Event Comment: [Cambray was the stage name of James Fennell; he was from the Edinburgh theatre (and see 16 Oct. 1789). Ryder's 1st appearance as Iago was at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 14 Jan. 1767.] "Ryder wore his villainy on his sleeve, and evinced nothing of the insidiousness ordinarily expressed by other representatives of the part" (Public Advertiser, 13 Oct.). Receipts: #196 7s. (195.16; 0.11)

Event Comment: Books of the Songs [in mainpiece] to be had at the Theatre. [London Chronicle, 19 Oct. lists the new songs: in Act I Charming Clorinda by Bowden; in Act II When spring has chac'd the winter's snow by Mrs Wells and When generous wine by Bowden; in Act III The morn, who night adorning and Bright Sol now darts by Mrs Billington.] Receipts: #284 18s. 6d. (283.7.6; 1.11.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author [of mainpiece]. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Crouch, but she "had, in her way to the theatre, been overturned in a coach. Mrs Brereton read the part of Miss Harley " (London Chronicle, 14 Nov.). The playbill also lists the song, as 12 Nov., but it was not sung on this or any subsequent night. As afterpiece the playbill announces Comus, in which Mrs Crouch was to appear, but it was not acted. Its substitute is listed in the Account-Book.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 23 Apr. 1788]. Receipts: #124 14s. 6d. (107.12.0; 15.15.0; 1.7.6; tickets: none listed) (charge: #105)

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: Benefit for Kemble [whose 1st appearance as Hastings was in Dublin in the spring of 1782]. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent Confusion, Ladies are desired to send their servants by Half past Four o'Clock. Public Advertiser, 25 Feb.: Tickets to be had of Kemble, No. 13, Caroline-street, Bedford-square. Receipts: #324 12s. (190.0; 9.8; 0.14; tickets: 124.10) (charge: #107 4s. 7d.)

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed at Venice, 1781]); the music by Sarti, under the direction of Mazzinghi. "At length in the spring arrived the celebrated Marchesi, whose fame had long reached this country, and who had been extolled to such a degree that impatience and expectation were raised to the highest pitch; and on the first night of his appearance the theatre was not only crowed to the utmost in every part, but on the rising of the curtain, the stage was so full of spectators that it was some time before order and silence could be obtained, and with some difficulty that Marchesi, who was to open the opera, could make his way before the audience. Marchesi was at this time a very well-looking young man, of good figure, and graceful deportment. His acting was spirited and expressive: his vocal powers were very great, his voice of extensive compass, but a little inclined to be thick (Mount-Edgcumbe, 66-67). Receipts: #437 15s. 6d., i.e. 560 tickets delivered to Prendergrass [see 8 Dec. 1787], who sold 558; 110 to Toosey, who sold 86; 400 to Butler, who sold 285; 236 to Snelson, who sold 204. Total non-subscription tickets sold: 1133

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister Jun. [Author of Prologue to 1st piece unknown. 2nd piece: By permission of G. Colman, Esq. [owner of the copyright]. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2 (?)]: Altered from Woman's a Riddle [by Christopher Bullock; alterer unknown. Not in Larpent MS; not published]. Public Advertiser, 2 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Bannister Jun., No. 2, Frith-street, Soho. Receipts: #286 11s. (145.16; 14.5; 1.12; tickets: 124.18) (charge: #106 1s. 5d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, ascribed variously to John O'Keeffe and to James Foord; adapted from La Gageure Imprevue, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Text prints a Prologue "Supposed to be written by G. Colman, Esq., and intended to be spoken by Bannister Jun.," but "it arrived, by accident, too late at the theatre to be studied and recited" (London Chronicle, 25 Aug.)]. "A new afterpiece was...attempted to be represented, [but] it was not heard out" (Public Advertiser, 19 Aug.). Public Advertiser, 8 Oct. 1788: This Day is published A Key to the Lock (1s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Kemble. "Kemble? Sen. performed the Miller...Here and there we could perceive the liberty of the country performer, by saying more than was set down by the author" (Public Advertiser, 27 Aug.). [Address by John Taylor (European Magazine, Sept. 1788, p. 217).] Public Advertiser, 21 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Kemble, No. 26, Villiers-street, York-buildings, Strand

Event Comment: The last Night of the Season. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Edwin as Trudge, but "Young Edwin supplied the place of his father in the part of Trudge" (London Chronicle, 16 Sept.).

Event Comment: [Miss Chapman was from the Margate theatre. Account-Book, 27 Oct.: Paid Miss Chapman, expenses from Margate #5 5s.] Receipts: #246 (242.13.6; 3.6.6)

Event Comment: [Kemble's 1st appearance as Biron was at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, in 1782.] Paid Lokes & Co., wax chandlers, #56. Receipts: #232 5s. (213.4; 18.10; 0.11)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Farce [who is named in Kemble Mem., but not on the playbill. Kemble's 1st appearance as Leon was at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin (Genest, VI, 295); Palmer's as the Copper Captain at hay, 15 July 1777]. Receipts: #133 15s. (94.17; 37.3; 1.15; tickets; none listed) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: [Banks was from the Manchester theatre.] Afterpiece: To conclude with a Representation of the Repulse of the Spaniards before the Rock of Gibraltarv [on 13 Sept. 1782]. Scenes designed by Greenwood; Overture by Baumgarten. Receipts: #173 16s. (152.10; 20.13; 0.13)

Event Comment: [Miss Wallis was from the Harrogate theatre. Prologue by Fielding Wallis (World, 12 Jan.).] Receipts: #217 1s. 6d. (212.9.0; 4.12.6)

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera (never performed [in London; 1st performed at Vienna, 1786]); the Music by Martini [i.e. Martin y Soler], under the direction of Mazzinghi. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. Those Subscribers of last season who have not yet signified their intention respecting the retaining of their Boxes are respectfully requested to send their names, in writing, to the Treasurer's office in Union-court, Hay-market, on or before Thursday next, the 15th inst., or the Manager will be under the necessity of disposing of the Boxes. Subscriptions are received and Tickets delivered as usual, at Messrs Ransom, Morland and Hammersley, No. 57, Pall-Mall. All persons claiming admission into the Opera House by Silver Tickets or Renters' Shares are requested to send the same to the Treasurer's Office as early as may be, that they may be examined and properly certified, otherwise they cannot be admitted. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [same throughout opera season]

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera (never performed [in London; 1st performed at Turin, 1788]); the Music by Cherubini [with additions by Tarchi and Sarti (World, 26 Jan.)], under the direction of Mazzinghi. With magnificent new Scenes, Dresses and other Decorations

Event Comment: [Mme Krumpholtz's 1st appearance in London was at the Hanover Square Rooms, 2 June 1788.

Event Comment: [Mrs Siddons had 1st recited the Monody at Bath, 1 May 1779.

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. A new and accurate edition of Isabella to be had at the Theatre. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Kemble as Biron, but he being ill on Thursday night, an apology was made for Whitfield's assumption of Biron, on the ground of his having studied the character on two hour's notice" (Diary, 6 Apr.) Public Advertiser, 28 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Palmer, No. 3, London Road, St. George's Fields. Receipts: #274 6s. 6d. (117.4.0; 15.5.6; 3.1.0; tickets: 138.16.0) (charge: #123 13s. 6d.)