Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Downes (p. 29): It took well, but Inferior to Love in a Tub. Pepys, Diary: I to the Duke of York's playhouse; where a new play of Etherige's called She Would if she Could; and though I was there by two o'clock, there was 1000 people put back that could not have room in the pit: and I at last, because my wife was there, made shift to get into the 18d. box, and there saw; but, Lord! how full was the house, and how silly the play, there being nothing in the world good in it, and few people pleased in it. The King was there; but I sat mightily behind, and could see but little, and hear not all. The play being done...here was the Duke of Buckingham to-day openly sat in the pit; and there I found him with my Lord Buckhurst, and Sidly, and Etherige, the poet; the last of whom I did hear mightily find fault with the actors, that they were out of humour, and had not their parts perfect, and that Harris did do nothing, nor could so much as sing a ketch in it; and so was mightily concerned: while all the rest did, through the whole pit, blame the play as a silly, dull thing, though there was something very roguish and witty; but the design of the play, and end, mighty insipid. Thomas Shadwell, Preface to The Humorists (1671): The last (viz.) imperfect Action, had like to have destroy'd She Would if she could, which I think (and I have the Authority of some of the best Judges in England for't) is the best Comedy that has been written since the Restauration of the Stage: And even that, for the imperfect representation of it at first, received such prejudice, that, had it not ben for the favour of the Court, in all probability it had never got up again; and it suffers for it, in a great measure, to this very day

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 32) states: The first new Play Acted there, was King Charles the VIII. of France; it was all new Cloath'd, yet lasted but 6 Days together, but 'twas Acted now and then afterwards. Two songs for this play, Too justly alas, set by James Hart, and O love if e'er thou'lt ease a heart, set by Pelham Humphrey, are in Choice Songs and Ayres, First Book, 1673

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. There is no certainty that this date represents the premiere. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 2. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 347. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 33-34): Loves Jealousy, and The Morning Ramble. Written by Mr Nevil Pain. Both were very well Acted, but after their first run, were laid aside, to make Room for others; the Company having then plenty of new Poets. Two songs, Ah Corydon in vain you boast and Some happy soul come down and tell, both set by Robert Smith, are in Choice Songs and Ayres, The First Book, 1673

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3177, 20-23 April 1696, suggests that it was first performed not later than March 1696. Preface, Edition of 1696: This Comedy by the little success it met with in the Acting, has not at all deceived my Expectations....Give me leave to thank the Well-natur'd Town for Damning me so suddenly; They would not suffer me to linger in suspence, nor allow me any degrees of Mortification; neither my Sex, Dress, Musick and Dancing, cou'd allow it a three Days Reprieve. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 17: Ramble: I never heard of that. Sullen: Oh this is a Lady's

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, 6-11 May 1696, suggests that it was first acted not later than April 1696. A song, Come, Hodge, come, Robin, set by John Eccles and sung by Wiltshire and Mrs Hudson, was printed in Deliciae Musicae, The Second Book of the Second Volume, 1696. Dedication, Edition of 1696: Which I wrote three Years ago....nor the Displeasure of the Judicious, who I hope will not condemn this Play from the appearance it had upon the Stage, where it suffer'd in the Acting....Tho. Dogget. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 16-17: Ramble: Oh that's Dogget's: The Players have all got the itching Leprosie of Scribling as Ben. Johnson calls it; twill in time descend to the Scene-keepers and Candle-snuffers: Come, what came on't? Sullen: Not then directly Damn'd, because he had a part in't himself, but it's now dead and buried

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance. Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 377: Lady Morley and one in the Box at Plott and noe Plott 8s. [There is no certainty that this performance is the premiere; since the play was advertised in the Post Man, 25-27 May 1697, the first performance may have been late April or very early May.] Preface, Edition of 1697: As for the Spectators, tho, by reason of the advanc'd Season, and the extremity of the heat, which when the Play was first acted was intolerable, we have not had such numerous assemblies as might have been expected in Winter; yet as long as I have known the Play-house I never saw the Company there in better humour. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 18-19: Ramble: Oh, that's Dennis's; and a very regular Farce, tho' he calls it a Comedy. Sullen: I think it did pretty well; 'tis laboriously Writ, as everything of his is: There's an Air of Formality in the Play agreeable to the slovenly Air in his Behaviour

Event Comment: Benefit Ryan. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Afterpiece: a Comic Pastoral Ballad Farce of two short acts. [Author unknown.] Receipts: money #66 12s. 6d.; tickets #89 12s

Event Comment: Benefit Two Orphans, Mines (Gallery Officekeeper), and others

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh. Daily Advertiser, 4 Oct.: Yesterday Morning Mr James Todd, who represented the Miller's Man on Friday Night...and fell in one of the flying Machines from the very top of the Stage by the breaking of the Wires, by which accident his Skull was fractur'd, died in a miserable manner. Susan Warwick, who represented the Miller's Wife, lies at the point of Death at the Infirmary at Hyde-Park Corner: The two other Persons who fell in the same Machine are like to recover, [In London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 2 Oct.: All these unhappy People were Servants belonging to the Theatre, and only Representatives in the different Characters of Mr Lun, Mr Nivelon, Mr Salway, and Mrs Moreau.

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Jenny and Miss Betty Cibber?, Two Infant Daughters of the late Mrs Jane Cibber. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh. Afterpiece: Taken from Moliere, and Intermixed with Songs. At 6:45 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit Widow and Child of James Miller, the author. As the Play of to-night is entirely for mine and my children's Benefit, and was allotted (by the Manager) for that purpose a considerable time ago, has since been advertis'd in the Publick papers upwards of ten days, and the Boxes chiefly been taken by Ladies of Quality and Distinction, I humbly hope, as Charity and Humanity are my advocates, the Performance will be permitted without interruption. D. Miller.--General Advertiser. To Those who remained in the Pit in Drury Lane Playhouse on Thursday Evening, and were refus'd their money: GENTLEMEN: If you are sensible of the Insults that we receiv'd from the servants of the Manager (after we had remain'd orderly in the House expecting our money for the best part of an hour) being expos'd to the danger of our lives from several sticks, &c being thrown at us from the stage, and from the attack of Soldiers jumping into the Pit with their bayonets fix'd, you'll meet tomorrow several Gentlemen equally injur'd, at the Fountain Tavern in Catherine Street in the Strand, at two o'clock, as well as, Your most humble Servant, J. Johnston.--Daily Advertiser. [Daily Gazetteer contained a letter by Anti-Mimus on the manager's publication of reasons for his late extraordinary measures.

Event Comment: Afterpiece an opera in two acts not acted these 6 years [see 24 March 1741]. The words by Mr Addison. The Music compos'd by Mr Arne

Event Comment: Benefit for Arthur and Mrs Vincent. Mainpiece: Not acted these two years [See 5 May 1749]

Event Comment: Yesterday arriv'd Sg Casimo Maranesi and Sga Bugiani, two celebrated Italian Comic Dancers from the Opera at Paris, and will soon make their appearance at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden

Event Comment: Benefit for Scrase, Mozeen and Hayes. Mainpiece: Acted but twice these two years, and for last time this season. [Hayes was Pit-Office-Keeper]. Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. [Afterpiece a Comedy in two Acts by MacNamara Morgan from Shakespeare.] Shuter did fine in the farce (Cross). Music composed by Arne. Part of Pit will be laid into the boxes, where and upon stage servants will be allowed to keep Places

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Benefit for Cibber. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. To begin at 6:30 p.m. To prevent any interruption in the Performance, there will be no Building on the Stage. Afterpiece: The Dramatick Piece of Two Acts...is taken from the inimitable comic Scenes of Shakespeare, which contain the Humours of Antient Pistol, Justice Shallow, Sir John Falstaff, Justice Silence, the Hostess Doll Tearsheet, and the Recruits, etc. (Daily Advertiser). On Tuesday the 2d of July Mr The: Cibber had a play at Drury Lane, ye Busy Body, & farce from ye 2d pt of Henry 4th. & had 140 pounds in Money & 66 in Tickss (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Dunstall and Mrs Dunstall. Afterpiece: Not acted these two years. Tickets sold at the Door will not be taken

Event Comment: Written by Mr Hume. Author of Douglas. Went off wth. great Applause (Cross). A New Tragedy. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. As this is the 1st night of representation, and much depends upon keeping the scenes clear, 'tis hoped no gentleman will be offended that he cannot be admitted upon the stage or into the orchestra. [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758 for contemporary comment on source, and at act-by-act progress of play. Judicial but appreciative. Finds some rant and bombast, as well as inconsistency, in Lysander 's characterization: "If...not...known that the author of Agis is the same to whom we are indebted for Douglas, one would not have suspected those two tragedies to have sprung from the same pen...Agis inspires us with admonition; Douglas speaks forcibly to our softer feelings. In Douglas he has shown himself perfect master of nature and the human heart: in Agis of contrivance in point of plot and incidents. What a masterpiece may not we expect from such talents when united in one tragedy!"] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these two years [see 16 April 1759]

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these two years. [See 22 Feb. 1762.

Event Comment: [Farce is two acts from the opera of the same name. Books of the opera to be had at the Theatre. See 28 Nov. 1764.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Baker, Mrs Lampe, Mrs Jones. Mainpiece: By Partiuclar Desire. Afterpiece: For the last time this season. None admitted behind scenes. [Public Advertiser assigns two parts (Bridget and Dame Kitely) to Mrs Baker. Questionable.

Event Comment: [G$Genest, V, 119, suggests The Deuce is in Him for afterpiece with King as Prattle and Miss Reynolds as Bell. Treasurer's Book, however, states Queen Mab. Cunning Man-deferred. Mrs Arne Ill. Wonder reviv'd after two years. See 13 May 1765.] Receipts: #103 9s. (Treasurer's Book)