Event Comment: At the Great Room, Dean St., Soho. By Desire. An Italian Oratorio in Two Acts. Words by Metastasio. Music by Jomelli. First Time of performing this Grand Musical Entertainment in England, and is judged by all conoisseurs to be the most exquisite piece of composition ever heard before. Pit Half a Guinea, Gallerias 5s. To begin at half past six precisely. A very strong rumour prevails, that leave will be applied for to the higher Power, for a third Theatre in this City; and it is even hinted, that two well-known performers have already ventured on a purchase, and are selecting together a company with that design (Public Ledger)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Twist. Tickets to be had of her at 10 Wild-Court, Wild-St., and at the Theatre

Event Comment: Not acted in 5 years. [See 4 Feb. 1758.] The Drummer was revived at this period at both theatres...to take advantage of the reigning weakness of the people, who went in crowds many days and nights to an Haunted House, by what was called the Cock-Lane Ghost-a delusion set on foot, and very ingeniously carried on by a girl of 12 years of age, daughter of a clerk of St Sepulchre's Church, who resided in Cock Lane near Smithfield. [The Ghost was supposed to be that of one Fanny, a gentleman's mistress buried in the church. By knockings and scratchings she supposedly haunted the girl intimating foul practices concerning her death.] It would be incredible to relate the numbers of persons of distinction that attended this delusion! many of whom treated it as a serious and most important affair...at last the girl's father and three or four others were tried in the King's Bench, found guilty' Pillioried and imprisoned. This most effectively laid the Ghost; and is the best and properest cure for every ghost that may arise hereafter. (Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 18 ff). [The theme exploited again by Garrick in The Farmer's Return from London, dl 20 March.

Event Comment: The Principles not to be didactically and drily delivered but demonstrated by apt and familiar instances and illustrated by a set of Pupils long trained and properly prepared for the Purpose. [This performance originally scheduled for 26 April, but deferred to this date, a noon performance.] See Sketch of Mr Foote's Lectures on Oratory, as delivered Yesterday at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket (St James Chronicle, as 29 April)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York. Mainpiece a Sacred Ode written by Dr Brown set to select Airs, Duets and Choruses from Mr Handel, and other Eminent Composers, with the addition of several new songs. Pit and Boxes to be put together. No Persons to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd at the Office of the theatre at 1!2 a Guinea each; and also at the following Coffee House, viz: the Smyrna, Pall Mall; the Mount, Grosvenor St; George's, Temple Bar; the Rainbow, Cornhill, the New York, Sweetings's Alley; and the Pennsylvania, Birchin Lane. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallerp 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half past Four, Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at 1!2 after Six (playbill). This philanthropic enterprise, of which the theatrical benefit was but a part, seems not to have born much fruit for the respective Colleges. See Letter to the Governors of the Colleges of New York, respecting the Collection that was made in the Kingdom in 1762 and 1763, for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York, to which are added Explanatory notes and appendix. By Sir James Jay, M. D. (London, 1771). The funds collected seem largely to have been used up in a law suit. The Governor of the College of New York, Rev. Dr Johnson, asked Jay to collect funds, which he did. Alderman Trecothick wrote Dr Johnson that the funds were not safe in Jay's hands. The Governors insulted Jay, and when they found they were wrong refused to apologize. They entered a bill against him in Chancery to gain the funds. It dragged out for four years. When the power of Attorney had been given to Trecothick, he claimed that a sum of #1437 15s. 6d. was unaccounted for by Jay, and was supposed to be in Jay's hands. Jay explained the Governors had not reckoned on reimbursement for his time and expenses for two years.

Event Comment: Mainpece: By Desire. [An article appeared in the St James Chronicle; or, British Evening Post proposing reserved seats for the theatre, and suggesting a method by which to operate the system.

Event Comment: letter in the St James Chronicle; or, British Evening Post suggests a one@way street for entrance to Drury Lane Theatre, because of the great confusion caused by carriages approaching from both directions.

Event Comment: To begin at 7:00 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pits 3s. Gallery 2s. Places for the Boxes to be had of Mr Jewell at the Theatre. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in the bills. Note in St James Chronicle speaks of great crowd and of numbers turned away.

Event Comment: Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Michelmas last #15 12s. 6d., and ditto for the House in Bow St. passage 15s. 1!2d. (Account Book). Receipts: #144 9s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Author's Night. N.B. As the time limited by Mr Foote's Patent is now expiring the Company will perform every night of the week, (Saturday excepted). Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Barry and Mrs Dancer. Tuesdays and Thursdays Mr Foote (Public Advertiser). Set down as much as I can remember of the additions to the Orators. In the evening finished a copy for the Printer of the General Evening Post of an answer to a flattering letter which appeared in that paper some time ago. It is in praise of the Duke of York and other wretches, who not knowing how to spend enough of the Nation's money have fitted up a Theatre in St James Street on which to exhibit their own folly and profusion (Neville MS Diary). [Neville's piece appeared in the Post 8 Sept.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Pantomine not acted these two years. [See 22 Sept. 1768.] Alterations to The Elopement (Cross Diary). [The Rejoicing Night Scene described in Town and Country Magazine (from Theatre No XXI) as representing Ludgate Street and St Paul's with Houses illuminated.

Event Comment: At Panton St., Haymarket. By the Italian Fantocini of Carlo Perico. This piece of the Italian theatre is in three acts, and decorated with many agreeable changes of brilliant scenery; in which Harlequin is to eat a Dish of Maccoroni. With a Large Addition of new Metamorphoses. [This ran for considerable time, and will not be noted further.

Event Comment: Last Night the unpopular Parson was hissed out of Mr Foote's Theatre before the Conclusion of the second Act (The St James's Chronicle, or, British Evening Post, No. 1614, 27-29 June, 1771)

Event Comment: G[arrick] This Night was advertis'd for Mr Barry's Benefit but he being ill his Benefit was deferr'd (Hopkins Diary). Garrick is removed from Southampton St. to Adelphi Terrace (Winston MS 10). This day is publish'd Theatrical Biography; or, Memoirs of the principal performers of the three Theatres Royal. Drury Lane: Garrick, Barry, Reddish, Aickin, King, Moody, Dodd, Love, Vernon, Parsons, Baddeley, Mrs Barry, Mrs Abington, Miss Younger, Miss Hayward, Mrs Baddeley, Miss Pope, Mrs Egerton, Mrs W. Barry and Mrs Jefferson. Covent Garden: Ross, Smith, Savigny, Woodward, Yates, Shuter, Bensley, Dyer, Mattocks, Clark, Mrs Yates, Mrs Mattocks, Miss Macklin, Mrs Bulkley, Mrs Green, and Mrs Thompson. Haymarket: Foote, Weston, Aikin, Didier, Davies, Mrs Gardner, Mrs Jewell, and Mrs Didier. Together with critical and impartial remarks on their respective professional merits. Printed for S. Bladon. Receipts: #265 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: For the Author of Sethona 3rd night (Treasurer's Book). ["This play may be properly styled a faggot of utter improbabilities, connected by a band of the strongest Northern fustian. Overawed by Scottish influence, Mr Garrick prevailed on himself to receive it. But though his theatre was apparently full several times during its nine nights' run, it brought so little cash into the treasury, that he would not have lamented its earlier condemnation. It expired on his premises, but hardly left enough behind it to defray expenses of its funeral."--Biographia Dramatica. A glance at the box receipts from the Treasurer's Book hardly bears out the Biographia Dramatica statement as to its financial failure.] Paid half years Poor's rate for St Martin's to Xmas last #32 8s. (Treasurer's Book). [The author's profit was reduced by #10 10s. on 26 March when it was found he had not been charged for use of a new farce.] Receipts: #194 19s. Charges: #73 10s. Profit to Author: #121 9s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd Remainder of Sinking Fund #561 15s.; Mr Bank's 1 yrs rent to Lady Day last #3; Box Office Keeper's cash returned Watson #10; Archeveque #15; Remainder of S. Barry's Bag #75 14s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). Paid Salary List #525 12s.; half yrs. Cleansing & Lighting to Lady Day last for St Martin's #12 3s.; Mr King's extra salary #3; Manager's gift to the sufferers by fire in King Street not belonging to the theatre (#10 10s., but Mr Kennedy's Bt. under charged #3 12s. deducted) #6 18s.; Mr Millidge, printer 15s.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; half yrs Land and Window Tax for Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last-#2 18s. 6d.; Church rate for 1 yr ditto 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Yates would not play for Mr Slingsby altho' her name has been advertis'd from the beginning--Mrs Hartly of Covent Garden was ask'd to do the part, She refus'd it as it was to be done there for a Benefit the week after at Last Mr Reddish said Mrs Canning Should do it, & Such a performance I think was never Seen in Drury Lane Theatre very bad indeed many hisses (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Slingsby. [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid 1 yrs. Subscription to St George's Hospital to Lady Day 1776, #10 10s. Receipts: #270 10s. Charges: #68 8s. Profits to Slingsby: #202 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Gallery 3s. Pit 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Doors open at half past five. Play begin at half past six. [Repeated.] Before the Play a new Overture and New Occasional Prelude (Public Advertiser). The House has been quite alter'd since last Season and is now fitted up in the most elegant manner Possible by the Adam's etc. and is the most Compleat of any Theater in Europe. Great applause to the House before the Curtain. The Theatrical Candidates is wrote by D. G. Esq and was received with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording. In Judging the popularity of a play in terms of box receipts for this season one must be aware of the fact that the treasurer's account books here differ from those of the five preceding years in not recording the income from the tickets delivered out for benefit nights. Hence on those nights the stated income reflects only the money taken at the door the night of the performance, and does not indicate the larger amounts which the actors received for their tickets. Deficits to various actors listed on the following pages were all paid up, presumably from the ticket receipts. Each actor doubtless at least broke even on his benefit.] Ceiling rais'd 12 feet. Old side Boxes top and bottom remov'd. New passages to Boxes. Entrance Bridges St. Light pillars to support Boxes inlaid with plate glass on green and crimson ground. Old chandeliers remov'd. Gilt branches with two candles each on pillars. Four new chandeliers in front. No slit i Curtain. Adam architects. 4,000 guineas. Persons not employed in the night's amusement ordered not to come behind the scenes--performers by that means go cross stage (Winston MS 11, from Dr Burney's News Cuttings). Paid Renters #8; Supernumeraries and Drum #1 16s.; taylor's Bill #10 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [For the 188 acting nights of the season and for 11 Oratorio nights the Renters were paid a total of #1,692. The Supernumeraries were paid an average of #5 per night or #940 for the season. No further account of these items will be made. Full account of the new look given to Drury Lane by the Adam's brothers in the Westminster Magazine for Sept. along with an approving review of the Meeting of the Company.] From Lloyd's Evening Post, 25 Sept., "On the New Front of Drury Lane Theatre": @Garrick asham'd to poke his nose@Too sheepishly beneath the Rose:@And fearing, poor man, what were Worse,@His bashfulness might hurt his purse;@Resolves this year to push a front,@And put a better face upon't.@Not surely meaning to give o'er@His Art, and make no faces more.@Yet, fair as tis, I'd have him know@If tis the last he means to show.@This face will never make amends,@For turning tail upon his friends;@Who own, by general consent,@His face the best Stage ornament.@ (In Folger Library, David Garrick Verses, Prologues and Epilogues, MS, p. 86.) Receipts: #208 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Garrick's last time of performing Ranger (playbill). Rec'd Sga Paccini's Debt in full #75; Condell's 3rd payment: Fruit Office #20. Paid Blandford, Chandler's bill (after deduction) in full #14 12s. 2d.; Balance of Mad. Paccini and Martini's acct. in full #6 10s.; Bensley in full; Everard's debt and costs #5 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Publish'd this month, Garrick's Looking Glass; or, the Art of Rising on the Stage. Price 2s. 6d. Printed for T. Evans By S. J. Pratt. Informative on most stage fundamentals. A poem in three cantos. Publish'd in July, A Lecture on Mimicry, as it was deliver'd with great applause at the Theatres in Covent Garden and the Haymarket, and the Great Room in Panton St. In the course of which were introduced a great variety of theatrical Imitations, to which is added Jerry Sneak 's return from the regatta and a Lecture upon Lectures. By G. S. Carey. Price 1s. @"I'll...on myself depend.@Inever yet found manager my friend.@By you supported boldly I'll oppose@My mimic powers against a host of foes.' Foote, Barry, and toothless Macklin, singers and dancers.] Receipts: #226 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The playbill announces this as "By Command of Their Majesties," but "His Majesty intended going to Drury-lane Theatre last night, but was prevented by the multiplicity of business at St James's" (Morning Post, 19 Nov.).] Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years [acted 2 May 1776]. Receipts: #212 11s. 6d. (184.8.0; 27.6.6; 0.17.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P I, by George Colman, the elder. His authorship has hitherto been questioned, but for its authentication see Peake, II, 54. Larpent MS 532; not published]: An Original, Whimsical, Operatical, Pantomimical, Farcical, Electrical, Naval, Military, Temporary, Local Extravaganza.The Overture and new Musick by Dr Arnold. With new Scenes [by Canter (Public Advertiser, 5 Sept.)], Dresses and Decorations. The Views of the Temple of Health and the Camp in St. James's Park designed and executed by Rooker. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Afterpiece: An Original, Whimsical, Operatical, Pantomimical, Farcical, Electrical, Naval, Military, Temporary, Local Extravaganza. 12th time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the previous season]. The views of the Temple of Health, and the Camp in St. James's Park designed and executed by Rooker. [Prologue by George Colman elder (Colman, Prose, III, 229). Miss Lyon is identified in playbill of 11 June. Delpini was from dl.] The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice at the Theatre

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Richard Tickell, some of the songs attributed to Richard Brinsley Sheridan; synopsis of plot in Public Advertiser, 18 Dec. Songs (no pub., 1781) omits several [i.e. all the non-singing] characters. MS not in Larpent; not published]: With entirely new Music and a new Overture [by Thomas Linley Sen.]. To conclude with a View of St. Mark's Place, and a grand Representation of the Carnival. With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations, designed by De Loutherbourg, and executed under his Direction. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Public Advertiser, 19 Dec. 1781: This Day are published the Songs in The Carnival of Venice (6d.). Account-Book, 11 Jan. 1782: Received from Miss Giles for 1,550 Books of the Songs in the Carnival #31. Receipts: #225 18s. 6d. (216/4/0; 9/14/6; 0/0/0)

Event Comment: By Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Stewart. Mainpiece: In its original state, as it was written by Allen Ramsay, in 1724 [recte 1725]. Afterpiece [1st time; F 2 (?)]: Taken [probably by the author] from The Students [by James Stewart. MS not in Larpent; not published]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. 'Tis hoped that none of Stewart's friends will expect to be admitted behind the scenes, as the audience will, and not without great reason, be much displeased at any such proceedings, nor will it upon any pretence whatever be complied with. No money returned after the curtain is drawn up. Ladies are requested to send their servants by Five to keep places. Tickets to be had at Walker's, the Globe, Pall-mall; the Edinburgh and Jamaica Coffee-houses, Cornhill; the St. Andrew, Wapping; of Denham, bookseller, No. 366, Hermitage Bridge, Wapping; at the Bouncing B Printing Office, Ratcliff Highway; at Stewart's china shop, No. 201, Ratcliff Highway, and at the Theatre, where places for the boxes may be taken

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Under the Direction of Delpini. Subscription tickets [for 5 nights] to be had of Weltje, confectioner, St. James's-street, and of Rice at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00