Event Comment: MMrs Love play'd Mrs Peachum very bad. Her fit seem'd a very Aukward Imitation of Mrs Pritchard in the Jealous Wife (Hopkins). Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money received at the Stage Door. None returned after the curtain is up. Play to begin exactly at 6 o'clock. Places may be had of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door. Vivat Rex et Regina. [Customary notice, which will not be repeated here, Sept. 15 David Garrick & his Lady set out for Italy from his house in Southampton St. Covent Garden (Winston MS 9). Winston also refers to a Sept. 9 Letter from T. Davies, cg, to the poet Charles Churchill begging he would not introduce so unimportant a person as himself in his Smithfield Rosciad.] Receipts: #248 9s. (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1758]. With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick]. The Characters new dressed. This Play is revived with Alterations (by R. B. Sheridan Esq) and a new occasional Prologue written by Mr Garrick? and spoken by Dodd, both well received. Miss Essex made her first Appearance upon this stage in Silvia, a small mean Figure and shocking Actress, so bad that she is to do the Part no more. Reddish was very imperfect in Vainlove from the Beginning, but was so very much so in the last Act, that the Audience hissed very much, and cryed out, 'Off, Reddish, Off!" He went forward, and addressed them as follows, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been honoured with your Favour and Protection for these ten years past, and I am very sorry to give any cause for your Displeasure now; but having undertaken the Part at a very short Warning, in order to strengthen the Bill, and having had but two Rehearsals for it, puts it out of my Power to do Justice to the Part, or myself.' The Play then went on. So great a Lye was never delivered to an Audience by any Actor or Actress before. He had the Part at least six weeks in his Possession, and repeated Notice to be ready in it, and six Rehearsals was called for it,--indeed, he attended but three. Vernon undertook to study the Part at eleven o'clock to-night, and to perform it to-morrow (Hopkins Diary). [Miss Essex was from the hay.] Receipts: #209 6s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. House (Hopkins Diary). But Tickets delivered for Benefit of Mr W. Barry will be taken. Mr Wm. Barry's tickets this night (Box 88; Pit 76; Gallery 47) #38 2s.; Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Master Brown 2 nights (26th incl.) 15s.; Extra trumpet 2 nights (March 31st incl.) #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 13s. (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: MMiss Williams made her first appearance this Night in Polly. Spoke some of the part tolerably well, wants power in her singing (Hopkins). Polly by Miss Williams. Great Applause (Cross Diary). Miss Williams made her first appearance this night in Polly--a Lady, I think, that has but few requisites for the stage--a very indifferent voice spoke some of the part tolerable,--some few hisses (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #256 9s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Bills for Every Man in his Humour were posted to day--but Mr G. being taken very ill the Play was oblig'd to be chang'd & fresh Bills put up about Twelve o'clock (Hopkins Diary). [Also, according to Winston MS 10 the afterpiece was to have been Miss in Her Teens. See 8 Nov.] Paid Tallow Chandler's 1st bill #63 8s. 4d.; Mr Evans one year on Wardrobe Acct #10 10s.; half year Land and Window Tax for St Martin's to Michelmas last #46 8s. 7d.; Rec'd Stopages #12 17s. (Treasurer's Book). [Cast listed on playbill for afterpiece: Fribble (with song in character)-Dodd; Flash-$Palmer; Loveit-$J. Aickin; Puff-$Moody; Jasper-$Ackman; Tag-$Mrs Love; Miss Biddy-$Miss Pope.] Receipts: #165 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Desire. House (Hopkins Diary). Last time performing Mainpiece this season. Rec'd from Mr Clutterbuck #150; Stopages #7 17s. 10d.; Paid salary list #494 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French #1 10s.; Dr Nares & Mrs Cooke's boys 3 nights (13th inst incl.) #6 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #64 14s. (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)

Event Comment: Matilda deferr'd Reddish Ill. Matilda was advertis'd for this Night but Mr Reddish came Yesterday as Mad as a March Hare, Said he had all the Terrors of the Damn'd upon him, & that he had not had a Wink of Sleep all Night. Call'd the Great Gods & the dear Woman (Mrs Canning) that lay by his Side to Witness the Truth of this Assertion & behav'd like a Man in Despair (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble delicately omits reference to Mrs Canning.] Paid salary list 4 day #378 10s. 8d.; J. French on acct #5 5s.; Mr. J. Johnston Music bill #10 1s. Receipts: #180 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs King was put in the Bills in the following manner: Rosalind By Command by Mrs King. A Circumstance I never knew before, nor do I know by what accident it happened. I'm Sure it's a particular Honour, which her acting cannot deserve (Hopkins Diary). By Command. [Macmillan's note form Kemble comments on Hopkins' astonishment at the command procedure: "This circumstance was a contrivance of Mr Garrick's in order to mortify Mrs Yates, Mrs Abington, and Miss Younge."] Paid Mr Loutherbourg on acct. #31 13s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). [This payment occured monthly, and was made up to #261 10s. 4d. by a final payment of #8 on 29 June 1776. No further itemization of it will be made.] Receipts: #260 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A few hisses at the End of the Farce (Hopkins Diary). [Public Advertiser: A correspondent, who was at Drury Lane Theatre Thursday evening, remarks that the Ridicule of the Head-Dresses in Mr Garrick's last Epilogue, and in his performance of Sir John Brute, has had its proper Effect; for the Ladies have lowered their Main Top-Gallant Sails from nine inches to twelve; so that they are not present above three quarters of a yard higher than they ought to be.] Paid salary list 4 days #416 4s. 4d.; Tallow chandler #35 9s. 9d.; Mr Parsons on note by order #25; Settre and Co., Mercers #9 6s. 10d. Receipts: #252 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Afterpiece: For the last time this season. [Public Advertiser, 20 April: The following Accident happened at Drury Lane on Thursday in the Entertainment of the Jubilee. As Mr Hurst and Mr Palmer were representing the characters of Posthumus and Iachimo in the Fighting Scene where they were engag'd with extreme violence, the former narrowly escaped losing his eye from a severe wound in the temple."] Paid Richard Barnard for detecting a pickpocket 10s. 3 extra trumpets #1 2s. 6d. Receipts: #121 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington continuing ill, The Maid of the Oaks oblig'd to be deferr'd. Soon after the Farce began off off--no, more, no more, was the General Cry with much hissing--Mr King went on Two or three times to know their pleasure but they would not hear him. They Call'd for Mr Garrick he attended--but they would not hear him for a long time tho' Attempted Several times to speak--at last Somebody said hear him! hear him!--Mr G. told them that he would wait their [sic] all Night with pleasUre if they requir'd it--hear him! again was bellow'd out--he told them he waited to know their pleasure--whether they would have the Blackamoor go on or if they would have any other Farce then a great Noise ensued; as soon as they were quiet Mr G. told them that his Theatrical Life would be very Short and he should be glad to end it in peace--A man in the Pit said if you have a mind to die in Peace don't let this Farce be play'd again Mr Garrick was on and off the Stage several times nothing would content them--at Length Mr King told them that the Author had taken the Copy from the Prompter and was gone away with it.--Soon after this they withdrew So ended this troublesome Affair (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble is considerably lengthened.] Paid Mr Rowland's bill for dinners #8 9s. 3d. Receipts: #284 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Eleventh and Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Othello and The Irish Widow, to have been performed this evening for Mr Barry's Benefit, oblig'd to be deferr'd till further notice (playbill). Mr Barry being Ill his Benefit which was to have been this Night is oblig'd to be deferr'd (Hopkins Diary). [So, according to Hopkins, the profits went to the house.] Receipts: #171 19s. 6d. To the Public Advertiser: Sir, I spent an agreeable evening lately with a Country Friend at the Primitive Puppet Show, and was not displeased at the ridicule pointed at the dull, spiritless stuff, which composes modern Sentimental Comedy. I was entertained too with the manner in which some of the Actors were taken off; But I cannot think mimicry worthy to furnish an Evening Entertainment for a Polite British Audience, or suited to the happy ridicule and pointed wit of Aristophanes. The old Roman comedy, as it was called, was designed for nobler purposes: it was directed to improve the head and mend the heart. The keen manly satire of that Comedy was pointed at Upstart, Braggart, Vice, and to expose the dangerous unfeeling craft of innocent Villainy, or to use the words of Mr Pope--Brand the bold front of shameless, guilty man. Such was, and such ought to be, the salutary Direction of Wit, and Satire by exhibiting characters in their genuine colours, when the mask, which disguises and conceals them from the eyes of the Weak the Credulous, and the Ignorant, is drawn off. The words of Horace are--Detrabere et pellam, mitidus qua quisque per ora Cederet, introrsum turpis. Yours, Dramaticus. Poetry for the Public Advertiser. Epigram on the New Tragedy Alonzo. @No wonder that each female voice@Resounds Alonzo's praise;@A sure foundation of Applause,@The crafty Author lays.@ @Against the Virtue of his Wife@A Husband, if he's wise@According to the Gallant HOME,@Should not believe his eyes.

Event Comment: N.B. Mr King Being indisposed, Mr Vernon has obligingly undertaken (at a short notice) to play his part in the Masque this evening. Paid Garter Supers, 10 nights #46 3s.; Paid Mr Weston's note to Glascot, paid to Greenwood #9 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #132 3s. (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: [R+Rich's Register lists The English Merchant.] Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #49 8s. 10d. Paid George Garrick for use of the managers #15 15s.; Paid French on account #20; Advanced to Granier on note #4 2s. 10d.; to Keen on note #4 4s. Rec'd stopages 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Sylas Neville (Neville MS Diary): With difficulty got into the Pit at Drury Lane, where I stood at the side so jambed up that I could not read the newspaper I carried: But I saw the play very well. It was Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, with the Farce of the Devil to Pay. Duke by Havard, Cacafago by Love, very well. Copper Capt. by Palmer, pretty well. Old woman pretty well by Mrs Baddeley, Astifania by Mrs Pritchard excellently, tho she is too old for the first part of this character. Leon inimitably by Garrick. I think he shows a good deal of Abel drugger, [both published and unpublished portions of the Neville Diary.] Receipts: #261 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Being the last time of Garrick's appearing in character of Sir John Brute . When the Song Encor'd Mr Garrick said Come Col. give us that Song again for two very good Reasons, the first because your friends desire it-and Secondly because I believe I shall never be in such good company again. House Mr and Mrs Davies (Sold) (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Davies in lieu of Bt #60. Rec'd of Mr Davis on acct #30. Receipts: #281 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Cast taken from 1st edn. The bill merely lists actors and notes "With proper Music, Scenes, and Decorations. Never acted before." It mentions no Prologue or Epilogue.] This Masque was wrote about eleven years ago, by Mr Malet & Mr Thomson, & play'd in the Garden at Clifden before the P. of Wales &c.--Mr Malet has now alter'd it, & it was play'd with great Applause, only some of the Dances, being too long were dislik'd, & some of the Songs had ye same reception (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Compos'd by Mr Smith--the Introduction, which was a Dialogue in Prose, between Mr Havard & Yates, Much hiss'd & dislik'd. The Opera had great Applause. Miss Young recover'd (Cross). The Opera never performed before with songs from Shakespear, Dryden, &c. The Music by Mr Smith. [The Bill lists no cast or actors. The cast has been retrieved by Hogan from the 1756 ed. plus the musical score published by J. Walsh. Note some parts were doubled. See "Shakespeare's Tempest at Drury Lane During Garrick's Management", G. W. Stone Jr, Shakespeare Quarterly, Winter 1956.] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: SSigismunda by Mrs Dancer, being her first appearance on this stage, --was well received and great applause, --She is a good figure, and has a great deal of merit, --and is an acquisition to the theatre (Hopkins MS Notes). Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 21 Nov. 1765.] Got with difficulty into the Pit before the play began. Holland played Tancred pretty well but can never divest himself of a certain stiffness...Mrs Dancer was affecting in Sigismunda...Lovel [in the afterpiece] by King, much better than by Cautherly. Saw the Duchess of Ancaster at the Play, who tho upwards of 40, is still remarkably handsome (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: [Theatrical Review, 6 Dec.: re afterpiece: "Thomas is well supported by Mr Vernon who...is the best acting singer on the stage...Mr Davies appeared for the first time in the character of the squire, and discovered no inconsiderable degree of merit.--Dorcas by Mrs Love--This character is better played here by Mrs Dorman. [Both surpassed by Mrs Thomson at cg.] Mrs Scott does justice to the songs, being an accomplished singer, but as an actress she is insufferably insipid and inanimate."] Paid Mr Russell for men's cloaths #30; Paid Mr Follett on note #10 10s.; 2 Clarinets 6 nights (2nd incl.) #9 9s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #243 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Written by Mr Hume. Author of Douglas. Went off wth. great Applause (Cross). A New Tragedy. The Music composed by Dr Boyce. As this is the 1st night of representation, and much depends upon keeping the scenes clear, 'tis hoped no gentleman will be offended that he cannot be admitted upon the stage or into the orchestra. [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758 for contemporary comment on source, and at act-by-act progress of play. Judicial but appreciative. Finds some rant and bombast, as well as inconsistency, in Lysander 's characterization: "If...not...known that the author of Agis is the same to whom we are indebted for Douglas, one would not have suspected those two tragedies to have sprung from the same pen...Agis inspires us with admonition; Douglas speaks forcibly to our softer feelings. In Douglas he has shown himself perfect master of nature and the human heart: in Agis of contrivance in point of plot and incidents. What a masterpiece may not we expect from such talents when united in one tragedy!"] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: About Ten o'clock this Morning Orders came from the Lord Chamberlain to Shut up the House on Account of the Death of the Princess Dowager of Wales who died this Morn[in]g between 6 & 7 o'clock (Hopkins Diary). [Closed through Sat., Feb. 15. No record in Treasurer's Book save "The Princes Dowager of Wales died this Morning."] Theatres clos'd on 8 Feb. and reopen'd on 17th Feb. for Augusta Princess Dowager of Wales (Winston MS 10). Paid salary list, at #83 9s. 9d. per diem, #500 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French, 1 1!2 days 7s. 6d.; Mr Weston's note to Mr Holman, #8 3s. (Treasurer's Book). [The cast scheduled for mainpiece was that of 4 Feb.; for afterpiece that of 30 Dec. 1771. The dance between was to have been Sailor's Revels of 8 Oct. 1771.

Event Comment: House. Mr Reddish Still continuing a little Mad or So--Mr Cautherly plaid the Duke & very well was applauded (Hopkins Diary). Last time but one of performing before Easter. Paid Carpenter's Dinners &c. at Black Lyon #6 6s.; Tabor & Pipe 10 nights (1st inst. incl.) #5 5s.; Rec'd of Mr Rowland 1 yrs. rent to Lady Day last (#1 16s. Land tax deducted) #41 4s. Receipts: #180 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)