Event Comment: Receiv'd of Messrs Toms and Arnold for the use of the Organ this season #21; and for coals burnt at the Oratorios #2 2s. (Account Book). [There were 11 oratorio's. The average cost per night for heating the theatre these spring months would seem to have been about 3s. 9d.] Receipts: #157 5s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Grimaldi, Messink and Giorgi

Event Comment: Reddish spoiled last scene by being imperfect (Potter, Theatrical Review). Paid three days salary at #81 8s. 11d. per diem--#244 6s.; Paid Mrs W. Barry's half salary 17s. 6d.; Paid Messrs. Reddish, J. Palmer, and Waldron short paid last week #1 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #229 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid four days salary at #82 3s. 1d. per diem-#328 12s. 4d.; Mrs W. Barry's half Salary #1 3s. 4d.; Mr Inchbald on note #20; Messrs Griffith and Atkins to make up salary #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #214 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Messrs. Raban & Kime (coal merchants) #56 15s.; Paid Sarjant half aear's rent for the House in Bow Passage due Mich. last #20 (Account Book). Receipts: #195 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 7 years. [See 18 Jan. 1765.] Paid Mr Asbridge for exchanging Kettle Drum Banners #4 4s.; Mr Wallis on note #2; Messrs Carver & Messink's Windsor Bill #3 11s. 4d.; Mr Thos French, 7 days-#2 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Recruiting Officer oblig'd to be Deferr'd on account of Indisposition of a principal performer. Paid Messrs Monk & Hird (button makers) #6 12s. 6d.; Andrews (haberdasher) #5 10s. 6d.; Thompson (peruke maker) #2 13s. 6d.; Bigner (peruke maker) #1 3s. (Account Book). Receipts: #175 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid Messrs Cropley and Hart for men's cloaths, #13 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Kemble Diary notes this as Burton's last performance. He died in May.] Receipts: #220 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Colman's Night for the Fairy Prince. Charges #84. Profit to Colman #125 15s. 6d. Paid Messrs Schneider & Otto (furriers) #7 3s.; Paid Dr Arne for composing additional Music for the Fairy Prince #1 11s. 6d. (Account Book). Receipts: #209 15s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Tickets and places to be taken of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door of the Theatre at Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. 6d. Second Gallery 2s. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at Half past Six. Theatrical Review (London, 1772), appendix, pp. 207-8: The Oratorios performed at this House were conducted by Messrs. Stanley and Smith, for their own emolument; the Managers of the theatre having had no Share of the profit arising from these performances, nor any advantage, except a premium for the use of the house. Mr Stanley's musical abilities are well known. Mr Smith, was, if we are not mistaken, a pupil of the celebrated Mr Handel's; and, we believe, that Gentleman left Mr Smith the greatest part of his music, if not his whole library; so that Mr Smith may with great propriety claim the right of succeeding Mr Handel in the exhibition and conduct of his Oratorios, which he has undertaken (in conjunction with Mr Stanley) every since Mr Handel's death. Their band was composed of some of the most capital performers in this kingdom, and was led by Mr Ximenes. The vocal performers (exclusive of Chorus singers) were Mr Norris, well known to all lovers of Music, for his taste and delicacy of execution. Mr Parry (a Bass voice) from the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. This gentleman, though very young, has an extensive compass, and a great power of voice, and acquits himself with considerable reputation. Mrs Weichsel and Mrs Scott, of whom it would be superfluous and unnecessary to say anything, since their abilities are generally known. And lastly Signora Grassi, a performer of great merit. Theatrical Review, 6 March: This is Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode on St Cecelia's Day, and not an Oratorio, but performed as such...It contains many beauties and such as are worthy of Mr Handel's genius...Being much shorter than the usual length of oratorios, Mr Handel's celebrated Coronation Anthems were added in order to make the evening's entertainment of a proper length. Also a Solo on the Violincello by Mr Janson...lately arrived from Paris, said to have been a pupil of Mr Duport's but, though his taste and excution is very astonishing, we cannot give him the preference of his master. [See 13 April 1773.Charge seems to have been #28 per night plus expenses for oil, candles &c.

Event Comment: Words from Holy Writ...Music so admirable designed by Handel as to Beggar all description (Theatrical Review). Mr Ponta is Musician to his Serene Highness the Elector of Mentz. Tickets and places for boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjeant at the Stage Door. Box 5s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. Books of the performance sold at the Theatre. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at half past Six (Account Book). [Messrs Toms and Arnold were putting on the Oratorios at Covent Garden this season.] Charges: #35 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sg Daigville & Signa Vidini. [24 April letter signed Ned Shuter dated from his Majesty's Bench of Justice, St Georges Fields: "Theatrical Memoirs giving circumstantial account of my family-Admit my father was a chairman, my mother sold oysters in winter and cucumbers in summer. I was not born in a cellar but in a two pair of stairs front room at one Mrs Merit's an eminent Chimney Sweeper, Vine Street, St Giles" (Winston MS 10). Thomas Weston's apology for the delay of his Benefit. It was owing to his distressed affairs which he had new laid open to the managers. See comment form Edinburg Evening Courant, 29 April.] Paid Renters #88 for Oratorio nights; Mr Dibdin's draft on managers #50; Master Brown 5 nights, #1 17s. 6d.; Rec'd from Messrs Smith and Stanley charges for 11 Oratorio nights at 28# per night, plus candles &c . #342 4s.; Rec'd stopages #9 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #151 4s. Charges: #65 11s. Profits to Daigville & Sga Vidini: #85 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: With alterations and additions, particularly Two Views of the Eruption of Mt Vesuviusv. [See 26 Dec. 1771.] Garrick has withdrawn his motion, King's Bench (Winston MS 10). [See 2 July 1772.] Paid Mrs Abington's cloaths, 2 weeks, #2; Paid Messrs Baddeley, Jacobs, Lings & Mrs Egerton, salary short-paid last week, 18s. 6d.; Paid Mr Weston's note to Mr Spencer #10 10s. [Mrs Abington's contract seems to have included #60 for clothes which she provided for herself. The amount was paid to her in 26 weekly payments of #2 each and 10 payments of #1 each throughout the season. No further listing of this expenditure will be made.] Paid 3 days salary list at #80 16s. 1d. per diem, #242 8s. 3d.; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #162 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Rec'd stopages #20 8s. 6d. N.B. The [authors] charges should have been put #73 10s. [this night] instead of #84, vide. 27 Nov. next; Paid salary list #513 17s. 6d.; Messrs Clinch and Dimon 5 guineas each, #10 10s. as per order; Miss Mansell per order #3 3s.; Mr French on acct #10 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #168 19s. Charges: #84. Profits to Author of Irish Widow: #84 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Rec'd from Condell on Acct for Fruit Rent #20. Rec'd by an Overcharge in Mrs Lynn's Bill 7 Jan. last 12s., and by ditto in Messrs Benn and Pugh's Bill of 5 June last #2 14s. 6d. [Neither of these bills is recorded in the Account Books available.] Paid half year's water rate for the Theatre due Xmas, #3 (Account Book). Receipts: #218 15s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Love. Recd Messrs Stanley & Smith 11 Oratorio Nights at #28 per night Candles Oyl &c. #347 12s.; Paid 11 nights Rent for Oratorios #88 (Treasurer's Book). [The Apology for Apologies is Larpent MS 351. Satire upon "Indispositions" of principal performers, suggests what would happen if other professions (law, medicine) substituted stand-ins with no other apology than is made in the theatrical profession.] Receipts: #168 8s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Love: #103 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Grimaldi and Hurst. Receipts: #254. Charges: #68 2s. Profits to beneficiaries: #185 18s

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Bransby and Burton. Receipts: #159 18s. Charges: #74 14s. Profits to Bransby and Burton: #85 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Rooker, Messink and Giorgi. Paid salary list #520 7s. 6d.; Mr J. French on acct #20; Rec'd of Mr Hopkins in full #20; Stopages #18 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #196 4s. Charges: #74 14s. Profits to beneficiaries: #121 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Fawcett and Hartry. Paid salary list #520 7s. 6d.; Recv'd from Sinking Fund #334 10s.; Stopages #17 5s. (Treasurer's Book). On Monday a New Comedy, Never performed, called The Maid of Kent, for the Benefit of Waldron. Receipts: #230 8s. 6d. Charges: #65 14s. Profits to Hartry and Fawcett: #149 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid Mr Lawrence (paper hanger) #19 6s.; Messrs Barrow andCo. (oil merchants) 3 bills, #128 10s.; Mr Jones (worsted laseman) #18 17s. 6d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 16s. Receipts: #241 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid tallow chandler's 4th Bill #44 14s.; half year's lighting &c. to Mich. last St Martin's #12 3s.; Mr Thomson (smith) #58 8s. 6d.; Mr Cole (turner) #10 6s.; Mr Scott (copper laceman) #46 4s. 6d.; Mr Palmer for Spermacetti Candles #275 4s.; Messrs Barrow & Co. for oil #50 15s.; Mr Chettell (timber merchant) #67 16s. 6d.; One year's Insurance of Wardrobe &c. to Xmas 1774 #15; 2 extra Guitars, 3 nights (6th Inst. incl.) #2 5s. Receipts: #220 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit 1st night for Author [Alexander Dow]; Rec'd Mr Condell's 2nd payment for Fruit Office #20; Paid Mr Dorman for Coals #43 15s.; Mr Jones (worsted laceman) #15 12s. 6d.; Messrs Barrow & Co., for Oil #50 12s.; Mr Gardner (shoemaker) #30 17s. 6d.; Mr Powney (stationer) #10; Mr Bib (sword cutler) #11 7s.; Mr Hatsell (mercer) #45 11s.; Mr Dobson (pipe-maker) #5 13s.; Mr Blakes, (hatter) #8 4s. 6d.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #187 18s. 6d. Charges #73 10s. Profit to author #114 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Rooker, Giorgi, Messink. Rec'd stopages #30 16s. 6d.; From Sinking Fund (1st) #420; Paid salary list #523 12s.; Mr King's extra salary #3. Receipts: #232 7s. Charges: #74 14s. Profits to R. M. & G.: #157 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid present to Messrs Younger & Kennedy [burnt out] #21 (Treasurer's Book). [See further payments to Kennedy 25 May. See also cg 12 May. An account of the fire given in Westminster Magazine, May 1774, p. 267: Mr and Mrs Kennedy who directed the company of performers at Richmond last summer were upon a visit to Mr Younger." Kennedy and Younger escaped, but Mrs Kennedy and a young friend, who had been reading in bed and who had fallen asleep without putting out the candle, were burned to death. Fire broke out at 2 o'clock in the morning.] Receipts: #261 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)