Event Comment: 1st piece: 1st Time [at this theatre; see dl, 7 Nov.]. "Mr Hayley's Marcella, which was anticipated on Saturday evening at Drury Lane, and was received with considerable marks of disapprobation...was brought forward [at Covent Garden] under the auspices of the Author" (Public Advertiser, 11 Nov.). "[The performers all acted well at Covent Garden; and Kemble was the only one at Drury Lane who even knew his part" (Prompter, 11 Nov.). Receipts: #201 17s. (197.13.6; 4.3.6)

Event Comment: An accurate Edition of The Tempest to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #210 5s. (169.5.0; 40.0.6; 0.19.6)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. To prevent inconvenience, Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to be early at the Theatre-and to order their Servants to keep Places at Four o'Clock. Receipts: #452 14s. 6d. (438.16.0; 13.18.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: 1st Time at this Theatre. [Prologue by George Colman, elder.] Receipts: #241 19s. 6d. (237.5.0; 4.14.6)

Event Comment: 2nd piece: 1st Time [at this theatre (see dl, 7 Nov.)] in 3 acts. Receipts: #214 2s. (209.16.6; 4.5.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by James Cobb. Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin [1790]. Sga Storace had 1st appeared in concerts from 1774 to 1778, and at king's on 24 Apr. 1787 and thereafter]: With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The new Music composed by Storace, the rest compiled from Linley? Sen., Purcell, Sarti, Paisiello, Martin y Soler?, Pleyel, &c. The Scenes designed and executed by Greenwood. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "In her own particular line on the stage [Sga Storace] was unrivalled, being an excellent actress, as well as a masterly singer. She settled entirely in England, and after quitting the opera (to which she was frequently recalled in times of distress, as was too often the case), she engaged at Drury Lane, where the English opera was raised to an excellence not known before, by her singing, with that of Mrs Crouch, Mrs Bland, Kelly, and Bannister, and under the direction of her brother Stephen Storace, who composed, or rather compiled, several very pretty operas, of which the Haunted Tower, and the Siege of Belgrade still remain favorites, and are frequently performed" (Mount-Edgcumbe, 65). Account-Book, 4 Jan. 1790: Paid Cobb on Acct. of the Purchase of the Copyright of the Haunted Tower #157 10s.; 27 Feb. 1790: Paid Cobb in full for Copyright #52 10s. Receipts: #219 9s. 6d. (200.13.0; 17.14.6; 1.2.0)

Event Comment: 1st piece: For the 1st Time compress'd [anonymously] into 2 Acts. MacNally brought [Arthur Murphy] to Covent-garden Theatre to see [Robin Hood]; when, to the surprise of the author...the opera was that night performed as an afterpiece, having been, without his knowledge, cut down into two acts" (O'Keeffe, I, 45). 3rd piece: Not acted these 16 years [acted 12 Dec. 1780]. Receipts: #212 14s. 6d. (209.14.0; 3.0.6)

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: By Command of Their Majesties. To prevent inconvenience, Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to be early at the Theatre--and to order their Servants to keep Places at Four o'Clock. Receipts: #396 14s. 6d. (394.8.0; 2.6.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 12 years [never previously acted at this theatre. Baker had acted at Dublin and at Margate (Thespian Dictionary)]. Receipts: #214 2s. 6d. (188.12.0; 24.8.6; 0.19.6; ticket not come in: 0.2.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by James Wild. Text (no publisher, 1790)]: Being a Collection of favorite Scenes from the Following celebrated Pantomimes: Harlequin Sorcerer, Mother Shipton, Choice of Harlequin, Lord Mayor's Day, Druids, Fryar Bacon, Harlequin Freemason, Norwood Gipsies, Omai, Magic Cavern, and Harlequin Rambler. With new Dresses and Decorations. The Original Scenery, Machinery, &c. painted by Lambert, Dall [both deceased], Carver, Hodgins and Richards-and now all repaired and repainted. The Music selected by Shaw from Pepuch [sic], Dr Arne, Dr Arnold, Dr Fisher, ?M.? Arne, Vincent, Dibdin and Shield. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Account-Book, 31 Dec.: Paid Wild for his Attention to the Pantomime #30; Boyce for Ditto #15; Shaw for Ditto #10. Receipts: #233 5s. 6d. (204.8.6; 28.17.0)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Careless Husband, advertised on playbill of 22 Dec.] Paid House & Window tax, 1@2 Yr., #56 13s. 8d. Public Advertiser, 24 Dec.: [Pearce, who was from the Bath theatre, has] a clear bass voice, which he occasionally relieves by a falsetto...His first song was encored though sung much out of tune. Receipts: #113 4s. (77.2; 35.12; 0.10)

Event Comment: [Bland was from the Liverpool theatre.] Receipts: #218 16s. (175.0.0; 41.1.0; 2.12.6; ticket not come in: 0.2.6)

Event Comment: Books of the Performance to be had at the Theatre. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Fosbrook at the Stage Door. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. No Money to be returned

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pope. Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [When still Miss Younge Mrs Pope had 1st acted Fatima at the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, 4 Mar. 1771.] Public Advertiser, 9 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Pope at her house, Half-moon Street. Receipts: #343 10s. 6d. (230.3.6; 8.3.0; tickets: 105.4.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. 1st piece: In 3 Acts. Not acted these 4 years. 3rd piece: Never acted at this Theatre. Public Advertiser, 22 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lewis, in Bow-street. Receipts: #346 0s. 6d. (254.19.6; 3.8.0; tickets: 87.13.0)

Event Comment: [Boyes was from the Worcester theatre.] Receipts: #206 19s. (178.12.0; 25.16.6; 2.10.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; MD 3, by Frederick Reynolds. Larpent MS 870; not published; synopsis of plot in Public Advertiser, 7 May]: With entire new Dresses, Scenes, Machinery and Decorations. The Music partly selected from Cimarosa, Gluck, Martin y Soler?, Reeve, Dr Arne [the printed score (Longman and Broderip [1790]) adds: Martini, Duni, Carolan, Leveridge]. The rest composed by Shield. The Chorusses selected from Handel, and sung by the Performers from the Concert of Ancient Music. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #210 13s. 6d. (208.12.0; 2.1.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Fund for the Relief of those who, from their Infirmities, shall be obliged to retire from the Stage. [Prologue by Thomas Hull.] Gazetteer, 19 May: Tickets to be had of Hull, Treasurer to the Institution, No. 31, Bow-street, Covent-Garden. The Fund at Covent Garden Theatre was instituted in the Year 1765, and confirmed by Act of Parliament, 1776. It has been almost entirely supported by the weekly Contributions of the respective Members, and no Application has been made ot the Public towards its Increase for the space of 19 Years. Notwithstanding the utmost Oeconomy has been practised to promote the Advancement of this Fund, the whole capital Sum hitherto amassed is now become so inadequate to the unavoidable annual Disbursements that the Committee hold it incumbent on them to solicit the Patronage and Encouragement of the Public, at the within specified Performance. "The capital of this fund, invested in various stocks, amounted to #27,710 in the year 1824" (Brayley, 14). Receipts: #128 11s. (104.15; 15.16; tickets: 8.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Delpini. [Mrs Delpini's 1st appearance at this theatre was on 28 May 1789.] Public Advertiser, 26 May: Tickets to be had of Delpini, No. 17, Tavistock-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #285 2s. (153.2.6; 5.9.6; tickets: 126.10.0)

Event Comment: 3rd piece [1st time; M. ENT 1, James Byrne. Larpent MS 872; not published]: With new and selected Music and Songs; Scenes and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #150 2s. (141.3; 8.19)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 6:00, and begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. [Address by George Colman, ynger (London Chronicle, 21 June).

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the Widow Fearon, and her Eight Orphan Children. Tickets to be had of Mrs Fearon, No. 6, Spur-street, Leicester-Fields; and of Brandon, at the Theatre, where Places for the Boxes may be taken. [Fearon had died 30 Sept. 1789.] Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: [1st two pieces in place of The Chapter of Accidents, advertised on playbill of 16 June. Miss Fontenelle was from the Edinburgh theatre.] 3rd piece: Never performed here