Event Comment: Benefit for
the Author [of mainpiece, who is named in
the Account-Book, but not on
the playbill]. "A considerable tumult prevailed last night among
the audience of this
Theatre, on account of
the unavoidable substitution of
Miss Chapman and
Mrs Harlowe for
Mrs Esten and
Mrs Wells (who are both indisposed). It was not that
the audience objected to
the former two, but because
the names of Mrs Esten and Mrs Wells were printed in
the bills usually sold about
the Theatre, though not in those properly issued from
the House. [Mrs Esten's name, however (but not Mrs Wells'), is listed in
the "House" playbill for this night.]
The audience were very violent, and
the actors, after having nearly finished
the first Act twice, were obliged to begin
the Comedy a third time, before it was suffered quietly to proceed" (
Morning Herald, 9 Feb.). "
The fracas at
Covent-garden Theatre on Wednesday evening was occasioned by
the dexterity of certain
Lottery Office keepers, who, in order to give notoriety to
their shops, daily cause spurious Dramatis Personae of
the theatres to be circulated; and on
the reverse of
these bills is conspicuously held forth
the advantages of
the public paying
their cash into
their gambling treasuries" (
Morning Herald, 10 Feb.). Receipts: #191 17s. 6d. (187.2.6; 4.15.0; tickets: none listed)