Event Comment: "The Pageant had some additional embellishments. The horses had complete dresses in the style of chivalry. The unhorsing of St. James was dexterously performed. He fell so as to give the impression of reality to every heart. The rearing and plunging of the black horse was admirable. He is the best disciplined animal we ever saw" (Morning Chronicle, 3 Jan.). Account-Book: Paid Barratt, Wax Chandler #178 2s. 3d. Receipts: #401 9s. (362.8; 38.14; 0.7)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. "The crowd and the tumult at the doors of the Theatre last Wednesday [raised the question] why the Box and Pit passages, which were the same last year, are now separated. The answer is because at the Opera, the Boxes and the Pit are for the same price and company; at the Playhouse they are different in both respects. Repeated notices were sent by Kemble both to those on foot and in carriages that the house was full; and the doors were actually closed before the house was really filled in the hope of dispersing the crowd--but they were a second time forced open" (Morning Chronicle, 7 Jan.). Receipts: #582 8s. 6d. (552.15.6; 26.14.0; 2.19.0, being the largest amount received at this theatre during its occupancy by the dl company)

Event Comment: Receipts: #439 11s. 6d. (391.15.6; 45.7.0; 2.9.0). A tally sheet in BM (Burney 937. c. 10) for this night itemizes the number of spectators and the receipts as follows: 1st Account Boxes 660, #198.0.0 Pit 745, #130.7.6 Gallery 634, #63.8.0 Total 2,039, #391.15.6 Half Price Boxes 215, #32.5.0 Pit 27, #2.14.0 Gallery 208, #10.8.0 Total 450, #45.7.0 Boxes 875, #230.5.0 Pit 772, #133.1.6 Gallery 842, #73.16.0 Total 2,489, #437.2.6 The total receipts here set forth do not include the After Money of 2.9.0

Event Comment: The Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin at 6:15 [see 25 Apr.]. Receipts: #317 7s. (273.14; 41.7; 2.6)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece in place of The Devil to Pay, advertised on playbill of 12 Jan.] Receipts: #420 15s. 6d. (371.6.6; 46.17.0; 2.12.0)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Crouch as Urganda, but "Owing to the sudden indisposition of Mrs Crouch [the] part of Urganda was read by Mrs Powell" (Morning Herald,27 Jan.).] Receipts: #334 0s. 6d. (286.14.6; 44.1.0; 3.5.0)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Crouch as Urganda, but Mrs Powell probably acted it (see 26 and 30 Jan.). Mrs Crouch was absent from the theatre from 21 Jan. to 5 Feb.] Receipts: #357 5s. 6d. (296.11.6; 55.4.0; 5.4.0; tickets not come in: 0.6.0)

Event Comment: [This is the only occasion in the 18th century when a play was acted in London on this date. "The performance at the Haymarket on the 30th of January has been noticed by his Majesty in a manner which is still a topic of conversation in the higher circles...There will be no more theatrical performances on the 30th of January" (London Chronicle, 28 Feb.). On 3 Feb. the Lord Chamberlain wrote to Sheridan as follows: "Sir--Information has been received at this Office that Theatrical Entertainments were exhibited at the Theatre, under your direction, in St. James's Haymarket on the 30th of Last Month, contrary to all precedent, and repugnant to Decency, being the Anniversary of the Martyrdom of King Charles the First. I do not know by what Authority such a Step was taken but, as Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household, think it my Duty to desire that you will be pleased to Cause the Practice to be discontinued in future. I am, Sir, Your Obedient, Humble Servant, Salisbury" (MS Letters to Sheridan from Various Correspondents,II, 64, in Harvard Theatre Collection). The Morning Chronicle on 31 Jan. offered another opinion: "It gave us infinite pleasure that last night we happily broke through one of the most absurd fasts in the calendar. The Managers of Drury Lane, with proper regard to the public, rescued them from the common dullness of a 30th of January." But the absurd fast remained in force until 1843.] Receipts: #339 18s. (291.4; 40.0; 8.11; ticket not come in: 0.3)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece in place of The Sultan, advertised on playbill of 31 Jan.] A New Edition of Cymon to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #340 18s. 6d. (292.14.6; 44.18.0; 3.6.0)