Event Comment: [Me Rossi was from the Opera, Naples.] "Her very first step proclaimed her a perfect mistress in the art of pantomime. Her dress was a manteau a la reine, lately imported by our travelling milliners. The body, bones and trimming are puce, the sleeves and lower part of the garment a white gawze. Her partner, Lepicq, dressed in the same uniform, discovered such profusion of talents, if we may be allowed the expression, as 'beggar all praise'" (Public Advertiser, 3 Dec)

Event Comment: "The Dress of Belvidera was happily arranged; and the Continuation of the same Dress, without the usual Change in the Fifth Act, is an Alteration for the better. It escapes the well-pointed Reproof of The Critic: 'Enter Tilburina, mad, in white Satin'" {Public Advertiser, 21 Dec.). Receipts: #272 8s. (260/18/0; 11/1/6; 0/8/6)

Event Comment: [A detailed account of all three pieces appears in Sophie v. la Roche, Sophie in London, 1933, pp. 93-95. The theatre is described as seeming "exceptionally small, but it is very prettily painted in blue and white; the boxes, as in Paris, are open and everything is well lit." In 3rd piece "A twelve-year-old girl dressed as a poor boy who walks around with a bundle of rushes, straw and reeds to patch up old chairs, then really sits down to work on one, sang and played unusually well; indeed, was obliged to give two encores; the third time, however, announced with dignity and candour that it would not be possible, and that she feared she might be unable to take her part the next day; which would grieve her excessively, as she liked having her modest talents appreciated and applauded. Everyone clapped and praised her aloud. She is beuatiful, and deserves to be the nation's darling, and will certainly become a great actress, competent to keep her voice, gesture and features in complete control, never using her talents wrongly or producing exaggerated effects."]

Event Comment: "[Mrs Siddons's] dress was a French grey satin gown, trimmed with dark sage coloured ribbon, edged with steel, white satin petticoat covered With tiffany, and trimmed With the same as the gown, a girdle of the same colour, a dark sage coloured cane hat ornamented with feathers and edges with gold, with a band of gauze and large bows, the ends fastened to the waist" (Daily Universal Register, 4 Oct.). Receipts: #302 2s. (281.18.0; 19.6.6; 0.17.6)

Event Comment: Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin precisely at 7:00. Tickets to be had at the Eagle, Ram, White Horse, Antelope and King's Head. Geoghegan, printer, No. 3, Kent-Street, Borough, Southwark

Event Comment: Benefit for Jones. Tickets to be had of Jones at the White Horse, Parson's Green; at the King's Arms, Fulham; Ship, Fulham; and the George, Walham Green. Afterpiece: It is hoped that the greatest Attention will be paid, as it is impossible for the Company to cogitate throughtout the Cogibundity of Cogitations, unless the most profound Profundity of Thought is observed. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. Good Fires in the Pit

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Foundling, advertised on playbill of 12 Feb.] Powell: Alexander 's car was completed, and drawn by two elephants, and accompanied by Darius ' car, drawn by three white horses, and another car laden with trophies, drawn by soldiers all of which [were] totally covered with burnished gold and silver...The Procession was still but indifferently conducted. New Ballet rehearsed at 12. Morning Chronicle, 18 Oct. 1794: Two hundred soldiers are to be employed in the spectacle; each of their dresses is estimated at #5. Account-Book: Paid Miller in full for music in Alexander the Great #30. Receipts: #263 11s. (173.16.6; 86.13.0; 3.1.6)

Event Comment: Oracle, 2 Feb.: Mrs Siddons wore a dress "wholly composed of white muslin, with a zone of jewels." Account-Book:Paid Barratt, Sperm Oil and Candles to 25th Inst. #125 5s. Receipts: #302 19s. 6d. (296.9.6; 6.10.0)

Event Comment: The Publick is most respectfully informed that on account of the sudden Indisposition of a Principal Performer, the new Tragedy of The Conspiracy [advertised on playbill of 11 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred. "A new tragedy, entitled The Conspiracy, written by Mr Jephson, was announced for representation on Saturday evening; but (as the apology stated) on account of the indisposition of a principal performer, The Grecian Daughter was substituted in its room. All the principal performers advertised for the new play having, however, appeared in The Grecian Daughter, it is supposed, and generally understood, that it was the interference of the Lord Chamberlain's interdiction (who, by the mighty virtues of his white wand, valiantly frustrated the meditated Conspiracy), that produced the sudden change of performance" (Morning Herald, 14 Nov.), Receipts: #256 7s. 6d. (167.6.6; 84.11.0; 4.10.0)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list at Harvard. See VanLennep, "Plays on the English Stage," p. 13. Charles II to Madame, Whitehall, 14 Dec.: I can say no more to you now for I am called to goe to the Play (C. H. Hartman, Charles II and Madame [London, 1934], p. 227)