Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Green and Mrs Vincent. Tickets for A Play will be taken. Those sold at Doors will not be admitted. Catherine and Petruchio cannot be perform'd because ff the illness of Woodward. Charges #64 5s. Balance to the nadies #17 18s. Paid Mrs Vincent #8 19s. who also had from Tickets #71 11s. (Box 110; Pit 207; Gallery 100). Paid Mrs Green #8 19s. who also had from Tickets #38 9s. (box 110; Pit 207; Gallery 130). Paid Miss Stede extra dancer for 6 nights #1 (Account Book). Receipts: #82 3s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Yates. Pit and Boxes laid together where servants will be allowed to keep places. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who have taken places in the Pit, are humbly desired to come as early as posible, for their own conveniency, and to prevent trouble in getting to their seats. Charges #66 5s. Balance to Mrs Yates #39 18s., plus income from 713 Box & Pit seats (laid together for price purposes) #178 5s. Paid Miss Atkinson and Miss Pope for walking 12 nights in Man & Wife; 26 Nights in Harlequin's Jubilee; 12 Nights in Timanthes #6 5s. each. Paid Mrs Warwell for walking 12 nights in Man & Wife #1 10s.; Paid Miss Lawrence and Mrs Bates 5s. each for walking 2 nights in Harlequin's Jubilee (Account Book). Receipts: #106 3s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Acted but once these 20 years. Rec'd of Condell on Acct of Fruit Rent #20; Paid Richards (painter) as per bill #115 15s.; Paid Partridge & Franks (hosiers) #60 5s.; Paid Lowe & Lewis (woolen drapers) #35 15s. (Account Book). Receipts: #207 10s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Sixth Night. For the Author. Charges #68 18s. 6d. Profit to author #97 18s. 6d. Paid Cooper (printer) #41 14s.; Paid Mrs Leverton (mantua maker) #32 6s.; Paid Younger for writing parts #11 3s. 1d. (Account Book). Receipts: #166 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Banks for Masks, &c. #4 8s. 6d.; Paid Humphries for 130 yds of silver trimming #3 11s. 6d.; Paid Pearce for earthen ware &c. #2 13s. Advanc'd cash to Bensley as per note #200 (Account Book). Receipts: #129 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Gardner and R. Smith. Mrs Gardner's Indisposition preventing her from performing this evening, she hopes she shall be excused by her friends. [She was to have played Catherine in Afterpiece according to advance notice of 4 May.] Charges #64 10s. Deficit to each benefiticiary #15 6s. 6d., cover'd by income from tickets: Gardner, #61 1s. (Box 118; Pit 101; Gallery 164); Smith, #64 19s. (Box 35; Pit 264; Gallery 166). Paid half year's Land Tax for the Theatre due Lady day last, #61 5s.; paid ditto for window lights, #6 10s. 6d.; Paid ditto for House in Bow Passage #2 3s. 9d. and for its window lights 15s. Receipts: #33 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Condell, Potter and Evans (box-keepers). Charges #81 5s. Deficit to the Box Keepers #14 7s. 6d. apiece, cover'd by income from tickets: Condell #67 3s. (Box 169; Pit 116; Gallery 75); Potter #56 (Box 116; Pit 102; Gallery 117); Evans #83 13s. (Box 151; Pit 228; Gallery 117). Paid Cooper (printer) #33 10s. 6d.; Paid Richards (painter) as per bill #6 16s. 6d.; Paid Dr Arne for composing two songs one in Comus, the other in Twelfth Night #6 6s. (Account Book). Receipts: #38 2s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Fop's Fortune oblig'd to be deferr'd. Paid Woodward for 2 hats, a Tambour Waist-coat & a pair of Buckskin Breeches #7 2s. 6d. Paid Palmer (wax chandler's) bill #90 6s., and Pattinson (tallow chandler's) bill #34 14s. Paid Mrs Rich@&@Co. for half years rent for the House in Bow Passage due Mich. last #20 (Account Book). Receipts: #106 19s

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of their Majesties. Present their Majesties. Gave Yeomen of Guard #2 2s. Paid one year's Assurance on #3000 in Royal Exchange to 15 Dec. 1773, #6. Paid Raban & Kime (coal merchants) #91 10s. Paid Dr Arne for the Music for Elfrida #90 (Account Book). Receipts: #233 11s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid Bellamy and Settree (mercers) #122 8s.; Paid Cooper (printer) #42 11s.; Paid Stedman and Bowley (linnen drapers) #39 (Account Book). Receipts. #154 8s. 6d

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. The Masque of Comus oblig'd to be deferr'd. Paid Leverton & Co. (bricklayers) #182 19s. Paid Holme & Co. (timber merchants) #72 1s. Paid Evans (sawyer) #7 12s. (Account Book). Receipts: #168 16s. 6d

Event Comment: The last Time of the Company's performing this Season. [On this night Wewitzer acted both at CG and the HAY.] Receipts: #135 3s. 6d. (132/14/6; 2/9/0). Account-Book, 7 June: Paid Harris for One Year's Superintendence #500, Garton [treasurer] in full of his Salary #238, Miss Younge in lieu of Cloaths this Season #200; 30 June: Paid Lewis in full for Salary as Acting Manager #200. Between 7 and 30 June various sums, a few of which are here specified, were entered in the Account-Book as being paid to the following tradesmen and others: perukemaker, fireworks maker, blacksmith [#277 6s.], basketmaker, scalemaker, haberdasher, sadler, bill-sticker, turner, harpsichord-tuner, silk-dyer, printer, sawyer, plumber, linen-draper, woollen-draper, brazier, coal merchant [#189 8s.], timber merchant [#500 8s.], stonemason, hosier, music copier, shoemaker, painter, tinman, oil merchant [#452 2s.], gunsmith, worsted laceman, book-binder, glazier, copper laceman [#127 15s.], silk mercer, tallow chandler, stationer, engine-maker, gold-beater, furrier, watch-maker, bookseller, victualler, rope-maker, embroiderer, bricklayer [#226 14s.], wax chandler [#501 2s.], upholsterer [#729]. Many of these disbursements had to do with the extensive rebuilding of the theatre

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Wells, but she "was so ill last night that she could not perform the part of Jane Shore. It was undertaken by Mrs T. Kennedy" (Public Advertiser, 21 Dec.).] Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by John O'Keeffe]: The Pantomime, and the whole of the Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, &c. designed and invented by Loutherbourg, and executed under his superintendance and direction by Richards, Carver, Hodgins, Catton Jun., Turner, assisted by two other celebrated artists [all subsequent playbills have "a celebrated artist"; he was the Rev. Matthew William Peters (Public Advertiser, 16 Dec.)]. The Music entirely new, composed by Shield. Books containing a short account of the Pantomime, as well as the Recitatives, Airs, Duets, Trios and Chorusses, and a Description of the Procession, to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. [This was the last theatrical piece for which De Loutherbourg designed the scenery. For a detailed account of it see "De Loutherbourg and Captain Cook", by Ralph G. Allen, Theatre Research, IV, 195-211.] Account-Book, 17 Oct.: Paid De Loutherbourg on acct. #120; 20 Dec.: Paid Goodwin for copying Music #10 14s.; 14 Feb. 1786: Paid O'Keeffe in full for Omai #40. Receipts: #309 19s. (302/7; 7/12)

Event Comment: Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Jealous, Walker, Bonsor, Gawdry, Dosel, Paskin, Hay, Wells, Gilbert, Ansell will be admitted. Account-Book, 28 June: Received for His Majesty's Box 11 nights #110; paid Advertisements in The World to 17 June #30 4s1. 6d.; 17 July: paid several Renters #21 15s. 6d. apiece; 2 Aug.: Paid Land, Commutation, Window and House tax half a year #187 12s. 9d. The Last Night of the Company's Performing this Season. Receipts: #300 0s. 6d. (39/3/0; after money: none listed; tickets: 260/17/6)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. It is not certain this is the first performance, but it may well have been. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@139, p. 125. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346. Pepys, Diary: Sir W. Pen and I to the Duke's house, where a new play. The King and Court there: the house full, and an act begun. And so went to the King's. Downes (p. 28): Sir Martin Marral, The Duke of New-Castle, giving Mr Dryden a bare translation of it, out of a Comedy of the Famous French Poet Monseur Moleire: He adapted the Part purposely for the Mouth of Mr Nokes, and curiously Polishing the whole....All the Parts being very Just and Exactly perform'd, specially Sir Martin and his Man, Mr Smith, and several others since have come very near him, but none Equall'd, nor yet Mr Nokes in Sir Martin: This Comedy was Crown'd with an Excellent Entry. In the Last Act at the Mask, by Mr Priest and Madam Davies; This, and Love in a Tub, got the Company more Money than any preceding Comedy

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is uncertain, and the play has been sometimes assigned to December 1695. There are indications, however, that the play first appeared at a later time, but certainly not later than 14 March 1695@6, the date attached to the Dedication. The Epilogue has some allusions which suggest mid-February, for it refers to the "Fasting time" of Lent and to "Dancing at Drapers-Hall last Masquerade" (a masquerade ball was held there on 4 Feb. 1695@6). Dedication, Edition of 1696: This Play was given to my Care by a Friend: I promis'd him not to neglect it in the Difficulties it was to pass through. It has had hitherto but an unpleasant Journey; and I knew no better way to make Amends, than by taking up its Rest with you [Sir John Smith]; where I am assured its Reception will be the best a truly Noble and Generous Soul can give. I beg not your Protection, Sir, from those wide-mouth'd Curs, the Criticks: But since they have had their Ends in running it down, 'tis under the Shelter of your Name I desire a poor maim'd Thing, that did its best to shew them Sport, may lye secure from farther Danger....H. Horden. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Damn'd

Event Comment: Post Man, 5-8 Sept. 1696: At Mr Barns's Booth in Southwark Fair, near St Georges Church, will be seen the only English, Dutch, Spanish, High German and Indian Companies of Rope-Dancers, who are all five joined together, and will perform such variety of Dancing, Walking, Vaulting and Tumbling; the like was never seen in England before. 1st, You will see the famous Indian Woman and her Company. 2. You will see the High German Company. 3. You will see the Spanish Company dance excellently well on the Low Rope. 4. You will see the two famous Dutch Children, who are the wonder and admiration of all the Rope Dancers in the World of their Sex and Age. 5. You will see the two famous Englishmen, Mr Edward Barns of Rederiff, and Mr Appleby, who are the only two Master Ropedancers and Tumblers in the old world; also you may see Mr Edward Barnes dance with a Child standing on his shoulders, and with 2 children at his Feet, in Jack-boots and Spurs, and cuts Capers a yard and a half high, and dances a Jig on the Rope with that variety of steps, that few, or no Dancing Masters can do the like on the ground: He likewise walks on a slack Rope no bigger than a penny Cord, and swings himself 6 or 7 yards distance. Afterwards you will see the famous Indian Woman Vault the High Rope with great dexterity. Likewise you will see the famous Mr Appleby, who is the only Tumbler in all Europe, fling himself over 16 mens heads, through 12 Hoops, over 14 Halbards, over a Man on Horseback, and a Boy standing upright on his Shoulders. You will likewise the entertained with good Musick. The merry Conceits of Harlequin and his Son Punch. You will see the English and Dutch Flag on the top of the Booth. Vivat Rex. We shall play in this place 12 days

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Prologue refers to "this Winter," suggesting a date before March 1700. A song, Ah Belinda I am pressed, in this play, appeared in Orpheus Britannica, 1698, the music by Henry Purcell, who had died some years before its appearance in this collection. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 26-27, referring to the rivalry between lif and dl in reviving Shakespeare and Jonson: The Battel continued a long time doubtful, and Victory hovering over both Camps, Batterton Sollicts for some Auxiliaries from the same Author, and then he flanks his Enemy with Measure for Measure

Event Comment: Benefit the Author of the Farce. [R. Fabian.] By Their Majesties Command. Afterpiece: a Farce of Two Acts. Intermix'd with Songs. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 13 May: On Saturday Night last, during the Play time, one Mr Mechlin (alias Macloughlin) who lately belong'd to [DL], having had a Dispute with Mr Hallam, of the same Theatre, about a particular Wig, which the latter had from the Wardrobe, to wear in his Part that Night, in the Farce, and which he resign'd to Mr Mechlin; but reproved him for his Behaviour, and ill Language. Some time after Mr Mechlin, thrust a Crabtree Stick that was in his Hand, at the Face of Mr Hallam, which enter'd at his Left Eye, and penetrated into his brain, of which Wound he languish'd till Sunday Night 6 o'clock, when he died

Event Comment: [This Pastoral Serenata first appeared 21 March 1744 at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand, qv. At that time Beard, Savage, Mrs Clive and Miss Edwards sang in it.] By Subscription for three nights will be performed an English Pastoral Serenata, set to Music by Mr DeFesch. Pit and Boxes laid together at 5s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. On the 20th of March and 3rd of April will be performed a New Oratorio call'd Joseph, also set to Music by Mr DeFesch. For the encouragement of such persons as shall please to favour Mr Defesch by subscribing one Guinea, they shall be entitled to six tickets, each of which will admit one into the boxes, or Two into the Gallery. Nobody to be admitted into the boxes without printed tickets, which will be deliver'd at the theatre. Subscriptions to be taken till the 5th of March, at Mr DeFesch's at the sign of the Angel and Trumpet, in St. Martin's Lane, at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden; and at Mr Page's Stage Door-keeper. To begin at half an hour after six. This day is publish'd Papal Tyranny in the Reign of King John. [No price given, but the 1st edition lists it as 1s. 6d. Watts would have had to sell about two thousand copies to cover his investment in copyright and printing costs.