Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [acted 21 Jan. 1789. Mrs Esten has 1st acted Belvidera at Bath in the season of 1786-87]. Afterpiece [1st time; M. INT 2, by John Cartwright Cross. Larpent MS 883; not published. Prologue by John Taylor (his Taylor, Poems, I, 43). Rees' 1st appearance at this theatre was on 14 May 1788]: The Overture and the whole of the Music by Dibdin. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [Most of these songs had originally appeared in Dibdin's "table entertainment," The Oddities, 1st performed at the Lyceum, 7 Dec. 1789.] Receipts: #244 18s. 6d. (234.8.0; 10.10.6)

Event Comment: A New Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed at Florence, 1793, as La Confusione nata dalla Somiglianza; ossiano, I Due Gobbi]); the music by Portogallo. [Viganoni had 1st appeared at the former king's Theatre throughout the seasons of 1781-82 and 1782-83.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: The Overture, Chorusses and new Musick by Dr Arnold. The Scenery by Rooker. Afterpiece: The Musick by Storace. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: 2nd piece: Compressed for First Time into two acts, with several new Airs, &c. [Miss Sims was from the Theatre, Sadler's Wells.] Receipts: #259 17s. (253.15; 6.2)

Event Comment: [Huddart, whose 1st appearance on the stage was at the Crow Street Theatre Dublin, on 14 May 1798, is identified in European Magazine, Oct. 1798, p. 258.] "In the gentle and tender scenes [Huddart] was impressive...but in the impassioned parts he was often too boisterous, and from his too eager exertion, he exhausted himself, in a great measure, before the conclusion of the piece" (Morning Herald, 16 Oct.). [Mrs Pope, as Miss Campion, had 1st appeared as Desdemona at the same theatre, 11 Mar. 1790. Mrs Wybrow was from the Royal Circus. She had appeared at cg on 6 June 1798.] Afterp iece [1st time; BALL. PI, by John Cartwright Cross. Larpent MS 1228. Text (i.e. synopsis of the ballet, and the songs) in his Circusiana (Lackington, Allen & Co., 1890), Vol. 1; it lists the cast for the Royal Circus]: Taken chiefly from the favourtie Piece of the latter Title [1st acted at the Royal Circus, 9 Apr. 1798], with Alterations and Additions by the original Author. The Music by Sanderson, and Scenery by Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Blackmore, &c. Receipts: #294 15s. 6d. (290.8.6; 4.7.0)

Event Comment: The Diary and Will of Elias Ashmole, ed. Gunter, pp. 70-71: 13 Dec. 1660: The King going to a Play at the new Theatre this afternoon, had his coach (the leathers whereby the coach hung broke and so the coach fell from the wheels) overturned over against the new Exchange, but (blessed be God) had no hurt. Sir Francis Floyd passing by took him in his arms and carried him to his coach. The Earl of Latherdale and my Lord of Ossory being with the King in his coach

Event Comment: The King's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but John Harold Wilson, Six Restoration Play-Dates, Notes and Queries, June 1962, p. 221, has argued, primarily on references in the Epilogue, that the play was probably produced before the opening of the new Theatre Royal in Drury Lane and following two unsuccessful plays: The Mall and The Amorous Old Woman. The Prologue is in New Songs and Poems a la Mode, 1677. Preface to the edition of 1675: This play was left in Mr Dryden's hands many years since. The Author of it was unknown to him, and return'd not to claim it

Event Comment: As it was perform'd several times at court, by Persons of Great Quality, before his late Majesty King Charles II. With all the Scenes Which were originally Presented in it when acted at the Theatre, particularly the Fleet of Shipsv and the Hell Scenev, in which the Masquerade was perform'd

Event Comment: Benefit Spiller. Your Vote and Interest are desired for James Spiller Comedian, being a Persons well affected to the present Establishment of the said Theatre. Receipts: money #45 13s. 6d.; tickets #52 12s

Event Comment: Benefit Denoyer. By Command of His Royal Highness. Mainpiece: Taken from Moliere. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 17 March: The celebrated Monsieur Denoyer and Mademoiselle Salle, by Permission of the Masters of the two Theatres Royal, have agreed to dance together at each other's Benefit

Event Comment: Benefit Galliard. The Words of the Incantation will be printed, and deliver'd Gratis at the Theatre. Receipts: money #22 9s.; tickets #31 2s

Event Comment: Benefit Turbutt, Mich. Stoppelaer, Miss Oates. All the Songs will be printed, and delivered at the Theatre Gratis. Admission: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. 6:30 P.M

Event Comment: Benefit Page. 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s. Tickets at Mr Edward Pinchbeck's@Toyshop in Fleet Street. Places for the Boxes to be taken at the Lancashire Witch opposite the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit Marten, Carr, White. All tickets exposed for sale at the doors of the theatre will be an imposition on the Publick for an effectual method will be taken to prevent their admittance

Event Comment: HHallam's New Theatre. A new Droll. One to ten p.m. [Notice repeated 4, 5, 7 (with Jockey Dance by Adams, just arriv'd from Epsom), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 (with singing Blogg) May.

Event Comment: The New Theatre in the Haymarket will speedily be open'd with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, by Permission, according to Act of Parliament. This Piece, it's said, has not been played these hundred years. The character of Juliet is to be acted by Miss Jenny Cibber, a young daughter of Mr Cibber, by his first wife....A new Comedy, call'd the Prodigal; or, Recruits for the Queen of Hungary, will soon after be brought on that Stage.-Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: A New Comedy never acted Before. [By John Stevens.] Formula as 15 April. Prices 2s., 1s. [Published in 1745 by John Stevens, with the announcement As it was acted Gratis, at the New Theatre at the Haymarket, By a Company of Gentlemen for Diversion. No record of such a production has been found.

Event Comment: At the New Theatre. Benefit Phillips. A Concert, etc. 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s. 6 p.m. To act every Wednesday...The Cloaths and Scenes are entirely New. Tickets at Phillips' Lodgings, 5 Faulcon Court

Event Comment: By Desire, at his Auction Room, late the New Theatre in the Haymarket, Mr Foote will exhibit a Choice Collection of Pictures, all warranted Originals, with some entire new Lots. Places for boxes to be taken at the Auction Room. The Thirty-ninth Day. The auction to begin at exactly half an hour after six

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Afterpiece: A new Musical Entertainment went off pretty well--some Noise &c. (Cross). Published at 3 o'clock that afternoon and sold at the theatre for 6d. (General Advertiser). No admission behind scenes or in Orchestra on account of the entertainment. [Music by C. Burney. Text by Moses Mendez]. Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: At the New Theatre, Bowling Green. By Mr Phillips's Company of Comedians, will be presented a new Droll. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 2s. First Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. To begin each day at 12 noon

Event Comment: Benefit for the Lying In Hospital, Aldersgate St. Receipts: #76 15s. Income from Tickets #80 11s. (boxes 114; pit 273; gallery 111). Charges #84 (Account Book). Tomorrow the First Part of King Henry IV. [A long plea for attendance at this performance appeared in the Public Advertiser: "It affords me the greatest satisfaction when I peruse your paper, and find so many advertisements for charitable Benefits at the Theatres; which must greatly add to the Entertainment of the Stage, when we are sensible that the profits are to be appropriated towards the relief and support of the Indigent and distress'd; for the refief of whom, it must (at the same time it gives us secret pleasure) raise the astonishment of foreigners to see so many charitable piles raise their benevolent roofs in and about this great Metroplis. Amongst which I must beg leave to recommend to the Public, the City of London Lying In Hospital in Aldersgate Street (for the Benefit of which the Play of the Conscious Lovers will be performed this evening at Covent Garden); whose charitable doors have been opened for the relief of a much greater Number since the late dearth of Provisions, than its Annual Income (being supported by voluntary contributions) can possibly support, without further aid from the Public." The plea continues by emphasizing the need for expert and tender care for pregnant women, and by pointing out the satisfaction British sailors will have in knowing their wives may be delivered in this hospital.] [The Occasional Prologue (Written by Mr Lockman, Secretary to the Society of Free British Fisheries) was published in the Public Advertiser on 16 Dec.: @"Not sweeter Joy the wond'ring Indian feels,@When his far dazzling Glory Sol reveals@Than warms my heart at this auspicious Sight,@The splendid Audience of this cheerful night."@ Much emphasis on the misery of child-bearing, yet the need for a large population "to a commercial land." Also included was the Epilogue, by Lockman, "Intended for Mrs Hamilton," ending, "May each youth, here, breathe Bevil's gen'rous flame@Each virgin merit Indiana's fame."

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant at the Stage-Door of the Theatre. No Persons to be admitted behind the Scenes. Nor any Money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. To begin exactly at six o'clock. [Usual note unless otherwise stated.

Event Comment: Places may be taken at the Theatre. To begin at one o'clock. [The notice is placed as (and continues hereafter to run as) a news item, rather than in the customary form for advertisements in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: Benefit for Hull. Books of the afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. Afterpiece: Founded on the plan of the old Ballad of that name. The songs adapted to old English, Irish and Scotch tunes. [Shuter's Prologue is Larpent MS 218, wherein he enters in character of a Ballad singer, interrupting the music as the overture comes to a close. He sings snatches from some ten old ballads, stopping in the midst of each to comment on the superiority of modern circumstances which parallel those referred to in the old ballads. As the bell rings he introduces the afterpiece.