Event Comment: [This year was published The Companion to the Playhouse; or, An historical account of all the Dramatic Writers, and their works that have appeared in Great Britain and Ireland to the year 1764. Composed in the form of a Dictionary. for the more readily turning to any particular author or performance. Two vols. Dedicated to Garrick. (Who receives eleven and one-half columns of comment, more than any other dramatist.) This is the beginning of the Biographia Dramatica. This year was published Essays on Important Subjects intended to establish the Doctrine of Salvation by Grace, by John Witherspoon (President of Princeton). Vol. II, contained a Serious Enquiry into the nature and effects of the Stage," being an attempt to show that contributing to the support of a Public Theatre is inconsistent with the character of a Christian (112 pp).

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places may be taken from Johnson at the Stage Door. No money will be taken at the stage door. None will be refunded after Curtain is drawn up. To begin at 6 o'clock. [Footnote not further noted. Garrick on his return from the continent first introduced a method of illumination by lights not visible to the audience, thus replacing the huge chandeliers (Genest, V, 86). Published this season, A Critical Balance of the Performers at Drury Lane last Season, a broadside sheet at 1s., printed for C. Moran. This scale of the following twelve values war applied to 43 actors and actresses: (A score of 20 under each heading was perfect.) Figure; Grace; Spirit & Ease, Sensibility & Truth; Dignity & Manners; Expression & Pantomime; Low Humor; Genteel Humor; Elocution and voice; Dress; Dumb show; Noise. Beside each actor was listed his outstanding parts. (See Copy in Huntington Library.)

Event Comment: [R$Ross this month wrote to Colman (Harvard Theatre Collection A.L.S.) inquiring about an intended new theatre at Bath, and opened his heart as follows: "My present situation is most irksome to me and must be to any gentleman or man of merit in his profession to have such an ignorant and now ill-bred fellow as Beard? presume to conduct the business of a theatre Royal, of which he is totally ignorant, and oblig'd to apply to the great Gibson, who naturally wishes to lower every man to his own standard, while the other despises every degree of merit that is not compris'd in Sol fa and wishes the theatre only to substitute as an Opera house." Ross wanted to be nominated for the manager's postition in the new theatre at Bath. N.B. He had already acted 23 times this season in his best parts.

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: Benefit for Woodward. Mainpiece: Not acted these 20 years. To prevent mistakes, Ladies are desired to send their servants by 3 o'clock. Tickets and places to be had of Mr Sarjant, at the Stage Door and NO WHERE ELSE