Event Comment: "...Richard III, which I saw performed at Drury-lane theatre at the beginning of the present season...The dresses of the characters which here make their appearance are in the usual half-and-half mode, made up from portraits of Charles I's reign, and from unrestrained fancy. Richard's habit, indeed, shews a faint hint, at the costume of his day; but how modernized! A fancy cap and feather,with a milliner's white-ribband rose, sewed thereon. A deep ruff, of that make not known until the reign of James I From the neck depends a ribband With the George: this decoration never seen in paintings till about the fashions of the abovementioned monarch's court. On his legs and feet, white silk stockings, white shoes, and red roses. These latter ornaments unknown before Elizabeth or James I's modes of dress prevailed; at any rate, they should have been white ones to have accorded with the party-badge in his cap." Writer signing himself "An Artist and an Antiquary" in Gentleman's Magazine, Apr. 1800, p. 319. Receipts: #225 16s. 6d. (178.3.6; 47.12.0; 0.1.0)

Event Comment: An accurate Edition of the [mainpiece] to be had in the Theatre. "The Prince, we observed, wore the regimentals of an English officer, and the star of a knight of the Bath or Garter. We know not well how this can be thought the costume of either Messina or Arragon" (Monthly Mirror, Oct. 1799, p. 237). Receipts: #252 16s. (151.11; 100.11; 0.14)

Event Comment: In II The Grand Triumphal Entry of Alexander into Babylonv. In IV a Grand Banquetv. [Macartney was from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Receipts: #222 18s. (218.2; 4.16)

Event Comment: The Naval Pillar [advertised on playbill of 14 Oct., is] obliged, on account of Incledon's severe Hoarseness, to be postponed till Next Week. Afterpiece: By permission of the Proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre. Receipts: #263 4s. 6d. (253.3.6; 10.1.0)

Event Comment: [Tomkins, who had 1st appeared at this theatre on 1 May 1799, is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill.] Receipts: #178 17s. (117.9; 60.1; 1.7)

Event Comment: [DeCamp was from the Edinburgh theatre. He had previously acted children's parts at dl.] Receipts: #176 3s. (98.19.6; 74.1.6; 3.2.0)

Event Comment: The Rivals [advertised on playbill of 4 Jan.] is obliged to be deferred on account of the indisposition of a principal performer. "There seems to be a perverse and impolitic system introduced of late years in the management of this theatre, in virtue of which certain plays are suffered to remain in a state of slovenly representation, to serve as a kind of stage lumber, on which the manager can immediately lay his hand (confident of a good half-price, from the popularity of his after-piece); he wants something, no matter what, to fill up the intermediate space of time. This is a system, however, which in the event cannot fail to prove equally injurious to the interest of the proprietors, and the gratification of that part of the audience who pay the full amount of admission" (Dramatic Censor, I, 45). Receipts: #188 5s. (102.16; 83.17; 1.12)

Event Comment: [The playbill retains Fawcett as Trudge, but "On account of the sudden indisposition of Fawcett the part of Trudge was last night assigned to Knight, who supported it with sufficient correctness and humour. The Theatre was but indifferently attended" (True Briton, 7 Jan.).] Receipts: #163 1s. 6d. (147.15.6; 15.6.0)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Miss Biggs as Angela, but "On account of the sudden indisposition of Miss Biggs, Miss Heard will perform the part of Angela, and hopes for the usual indulgence of the audience" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill).] Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Thomas John Dibdin, based on Der Wildfang, by August Ferdinand Friedrich von Kotzebue. Prologue by Miles Peter Andrews (London Chronicle, 4 Feb. 1800)]: The Overture and Musick composed by Kelly [with one selection from Paisiello]. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. Receipts: #264 17s. (139.8.6; 122.17.0; 2.11.6)

Event Comment: Principal Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley, leader of the band; C. Ashley, W. Parke, Boyce, Barret, R. Ashley, Parkinson, Woodham, Jenkinson, M'Arthur, the Munros, Purney, Cantelo, Taylor, M'Intosh, Gwilliam, Nicks, Cobham, Leffler, Betts, Flack, Dressler, Cornish, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Ware, J. Ware, Wood, G. Jones, Moorehead, Slezack, Francis, Jackson, Vial, White, &c. Organ by J. Ashley. The Band and Chorusses will be numerous and complete, and assisted by the Trombones and Double Drums, used at Handel's Commemoration at Westminster Abbey [in 1784]. The whole under the direction of Ashley Sen. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the stage door. The Doors to be opened at 6:00, and the Performance to begin at 7:00 precisely [same throughout oratorio season]. Half Price will be taken at 9:00. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance to be had at the Theatre (6d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Thomas John Dibdin]: With appropriate music (composed and selected by Attwood), Scenery, &c. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #256 17s. (251.10; 5.7)

Event Comment: [By Franz Joseph Haydn; 1st time in London. 1st performed privately in Vienna, 29 Apr. 1798, and in public at the Vienna National Theatre, 19 Mar. 1799.] "Although not equal in grandeur to the divine compositions of the immortal Handel, [it] is, nevertheless, on the whole, a very charming production" (Morning Herald, 29 Mar.). [And see Ashley's note on 2 Apr.

Event Comment: Account-Book, 5 Apr.: Received from John Ashley charge for oratorios #380; Paid One Years Insurance on #10,000 of the Theatre at the Phoenix Fire Office to Lady Day next #115

Event Comment: A Comic Opera; the Music by Paisiello. The Dialogue, for the first time in this Country, will be delivered without the Music of the Recitative. "Nina [Bolla] performed for her benefit in a novel and singular manner, the dialogue being spoken in prose without recitative, which had not a bad effect; but this way of acting it was deemed an infringement of the rights of the English theatres, and after a few nights it was stopped by authority, as unlawful at the Opera" (Mount-Edgcumbe, 111-12). Tickets to be had of Mme Bolla, No. 6, Haymarket

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. [On this night an unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate the King. As he entered his box he was shot at by James Hadfield, who was in the pit. The royal family remained in the theatre throughout the performance, during which God save the King was sung on four different occasions. Hadfield was subsequently adjudged insane. See Gentleman's Magazine, May 1800, pp. 478-80.] Receipts: #438 13s. 6d. (345.15.6; 87.9.0; 5.9.0)

Event Comment: The Public are most respectfully informed that the performance on Saturday evening having been interrupted by the unusual concourse of company behind the scenes, it has become absolutely necessary to shut up the communications from the audience part of the Theatre to the stage, upon the nights when Alessandro e Timoteo is perfomed

Event Comment: [Emery was from cg. Mainpiece: Epilogue by the younger George Colman.] Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin precisely at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice, at the Theatre. Printed by T. Woodfall, No. 1, Cross Court, Russel Court, Drury Lane

Event Comment: 3rd piece: The Musick composed and selected by Attwood. Books of the Songs, &c. to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Grant from the Proprietors, a Free Night; Benefit for Lacy, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. [Address by John Taylor (Poems, I, 68).] Receipts: #97 3s. (53.15.6; 40.16.6; 1.10.0; odd money: 1.1.0; tickets: none listed) (charge: free)

Event Comment: [Mrs King was from the Stamford theatre.

Event Comment: 1st piece: In one Act; 1st time at this Theatre [acted 19 June 1784]. 2nd piece [1st time; D 3, by Charles Kemble, based on Le Deserteur, by Louis Sebastien Mercier. Authors of Prougue and Ephlogue unknown]. Morning Chronicle, 1 Aug. 1800: This day is published The Point of Honour (2s.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Joseph George Holman]: The Overture and the whold of the Musick by Davy. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. [Miss Wheatley was from cg.] Morning Chronicle, 20 Aug. 1800: This day at twelve o'clock is published What a Blunder! (2s.)