Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1, by John Rose. Larpent MS 1167; not published]: A Mask, in honour of the approaching Royal Nuptials [the Marriage of Charlotte Augusta, Princess Royal of Great@Britain to Frederick William, Prince of Wurttemberg, on 18 May]. The Musick entirely new by Attwood. The Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations entirely new. Books of the Interlude to be had in the Theatre. Receipts: #254 15s. (166.15.0; 84.6.6; 3.13.6)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1, by Andrew Franklin. It refers to the King's departure from Greenwich on the Royal Charlotte yacht, 30 Oct. 1797, to visit Lord Duncan's fleet at the Nore. The visit was subsequently cancelled because of inclement weather]: With new Scenery, and Machinery. The Music partly new [by William Linley] and partly compiled; with an introductory Full Piece. In the course of the Piece a View of Greenwich Hospital, and an exact Representation of the Departure of the Royal Yatch [sic]. To conclude with a View of the British Fleet, and the Dutch Prizes [taken at Camperdown. 11 Oct.]. [These were included in all subsequent performances.] Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. Morning Herald, 16 Nov. 1797: This day is published A Trip to the Nore (1s.). Receipts: #317 5s. 6d. (234.8.6; 76.10.6; 6.6.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by John Cartwright Cross]: With new Music, Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, &c. The Overture and new Music by Reeve. The Scenery painted by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, and Blackmore. The Machinery by Cresswell, Sloper, Goostree, &c. The Dresses by Dick, Mrs Egan, &c. Receipts: #314 15s. (303.1; 11.14)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; MD 3, by James Boaden; some of the songs written by George Colman, ynger]: With new Musick, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The new Musick by Dr Arnold. With an appropriate Overture, accompanied by two Pedal Harps and the Union Pipes, by Weippert, C. Jones, and Murphy. The Scenery by Marinari. The Dresses and Decorations designed by A. Johnston, and executed by him and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "Any exertion of impartial criticism to check the prevalent taste for the marvellous and the horrific which so wantonly conjures up the spirit (it was once thought had been for ever laid) of gross superstition and Gothic barbarism must, we fear, prove at present unavailing" (Times, 23 July). Morning Chronicle, 30 July 1798: This Day is published Cambro-Britons (2s.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 3, by Samuel Birch, adapted from Camille; ou, Le Souterrain, by Benoit Joseph Marsollier des Vivetieres, and from Les Victimes Cloitrees, by Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel; the songs written by Thomas John Dibdin. Larpent MS 1236; not published. The playbill states that this was "Taken from the German," but London Chronicle, 12 Dec., says that its source is the same as that of The Captive of Spilburg (see dl, 14 Nov.). An examination of the MSS of these two pieces (Larpent 1230 and 1236) proves that such is unmistakably the case]: With entire new Scenes, Machinery, Dresses & Decorations. The Music composed and selected by Steibelt and Attwood. The Action of the Chorusaes, Finales, &c. under the Direction of Farley, and the Action of the Overture by Bologna Jun. A new Descriptive Overture, composed by Steibelt, on a Plan never before introduced on the English Stage, accompanied by Action. "The overture is...nothing more than music adapted to pantomime; and, in the present instance, the dumb shew is an unnecessary anticipation of the procession with which the piece opens" (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 369). The Scenery painted by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Blackmore, &c. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #338 17s. 6d. (325.14.6; 13.3.0)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of Lover's Vows, advertised on playbill of 21 Dec.] The Public are respectfully acquainted that the new Pantomime, the Machinery, Scenery, and Decorations of which have been in preparation the whole Summer, and which was intended to have been produced at Christmas, is on account of the extraordinary demand for Places for all the new Pieces now in representation, obliged to be postponed for a short time [see 29 Jan. 1799]. Receipts: #187 10s. 6d. (180.7.6; 7.3.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MD 2, by George Colman, ynger]: With new Musick, Scenery, Machinery, Dresses and Decorations. The Musick entirely new, composed by Kelly with an overture by Dussek]. The Scenes designed and executed by Greenwood? Jun, with the assistance of Chalmers and Banks. The Machinery, Decorations and Dresses designed and under the direction of Johnston, and executed by him, Underwood and Gay. The Female Dresses designed and executed by Miss Rein. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "We have to congratulate the town on the acquisition of three admirable dramatic writers, in the persons of Johnston, Greenwood, and Miss Rein, who have here exhibited a specimen of the Sublime and Beautiful which it will be difficult, indedd, to surpass" (Monthly Mirror, Jan. 1799, p. 47). [This piece is "an exhibition of music and dialogue, pantomime and dancing, painting and machinery, antique dresses and armour, thunder and lightning, fire and water, illumination, processions, banquets, battles, sieges, explosions, and everything that can surprize, enchant or terrify the spectators" (Morning Chronicle, 21 Jan.). Morning Chronicle, 16 Feb. 1799: This Day is published Feudal Times (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #483 15s. 6d. (381.10.6; 100.6.6; 1.18.6)

Event Comment: Opera: 1st time [in London; 1st performed at Naples, 1794]. The Music entirely new, composed [i.e. revised] here by Bianchi. With new Scenes (painted by Marinari, and under his direction), Dresses and Decorations. "In the second act there is an Air of Madame Banti in a singular style:-she is accompanied by the Hautboys and Tenors only; the Violins are mute. It had a very fine effect" Morning Chronicle, 23 Jan.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Composed by Byrn. A View of the Sea and Rock, from which Oscar escapes, by leaping from a precipice, into the arms of his Soldiers; A View of the Bridge with the Camp of Carrol; The Death of Carrol by the Hand of Malvina, with his Fall into the Sea, and the Burning of the Camp of Carrol. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] With entire new Dresses and Decorations, and the Scenery new painted. The Ballet under the direction of Farley. The Overture by Reeve, with an accompaniment on the Union Pipes and Harp by Murphy and Weippert. Receipts: #378 11s. (369.6; 9.5)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Oratorio, in Two Parts, the only one composed in this Country nearly these 30 years. Afterpiece: An Ode, in One Part. The Band will wholly consist of Professors of the first eminence, and the Chorusses will be numerously supported by the best Performers in London, assisted by the young Gentlemen of his Majesty's Chapels, and of Westminster Abbey. The music entirely new, composed by Thomas? Busby, who will take the Piano Forte. Boxes 7s. Pit 4s. 1st Gallery 3s. 2nd Gallery 2s. Grove: [Busby] worked at a setting of Pope's 'Messiah' for some years, and it was produced in 1799 with considerable success as 'The Prophecy.

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; C 3, by Thomas John Dibdin, altered from Die Versohnung, by August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue. Author of Prologue unknown. Epilogue by the author (see text)]: With new Scenery, Dresses, &c. [3rd piece in place of The Old Cloathsman, advertised on playbill of 6 Apr.] Receipts: #180 3s. (177.1; 3.2)