Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser, 13 March: Don Jumpedo, who lately was to have performed at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, appeared on Saturday last, at the Theatre in Covent-Garden, in the Character of Harlequin in the Royal Chace; in which he made his first Essay of Jumping down his own Throat, and was universally applauded

Event Comment: By a Set of English Performers translated into French from The Beggar's Opera. Nothing under the full Price will be taken during the Time of the whole Performance, or any money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. To begin at six o'clock. Prices: 5s., 3s., 2s. As this is the first attempt of the kind that was ever made by the English, 'tis hoped the Town will not be offended, that we endeavour to equal the Foreigners in everything, that may conduce to divert or to please them; yet this apology we beg leave to make, that if in our Performance a little of our Native Accent should be discover'd, we humbly hope an English audience will excuse it

Event Comment: On Saturday last the Farce of The Little French Lawyer from Beaumont and Fletcher, was acted at Drury Lane to a crowded House; every scene except the last, was receiv'd with Universal Applause; but that meeting with Disapprobation, it is now alter'd, and will be perform'd again tomorrow night (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: LLondon Post: We hear that the French Players will (barring Accidents) open at the Little theatre in the Haymarket next Saturday. 'Tis added that the Italian Company of Comic Strolers will exhibit the Week after next; but as they have lost three of their ablest performers, the Connoisseurs are in great Pain about those who are to supply their Places. Possibly some Foreigners may think, that the worst Dramatic Offals are good enough for the vitiated Palates of the E-sh No-y and Gen-ry. 'Tis further expected, that the Company of Gallo-English Players, who made the Town laugh so heartily last Winter, are preparing to entertain them this. Why all these unnatural Fooleries?...and for what Y-ke are we preparing? [Schedule of Nights on which the Turkish Dancer Caratha rented the Haymarket in the fall of 1749: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 22, 23, November; 3 December. See Winston MS Calendar of the Haymarket, Harvard Theatre Collection.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Comedie in 5 Actes de Mr Baron. The alleged deposition of Wm Davison:...he on the 17th Day of November being the second Night of the French Strollers acting at the Theatre in the Haymarket, was at the Sign of the Globe, a Publick House about Nine of the Clock that Night, where this Deponent saw John Haines, one of the Waiters at the said Tavern, and several other Persons, to the Number of 16, dressed like Chairmen, each of which had a great Bludgeon in his Hand, which he put under his Coat, in order to hide the same, but in such a manner as this Deponent was capable of seeing said Bludgeons;...and was informed by several Persons of credit that they and others to the number of 30, were hired by Lord Trentham to protect the French Strollers from any Attempt that might be made to prevent their Acting [claims Haines had a list of their names and told them Lord Trentham would need them again on other nights] notarized before John Waple, 24 Nov. [Lord Trentham offered a fifty pound reward for the original copy of the above affidavit.] John Haynes...maketh Oath...that he...never had any Conversation directly or indirectly, with Lord Trentham, relating to the French Players, nor did the said Lord Trentham dine at the King's Arms on 17 Nov., nor did this Deponent see the said Lord Trentham on that Day, nor for several Days before, nor did the Deponent make use of the said Lord Trentham's name, in any conversation at the Globe Alehouse the said Lord Trentham was not in the least privy to this Deponent's going to the said little Theatre on the said 17th of Nov. with several Persons as mentioned in the affidavit or pretended affidavit of Wm Davison...Sworn the 26th Day of Nov., before me, H. Fielding. [This notice repeated in the General Advertiser for a week. The French players departed for France on 28 Dec.

Event Comment: With proper scenes, Machines, &c. [This is the Dryden-Davenant version.] Paid G. Garrick balance of his bill #6 13s.; Christmas Box to ye Beadle 3s. 6d.; Mr Norton 5 chorus #1 5s.; Xmas Jury #1 1s.; Mr Madden for an Embroidered Coat and a velvet suit of Cloaths #12 (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published A Dissertation on Comedy (by John Hippisley, Jr) in which the Rise and Progress of that Species of the Drama is particularly considered and deduced from the earliest to the present age. By a Student of Oxford. Printed for T. Lowndes (Gentleman's Magazine, Register of Books). The "Student of Oxford" seems to have been a Garrick apologist in the extreme: "But whatever reason there may have been formerly for this complaint [the immorality of the stage] since Mr Garrick's management the Stage is become the school of manners and morality: Ribaldry and Profaneness are no longer tolerated, Sense and Nature exert their influence; Pantomime daily declines, Dancers are but little encouraged; the Burletta performs to empty benches, and the British can now vie with the Athenian Drama when in its severest state of purity" (p. 15). Also, from the same source, Reflections on that Species of Dramatic Writing which it improperly call'd Serious Comedy: from the French of M Maillet du Boulley.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #126 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This play was wrote by Mr Shirly & was at Lisbon when Acted--it was receiv'd with great Applause--only a little groaning at some of the Love Scenes; the prologue greatly lik'd--he says the play attempted after ye Manner of Shakespear (Cross). Paid salary list at #51 7s. 7d. per diem, #308 5s. 6d.; Blakes per order #1 1s.; Maltair added to salary list at 10s. per day. Paid Lacy as per draft #105; Xmas box to Prince and Princess's footmen #2 2s.; Mr Maltair for 11 days #5 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [Maltair is presumably the dancer Maltare who had appeared at dl in 1740.] Receipts: #180 (Cross); #185 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, next door to the chapel in Little Wild St., and of Hobson at the stage door. Paid Norton 3 chorus 15s.; Cash rec'd #73 1s. 6d.; Tickets #85 18s.; Charges #63. Profit to Mrs Ward #95 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #150 (Cross); #158 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Mills. By particular desire. Paid salary list #3000 6d.; Rec'd cash #54 19s., plus #102 7s. from tickets. Total #157 6s. [Treasurer's Book). Gentlemen and Ladies: Having the Misfortune to lose my husband, I am incapable at present, of making my Personal application; but hope those Friends who intend to honour me with their company, will be so kind as to send for tickets, Places, &c. to Gardyner's Printing office in Little Russel St., Covent Garden, or to Mr Hobson at the stage door, I beg your favour, and am, Your humble serv't, Eliz. Mills (General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: At Hickford's Room, Brewer St. Benefit for Mme Cuzzoni. Burney, II, 848-49: [Giardini's] first performance in public was at a benefit concert for Cuzzoni, May the 18th...where, as this was her third arrival in this country, and she was grown old, poor, and almost deprived of voice, by age and infirmities, there was but little company; yet, when Giardini played a solo of Martini of Milan's composition, the applause was so long and loud, that I never remember to have heard such hearty and unequivocal marks of approbation at any other musical performance

Event Comment: Benefit for one Monett master of ye French Comedians (Cross). [174th and positively the last night.] Receipts: #120 (Cross). Account of Disbursements made by Mr Monnet for his Stage, as well in Ready Money as in Notes of Hand. @Names of Actors and Actresses Their Contracts with Mr Monnet Paid in Money Paid in Notes Whole sum of the Expence, as well in Money as in Notes@Desormes #227 7s. 6d. #65 17s. 9d. #131 5s. #197 2s. 9d.@Mauly & Hamond #301 8s. 9d. #175 #63 #238@Bureau #257 8s. 7d. #122 11s. 3d. #52 10s. #175 1s. 3d.@Toscano #289 7s. 10d. #123 16s. 7d. #66 1s. 3d. #189 7s. 10d.@Durancy and Wife #361 17s. 1d. #147 7s. #210 #357 7s.@Parant #218 15s. #108 10s. 10d. .... #108 10s. 10d.@Terodat #52 10s. #39 2s. .... #39 2s.@Kelly #30 18s. #30 18s. .... #30 18s.@Villiers #32 15s. #32 15s. .... #32 15s.@Chateauneuf #43 15s. #15 17s. .... #15 17s.@Dujoncel #36 15s. #24 13s. 6d. #12 1s. 6d. #36 15s.@Champville #87 10s. #52 10s. .... #52 10s.@StAmand #78 15s. #26 5s. #17 10s. #43 15s.@Totals #1,919 2s. 9d. #965 4s. 3d. #552 7s. 9d.@ @Other Expences@For the Play-House's Rent #110@For the Stage's Taylor #35 14s.@For the Expences of Four Representations acted #65 12s. 6d.@For the traveling Expences of Mr Monnet, and his Residence of twenty Months at London or Paris and the Expences for the Custom-House, Law, Prison #328 12s. 8d.@Whole Sum of the Expence #2,157 1s.@ @RECEIPTS@For Fifty-six Subscriptions, at Five Guineas each #294@Received from Four Representations acted at the Little Theatre in the Hay-Market #188 18s. 4d.@From a Subscription, by Mr Arthur, Master of White's Chocolate-House #367 10s.@Whole Sum of the Receipts #850 8s. 4d. @ Therefore the Expence exceeds the Money received by #1,306 12s. 8d. which Mr Monnet is entirely out of Pocket, besides two Years and a half of his Time spent for it. N.B. The Contracts are all made for Livres Turnois, and this Account is made upon a Calculation of 3 Livres Tournois for 31 1!2d. Sterling.--And the Contracts and Receipts are ready to be produced. [This account is by courtesy of Miss Sybil Rosenfeld from a photostat of the original (which is printed in both French and English) in the Bibliotheque National. See also British Magazine, August 1750, p. 322.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 8 years [see 10 Dec. 1745]. This play much Dislik'd & hiss'd a little (Cross). Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: This day is publish'd a Guide to the Stage; or Select Instructions and Precedents from the best Authorities towards forming a polite Audience; with some account of the Players, &c. Printed and sold by D. Job, at the Spread Eagle in King St. [An ironical post-Addisonian quip at theatrical behavior]: I boldly enter the lists as the first champion for theatric decorum. The next thing to be consider'd is disapprobation, which I think may be sufficiently shewn, by an attention to something else, by loud discourse, profuse laughter, and the like. I cannot help thinking it a little out of character, for a polite audience to distort their features by a hiss: however for the sake of some ambitious youths, who thus love to signalize themselves, I shall leave a new play to their mercy. They then are at liberty to exercise their several talents whether they hiss or groan most successfully, or have a greater genius for the cat-call. If you desire to know when you are to shew your dislike, my answer is, when anything displeases you, or in fine when you will provided you have a strong party to second you; for the best hiss or groan in the universe may be drown'd in a general applause. [Never laugh at what passes on stage save it be an error, blunder, or accident. In tragic scenes avoid being visibly moved by humming a tune, regarding the audience, engaging in conservation, or turning your back to the stage. When a female social rival calls attention to herself and away from the stage, let fall your handkerchief into the pit, or call out to an acquaintance in the opposite box, or burst into loud and unexpected laughter. You'll know when to applaud, for the actors will tell you.] On these occasions Cato looks more than unusually big, Hamlet stares with great emphasis, Othello has a most languishing aspect, Monimia is all sighs and softness, Beatrice will bridle, and pretty Peggy Wildair leers you into a clap. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMrs Pritchard, belonging to Drury Lane is recovering from her late indisposition, and it is hoped will be able to act in a few days. Mrs Ward, last Sunday Morning, belonging to Drury Lane, was aafely deliver'd of a son, at her lodgings in little Wild St., and is in a fair way of recovery (General Advertiser). Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: A little Hissing when given out (Cross). Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: A little Noise at ye Singing & Dancing (Cross). Nn Saturday night was played for the first time a new Masque called Alfred, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, before a very numerous and splendid audience. The Piece itself, as it justly deserved met with great and universal applause: However, the spectators rightly found fault with some improprieties in the performance of the inferior dancers and actors, which we hear will be all corrected in this night's representation (General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: We hear that some Gentlemen and Ladies who intended to act a private play for their own amusement, at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket; but having been much importuned by their friends and acquaintances for tickets, they found a larger house would be necessary. They applied therefore to the Author of the Masque now performing at Drury Lane, who, without hesitation, agreed that the run of Alfred should be interrupted for one night to oblige them. The tragedy of Othello, we are told is the play the Gentlemen have pitched on. The theatre being engaged to some Gentlemen and ladies for a private play tomorrow, the Masque of Alfred is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Saturday next. Some Persons, it seems, continue still under a Mistake that this Masque [Alfred] is the same with the first draught of one formerly written under the same title: they need only, to be undeceived, look into the advertisement prefixed to that performance just now printed for A. Miller, in the Strand. The Ladies and Gentlemen who distributed Tickets for the Play Othello which was to have been acted in the Haymarket, intend to perform it tomorrow at Drury Lane: No person will be admitted without a ticket, and no tickets will be taken at the stage door (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: The Play of Othello, which was performed last night at Drury Lane theatre, by some gentlemen and ladies to the most numerous and polite Audience that could be assembled, went off throughout with great approbation and applause (General Advertiser). [See A Satirical Dialogue between a Sea Captain and his friend in Town: Humble submitted to the Gentlemen who deformed the Play of Othello on Th-rs-y M- the 7th....To which is added a Prologue and Epilogue much more suitable to the occasion than their own. (London [n.d.], BM 11,795, K 31, 8pp): @'Good manners oblig'd them sometimes to applaud@Tho' they little deserv'd it...'@ The author laments the fact that the expenditure (#1,500) was not put out to charitable purposes, rather than for such entertainment.] This day is publish'd at 1s. 6d., beautifully printed, Alfred, a Masque, acting at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, by Mr Mallet. Printed for A. Miller, opposite Catherine St in the Strand, where may be had Alfred, a Masque, represented before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at Cliefden, on the first of August 1740. Written by Mr Thomson and Mr Mallet

Event Comment: Benefit for Devisse. Tickets to be had of Devisse at the Distiller's, the corner of the little Piazza, Covent Garden, and at the Stage Door. Tickets deliver'd for the 28th of March will be taken. Being positively the last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow Reinhold and her four small children in great distress. Tickets at Mrs Reinhold's at his house, the Green Door in Little Chapel St., and of Hobson at the stage ooor. Being posivitively the last time of performing this season. A Gift Day for ye Wid: Reinhold & 4 Small Children (Cross). Receipts: #101 (Cross)

Event Comment: No alterations were made in the farce, but cutting out a little, & it was play'd with great Applause, & given out again with great Clapping. Benefit for Mr Worsdale (Cross). Tickets to be had at the Bedford Coffee House. Part of Pit laid into boxes. We hear that Miss Bellamy, belonging to Drury Lane Theatre, was taken ill on Sunday last, and continues very much indispos'd. Receipts: #230 (Cross)

Event Comment: A little hissing at ye farce (Cross). Mainpiece: Acted but once this season. Publish'd, Miscellaneous Observations on Hamlet, &c. 1s. [Contains a thoroughly Neo-Classical Preface and twenty-seven notes on passages in the play. Concerning the Gravedigger's Scene: This incoherent absurdity will forever remain an indelible blot in the character of our poet; and warn us no more to expect perfection in the work of a mortal, than sincerity in the breast of a female.] Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: A little hissing during the farce, & at the End ye Audience call'd, no more &c.--& insisted upon another farce being given out wch Mr Blakes did--farewell Taste (Cross). The Book of the Entertainment will be sold in the theatre, and at R. Francklin's in Russel Street, Covent Garden (playbill). [The publication of Taste was dedicated to Francis Delaval, and includes in prefatory remarks Foote's distinction between Comedy and Farce: As the follies and absurdities of men are the sole objects of Comedy, so the powers of Imagination (Plot and Incident expected) are in this kind of writing greatly restrainded. No unnatural assemblages, no creatures of the fancy can procure the protection of the Comic Muse; men and things must appear as they are. To Farce greater liberties are permitted. I look upon Farce to hold the same rank in drama that Burlesque does in other poetry. It is employed either in debasing lofty subjects, or in raising humble ones.'] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of his Majesty. [The Assembly at the Temple of Taste in the Five Bell's tavern (see 20 Feb.) received a puff this day: 'On Thursday Night there was a brilliant appearance of Ladies and Gentlemen, at the opening of the Temple of Taste, who express'd much Satisfaction at the entertainment they met with, which was not only instructive, but extremely polite and pleasing; if any Complaint was made, it was that (nothwithstanding is lasted full three hours) instead of being tir'd with the Performance, as at many Publick exhibitions, they seem'd to think they had too little of it; As we are always glad to embrace any Opportunity of shewing our zeal for the Service of the Publick, we can but applaud an Undertaking than which nothing appears more rational and better calculated for the general good" (General Advertiser).

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, next door to the Chapel in Little Wild-Street, near Drury Lane; and at the Stage Door of the Theatre, where places for the boxes may be taken. Receipts: #130 (Cross)