Event Comment: Alexander the Great? [announced on playbill of 4 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred. [The playbill lists Mrs Yates as Lady Townly, but see following note. Miss Younge's name appears in all subsequent playbills, except on 19 Dec.] Alexander was advertised for this Night, but Lacy being hoarse, who was to have played Alexander, it was obliged to be deferred, and this Play substituted. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock at (Night) before we got it settled. Mr. Sheridan ordered me not to send to Mrs. Yates about (it) till the Morning. About eight o'clock I sent her Notice that the Provoked Husband was to be performed at Night. A little after nine, she sent Word by her Niece that she was never so ill treated in her life, that she was never before asked to play on the fifth of November [which day was traditionally set aside for the acting of Tamerlane], that she would not play Lady Townly that Night, nor would she play any more; and if she had an Inclination to play, she had no Cloaths ready to play it in; and sent back the Part of Semiramis in a new Tragedy that was preparing [see 16 Nov., 14 Dec.]. I got Miss Younge to do Lady Townly, and an Apology was made by Packer that Mrs Yates having refused this Morning to do Lady Townly, Miss Younge at a Minutes' Notice undertook to do it. Miss Younge was much applauded and Yates had a few hisses (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #179 11s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Vernon was so very drunk in the Farce that he could scarcely stand--a Man in the Gallery cryed out, Hold him up--a few hisses at the End of the Trio (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #146 15s

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 30 Apr. 1777]. Receipts: #194 18s

Event Comment: The Maid of the Oaks [announced on playbill of 14 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred on account of Mlle Dupre's sudden illness. Paid 2 Oylbills to Oct. 25 #253 7s. Receipts: #98 12s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years [not acted since 20 Apr. 1765]; in [it] will be introduced a Grand Triumphal Entry of Publiusv, with the original Music composed by Boyce. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] This is the first Time that Mrs Yates played since the Paper Quarrel between the Managers and her. Before the Play began Mrs Yates went on, and made the following apology, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope what has been already published has been sufficient to satisfy the Publick that I did not intend to affront or insult them. I have only to add, that it ever has (been) and ever shall be my Study and Endeavour to please that Publick from (whom) I have received so many Favours." The Audience applauded, and the Play went on--Mrs Yates played finely and had great applause (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #145 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1758]. With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick]. The Characters new dressed. This Play is revived with Alterations (by R. B. Sheridan Esq) and a new occasional Prologue written by Mr Garrick? and spoken by Dodd, both well received. Miss Essex made her first Appearance upon this stage in Silvia, a small mean Figure and shocking Actress, so bad that she is to do the Part no more. Reddish was very imperfect in Vainlove from the Beginning, but was so very much so in the last Act, that the Audience hissed very much, and cryed out, 'Off, Reddish, Off!" He went forward, and addressed them as follows, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been honoured with your Favour and Protection for these ten years past, and I am very sorry to give any cause for your Displeasure now; but having undertaken the Part at a very short Warning, in order to strengthen the Bill, and having had but two Rehearsals for it, puts it out of my Power to do Justice to the Part, or myself.' The Play then went on. So great a Lye was never delivered to an Audience by any Actor or Actress before. He had the Part at least six weeks in his Possession, and repeated Notice to be ready in it, and six Rehearsals was called for it,--indeed, he attended but three. Vernon undertook to study the Part at eleven o'clock to-night, and to perform it to-morrow (Hopkins Diary). [Miss Essex was from the hay.] Receipts: #209 6s

Event Comment: The Old Batchelor [and A Christmas Tale, both announced on playbill of 29 Nov. are] obliged to be deferred. [Public Advertiser assigns Lucianus to Parsons.] Receipts: #106 11s