Event Comment: Public Advertiser: When the Disturbances of the Theatre at Rome, in the Days of Augustus, caus'd several Tumults, the Emperour interpos'd and pronounc'd the Sentence of Banishment on a very great Actor, for whose Sake these Disturbances were made. He observ'd at the same Time, that the Stage had a strong Tendency to disturb all as well as to amuse the People. The Actor said, with great Spirit, "'Tis for your Interest, Caesar, that they shoul d be amus'd any Way." The Civil War of England, 1641, did not commence 'til the Playhouses were shut. People are never more discontented than when depriv'd of their Favourite Diversions

Event Comment: Books of the new Dance to be had at the Theatre. "Nothing could equal the manner in which the whole was conducted: the wrestling, the gladiators; the defeat of the Sabines; the besieging of Rome by the latter; their reconciliation with the Romans, &c." (Morning Herald, 13 Dec)

Event Comment: A Comic Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed at Rome, 1777]); the Music entirely new, by Anfossi. With new Scenes, painted by Novosielski; new Dresses and Decorations by Sestini, both for the Opera and Dances. By their Majesties Command No Person can be admitted behind the Scenes. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. The Doors to be opened at 6:00, and begin exactly at 7:00 [see 7 June 1785]. Subscriptions are received at Messrs Ransom, Moreland and Hammersley's, bankers, No. 57, Pall-mall; who will deliver the Subscription Tickets. The Nobility and Gentry, Subscribers to the Opera-House, are respectfully intreated to send for them, as, in order to prevent future mistakes, no body can be admitted without producing a Ticket

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera [1st performed at Rome, 1781]; the Music by Cimarosa

Event Comment: A Serious Opera (SER 3); originally written by Metastasio; the Music selected from the most eminent Composers, under the Direction of Cherubini. [Babbini was from the Opera, Rome.]

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera, in 2 acts, never performed [in London; 1st performed at Rome, 1778, as L'Italiana in Londra]. The Music composed by Cimarosa, under the direction of Mazzinghi. Receipts: #84 11s. [non-subscription]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [altered by John Philip Kemble; see text (J. Christie, 1789)]. In Act II an Ovation, or Entry of Coriolanus into Rome. In Act V a Procession of Roman Matrons to the Volscian Camp. [These were included in all subsequent performances.] Afterpiece: Regattav, as 13 Sept. 1788. Receipts: #196 13s. 6d. (170.14.0; 24.11.6; 1.8.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 12 years [acted 21 May 1782]. An Operatic, Comic Pantomime, with material Alterations and Additions, particularly a Grand Spectacle, being a Representation of a Jubilee Procession of the Nobles, Clergy, and People at Rome ["which consisted of artificial figures, horse and foot, cars, &c.; it was very well managed" (Morning Post, 1 Dec.).]. The new Airs, Chorusses, &c. by Reeve. With new Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Words of the Songs, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #264 19s. (255.4; 9.15)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In II an Ovation, or, Entry of Coriolanus into Rome. In V A Procession of Roman Matrons to the Volscian Camp. A new Edition of Coriolanus to be had at the Theatre. [Afterpiece in place of The Pannel, advertised on playbill of 29 Mar. Diary, 2 Apr. states that this was Kemble's benefit, but it is not referred to as such on the playbill, in the Account-Book or in Kemble Mem.] Receipts: #377 13s. (333.13; 42.13; 1.7)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act II an Ovation; or, Entry of Coriolanus into Rome. ["The grand triumphant entry would have disgraced a barn; The displeasure of the audience was loudly manifested to it" (Thespian Magazine, Apr. 1793, p. 242).] In Act V a Procession of Roman Matrons to the Volscian Camp. [Afterpiece in place of The Mayor of Garratt, advertised on playbill of 21 Feb.] Receipts: #149 19s. (145.8; 4.11)

Event Comment: Benefit for Kemble. Mainpiece: In Act II an Ovation; or, Entry of Coriolanus into Rome. In Act V A Procession of Roman Matrons to the Volscian Camp. Oracle, 4 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Kemble, No. 13, Caroline-street, Bedford Square. Receipts: #475 4s. (277.10.6; 60.15.0; 5.16.6; tickets: 131.2.0) (charge: #229 14s. 6d.)

Event Comment: A Serious Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed at Rome, 1766]); the music partly by Sarti and partly [i.e. with additions] by Paisiello. 2nd ballet: With entire new scenes by Degotti and executed by himself and Marinari. "The dresses [in this ballet] are said to be after designs from David; the costume is correct, perhaps, but it may be a little softened without injury to the effect. The contrast of colours is in some of them too harsh...The scenery is in a new stile. It has been our taste to assist the perspective by contracting the stage to a point. This was but a clumsy method, as the illusion was rarely complete, and it gave the idea of littleness. In this instance the stage is thrown open on every side, and the perspective is managed as every painter is obliged to manage it, on the broad surface, but still with the mechanic aids which scenery affords. The effect was enchanting" (Morning Chronicle, 30 Nov.). The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [same throughout season]. Pit 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. No Money to be returned. The Subscribers are most earnestly entreated to observe that, on account of the abuses frequently practised in their names, it has become absolutely necessary to adopt the former rule for Subscribers themselves to produce their Tickets at the doors as they pass into the Theatre. The Upper Boxes to be lett by the night, at one Guinea each for four persons. The way to them through the Gallery Staircase

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed under this title, with revised libretto by Lorenzo DaPonte, at Vienna, 1798; originally with libretto by Giuseppe Petrosellini, as La Dama Pastorella, at Rome, 1780]): the Music by Salieri

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of England Preserv'd; afterpiece of A Day in Rome (recte At) and Raymond and Agnes, all advertised on playbill of 5 May.] Receipts: #100 17s. (98.0; 2.17)

Event Comment: The new Piece of A Day in Rome [advertised on playbill of 10 May] is obliged to be withdrawn till next season [see 11 Oct. 1798], on account of Fawcett's illness. [3rd piece in place of Botheration, advertised as above.] Receipts: #59 0s. 6d. (36.15.0; 22.5.6)