Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 5 years [acted 16 Jan. 1789]. Afterpiece [1st time at a public theatre (1st acted at Lord Barrymore's private theatre at Wargrave, 13 Apr. 1791); P 2, by Carlo Antonio Delpini. Not published]: With entire new Music, Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, and Decorations. The Music composed by Baumgarten. The Scenes painted by Richards, Hodgins, Pugh, Walmsley, and other assistants. Books of the Songs [W. Woodfall, 1791] to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. "The Piece was last night very incorrectly exhibited...The scenes of the destruction of the cottage by fire, the view of Strawberry-hill, and Blue Beard's infernal palace...are worthy of commendation. The last scene was not grand enough: the wings were by no means in unison" (Public Advertiser, 22 Dec.). Receipts: #279 13s. (249.19; 29.14)

Event Comment: Separate printed notice accompanying this playbill: The Publick is most respectfully informed that the Accident which happened last night in the Pit-Passage of the Theatre arose entirely from the eagerness of the croud; and not from any defect in the customary mode of admission. It has been erroneously stated in some of the Morning Prints that the Staircase gave way; it is evident that this statement is groundless, from the circumstance of opening the Theatre this Evening, which would have been impracticable: as there could not possibly be time to repair or build a staircase. The Theatre is in the most perfect state of security; and however the accident of last night is to be deplored, it cannot, in the slightest degree, be imputed to any cause, but the irregularity and pressure of the persons assembled at the doors. To prevent, however, all possibility of such an event occurring again; a Bar will be fixed at the head of the Stairs, and a servant appointed to attend, that persons may not press down them in crouds, but be regularly and gradually admitted, with safety and convenience

Event Comment: Advance broadside of 7 Apr.: The performance of Plays, in this Theatre, is unavoidably postponed on account of the extent of the Preparations for compleating the Scenery and Machinery in a Style suitable to the Theatre. But at the Request of Numbers of Ladies and Gentlemen, who have hitherto been disappointed of Places, there will be this Week Four Performances of Grand Selections of Music and Oratorios . . . After Saturday the Theatre will close till Compleat for Dramatic Representations. Receipts: #525 12s. 6d. (515/12/6; tickets: 2/2/0; 7/18/0)

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera; the music entirely by Paisiello [performed at the Pantheon, 14 May 1791, as La Molinarella]. Bianchi and Martini [i.e. Martin y Soler] are both engaged as composers to this Theatre, and will each preside at the harpsichord the three first nights of every new Opera of their composition. Pit 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. No Money to be returned. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [see 30 Apr. 1795]. The Nobility are intreated to give directions to their servants to set down and take up at the Theatre, with horses' heads towards Pall Mall. On account of abuses practised in the names of the Subscribers it is become necessary to require the production of the Subscription Tickets both at the doors and the Boxes, At the Chair-door in Market-lane Subscribers only will be admitted. "The Pantomime is too much in the gaudy stile of Italy, and even in this respect the ballet-master is not well seconded by the machinist; the decorations were unfinished, and the scenes clumsily shifted...We were sorry to find that the new and superb room, which the proprietor was encouraged to build, and Which was opened in its unfinished state last year, is now entirely shut up, through the cabal of some few of the subscribers who refuse a miserable guinea for its illumination. The inconvenience of getting away from the Theatre will consequently be severely felt by the Beau Monde" (Morning Chronicle, 8 Dec.)

Event Comment: [This was Miss Farren's last appearance on the stage.] "On the conclusion of the play Wroughton came forward, and, instead of uttering the usual lines [i.e. giving out the play for the next night], delivered the following Address before the curtain dropped, all the Performers remaining on the Stage, and Miss Farren herself in a state apparently of much agitation. [Here follows the address (which is not listed on the playbill).] After Wroughton had delivered these lines, Miss Farren advanced and curtsied repeatedly" (True Briton, 10 Apr.). The address "was written by Sheridan during the performance of the comedy" (Morning Herald, 12 Apr.). "[Miss Farren's] figure is considerably above the middle height, and is of that slight texture which allows and requires the use of full and flowing drapery, an advantage of which she well knows how to avail herself...She possesses ease, vivacity, spirit and humour, and her performances are so little injured by effort, that we have often experienced a delusion of the senses, and imagined, what in a theatre it is so difficult imagine, the scene of action to be identified, and Miss Farren really the character she was only attempting to sustain" (Monthly Mirror, Apr. 1797, pp. 236-37). Account-Book: Renters, Free, Orders and Private Boxes at School for Scandal #199 9s. [The tally is also entered of 3,656 spectators in the theatre.] Receipts: #728 14s. 6d. (654.18.0; 70.7.0; 3.9.6; being the largest amount taken at this theatre, on a night not devoted to a benefit, between 1794 (when it was opened) and 1800)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Trevor [who had 1st appeared at this theatre, as a chorus singer, on 16 Jan. 1800]. "A settled, preconcerted plan was evidently laid to injure the lady who came forward in double capacity, not merely as a candidate for public favour, but in the responsible situation of a performer taking a benefit...The moment the lady made her appearance on the boards, before she even opened her mouth, before a single note furnished an opportunished an opportunity of appreciating her abilities, opposition began to manifest itself in all the various forms which malice on such occcsions is wont to resort to. The Hisses grew louder and louder,...the theatre absolutely assumed the appearance of a riot, rather than that of a civilized company, assembled for the purpose of amusement" (Dramatic Censor, II, 212-13). Morning Chronicle, 19 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Trevor, sister to Mr Kelly of Drury-lane Theatre, No. 31, Bedford-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #268 12s. (124.13; 4.8; tickets: 139.11)