Event Comment: The Duke's Company. If the run of The Wits occurred as it is outlined above, this would presumably be the first day of Hamlet. Pepys, Diary: To the Opera, and there saw Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, done with scenes very well, but above all, Betterton did the prince's part beyond imagination. Downes (p. 21): The Tragedy of Hamlet: Hamlet being Perform'd by Mr Betterton, Sir William (having seen Mr Taylor of the Black-Fryars Company Act it, who being Instructed by the Author Mr Shakespear) taught Mr Betterton in every Particle of it; which by his exact Performance of it, gain'd him Esteem and Reputation, Superlative to all other Plays...No succeeding Tragedy for several Years got more Reputation, or Money to the Company than this

Event Comment: It is uncertain at which theatre this play was performed, but it has been assigned to the King's Company because Pepys saw that company act it on the following day, 27 Nov. Evelyn, Diary: I saw Hamlet Pr. of Denmark played: but now the old playe began to disgust this refined age; since his Majestie being so long abroad

Event Comment: Written by Shakespear. [Prince of Wales and the Princesses Amelia and Caroline expected to attend.

Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales

Event Comment: Benefit Essex. By Command of Their Royal Highness the Prince and Princess of Wales. [Tickets at Essex's Lodgings, Bow Street.

Event Comment: At Shuter's New Booth, George Inn Yard, West Smithfield. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. First Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. To begin each day at Twelve Noon. An Excellent Band of Musick is provided. The Scenes and Habits all entirely new. Public Advertiser, 22 Aug.: Whereas the partnership between Mess Shuter and Yates has been dissolved; and as Mr Shuter intends to carry on the Business in a more extensive manner than has been performed hitherto, he is now at a great Expence erecting a Repository in an entirely new Taste, in the George Inn Yard...prfviding new, nice, and different Assortments of Theatrical Wares, such as Wit, Humour, Incidents, American Interludes, black and white, Duets and Dances, of which the Public will be informed by Catalogue of the whole Stock, which will be delivered Gratis to his Friends and Customers...He flatters himself that no Person will serve them better or cheaper, for ready Money only, and all purchases of Five Pounds worth or upwards, shall be allowed 5 per cent of Discount. That the Publick may not mistake the Shop, over the Door way will be my Picture without a Frame, very indifferently painted, with this Motto beneath it, Shuter. Daily Advertiser, 3 Sept.: On the Great Parade after the Fair is proclaim'd, the Bold Shuter will review his Troop; and the Publick are requested to observe that the full Figure at the Middle of the Platform is the Chief...or Sachem of the Five Nations. He will be attended with Mamamawks, Papapawks, and Tomahawks...The Lords may laugh, the Ladies may laugh, and the Commoners may laugh...and that will make me laugh. Edward Shuter, born Anno Domini

Event Comment: Paid Kingswood for feathers as per bill #48 8s.; Paid Stedman & Bewley (linnen drapers) #38 3s.; Paid Nicholls for 26 Georges, #7 16s. (Account Book). [The last item was for stage property insignia equipment for the Institution of the Garter, as St George was the Patron Saint of the order.] Receipts: #163 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: At Penkethman's and Norris's Great Theatrical Booth in the George Inn Yard, Smithfield. An excellent new Droll

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Masque (in three parts) [by George Colman] never perform'd, in which will be introduc'd the Principal Solemnities at the Installation of the Knights of the Garter. With New Music, composed by Dr Arne, Habits, Decorations and Scenes. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #220 10s. 6d. (Account Book). The greater part is borrowed with some variation from Ben Jonson [Masque of Oberon]. The same liberty has been taken with a few passages of Shakespeare, and a Chorus of the late Gilbert West, Esq. The final chorus is from Dryden...an effort to entertain the public by the combined powers of the most eminent proficients in the arts of Music, Painting and Poetry (Adv. to Printed Edn., Colman's Dramatic Works, IV, London, 1777)

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir George Etheridge. [King, Queen, Prince of Wales, three eldest Princesses present.

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of Tomo Chachi. . . Tenauki . . . Prince Toonahowi. Mainpiece: Written by Sir George Etheridge

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mainpiece: Written by Sir George Etheridge

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Clive. Mainpiece: Written by Sir George Etheridge. By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Receipts: #230

Event Comment: By His Royal Highness's Command. All the Characters being New Dress'd. [The Prince of Wales present.

Event Comment: By Command of His Royal Highness. [Prince of Wales, Princess Amelia, and Princess Caroline present.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Booth. By Command of His Royal Highness. [Prince of Wales present.

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of his Highness the Prince of Modena [who was present]. Receipts: #106 16s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit Essex. By Command of Their Royal Higneseees the Prince and Princess of Wales. [Tickets at Essex's Lodgings at Mrs Holt's, Bow Street, cg.

Event Comment: Benefit Picq and Sga Domitilla. By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales

Event Comment: Juliet by Mrs Robinson--a genteel Figure--a very tolerable first Appearance, and may do in time. [Note added by J. P. Kemble: Mrs Mary Robinson, whose maiden name was Darby, died Dec. 26, 1800 at Englefield Green. See her Life, of which the first part, namely as far as to her Acquaintance with the Prince of Wales, was written by herself] (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #170 8s. (133.15; 31.15; 4.18)

Event Comment: Mr Colman's Night for the Fairy Prince. Charges #84. Profit to Colman #125 15s. 6d. Paid Messrs Schneider & Otto (furriers) #7 3s.; Paid Dr Arne for composing additional Music for the Fairy Prince #1 11s. 6d. (Account Book). Receipts: #209 15s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the King's playhouse, and there saw The Black Prince again: which is now mightily bettered by that long letter being printed, and so delivered to every body at their going in, and some short reference made to it in heart in the play, which do mighty well; but, when all is done, I think it is the worst play of my Lord Orrery's. But here, to my great satisfaction, I did see my Lord Hinchingbroke and his mistress, with her father and mother; and I am mightily pleased with the young lady, being handsome enough--and, indeed, to my great liking, as I would have her. I could not but look upon them all the play

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: All alone to the King's house, and there sat in an upper box, to hide myself, and saw The Black Prince, a very good play; but only the fancy, most of it, the same as in the rest of my Lord Orrery's plays; but the dance very stately; but it was pretty to see how coming after dinner and with no company with me to talk to, and at a play that I had seen, and went to now not for curiosity but only idleness, I did fall asleep the former part of the play, but afterward did mind it and like it very well

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Prince. By reason of the Entertainment, the Play will be shortened. Boxes 6s., pit 4s., gallery 2s. 6d. [Genest, II, 293, lists this for 7 June.