Event Comment: Portia by Mrs Siddons being her first appearance upon this Stage a good figure rather handsome--wants Spirit and ease her Voice a little course very well receiv'd (Hopkins, Diary). Paid Mr Wrighten on note #100; Mr Garrick 2 nights for Bon Ton and Little Gipsey, #238. Receipts: #197 (Treasurer's Book). Books of the Songs and Chorusses of the Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. [This note appeared on all subsequent bills advertising the Jubilee this season.] The most accomplished actress can display little other abilities in this part [Portia] than a correct elocution, and a knowledge of the author. The lady of last night being thus circumstanced [her first appearance] it is impossible to pronounce what the nature or extent of her powers may enable her to execute when placed in a situation that calls them forth. But from the speciman she gave there is not room to expect anything beyond mediocrity. Her figure and face, although agreeable, have nothing striking, her voice (that requisite of all public speakers) is far from being favourable to her progress as an actress. It is feared she possess a monotone not to be got rid of; there is also vulgarity in her tones, ill calculated to sustain that line in a theatre she has at first been held forth in; but as these observations are formed when the lady laboured under the disadvantages of a first attempt in the metropolis, her future efforts may perhaps entirely remove them (Middlesex Journal, 30 Dec. Quoted in Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: The Duenna [announced on playbill of 29 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred on account of Leoni's illness. Afterpiece: Never acted here. Receipts: #131 7s. (129.7; 2.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Lessingham. Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. The Characters dressed in the Habits of the Country. Afterpiece [1st time; C 2, ascribed to Charles Stuart. Author of Address unknown]. Public Advertiser, 24 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Lessingham at her House, the corner of Percy-street, Rathbone Place. Receipts: #224 1s. 6d. (151.19.6; tickets: 72.2.0) (charge: #65 13s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bransby & Burton. Public Advertiser, 19 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bransby, No. 10, New Pye-street, Westminster; of Burton, Duke's-court, Bow-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #196 1s. 6d. (61.11.0; 24.17.6; 0.0.0; tickets: 109.13.0) (charge: #64 9s.)

Event Comment: "[Henderson] appears to have cultivated the gifts of nature, with great industry; he promises better to attain the character of a player of consummate judgment than a great player, properly so called. Edwin, in spite of his thin voice and disgusting articulation, is at least equal to half his London contemporaries; and exhibited proofs that neither his conception, nor style of playing, is limited to a particular cast of parts, or mode of acting" (London Magazine, June 1777, p. 288). [ Miss Barsanti was from the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: The Characters dressed in Spanish Habits. [Henderson's 1st recorded appearance as Leon was at Bath, 4 Feb. 1777.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [Henderson had 1st acted Shylock at Bath, 21 Dec. 1774; and 1st in London at hay, 11 June 1777.] Paid Printers Bills to the 11th Inst. #32 8s. Receipts: #234 6s. 6d. (209.7.0; 23.19.6; 1.0.0)

Event Comment: London Chronicle, 17 Oct.: In Act IV Macklin 'very properly declined the orator, but pleaded from his feelings and the predetermined purpose of his heart.' [Mrs Barry, as Mrs Dancer, had 1st acted Portia at Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 9 Dec. 1761, and at dl, 24 Mar. 1768.] Receipts: #205 8s. (204.19.6; 0.8.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: The Characters new dressed in the Habits of the Country. Receipts: #160 3s. (159.1; 1.2)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 3 years [acted 18 Mar. 1776]. Receipts: #116 13s. 6d. (91.18.0; 22.15.0; 2.0.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. Afterpiece: With a Grand Procession. [Both the dance and the procession were included in all subsequent performances, except on 23 Apr. 1778. For Henderson as Don John see hay, 19 Aug. 1777.] Receipts: #153 11s. 6d. (125.19.0; 18.0.6; 9.12.0)

Event Comment: [Bingham is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill.] Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by Miles Peter Andrews, based on Le Bucheron; ou, Les Trois Souhaits, by Jean Francois Guichard. Music by Francois Hippolyte Barthelemon]: With New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 17 Mar, 1778: This Day is published the Songs in Belphegor (6d.). [Text 1st published in Dublin: For the Booksellers, 1788.] Receipts: #196 0s. 6d. (156.5.0; 38.13.6; 1.2.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Booth, Fearon & L'Estrange. Mainpiece: Never perform'd here.[Afterpiece in place of The Englishman in Paris, announced on playbill of 14 May.] Receipts: !173 16s. 6d. (60.14.6; tickets: 113.2.0) [charge: #105)