Event Comment: [This was the last performance ever held in this theatre. On 27 June the Morning Chronicle published the playbill for that same evening: Love in a Village and Comical Courtship, but on 29 June the same newspaper reported that on "Friday [26 June] (soon after the performances of the evening were finished at China Hall, Rotherhithe) the theatre was discovered to be on fire. The flames increased so rapidly that in a short time the whole building, with all the scenes, stage, cloaths, &c. were consumed...There is no doubt but the theatre was wilfully set on fire." During the course of the summer it was rebuilt, but "Yesterday morning the play-house at China-hall, Rotherhithe, was blown down by the violence of the wind. The said play-house was burnt down last summer, but it being insured was rebuilt by contract, and the tiling of it completely finished last week" (Gazetteer, 26 Nov. 1778). And see 30 July.

Event Comment: 1st piece [1st time; CO I, by Charles Dibdin, based on Rose et Colas, by Michel Jean Sedaine]. 3rd piece [1st time; CO I, by Charles Dibdin, based on Les Femmes Vengees, by Michel Jean Sedaine]: With new Scenery [Public Advertiser, 19 Sept.: by Richards] and Decorations. Both the Musical Pieces, with new Overtures, composed by Dibdin. Books of the new Musical Pieces to be had at the Theatre. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon (only) at the Stage Door. No Money to be taken at the Stage Door, nor any Money to be returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 21 Sept.]. Public Advertiser, 18 Sept.: This Afternoon at Three will be published Rose and Colin and The Wives Revenged (each 6d.). "At this season of the year the little company upon the Ton, who are in town, seldom rise from the table till after the beginning of the play; in order, therefore, to obviate the disturbance that the fracas in the boxes usually makes towards the close of the first act, or the beginning of the second, this comic opera [Rose and Colin] was prefaced. It at the same time affords these late comers an opportunity of seeing the play [i.e. the mainpiece] complete" (Town and Country Magazine, Sept. 1778, p.453)

Event Comment: The Lady of the Manor [announced on playbill of 20 Nov.] is (on account of Vernon's Indisposition) deferred till Monday next

Event Comment: Jane Shore [announced on playbill of 5 Dec.] is obliged to be deferred on account of the Indisposition of a principal Performer

Event Comment: Benefit for Hopkins, prompter, and Mrs Hopkins. Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 18 Feb. 1773]. Afterpiece: A Dramatic Entertainment (in 2 parts) of Singing, Dancing and Dialogue. In Honour of Shakespeare. In which will be introduced a Pageant. The Music by Dibdin. Public Advertiser, 27 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Hopkins, No. 7, Little Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #229 9s. (129.14; 30.18; 2.10; tickets: 66.7) (charge: #64 4s.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Chaplin, Griffiths, Holcroft & Miss Field. Tickets delivered by Stevens, Collins and the Miss Stageldoirs will be taken. Receipts: #253 8s. (30.5; 13.7; 2.22.12; tickets: 207.4) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Orphan, announced on playbill of 30 Oct.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [same for rest of season]. Receipts: #124 8s, 6d, (123.4.6; 1.4.0)

Event Comment: Announced in Morning Chronicle, 6 Nov., as Benefit for Mrs Webb. A notice in the same newspaper, 8 Nov., states that the benefit was "declined" because of Mrs Webb's engagement at cg [q. v. 12 Nov.]

Event Comment: "As soon as the Play was over at Covent Garden Theatre yesterday evening, Reinhold walked forward and told the audience that 'It would be esteemed a particular mark of their Kindness and Favour if they would accept Miss Cranfield's performance of Colombine, Miss Brown having been taken extremely ill"' (Morning Chronicle, 11 Jan.). Receipts: #195 2s. (193.6; 1.16)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. Morning Chronicle, 22 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Quick, No. 151, Drury-lane. 1st piece [1st time; M. PREL I, by George Downing]: The Music by Hook. 3rd piece: Not acted these 18 years. With a grand burlesque Procession and triumphal Entry of Alexander into London. The Nobles, Guards, Officers and Attendants will be all dressed in the Habits of the Times. Receipts: #274 14s. (173.9; tickets: 101.5) (charge: #70 7s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Brandon, box-book and house-keeper. Tickets delivered for a Comedy will be taken. Tickets sold at the Doors will not be admitted. Receipts: #280 12s. (75.4; tickets: 205.8) (charge: #105)