Event Comment: Bills were put up for a Word to the Wise. As soon as the Curtain was drawn up a great hissing Mr Garrick went on the Stage Several Plays were propos'd to be done but Mr Kelly's Party would have none but a Word to the Wise & the other Party would not Consent, Mr Garrick offer'd to play himself but that would not satisfy them. at Length the House was dismiss'd about Nine O'Clock (Hopkins Diary). A Word to the Wise, Damn'd (Cross Diary). We stayed from 6 to past 10 in which time Garrick came out 6 or 7 times and talked to the audience, tho' often 5 or 6 minutes before he could be heard. Once he said the author was willing to withdraw his play, but then the party for Kelly [opposed by the Wilkesites] said he had no right to do so: they insisted on the play, the other that it should not be, etc.; the same about what play to be given out, one party calling for the new play and the other against it. When King came on, being called to speak the prologue, the hubbub forced him back, and one or two oranges struck him. The people came away in great numbers after ten and we amongst the rest, and had our money returned. Parson Horne [Horne Tooke] there but did not interfere, tho'at the bottom of it (John Baker, Diary, p. 189)

Event Comment: Oratorio Never performed. Music entirely new. Composed by Mr Arnold. Charges: #35

Event Comment: One of the new Dances composed by Simonin

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Barry. Part of pit laid into boxes. ["On 25 March Mrs Baddeley set off for Dublin, induced by her husband's behaviour" (Winston MS 10, from Dr Burney's News Clippings). But she was advertised as singing the part of Rhodope in the afterpiece the night of the twenty-sixth.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Macklin. Part of Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Come as early as possible to avoid confusion. Charges #64 10s. Balance to Miss Macklin #79 18s., plus #146 from Tickets (584 Box & Pit at one price of 5s. each); Paid Mr Monk #2 12s. 6d. for mending the Owl & a new Spring (Account Book). [The bonus value of the benefit to an actor or member of the company staff may be seen when one considers that Miss Macklin's regular salary was #7 per week, or about #28 per month. On this one benefit performance she made a profit in book value equal to her previous eight month's salary. Book value because the Account Book records, for the tickets which she delivered, only the face value of 5s. each. It is probable that many a wealthy theatre-goer gave her on this occasion, by way of appreciation for the pleasure of her performances, much more than the face value of the ticket.] Receipts: #144 8s

Event Comment: A New Comedy by Philippina Burton. Tickets for the 26th will be admitted

Event Comment: Benefit for Champnes and Mrs W. Barry (playbill). [N.B. Winston suggests Cymbeline this night, but all extant playbill evidence favors Cymon. "Sir Joshua Reynolds purchased portrait of Garrick as Abel Drugger by Zoffany for #100" (Winston MS 10, from Burney News Clippings).

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Radley. Afterpiece: 2 acts new taken from The Jovial Crew, With additional Chorusses and Air. Music by Bates

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick, Fox, Hamilton and Bates. Tickets sold at the doors will not be admitted. Charges #65 14s. 6d. Deficit to each actor #5 9s. 1 1!2d., covered by income from tickets: Quick #45 13s. (Box 40; Pit 169; Gallery 103); Fox #54 13s. (Box 60; Pit 219; Gallery 68); Hamilton #28 12s. (Box 40; Pit 72; Gallery 78); Bates #27 3s. (Box 28; Pit 69; Gallery 98). Paid Mr Osborne the Balance due for Benefit of New General Lying in Hospital the 22d Dec. last #10 17s. 6d. Half values from tickets receiv'd from Rose, Wilkinson, Mrs Griffiths, Flight, Roberts, Robson, Norbury, Fransdorf, Miller, and Walker (Account Book). Receipts: #43 18s

Event Comment: A new Serenata, the Music by Dibdin. Admittance 2s. 6d. each person, coffee and tea included. The house will continue to be opened on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice. N.B. There will be an armed guard on horseback to patrol the roads. [The serenata was added to "the usual entertainment." Words by Bickerstaff, this was an Englished La Serva Padrona (Loewenberg, Annals of Opera, Vol. 1, Col. 175. Rev. Ed., 1955).

Event Comment: A new Serenata. Admittance 2s. 6d

Event Comment: A new Serenata There will be an armed Guard on Horseback to patrol the Roads

Event Comment: A new Musical

Event Comment: marly Benefit for Bannister. A new Burletta (music-Piccini, Arne, Arnold, Burney, Dibdin, &c.) in which will be introduced a variety of imitations by Mr Bannister

Event Comment: [A musical Entertainment followed by the play, followed by twenty-seven items of fireworks. The customary format for the Ranelagh evenings. Heavy emphasis and expenditure upon the fireworks, for example, No 18 was a Grand new piece for four Mutations extending the length of the bridge, consisting of 150 cases of brilliant Fountains, Roman Candles, Chinese Jerbs, Pots, d'Brians, with Maroons," with an armed guard to patrol the Roads (Public Advertiser).

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. Garrick return'd last night from Bath (Dr Burney's News Clippings-Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. N.B. The Jubilee after this night will be laid aside for sometime. On Saturday, A New Comedy, never perform'd, call'd 'Tis Well It's No Worse

Event Comment: Ranger, Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). Tomorrow, A New Comedy, never perform'd, call'd 'Tis Well It's No Worse

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera. Music by several eminent Composers

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Musical Entertainment [by Isaac Bickerstaffe] never acted before. This Piece was performed last Summer at Ranelagh; but though very much approved by the best judges of Musical Composition, by being performed in an Orchestra, lost the better part of its effect. It was thought it would please more in action upon the Theatre; and with the Addition of a New Scene, and Chorus and Ballet suitable to the subject; is now accordingly once more presented to the Public, with the necessary Advantages of Dresses and Decorations (Edition of 1770)