Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Mainpiece: Not acted these 10 years [on playbill of 23 Apr.]. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four o'clock. [Mrs Siddons's 1st appearance as Sigismunda was at Manchester, 10 Jan. 1778.] Public Advertiser, 20 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, No. 7, Leicester-fields. Receipts: #324 1s. (146/2/0; 8/1/6; 0/2/6; tickets: 169/15/0)(charge: #106 10s. 1d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 1 Jan. 1781]. A Dramatic Entertainment of Singing, Dancing, and Dialogue, in Honour of Shakespeare. In which will be introduced a Pageant, the music by Dibdin. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "The Jubilee is now worn out and of no repute" (Public Advertiser, 21 Nov.). [For a complete account of the original production in 1769 see Christian Deelman, The Great Shakespeare Jubilee, 1964, pp. 280-86.] Receipts: #241 9s. (199/16/0; 39/8/6; 2/4/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Williames and Bates. Public Advertiser, 9 May: Tickets to be had of Williames, No. 2, Duke's-court, Bow-street; of Bates, No. 12, Little Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #193 18s. 6d. (20.6.0; 10.8.0; 1.3.6; tickets: 162.1.0) (charge: #109 5s. 3d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2(?), by Ralph Wewitzer. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of action in Public Advertiser, 28 Dec.]: With new Music, Scenery, Dresses, Machinery, and Decorations. The Music composed by Walter? Clagget. The Scenes designed and executed by Richards, Carver, Hodgins and others. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Receipts: #192 2s. (188.12; 3.10)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Bulkley. Mainpiece: Not acted these 5 years. [See 19 April 1769.] Afterpiece: A Farce Never acted there [Wm Whitehead]. Tomorrow (for the only Time this Season) The Merchant of Venice with Love-a-la-Mode. Shylock and Sir Archy by Mr Macklin being the only time of his performing this season. For the Benefit of Miss Macklin (playbill). Charges #66. Profit to Mrs Bulkley #43 6s. 6d. plus #103 16s. from tickets (Box 194; Pit 298; Gallery 106). Paid one half year's paving &c. for the Theatre due Lady Day #26 5s. (Account Book). Receipts: #109 6s. 6d

Event Comment: In afterpiece, added, following Lord Mayor's Show: A New Historical Procession of the Several Companies, with their respective Pageants, and the Chief Magistrates belonging to the City of London, from its Foundation. The Scenes, Machinery and Decorations, both of the Pantomime and Procession, invented and designed by Richards, and executed by Him, Smirk, Hodgins, Catton, and others. Book of the Songs, with an Explanation of the Procession [reprinted in Public Advertiser, 21 Jan.], to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 21 Jan.: The glee is the composition of the late [Benjamin] Rogers (who lived in 1600); the other airs are by Handel, [the Earl of] Kelly, Abel, Stamitz, and Shield . . . More than 200 supernumeraries are employed to walk in the Procession. Receipts: #236 4s. 6d. (231/4/0; 5/0/6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by John O'Keeffe, based on Le Rival Suppose, by Germain Francois Poulain de Saint-Foix. It was written in honor of the 21st birthday, 12 Aug., of the Prince of Wales. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, m, 248)]: The Overture by Dr Arnold. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 2 Oct. 1783: This Day is published The Birth Day (1s.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Thomas Holcroft, based on Le Mariage de Figaro, by Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais; incidental music by William Shield. In 1789 reduced to an afterpiece of 3 acts. Prologue by the author (Europaen Magazine, Dec. 1784, p. 467)]: With new Dresses, Decorations, &c. Public Advertiser, 10 Mar. 1785: This Day is published The Follies of A Day (1s. 6d.). [For an account of Holcroft's shorthand transcription of the original, taken down during a performance in Paris, and the hasty rehearsals of it in London, see Elbridge Colby, A Bibliography of Thomas Holcroft, 1922, pp. 48-50.]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; BURL 3]: Written by the Author of Midas [Kane O'Hara; music by Samuel Arnold]. Books of the Burletta to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 22 Aug.: This Afternoon, at Three, will be published April-Day (1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Mr Grist Osmyn . Some part of it very well he was not quite perfect--few Hisses (Hopkins Diary). [Advertisement that the plays are advertised in Public Advertiser and Gazette only.] Paid 2 additional flutes 2 nights #1. Receipts: #159 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2, by John O'Keeffe. MS: Larpent 608; not published. CG playbill of 16 Nov. 1795 has a detailed synopsis of the action]: Intermixed with Songs and Dialogue. With new Music, Scenes, Dresses, Machinery, and Decorations. The new Music composed by Shield. The new Scenes designed by Richards, and executed by Richards, Hodgins, and assistants. To conclude with a Representation of the Lord Mayor's Show on the Water. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. "As to the Pantomime it wanted nothing on the first Night but Abbreviations . . . [which should be] omission of the Doctors, the two Women of the Town, and the whole of Edwin's Character" (Public Advertiser, 27 Nov.). Gentleman's Magazine, Jan. 1783, pp. 29-31, contains a detailed synopsis of the procession, and adds, "The personages of this procession were all dressed in the characters of the time in which they lived, and before each of them a label, a scroll, or a pageant was carried, bearing their name, or some allusion of the poets to their occupation. The figures in transparency were all painted as large as the life, and had a most grand and beautiful effect . . . The idea of the paintings was furnished by Mr Richards and Mr Smirk [sic], and all of them executed by the latter in a style of so much taste and excellence that it is a matter of some wonder to us, where an artist of Mr Smirk's abilities has been so long concealed . . . The glee introduced with so much applause is the composition of the late Dr Rogers (who lived in 1600); the other airs in the pantomime and procession arc by Handel, Lord Kelly, Abel, Stamitz and Shield, and have very great merit. The expense of preparing this splendid spectacle must have been very great, and the cost of continuing its representation cannot be inconsiderable, since more than 200 supernumeraries are employed to walk in the procession." Receipts: #215 3s. (206/3; 9/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Public Advertiser, 18 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Lewis at his house in Broad Court, Bow-street, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Benefit for Dignum and Mrs Wilson. Public Advertiser, 2 May: Tickets to be had of Dignum, Little Wild-street, Drury-lane; of Mrs Wilson, No. 2, Catherine-street, Strand. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. Receipts: #301 19s. 6d. (33/5/0; 15/19/0; 1/2/6; tickets: 251/13/0) (charge: #108 15s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Jewell, treasurer. 2nd piece: Taken from The Devil upon Two Sticks. 3rd piece: Never performed here. Public Advertiser, 8 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Jewell, No. 26, Great Suffolk-street, Hay-market

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Elizabeth Inchbald. Larpent MS 789; not published. Prologue by Henry Sampson Woodfall Jun. (London Chronicle, 17 Dec.); Epilogue by Frederick Pilon (Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.)]. [Miss Blower had 1st appeared at dl, 27 Apr. 1782, and thereafter in Dublin.] Receipts: #180 7s. 6d. (169.19.0; 10.8.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Mattocks. Tickets delivered for the 24th of April will be taken. Public Advertiser, 16 Apr.: Tickets [for 24 Apr.] to be had of Mrs Mattocks, No. 7, King-street, Covent Garden. Mainpiece: Written by Richard Steele. 3rd piece [1st time; ENT I, author unknown. Larpent MS 830; not published]. Receipts: #253 17s. 6d. (159.12.0; 8.9.6; tickets: 85.16.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Tickets delivered for the 26th will be admitted. Public Advertiser. 11 May: Tickets [for 26 May] to be had of Mrs Ward, No. 12, Catherine-street, Strand. Mainpiece: Never performed there. Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Receipts: #234 13s. 6d. (29.3.0; 15.2.0; 1.0.6; tickets: 189.8.0) (charge: #108 0s. 4d.)

Event Comment: [The playbill retains Byrne as Harlequin, but "We were sorry to find a substitute for Byrne in Harlequin, but more particularly to understand that he had again [see 29 Oct.] unfortunately broken his right arm" (Public Advertiser, 31 Dec.).] Receipts: #249 19s. (248.3; 1.16)

Event Comment: Benefit for Whitfield and Mrs Morton. Public Advertiser, 17 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Whitfield, No. 14, New Crown Court, Russel Street, Covent Garden; of Mrs Morton, No. 15, same address

Event Comment: Last time of company's performing this season. Benefit for Bowers and Widow Veal. Tickets deliver'd by Berrisford, Hodges, and Burroughs will be taken. Thus Ends the Season-63 different plays-36 different Farces-186 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Paid Watch, Rector, Cleansing, &c., cg to Lady Day last #5 18s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). After Season Receipts: 11 June: Box Office Keeper's cash #25; Condill's 3rd and last payment for Fruit Office #20. 16 June: Candles, Oyl and Lampmen of Theatrical Fund Night 2nd inst. #3 18s. 6d. 23 June: Mr Johnston for Candle ends sold to sundry #11 7s. 6d.; Ditto for Lace burnt form the Wardrobe #205 8s. 26 June: Harrison's rent 1 yr to Lady Day last #46 but with #12 5s. in taxes deducted amount rec'd #33 15s.; Williams rent ditto (#48 with #8 6s. 8d. taxes deducted) #39 13s. 4d.; From Public Advertiser this season #50; From Daily Gazetteer #50. 3 July: Remainder of Sinking Fund #160 2s. 6d. 6 July. Mr Rowland 1 yrs rent to Lady Day last with #3 8s. in taxes deducted, #139 12s.; Mr Pope 1 yrs rent to ditto with #3 11s. 2d. taxes deducted #26 8s. 10d. 10 July: Benefit deficiencies cleared and Cash taken up by Evans as per acct. #89 7s. (Treasurer's Book). After Season expenditures: 11 June: Hopkins, Prompters Bill #8 15s.; Miss Hopkins 18 Nights full #2 5s. 13 June: 2 days salary list at #72 6s. 5d. per diem #144 12s. 10d.; S. French 6 days #1 10s. 16 June: Davies on note #7 6s.; Printer's 2 bills #11 14s.; Mas. Thomson 3 nights in full 15s.; Mrs Mann on note #2 2s.; Tallow chandler's 9th bill (#30 14s. 4d. with a discount of #26 15s. 6d. on all bills for season) #3 18s. 10d. 19 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s. 3 July: J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s; Sandys & Co. for Colours #10 4s. Dorman for Coals #20 10s. and for attending practices of dances, as usual #10 10s.; Cole (turner) #14 3s.; Bibb (sword cutler) #3 12s.; Barret (wax chandler) #20 6s. 6d.; Blakes, (hatter), #5 12s.; Lowe and Co (glaziers) #16 6d.; Cropley, (linen draper) #14 7s. 6d.; Chamberlain & Co. (ironmongers), #25; Carter (scowerer) #14 12s.; Jennings (glover and furrier) #18 6d.; Scott (copper laceman), #51 19s.; Carpue, (silk dyer) #9 1s. 6d.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #28; Carver's bill #2 1s.; Chettell (timber) #14 9s.; Cubitt (Tinman) #18 2s. 6d.; Waller (hosier) #24 19s. 6d.; Barrow & Co. (only) #118; Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 6s.; Hatsell (mercer) #28 2s.; Thomson (smith) #10 15s. 6 July: B. Lyon, Wardrobe & Carp Bills #10 10s. 6d.; Stephens (manson) #6 4s.; Pope (peruke maker) #29 6s. and #3 16s. for 38 extra nights dressing &c.; Mrs Slaughter's Bill #9 2s. 6d.; Roberts (shoemaker) #3 12s. 6d.; D. Richards, 30 weeks 5 days extra salary in full for this season #30 16s. 8d.; Hewetson (laceman) #17 6s.; Mr Page in full of #25 this season #1 17s. 6d. 8 July: J. Johnston's Music Bill #37 13s. 6d.; Powney & Co., (stationers) #3 14s.; Landall for Mrs Cape's Funeral per order #4 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, (harpsichord maker) #18 14s.; John French, painter's bill #5 3s. 10 July: Palmer for Spermacetti Candles #255 8s.; Miss Collett's schooling #2 8s. 10d.; Stafford (glassman) #4 19s.; A. Johnston's bill for feathers &c. #15 6s. 6d.; Ditto four Housekeeping Bills #10 1s. 4d.; Chapman (Jubilee horsekeeping) #3 13s. 6d.; Victor 2 weeks salary as usual #5; Victor gratuity as usual #30; Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #3 and #42 in lieu of a Benefit. Books Closed 10 July. Total income #32,538 6s. 1d. Total outgo #26,410 8s. 8d. Profit #6,127 17s. 5d. paid To Managers #5,040 To Clutterbuck #1,087 17s. 5d

Event Comment: Paid Black? Lyon bill #2 7s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). [This is a recurring item weekly throughout the season varying in amounts from about #1 to #3. Tavern. Run by Yearley Waterer. Not noted further. Total payments this season about #75.] Public Advertiser, Theatrical Intelligence: Any Young Lady inclined to the Stage, is offered an advantageous Opportunity to experience her Theatrical Abilities in a very desirable Situation. As this Advertisement appears not from an itinerant Manager, nor results from a Dearth of People, but a Wish to promote Merit, which often (for want of the proper Mode of Application, or Fear in the Parties of their Intentions being made public, in case their Services should not be received) lies hid and unnoticed, it is hoped none but such as are possessed of a good Figure, as that will be greatly regarded, and whose Capabilities are blended with a real Inclination will apply. Enquire for W. at No. 114, in Long-Acre between the hours of Eleven and One on Wednesday or Thursday Morning in person, as no Attention will be paid to any Substitute. The Stage: A Gentlewoman, who has played capital Characters with unblemished Reputation in the three Kingdoms, takes this Method of acquainting such Ladies who have Talents and Inclination for the stage, that she undertakes to instruct them for the Profession many having been unsuccessful, more from Want of previous Instructions than Want of Genius. Her Attention to the great Articles of Reading and Speaking, with Elegance and Propriety, as well as Expression, Grace, and Ease, will be found of infinite Service to those who are assisted by the least Understanding. Those Ladies who do not intend to display their Talents in Public may be instructed for their Amusement. Enquire for E. H. No. 2 Queen Street, near Windmill Street, Haymarket. N.B. Any Lady will be waited on by a Line directed as above. [These advertisements ran for a number of days.] Receipts: #183 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [As afterpiece Public Advertiser announces The Rival Candidates, but see Hopkins Diary, 12 Oct.] The Managers met again to-day, but nothing settled. Hamlet was given out. I saw Mr Sheridan, he told me that Mr Lacy and he had agreed that no Play should be given out, nor any Bills put up, till they had settled this Affair, which was to be done to-Morrow at Mr Wallis's (the Attorney's) where they were all to dine. I waited on Mr Lacy, who agreed to the same, and no Bills or Paragraph were sent to the Papers. All the Business of the Theatre is at a Stand, and no Rehearsal called. Wed. 16th--Mr Sheridan, Dr Ford and Mr Linley dined today by Appointment with Mr Wallis where Mr Lacy was to have met them; about four o'clock he sent a verbal Message that he could not come to Dinner, but would wait upon them in the Evening, and about nine o'clock he came, and everything was settled to the Satisfaction (of them all) and a Paragraph sent to the Papers, and the Hypocrite and Christmas Tale was advertised for Friday, but no Play was to be done on Thursday--Covent Garden did not play on Friday (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 16 Oct., summarizes the proprietors' dispute: the Drury Lane patent had been purchased [in 1747] by David Garrick and James Lacy. On his death Lacy had devised his half-share to his son, Willoughby Lacy; on his retirement from the stage Garrick had sold his half-share to Sheridan, Ford and Linley. The original agreement between Garrick and Lacy, as recited in a document retained by the attorney Albany Wallis was that, in case of the sale of either share of the patent, or any part of either share, the seller was obligated to offer the first refusal to purchase to the other partner, and that this was to be done only when the theatre was closed for the summer. In selling one half of his share to Robert Langford and to Edward Thompson, Willoughby Lacy was--so argued his three partners--acting illegally: he had not offered to them the first refusal, and he was negotiating the sale at a time when the theatre was open. Public Advertiser, 17 Oct.. prints a statement from Lacy saying that he did not feel himself bound by the original agreement between his father and Garrick, but that, in the interest of the business of the theatre, he had asked Langford and Thompson to withdraw their claim to partnership, to which request they had acceded. Receipts: #130 9s. 6d

Event Comment: Full Prices. Afterpiece: A Pantomimic dance by Love (Biographia Dramatica). Much followed and brought several crowded houses, and the success chiefly owing to the reports our newspapers were, at that time, daily filled with, of the French wild Beast that was devouring (and yet pursued by) children. This wild beast was happily introduced in this pantomime, pursued by boys led on by a Frenchman. At last the Beast made his Re-entry, and ran across the stage with the poor Frenchman in his mouth, to the great joy of the Pit, Box and Galleries (Victor, History of Theatres, III, 72). Dorilas for the first time by Mr Cautherly--very decent, but wanted spirit. This pantomime is fathered by Mr Lowe [?]--went off with applause, --Mr Garrick made most of the Business to it, which is very good (Hopkins Diary). [Letter from C. V. Theatricus on ladies' removing their hats in the theatre. A Gentleman had requested it and a debate ensued in the Public Advertiser, as to whether he wished to see the play better or to gaze more audaciously on many pretty faces. Long letter also from G. F. Theatricus to the Public Advertiser, commenting on the excellence of Powell, Mrs Yates, Holland, the Palmers, Cautherly and Bensley for their performance in Venice Preserved, Romeo and Juliet, and Mahomet respectively.

Event Comment: This tragedy was wrote by Mr Dow,--went off but So, so.--some hisses thro' the play, and at the end also when given out.--The scenery and dresses was very fine, was well adapted, and had applause.--Miss Younge played very bad, and much disliked--Mr Holland and Mr Aickin played well (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [The Prologue is Larpent MS 289. It follows in content the suggestions of the Prologue to the Orphan of China ten seasons earlier:@"Too much the Greek and Roman chiefs engage@The Muse's care--they languish on our stage;@The modern bard struck with the vast applause@Of ancient masters, like the painter draws@From models only.--Can such copies charm@The Heart, or like the glow of Nature warm?@To fill the scene, tonight our author brings@Originals at least, --Warriours and Kings,@Heroes who like their Gems, unpolish'd shine,@The mighty fathers of the Tartar line,@Greater than those whom classic pages boast,@If those are greatest who have conquored most."@ An account of the plot of the mainpiece is in Lloyd's Evening Post, 16-19 Dec. Concludes: The play is said to have been written by Mr Dow, who lately favored the public with an accurate History of the Hindoos. The decorations and dresses were very magnificent. The performers who were the most distinguished by the audience were Mr Holland, Miss Younge, Mr Aickin, and Mr Jefferson. Mr Holland spoke the Prologue and Mrs Abington the Epilogue the latter of which furnished infinite entertainment, from the spirit and humour of that admirable actress. A Two column resume of the play appears in the Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.

Event Comment: [For the King (Cross). With New Music, Scenes, Machines, Habits, and other Decorations. Compos'd by Mr Noverre. All our Dancers appear. A good deal of hissing & Clapping & some Cries of No french Dancers; a great clapping too-the Dance is fine-(Mr Delaistre is a good Dancer) (Cross). [See for details of preparation, importation of dancers, especially of M Delaistre, The Chevalier Noverre, Father of Modern Ballet, Deryck Lynham (London, 1950), pp. 26-40. See also advertisement in Public Advertiser: 'Mr Noverre, whose entertainments of Dancing have been celebrated in almost all the courts of Europe, exhibits this evening his Chinese Festival at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, in pursuance of a contract made above a year ago with the managers of the said theatre: The Insinuation that at this time, an extraordinary number of French dancers are engaged, is groundless, there being at Drury Lane at present as few of that nation, as any other theatre now has, or perhaps ever had. Mr Noverre and his brothers are Swiss, of a protestant family in the Canton of Berne, his wife and her sisters Germans; there are above sixty performers concerned in the entertainment; more than forty of which are English, assisted only be a few French (five men and four women) to complete the Ballet as usual. As the intention of the Managers on this occasion is to give Variety to Entertainments of the town, it is not doubted it will meet with public approbation.'] Receipts: #210 (Cross)