Event Comment: Public Advertiser: When the Disturbances of the Theatre at Rome, in the Days of Augustus, caus'd several Tumults, the Emperour interpos'd and pronounc'd the Sentence of Banishment on a very great Actor, for whose Sake these Disturbances were made. He observ'd at the same Time, that the Stage had a strong Tendency to disturb all as well as to amuse the People. The Actor said, with great Spirit, "'Tis for your Interest, Caesar, that they shoul d be amus'd any Way." The Civil War of England, 1641, did not commence 'til the Playhouses were shut. People are never more discontented than when depriv'd of their Favourite Diversions

Event Comment: Music for Masque by Dr Arne and Mr Augustus Smith. Masque publish'd 1s. 6d. Paid Chorus 3 nights (this incl.) #5 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #176 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lee Lewes. 1st piece [1st time; PREL I, by Frederick Pilon. Author of Epilogue unknown. This Prelude had reference to the illuminations held on 11 Feb. 1779 in honor of the acquittal, on a charge of misconduct in the naval operations off Brest, of Admiral Augustus Keppel. In 1780 it was acted at this theatre, with alterations, as A Gazette Extraordinary]. Tickets delivered for The Distress'd Mother will be received. Public Advertiser, 30 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lee Lewes at his house in Bow-street, Covent Garden. Ibid, 4 May 1779: This Day is published Illumination (1s.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; MD 5, by Richard Cumberland. Author of Prologue unknown]: A Romance of the Fourteenth Century, Formed upon the Plan of an unpublished Drama [Johanna von Montfaucon], written and transmitted by Augustus von Kotzebue, The Overture, Songs, Chorusses, Marches and Finale, with appropriate Symphonies between the Acts, by Busby. The Scenery, Dresses, Machinery & Decorations entirely New. The Scenery by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, &c. The arrangement of the Marches, Chorusses & Military Movements incidental to the Piece, under the direction of Farley. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. The Words of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. "The appropriate beauty of the scenery, in which the rules of perspective are critically observed, the splendour of the decorations and the richness of the dresses, have been rarely equalled" (Universal Magazine, Jan. 1800, p. 75). Receipts: #318 6d. (316.2; 2.4)