Event Comment: A New Grand Serious Opera (1st time in this Country [1st performed at Parma, 1782]); the Music by Sarti [with additions by Federici]. With entirely new Scenes, Machinery and Decorations, designed by Marinari, and executed under his direction; and new Dresses, invented by Sestini. "The Opera...is founded upon the story of Dryden's Alexander's Feast, of which, indeed, it is merely a literal, and, of course, an elegant and tasteful translation into Italian by Count Gaston di Brizzonie [recte Rezzonico]

Event Comment: Rich's Company. There is no certainly as to whether this performance is the premiere. Because the play was not published until 1715, the cast for the first performance is not known. Lady Morley attended this performance. Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 377: Lady Morley and one in the Box att Country House 8s

Event Comment: Benefit Stephens. Tickets at Stephen's House, Paternoster Row

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 Years. [See 27 Dec. 1746.] Benefit for Shuter. Receipts: #173 16s. 6d. Tickets #150 13s. (boxes 272; pit 551). Charges: #63 (Account Book), [#325 9s. 6d. marks the largest house in money value this season. Shuter advertised his benefit early, then on 28 March inserted this puff in the Public Advertiser: [Mrs Centlivre's Comedies have a vein of pleasantry in them that will always be relish'd. She knew the Genius of this nation, and she wrote up to the spirit of it; her Bold Stroke for a Wife, was a masterpiece that much increased her reputation: it establish'd that of Kit Bullock, a smart sprightly actor. His performance of Col. Feignwell was greatly applauded. Shuter has judiciously chosen to play to at his own benefit, and everyone that knows his powers, knows he will play it at least with drollery and justice equal to him."

Event Comment: Not acted in 5 years. [See 4 Feb. 1758.] The Drummer was revived at this period at both theatres...to take advantage of the reigning weakness of the people, who went in crowds many days and nights to an Haunted House, by what was called the Cock-Lane Ghost-a delusion set on foot, and very ingeniously carried on by a girl of 12 years of age, daughter of a clerk of St Sepulchre's Church, who resided in Cock Lane near Smithfield. [The Ghost was supposed to be that of one Fanny, a gentleman's mistress buried in the church. By knockings and scratchings she supposedly haunted the girl intimating foul practices concerning her death.] It would be incredible to relate the numbers of persons of distinction that attended this delusion! many of whom treated it as a serious and most important affair...at last the girl's father and three or four others were tried in the King's Bench, found guilty' Pillioried and imprisoned. This most effectively laid the Ghost; and is the best and properest cure for every ghost that may arise hereafter. (Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 18 ff). [The theme exploited again by Garrick in The Farmer's Return from London, dl 20 March.

Event Comment: Paid half year's Land Tax for theatre due Mich. last: #61 5s.; half year's window lights for ditto: #6 10s. 6d.; half year's land tax for House in Bow Passage: #2 3s. 9d., and window lights for same 15s.; Paid Stubbs (timber merchant) as per bill #50; Paid Evans (sawyer) #9 5s. (Account Book). Receipts: #240 9s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid Messrs. Raban & Kime (coal merchants) #56 15s.; Paid Sarjant half aear's rent for the House in Bow Passage due Mich. last #20 (Account Book). Receipts: #195 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Miss Farren, "but on account of the sudden indisposition of Miss Farren her part in the play was read by Mrs Ward, who gave it with great effect, and having studied Miss Farren's manner, was a very tolerable substitute" (Diary, 2 May).] Afterpiece [1st time; C 3, by John Philip Kemble]: Taken from [The Country Lasses; or] The Custom of the Manor [by Charles Johnson]. Diary, 6 May 1789: This Day is published The Farm House (1s.). And see 6 May. Receipts: #165 3s. (125.12.0; 34.18.6; 4.12.6)

Event Comment: An accurate Edition of The Farm House to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #98 16s. (55.4.0; 39.19.6; 3.12.6)

Event Comment: Benefit Laguerre and Mrs Laguerre. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh. Afterpiece: [By John Hippisley.] Being the Farce of the Country-Wake, alter'd after the Manner of The Beggar's Opera. N.B. Printed Books...are to be had at the Theatre under the Title of Flora, an Opera. Receipts: money #29 10s. 6d.; tickets #84 9s

Event Comment: Benefit [Wright, Barrisford, Tomlinson, Foley, Costin] for Boxkeepers (Cross). The Play is oblig'd to be changed on account of Mr Havard's Indisposition, and tickets deliver'd out for Comus will be taken to the Beggar's Opera. Tickets sold at the door will not be admitted. Receipts: #160 (Cross)