This print, sold by a London bookseller and print-maker in February 1763, was a topical satirical comment on a riot at Covent Garden Theatre that month led by the Irish critic Thaddeus Fitzpatrick. It depicts the rioters invading the stage while the text parodies the libretto of Arne's opera Artaxerxes which was being performed by singers including the great tenor John Beard. The libretto reveals the increasing anxiety of the performers: 'They'll throw the Seats about our Ears/ And tear the Boxes down', while the rioters in the audience encourage the mayhem: 'Either your house, your pride, or price must come down!' A lot of damage was done to the theatre that night, with benches torn up, chandeliers smashed and the linings of the boxes cut to pieces.

The Covent Garden riot, caused by the theatre withdrawing half-price tickets for those who came to the theatre after the main play to see the after-piece, followed a similar incident at Drury Lane Theatre the previous month. This was also led by Fitzpatrick who had been engaged in a feud since the 1750s with Drury Lane's owner, the actor David Garrick. Finally tiring of Fritzpatrick's behaviour in the theatre when he would whinny with laughter during sombre scenes, Garrick attacked Fitzpatrick in his 1761 poem The Fribbleriad. Although Garrick didn't run Covent Garden Theatre, it was owned by John Beard who was Garrisck's friend and supporter. Both managers eventually succombed to the rioters' demands.