Event Comment: Play containing the distresses and death of King Henry the Sixth; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richard; the cruel murder of Young King Edward the fifth and his brother in the Tower; the landing of the Earl of Richmond; and the death of King Richard in the memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the houses of York & Lancaster

Event Comment: Containing the Distresses and death of King Henry VI ; the Arthful acquisition of the Crown by King Richard ; the Cruel Murder of Young King Edward V , and his brother in the Tower; The Landing of the Earl of Richmond , and the death of King Richard at the Memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv ; being the last that was faught between the Houses of Yorkv and Lancasterv . With many other Historical Passages (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. "Quick, in July 1777, played Richard III at Bristol" (Anthony Pasquin [pseud. for John Williams], Poems [1789], II, 244). "Most people expected from Quick a comic representation of Richard the Third--but strange to tell he was earnest in the attempt, and succeeded tolerably. The audience, however, were not disposed to be very serious, and named him 'Little Dicky'" (Public Advertiser, 8 Apr.). [Address by Robert Merry (European Magazine, Apr. 1790, p. 307.] Gazetteer, 1 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Quick, Broad-court, Bow-street. Receipts: #430 17s. 6d. (265.5.6; 4.15.0; tickets: 160.17.0)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Richard to Holman, but "Holman being indisposed, Murray assumed the arduous part of Richard this evening. (Monthly Mirror, Oct. 1797, p. 238).] Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Account-Book: Paid Music #9 1s. 8d.; Properties #12 8s.; Kettle Drum 5s.; Chorus Singers #1 10s.; Wardrobe #6 10s. 3d.; Supernumeraries #3 11s.; Sloper [master carpenter] for Scenemen #40 13s. 4d.; Phillips and Creswell #4 4s.; Lupino #2 14s. 6d.; Hollogan #2. Receipts: #286 17s. (282.15; 4.2)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. L. C. 5@139, p. 125, lists it for 3 March, but as this date falls on Sunday, it is probably an error in dating. The play was licensed on 22 May 1667. Pepys, Diary: To the Duke's playhouse...and I in and find my wife and Mrs Hewer, and sat by them and saw The English Princesse, or Richard the Third; a most sad, melancholy play, and pretty good; but nothing eminent in it, as some tragedys are; only little Mis. Davis did dance a jig after the end of the play, and there telling the next day's play; so that it come in by force only to please the company to see her dance in boy's clothes; and, the truth is, there is no comparison between Nell's dancing the other day at the King's house in boy's clothes and this, this being infinitely beyond the other. Downes (p. 27): Wrote by Mr Carrol, was Excellently well Acted in every Part;...Gain'd them an Additional Estimation, and the Applause from the Town, as well as profit to the whole Company

Event Comment: Benefit Cibber. Not Acted these Three Years. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: With the Famous Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, between him and the Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry the Seventh. Written Originally by Shakespear, who in the true and lively Character of Richard, has shewn his most Masterly Strokes of Nature

Event Comment: MMr King--Richard 3d as you might expect (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Mrs King

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewes and Morris. [Shuter played Richard By Particular Desire.] Charges #69 12s. Balance due actors #4 2s. 6d. apiece, plus income from tickets: LeLewes #96 6s. (Box 119; Pit 293; Gallery 226); Morris #99 19s. (Box 105; Pit 270; Gallery 332) Account Book. Receipts: #77 17s

Event Comment: Ladies send servants by 5 to keep Places and prevent Confusion. Doors will be opened at half after five o'clock. To begin at half after 6 o'clock (playbill). Mr G. Voice and Spirits was never finer he never wanted Spirit or Voice thro' the whole part and Convinced the Audience that those Amazing powers he has always possess'd are now as brilliant as ever. Never was a part play'd with greater Propriety nor an Audience more lavish of their Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] [A full column letter for the Morning Chronicle this date from Theatricus to Garrick protested the fact that his announced benefit for the Theatrical Fund on the 30th of May would be all sold out to the highest bidders for tickets; that a nobleman offering ten Guineas for four box seats would get them in preference to the tradesmen who offered only a pound, the stated price of the tickets. Since charity was the cause this writer suggested that Garrick give a second benefit night to the Fund, with the hopes (1) that the Fund would be thereby vastly increased, and (2) that opportunity might be given for twice as many People to see a Garrick final performance. It was, perhaps, in response to this public request that Garrick gave a second Benefit night for the Fund on 10 June. The Morning Post, 29 May, noted: "The concourse of servants assembled yesterday morning at seven o'clock, at Drury Lane Stage Door, to take places for the approaching benefit, in which it is said Mr Garrick will again play Richard III , was astonishing, amounting to many hundreds, three fourths of which were not able to Succeed in their embassies' (Hampden, Journal).] Receipts: #307 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Provoked Husband and Rival Candidates was given out for Tuesday. On Sunday Morning Mrs Yates sent word she was ill and could not play--sent to Miss Younge, and she sent word that she was ill in bed--King sent word he had a sore Throat, and could not play--so that we could do no Play but the Committee and Rival Candidates. On Monday the Managers met, but nothing was settled. At twelve o'clock Mrs Baddeley sent word she had a sore Throat, and could not play in the Riv[al] Can[didates] (Hopkins Diary). The Hypocrite and The Christmas Tale are obliged to be deferred. "[Smith] has a good figure, is gentlemanlike, and decent in everything he undertakes. When we allow that, we have said all; he wants both feeling to be affected, and powers to convey his feelings, if he had them. In fine, in spite of all the partiality of his friends, or the ignorant prejudices of those who never judge but at second hand, his performance of Richard was little more than a strong union of judgement and industry, unaided by nature. He should woo genteel Comedy oftener; and not that coy sister of hers, who certainly holds Smith at the point of her lance" (London Magazine, Oct. 1776, p. 511). Receipts: #186 18s. 6d

Event Comment: [For Henderson as King Richard see hay, 7 Aug. 1777.] Afterpiece: The Music composed by Dibdin. With New Scenes and Dresses. Books of the Songs, &c. to be had at the Theatre. [The text erroneously assigns: Gillian-$Mrs Wrighten; Floretta-$Miss Walpole, but see Public Advertiser, 8 Oct., which in a review, gives the correct assignment; see also 6 Oct. 1778.] Receipts: #260 7s. (241.14; 17.17; 0.16)

Event Comment: [Kemble's 1st appearance as King Richard was at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 26 Apr. 1782.] Receipts: #130 10s. 6d. (99/15/0; 29/5/6; 0/10/0; tickets not come in: 1/0/0)

Event Comment: [Litchfield, who is identified in European Magazine, Jan. 1794, p. 50, had made his 1st appearance on the stage at Richmond, 7 Sept. 1793, billed as "A Young Gentleman" (Charles Mathews, Memoirs, 1838-39, I, 70, and Thespian Magazine, Supp. 1793, p. 401). Not. Dram. states that "A person under the name of Litchfield but as I am informed in reality a Mr Holland Nephew to Mr Holland formerly of Drury Lane appeared 1st time at the HM in Richard III." But Holland was at this time acting at Bath, and did not appear in London until 31 Oct. 1796, at Drury Lane.]

Event Comment: Benefit for Wild, prompter. 1st piece: Not acted these 20 years; altered from Dryden (by Joseph George Holman (Not. Dram.)]. 2nd piece [Ist time; M.INT 1, probably by John Cartwright Cross. MS: Larpent 1028; not published]. 3rd piece: In which an Engagement between an English and a French Man of War, a Shipwreck, and a Grand Military Procession as it pass'd, when the French Colours taken by the British Army were conveyed from St. James's to St. Paul's Cathedral [on 17 May 1794]. The above Procession is represented by Moving Figures, in which the Horse and Foot Guards, the Band of Music, the French Colours, &c. are seen to pass in the exact order they appeared on that memorable occasion. Morning Herald, 17 May: Tickets to be had of Wild, No. 46, Drury-lane. Receipts: #293 2s. 6d. (112/17/6; 14/2/0; tickets: 166/3/0)

Event Comment: Prelude [1st time;PREL I, probably by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 472; not published]. Mainpiece [1st time; M 3, by Richard Cumberland, based on Calypso and Telemachus, by John Hughes]: The Overture and all the Music entirely new, and composed by Butler. With new Scenery painted by Richards and Carver, and new Dresses. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 27 Mar. 1779: This Day is published Calypso (1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; BALL P 1, by John Cartwright Cross. Text, i.e. synopsis of ballet, and the songs, in Cross's Circusiana (Lackington, Allen and Co., 1809), Vol. I. Bologna, Bologna Jun. and Mrs Parker were from the Royal Circus]: Invented and under the Direction of Cross. With entire new Scenes, Dresses, Music and Decorations. The Overture and Music principally new, with a Selection of some novel Irish Air, by Reeve, composer of the Music to Oscar and Malvina, &c. The Harp by Weippert. The Scenery, comprehending a Display of the most Romantic Views in Ireland, painted by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, and Blackmore. The Machinery by Cresswell, Sloper and Goostree. The Dresses by Dick, Mrs Egan, &c. The Following are a Part of the new Scenes, &c.: The Ancient Temple, dedicated to Bel, the God of Fire, with the Flactaga, or Sacred Fire burning; it having been enacted that, on the last Evening of October, no other Fire should be Used thro'out the Kingdom, that all might be derived from that, which being a Fire Sacrifice, would render the rest Propitious and Holy. The Dargle, where the Irish Druids consulted their Oracle. A View near Wicklow. The Salmon Leap. Entrance of a Subterraneous Pass. Maon's Cavern. Cemetery and Dungeon, appertaining to the Round Tower, Moated Castle, &c. Receipts: #264 2s. 6d. (259.19.6; 4.3.0)

Event Comment: RRichd 3d (by Mossop) & Anatomist was put up but: Mossop being taken ill, after many Messages it was resolv'd to do ye Con. Lovers & Harl. Ranger. Small bills were printed & deliver'd at ye Doors to signify the Change & all went well. Mr Rich's Ent: of ye Sorcerer came out this day (Cross). Receipts: #120 (Cross). [The small bill referred to by Cross read as follows:] @Theatre Royal in Drury Lane@This night being the@11th of February@Richard the Third@(On Account of the Indisposition of a Principal Performer)@Is Oblig'd to be Chang'd to@The Conscious Lovers@and@Harlequin Ranger@with Dancing@By Mad Auretti@

Event Comment: This farce of Lethe was wrote some years ago and play'd with Success, & was reviv'd this Night with great Alterations, & was but indifferently receiv'd by the Audience (Cross). The Poet, Frenchman, & Sot Mr Garrick perform'd most inimitably (Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 138). No After Money will be taken, and no Persons will be Admitted behind the Scenes (General Advertiser). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #186 7s. (Powel). N.B.: Mr G-k is the author of Lethe and did receive #36 8s. 6d. for this night which is the overplus after the charge of #63 for the House is paid, and which I must subtract from the rest (Powel). [A letter appeared in the General Advertiser this day giving advance notice and approval of a performance of Cato to be put on at Leicester House 7 Jan. by members of the Royal Family. The author noted that "proper Habits are absolutely in the making," and that the Princes would learn the principles of liberty from the lines of the play.

Event Comment: Benefit for Simpson, Raftor, Usher. Tickets and places of Hobson at the stage door. Receipts: #180 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel). [This month, the Gentleman's Magazine Register of Books listed as published Remarks on Three Plays of B. Johnson, viz: The Fox, Silent Woman, and Alchymist, by James Upton.] This week will be published The Hen Peck'd Captain,...as it was intended to be acted...on Saturday last. Taken from The Campaigners; or, the pleasant Adventures at Brussels with a Preface by R. Cross, prompter (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: The words of the Entertainment will be sold at the theatre for 6d. a book. Paid Cross for Licenser #2 2s.; for 5 Chorus singers #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). On Wednesday next will be Publish'd (at 2s. 8d. sew'd, 3s. bound) the 2nd Edition corrected, with an additional chapter by Mr Allworthy, &c. relating to Plays in general, and the French playhouse in particular, The History of Tom Jones the Foundling, in his Married State. Printed for J. Robinson. N.B. The additional chapter is given gratis to the purchasers of the former edition (General Advertiser). Receipts: #120 (Cross); #95 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMrs Elmy ill--Pritchard did Indiana (Cross). Paid salary list #305 5s. 6d.; Norton 3 chorus 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #150 (Cross); #175 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Matthews and James. Rec'd Cash #44 9s., plus #116 12s. from tickets. Total #161 1s. Paid Mr Barsanti for music by order of Garrick #1 11s. 6d. Paid Mr Williams 1!2 year's rent K: passage #11 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Mr Mills bury'd at St Marks [Cross). Receipts: #160 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow Reinhold and her four small children in great distress. Tickets at Mrs Reinhold's at his house, the Green Door in Little Chapel St., and of Hobson at the stage ooor. Being posivitively the last time of performing this season. A Gift Day for ye Wid: Reinhold & 4 Small Children (Cross). Receipts: #101 (Cross)