Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. 3rd piece: Never performed here

Event Comment: [In 3rd piece the playbill retain Iliff, but "On the fifth night of the representation, while R. Palmer was reading the part of Lord Megrim (Iliff being ill) an alarm of fire occasioned a disgreeable tumult; the performers assured the audience there was no danger, it being the opposite theatre (the Opera House, which was consumed) that was in flames. The Ladies, however, still retained their apprehensions, and all were eager to depart; happily this anxiety produced no accident" (Oulton, 1796, II, 52). Iliff perhaps did not act in Vimonda.

Event Comment: [That Palmer acted Inkle on this night is doubtful. See 23, 25 Aug., 1 Sept.

Event Comment: "Yesterday evening Palmer performed the part of Inkle for the first time to a very full house. He went through the two first acts with much credit, and had he been less imperfect in the last scene it would have proved more interesting" (Diary, 24 Aug.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. With new Dresses and Decorations. The Characters dressed in the Habits of the Times. [Palmer Jun. was from the hay.] "It is necessary to remind both Macbeth and his Lady that there is a measured declamation, of which the natural utterance of passion knows nothing, and that words and syllables may be divided and subdivided till the fatigue of the ear overcome every other feeling...Between the first and second acts Ca ira was loudly called for from the pit and gallery. The clamour, after preventing the first part of the second act from being heard, subsided as unaccountably as it rose. The performers, in compliance with an admonition from the pit, began the act again, and proceeded without further interruption" (Morning Chronicle, 20 Feb.). "In Macbeth there was too much that was not Shakespeare, too much bad taste and shabbiness in the costumes of the witches, and all in all too much claptrap. He found it insufferable that Banquo should take the part of his own ghost and felt that the audience should behold the specter only in Macbeth's terror, as was the case with the banquet guests. 'Mr Kemble has desired on several occasions to suppress the ghost,' Meister says, 'but has never had the courage to do so.'" (J. H. Meister quoted in J. A. Kelly, 134). For Kemble's eventual courage in this matter see dl, 21 Apr. 1794.] Receipts: #425 6s. (383.2; 40.4; 2.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. Afterpiece: Never acted here. [Mrs Esten was from cg.

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. [Afterpiece in place of The Devil to Pay, advertised on playbill of 23 Mar.] Receipts: #401 17s. (206.14.6; 36.0.0; 2.3.0; tickets: 156.19.6) (charge: #180 10s. 4d.)

Event Comment: [Mrs Gibbs was from the hay.] Afterpiece: 21st time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the previous season]. The Music composed, and selected from Cherubini, Kreutzer and Andreozzi, by Storace. An Accurate Edition of Lodoiska to be had at the Theatre. Powell, 26 Sept.: Provoked Husband rehearsed at 10; Lodoiska at 12 (for Palmer); 27 Sept.: Lodoiska rehearsed at 10 (for Bannister). Receipts: #433 19s. 6d. (296.14.0; 134.13.0; 2.12.6)

Event Comment: [in mainpiece the playbill assigns all parts as 7 Oct., but "The Public are respectfully informed that Kemble, being confined with a complaint in his Throat which prevents his having the Honour of appearing before them, the Character of Macbeth will be performed by Palmer; Macduff [by] Wroughton; Banquo [by] Packer" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill). Powell also notes these changes, and adds, "Jones [acted] the Physician".] Afterpiece: With Alterations. Powell: New Ballet rehearsed at 10; Nobody at 12. Receipts: #201 3s. (144.9.6; 54.6.6; 2.7.0)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains R. Palmer, but "Benson [acted] Orson" (Oracle, 21 Mar.). For note on the author's curtailments see 12 Mar.] Receipts: #288 18s. 6d. (285.14.6; 3.4.0)