund, established for the Relief of those Performers who, through Infirmity, shall be obliged to retire from the Stage. The Theatrical Fund was established in 1765, under the auspices of the late Mr Beard and Mrs Rich; and received the sanction of Parliament in 1776. There are now, and have been for more than 20 years, several Annuitants supported by it, chiefly families and widows. Yet notwithstanding it has been so long set on foot, the interest arising from the Funded Capital has never been equal to defraying one half of the annual disbursements. The deficiencies have been continually supplied by progressive weekly contributions from the performers. When this is considered, it is respectfully presumed the generosity of a British Public will be exerted this night in favour of so liberal and beneficial an institution. Thomas Hull, Treasurer. Tickets to be had of Hull, Treasurer to the Institution, No. 7, Duke's-Court, near Dean's Yard, Westminster. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 20 years [not acted since 29 Apr. 1774]. "In the scene where Varanes kills himself, Kemble...was peculiarly striking. His manner of sheathing the sword in his body, after he has exclaimed, 'I feel the art'ry where the life-blood lies! It heaves against the point!-Now-Oh ye gods!' astonished us; and we turned, with horror, from the sight" (Monthly Visitor, Feb. 1797, p. 161). "I asked [Mrs Siddons] in which part she would most wish me to see her? She named Portia in the Merchant of Venice; but I begged to be excused...Mrs Siddons's warmest devotes do not hold her above a demigoddess in comedy. I have chosen Athenais;...her scorn is admirable" (Walpole [15 Jan. 1788], XIV, 42). Receipts: #231 9s. (175.2; 54.14; 1.13)

Event Comment: On account of Mrs Crouch's sudden Indisposition, the new Musical Entertainment called A Friend in Need [advertised on playbill of 6 Feb.] is obliged to be deferred till Thursday. Receipts: #167 8s. (101.14.0; 61.13.6; 4.0.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; MD 5, by Matthew Gregory Lewis; incidental music by Michael Kelly (see 2 Feb. 1798), with one selection from Jomelli. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1797, pp. 357-58)]: With new Dresses, Scenery, and Decorations. The Scenery designed by the late Mr Greenwood [who died on 1 Nov.], and executed by his Son, Pugh, and others. Times, 15 Jan. 1798: This day is published The Castle-Spectre (2s.). "There is a sufficient number of Ghosts, Hobgoblins, Cells and Trap-doors to serve for a pantomimical exhibition of the most extravagant nature, and the whole may, with no breach of propriety, be termed a Speaking Pantomime, of which Kemble is made the Harlequin and Mrs Jordan the Columbine" (Morning Herald, 16 Dec.). Receipts: #316 18s. 6d. (257.6.6; 58.17.0; 0.15.0)