Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not Acted these 2 Years. [See 6 May 1771.] Paid Mrs Yates, the Balance of the Author's 3 Nights of Zobeide #237 19s. Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s.; and Watch rate #17 10s. Paid one year's Rector's rate for House in Bow Passage 6s. 3d.; and watch for same 12s. 6d. Paid Mrs Keys for a gold and silver sack coat #14 14s. (Account Book). Receipts: #148 19s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: About Ten o'clock this Morning Orders came from the Lord Chamberlain to Shut up the House on Account of the Death of the Princess Dowager of Wales who died this Morn[in]g between 6 & 7 o'clock (Hopkins Diary). [Closed through Sat., Feb. 15. No record in Treasurer's Book save "The Princes Dowager of Wales died this Morning."] Theatres clos'd on 8 Feb. and reopen'd on 17th Feb. for Augusta Princess Dowager of Wales (Winston MS 10). Paid salary list, at #83 9s. 9d. per diem, #500 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French, 1 1!2 days 7s. 6d.; Mr Weston's note to Mr Holman, #8 3s. (Treasurer's Book). [The cast scheduled for mainpiece was that of 4 Feb.; for afterpiece that of 30 Dec. 1771. The dance between was to have been Sailor's Revels of 8 Oct. 1771.

Event Comment: By the unfortunate death of her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales a temporary stop was put to theatrical entertainments to this day. Opera will be performed at this theatre three times or at least twice every week till Passion Week. Such of the Nobility and Gentry, subscribers to the Opera who do not care to keep their Boxes on the Thursday, and have the extra weekly performance reckoned into their Subscription nights are desired to send word

Event Comment: Words from Holy Writ...Music so admirable designed by Handel as to Beggar all description (Theatrical Review). Mr Ponta is Musician to his Serene Highness the Elector of Mentz. Tickets and places for boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjeant at the Stage Door. Box 5s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. Books of the performance sold at the Theatre. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at half past Six (Account Book). [Messrs Toms and Arnold were putting on the Oratorios at Covent Garden this season.] Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece advertised on this bill as Never Performed" (playbill).] Paid John Doe, John Claridge, and John Smith each #1 12s. 6d. for performing 13 nights in the Ass and the Hog [in Mother Shipton] to the 7th inst. (Account Book). [See account of damning of mainpiece in Town and Country Magazine (Theatre No. XXXV). Halfpennies and apples thrown at chandeliers and one broken.] Receipts: #243 6s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: G[arrick] This Night was advertis'd for Mr Barry's Benefit but he being ill his Benefit was deferr'd (Hopkins Diary). Garrick is removed from Southampton St. to Adelphi Terrace (Winston MS 10). This day is publish'd Theatrical Biography; or, Memoirs of the principal performers of the three Theatres Royal. Drury Lane: Garrick, Barry, Reddish, Aickin, King, Moody, Dodd, Love, Vernon, Parsons, Baddeley, Mrs Barry, Mrs Abington, Miss Younger, Miss Hayward, Mrs Baddeley, Miss Pope, Mrs Egerton, Mrs W. Barry and Mrs Jefferson. Covent Garden: Ross, Smith, Savigny, Woodward, Yates, Shuter, Bensley, Dyer, Mattocks, Clark, Mrs Yates, Mrs Mattocks, Miss Macklin, Mrs Bulkley, Mrs Green, and Mrs Thompson. Haymarket: Foote, Weston, Aikin, Didier, Davies, Mrs Gardner, Mrs Jewell, and Mrs Didier. Together with critical and impartial remarks on their respective professional merits. Printed for S. Bladon. Receipts: #265 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Part of Pit laid into Boxes (playbill). Charges #64 5s. Profit to Yates #82 3s. 6d., plus #102 11s. from tickets: (Box 367; Pit 72). Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Ladyday last #20 8s. 4d.; and for House in Bow Passage 14s. 7d. (Account Book). Receipts: #146 8s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [See Town and Country Magazine this month (pp. 171-72) for two columns on theatrical amusements in England: The English stage is as elegant and well conducted as any theatre in Europe, whether we consider the music, the actors, or the decorations."

Event Comment: We cannot quit this aritcle without remarking to the credit of the managers at this theatre, that there probably never was an evening Performance of this nature before exhibited, consisting of so great a variety. However, the great applause the whole received evinced that the audience were sensible of an attentive effort to please, and, as such signified their approbation (Theatrical Review, p. 223). Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Macklin. Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 27 Jan. 1770.] Afterpiece: For this night only this season (playbill). Charges #64 5s. Profit to Miss Macklin #19 4s., plus #43 from 172 Box tickets. Paid Whitefield one fourth year's salary due Lady Day last #25. Paid Mr Barber for a suit of regimentals embroider'd with gold, #12 12s. Paid Lowe and Lucas (linnen drapers) #13 19s.; Paid Evans for Spermecita candles as per bill #12. Paid Barrett (wax chandler) #3 4s. (Account Book). [Miss Macklin considered this a poor benefit, and on 6 May 1772 wrote to her father about the troubles she met in getting it underway. Woodward would not play in the farce since it did not belong to the theatre and since he had not be asked before she put his name in the bills. Kniveton labored hard and did quite well as Sir Archy. Ann Pitt so ill she could not do Lady Wrangle, but Mrs Hull sat up two nights, learned the part and acted it creditably (Harvard, Memoirs of Charles Macklin, Vol. II, pt. 2, after p. 55).] Receipts: #83 9s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Woodman. Charges #64 15s. 6d. Profit to Mrs Woodman #17 8s. plus #42 1s. from tickets (Box 77; Pit 110; Gallery 63). Paid half year's paving &c. for the theatre due Lady Day last #18 5s. (Account Book). Receipts: #82 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Gardner and R. Smith. Mrs Gardner's Indisposition preventing her from performing this evening, she hopes she shall be excused by her friends. [She was to have played Catherine in Afterpiece according to advance notice of 4 May.] Charges #64 10s. Deficit to each benefiticiary #15 6s. 6d., cover'd by income from tickets: Gardner, #61 1s. (Box 118; Pit 101; Gallery 164); Smith, #64 19s. (Box 35; Pit 264; Gallery 166). Paid half year's Land Tax for the Theatre due Lady day last, #61 5s.; paid ditto for window lights, #6 10s. 6d.; Paid ditto for House in Bow Passage #2 3s. 9d. and for its window lights 15s. Receipts: #33 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Two Young Lady's made their first Appearance in the Characters of Polly & Lucy Pupils of Dr Arne--Miss Wellers figure is very well for Polly but she wants Spirit & is apt to Sing out of Tune. Mrs Bradley is Tall & a good figure for Lucy and acquitted herself very well in that character they both met with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly: Two young Gentlewomen appeared in the characters of Polly and Lucy,--brought out by Dr Arne,--Miss Weller and Mrs Bradley.--Miss Weller's figure was very well for Polly; but she is a piece of still life, sings out of tune and will never make an actress.--Mrs Bradley,--very tall, and appears to have blackguard requisites enough for Lucy, but will not do for anything else--Hopkins Diary No 7. Mrs Bradley is since married to Mr Prior the Builder.--J. P. Kemble."] Paid Renters #8 [this payment occurs each playing night of the season, 188 times in all, and will not be further noted]; Mr Carver, six days, #6 [a weekly payment outside the pay list throughout the season. Presumably to scene painter. No further noted]; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s. Renters total for season #1592. Carver total for season #088 (Treasurer's Book). [see account of Miss Weller and Miss Bradley in Town and Country Magazine (Theatre XXXVIII): The first performed the part of Polly, and the latter that of Lucy. Their figures are both genteel, and their countenances expressive. Miss weller was much confused upon her first entrance; but from the melody of her voice, tho she did not raise it sufficiently in many parts, there is reason to believe, when she was got the better of her terrors of facing an audience, that she will be an acquisition to the stage, at least as a vocal performer. Miss Bradley's performance of Lucy with great spirit, vivacity and Propriety' and her singing being so well suited to the character, she so much eclipsed Polly, that the audience formed a more indifferent opinion of her abilities than she deserved."] Receipts: #220 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid half year's Poor's Rate for Theatre due Mich. Last #21 17s. 6d., and for House in Bow Passage 15s. 8d. (Account Book). Receipts: #219 4s

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Altered from Milton [by George Colman]. Books of the Entertainment to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #181 4s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 20 Dec. 1769.] Paid half year's Land Tax for theatre due Mich. last #35; ditto for Widow Lights #6 10s. 6d.; ditto for House in Bow Passage #1 5s., and for its window lights 15s. (Account Book). [The reviewer for The Town and Country Magazine the following month was disappointed with Miss Barsanti as Estifania.] Receipts: #134 7s. 6d

Event Comment: Parsons of dl and Mr Buckley of cg purchas'd Bristol Theatre formerly the property of Mr Bransby (Winston MS 10). Receipts: #199 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Rec'd from Condell on Acct for Fruit Rent #20. Rec'd by an Overcharge in Mrs Lynn's Bill 7 Jan. last 12s., and by ditto in Messrs Benn and Pugh's Bill of 5 June last #2 14s. 6d. [Neither of these bills is recorded in the Account Books available.] Paid half year's water rate for the Theatre due Xmas, #3 (Account Book). Receipts: #218 15s. 6d

Event Comment: Oratorio composed by Dr Arne. Not performed these eight years. Boxes 5s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. Tickets and places for the boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjeant (only) at the Stage Door. Books of the Oratorio to be sold at the theatre. Doors opened at Five o'clock. To Begin at Half past Six. [Note on prices, time, and books repeated each performance this season.] Charges: #35

Event Comment: The Words of the Music [for Alzuma] will be given away at the Theatre. Third Night. For the Author. Charges #67. Profit to author #96 13s. 6d. Paid Whitefield for Cloaths made #65 12s. 5d. Paid Scott (copper laceman) #59 9s. (Account Book). Receipts: #163 13s. 6d

Event Comment: [Maria Macklin wrote her father (13 March 1773): Smith has rais'd such a fury in the Town, owing to Colman's having refus'd Mrs Yates to play for him, that last Saturday [6 March] being the fifth night of Alzuma, when the play ought to have begun, the Audience made a most violent noise, called for Colman, insisted that the play should not begin till he was found & the reasons given why Mrs Yates was not suffered to play for Smith. In vain did Bensley endeavor frequently to speak and tell them that Colman was not to be found. The still continued hissing and roaring, and this last till past seven o'clock. Dagge and Harris were behind in a dreadful consternation least the house should be demolished, of which indeed it was in some danger. At last they said something must be said to quiet them, when Smith in the confusion ran on and told them that the managers had consented Mrs Yates should play for him. Then they sent him off to tell them that his day must be settled whenever he thought proper, to give her time to come here. He went off and made them fix it for the 19th of April, went on and told them it was settled. They then insisted that Smith should tell them whether everything was settled to his entire satisfaction. He assured them it was. The play was then ordered to begin. I am told they have given him up his articles for three years, at his desire. Several Gentlemen went round into the Hall and sent for Smith, telling him his private quarrels with the managers were nothing to them. That if Mrs Yates play'd they should be glad to see her, but that as she was not in the company it was not right in him to disturb the play and hinder them from seeing it. He expostulated with them and told his story. The Town rings with this affair. Various are the opinions. Some think it is her plan to get once more upon the stage, and they say there is a most powerful Party making to oppose her & that she shall not play that night. Others say Colman is very wrong to hinder her. I find she entirely built upon your playing for me, and there has been a very impatient card in the Ledger to Colman insisting upon his telling the town why Mrs Yates was hindered to play, and why Mr Macklin had any more right to be suffered to come over so long unmolested to play for Miss Macklin? But that everybody sees thru'....Colman I am certain has not a thing against your playing for me. He seems rather to wish for your coming....I do not think the Yeats's will be engag'd tho' the Town rail much at Mrs Hartley & Miss Miller, and sure enough they are bitter bad....On Tuesday I shall send you the fate of Dr Goldsmith's Comedy, which comes out on Monday next. It is call'd the Mistakes of a Night....Foote's Rary Shew has been rehears'd three mornings but he got no money, so he shews off again at night instead-but it does not fill violently. Alonzo goes on but Barry is too ill to play. The great support of it is Mrs Barry's acting." (Harvard Theatre Collection, A.L.S.)] Receipts: #196 19s

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Added By Particular Desire. Rec'd from Mr Baks for his deficiency in 1771 #8 5s. 3d., and from Miss Stede her half value of tickets for same season. Rec'd #34 13s. 9d. from Davis, Curtat, Merrifield and Mrs Hartley for their deficiencies last season (Account Book). [Perhaps pressure was put on these actors and dancers to balance their accounts with the theatre before another benefit could be allowed to them.] Receipts: #229 11s

Event Comment: By Order of the Grand Buck for the Benefit of Wignell and Davis. N.B. Places will be kept in the front boxes for the brethren of the Mcst Noble Order, who are desired to meet the Grand Buck and His Council at the Shakespeare's Head in the Great Piazza, by 5 o'clock, from thence to proceed to the theatre, and bring the ensigns of the Order with them (playbill). Charges #66 3s. 6d. Deficit to beneficiaries #4 6s. 3d. apiece, cover'd by income from tickets: Wignell #78 4s. (Box 82; Pit 290; Gallery 142); Davis #74 4s. (Box 59; Pit 281; Gallery 173) (Account Book). Receipts: #57 11s

Event Comment: Public Advertiser: When the Disturbances of the Theatre at Rome, in the Days of Augustus, caus'd several Tumults, the Emperour interpos'd and pronounc'd the Sentence of Banishment on a very great Actor, for whose Sake these Disturbances were made. He observ'd at the same Time, that the Stage had a strong Tendency to disturb all as well as to amuse the People. The Actor said, with great Spirit, "'Tis for your Interest, Caesar, that they shoul d be amus'd any Way." The Civil War of England, 1641, did not commence 'til the Playhouses were shut. People are never more discontented than when depriv'd of their Favourite Diversions