Event Comment: By the unfortunate death of her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales a temporary stop was put to theatrical entertainments to this day. Opera will be performed at this theatre three times or at least twice every week till Passion Week. Such of the Nobility and Gentry, subscribers to the Opera who do not care to keep their Boxes on the Thursday, and have the extra weekly performance reckoned into their Subscription nights are desired to send word

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Tickets to be had and places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Fosbrooke at the Stage Door of the Theatre, at Half a guinea each. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. 6d. Second Gallery 2s. Doors to be opened at Half past Five. To begin at Half past Six. N.B. Those ladies who have had boxes for the Oratorios and who intend continuing them are humbly requested to give notice to Mr Fosbrooke at the Stage Door. Rec'd Stoppages #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine, Feb., p. 75, contained an article on the "Origin of Oratorios," followed by one on the Musical Powers of Handel, particularly relating to his Oratorios. The Morning Chronicle for 24 Feb. commented as follows on Miss Linley's performance in Acis and Galatea: "Miss Linley...gave every delight that the ear, the heart, or understanding could receive from Music...Miss Linley's manner of delivering Recitative is peculiarly distinct and sensible; a circumstance of infinite importance in a performance of this nature. Her voice is clear and melodious, and capable of truest expression as was peculiarly evident in the song of 'Must I my Acis still bemoan?'...Their Majesties' presence and apparent satisfaction lead us to hope that the Royal countenance and encouragement will never again be withdrawn to grace the innovations of foreigners on the only musical ground which is left for English genius to take root and flourish"( (Quoted in Hampden, Journal).]

Event Comment: [Mathews was from the Royal Circus. Prologue by George Colman the elder (Colman, Prose, ui, 269).] Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice, at the Theatre. Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Hunt the Slipper is unavoidably postponed. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In 5 Acts, altered from the Dramatic Romance by David Garrick, Esq. With a new Overture and new additional Musick by Storace [on 2 Jan. 1792 and thereafter, added: Shaw] and other Eminent Masters. Entirely new Scenery by Greenwood, and new Dresses, Decorations and Machinery. To conclude with a Grand Procession of the Hundred Knights of Chivalry, and the Representation of an Ancient Tournament. [These were included in all subsequent performances.] Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Post, 3 Jan. 1792, prints a full description of the Procession of over 100 persons: 1st, Anglo-Saxon Knights and banners; then ancient British knights, Norman knights, Indians, Turks, Scythians, Romans, a dwarf, a giant; at end, "soldiers drawing a superb picture of St. George, knights in chain mail, a cupid leading a knight covered with a silver net, Hymen, piping fauns, bands of cupids drawing an altar--flame burning, cupids hovering over it, and others feeding doves below, a troop of Arcadian shepherds drawing the car of Cymon and Sylvia, characters of the drama, and chorus." "At the conclusion of the procession, a tournament took place of both horse and foot, between several combatants in armour, who fought with lances, swords and battle-axes: three of Hughes' horses [from the Royal Circus] were introduced, and managed with much dexterity; the Prince of Wales' Highlander made one of the procession, and entered the lists as a champion, fighting with an enormous club; against him a small female warrior was opposed, by whom he was subdued. It was by far the grandest spectacle ever seen upon the stage. Many of the characters were taken from Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia, in which the scene of the piece was laid; and the dresses of the knights, armour, &c. from the drawings and descriptions of the best antiquarians" (Oulton, 1796, II, 215). [This was Edmund Kean's 1st appearance on the stage; he was about four years old. He personated a cupid lying in Cymon and Sylvia's car (Kelly, Reminiscences, II, 21-22).] Account-Book, 13 Jan. 1792: Paid Hughes for his Horses #16 19s. 10d.; 23 Jan.: Paid Gough for his Greyhounds in Cymon #5 19s. 6d. Receipts: #420 6s. (385.0; 35.5; 0.1)

Event Comment: Account-Book: Present Their Majesties. [Their attendance this night is not indicated on the playbill, but "Though the Royal Command was not communicated to this Theatre till late yesterday morning, and consequently but a small part of the public could have notice of the public could have notice of the intention of Their Majesties to honour the house with their presence, yet it was crouded in all parts" (Morning Herald, 16 Mar.).] Receipts: #347 12s. (344.3.6; 3.8.6)

Event Comment: Double Drums by Ashbridge. Trombones by Flack, Dressler, Zwingham, Schubert. The Chorusses, which will be far more numerous than on any former occasion, will be supported by the Young Gentlemen of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, and the Choristers of St. Paul's. A Subscription of Two Guineas and a Half will receive Eleven Tickets for the Boxes, transferable either to a Lady or a Gentleman; any number of Tickets may be used nightly at the pleasure of the Subscriber. Books of the performance to be had at the Theatre, price #6d. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. No Money to be returned. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]

Event Comment: A Sacred Oratorio; the music entirely by Guglielmi, composed purposely for Mme Banti at the Royal Theatre of St.@Charles at Naples [in l788]; with Grand Chorusses under the direction of Dr Arnold, who will himself preside at the organ. At the harpsichord, Federici. Leader of the Band, Cramer. The Orchestra, vocal and instrumental, will consist of nearly two hundred performers

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. "An elegant fire-place was introduced into the Royal Stage Box at Covent Garden Theatre on Wednesday evening last, to the great surprise and no less comfort of their Majesties" (Morning Herald, 17 Dec.). Receipts: #399 12s. 6d. (393.3.6; 6.9.0)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for the Choral Fund, instituted for the Relief of their decayed Members, Widows and Orphans, under the Patronage of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. The Band and Chorus will be select, and the Young Gentlemen of the Westminster Choir will assist. A New Organ, built by Lincoln, will be opened on this occasion. Boxes #S. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30. Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice, at the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pope. Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. In I a Grand Banquet Scene. A Procession from the Abbey at the Coronation of Queen Anne Bullen. The Piece to conclude with the ceremony at the Royal Christening. [Holman's 1st appearance as King Henry was at this theatre, 24 May 1793.] Morning Chronicle, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Pope, Half Moon-street, Piccadilly. Receipts: #391 0s. 6d. (299.15.6; 2.9.0; tickets: 88.16.0)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. [On this night an unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate the King. As he entered his box he was shot at by James Hadfield, who was in the pit. The royal family remained in the theatre throughout the performance, during which God save the King was sung on four different occasions. Hadfield was subsequently adjudged insane. See Gentleman's Magazine, May 1800, pp. 478-80.] Receipts: #438 13s. 6d. (345.15.6; 87.9.0; 5.9.0)

Event Comment: A Serenata. Being an Essay of several different Sorts of Harmony.[Music by Handel. Done into English by George Oldmixon.] Daily Advertiser, 14 March: Last Night Mr Handell's new Serenata, in Honour of the Princess Royal's Nuptials with the Prince of Orange, was perform'd before their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Prince of Orange, and all the Royal Family, and was received with the greatest Applause; the Piece containing the most exquisite Harmony ever furnish'd from the Stage, and the Disposition of the Performers being contriv'd in a very grand and magnificent Manner. [The marriage of the Prince of Orange and Royal Princess occurred on Thursday, 14 March.]

Event Comment: To Macklin the Player: The Laity as well as Priests of all Religons are the same. Macklin, Thou mayst remember when thou wert learning the part of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, thou camest daily to the Change, and artfully dids't introduce thyself into my company, till thou hads't stolen my Face, my Looks, and not content with the Index, thou did'st turn over the volume of my Mind, as it if thy Author had been wanting in the manner of his character, and dids't show me on the stage to the Disgrace of my Tribe, for which we wish thee not in Abraham's Bosom, thou may'st be sure. Now if thou hast a mind to compromise the Affair, and serve thyself at thy Benefit time, publicly delcare what Place thou did'st frequent, and what set of Christians thou did'st herd with, before thou playd'st the part of Iago in the Moor of Venice; Comply and our Rancor to thee will be turn'd into Love and Service. s@Zorobabel. PS I will call to thee tonight at thy Synagogue in the Hay-market, about the sixth Hour, as you players reckon, for intelligence.-Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: [As mainpiece the playbill announces The Merchant of Venice, but "On Account of Macklin's sudden Indisposition, The Merchant of Venice cannot be performed; and this Evening will be presented...The Nunnery, with...The Child of Nature, [and] The Farmer" (printed slip on BM playbill, cg, Vol. VI).] Receipts: #214 6s. 6d. (206.4.0; 8.2.6)