Event Comment: Written by the late Mr Wycherley. [See Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 2 Oct., for lines on the death of Penkethman.

Event Comment: Written by Mr Congreve. [For an essay on the stage, see Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 10 Sept.

Event Comment: Benefit Leveridge. Receipts: money #33 17s.; tickets #58 7s. Probable attendance: boxes, 66 by moeny and 106 by tickets; P1t, 69 by money and 167 by tickets; slips, 6 by money; first gallery, 33 by money and 68 by tickets; second gallery 13 by money. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 15 April: Wednesday died Mr Diggs, a noted Actor at the New Play-House

Event Comment: By Their Majesties' Command. Benefit the late Mr Wilks's Widow. Written by Beaumont and Fletcher. Part of the Seats on the Stage (for the better Accommodation of the Ladies) will be form'd into Side-Boxes. Part of the Pit (by Desire) will be rail'd in at the Price of the Boxes. [Their Majesties, Prince, and three eldest Princesses present. The Epilogue is in Weekly Miscellany, 10 March 1733.

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Persons of Distinction. Mainpiece: Alter'd from Shakespear by the late Mr Betterton. [For essays on the stage, see Universal Spectator, 8 Dec, and Weekly Miscellany, 8 Dec]

Event Comment: Paid to G. Garrick by order of managers #5 5s.; Paid to Glovers Bill 18s.; Paid a bill per order Mr Garrick #4 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [Further records this season indicate that "Glover's Bill" which occurrs regularly each Monday was a constant sum paid to a tavern or coffee house, rather than to a glover. The average payment was #1 15s. weekly, amounting to about #56 for the season. It will not be itemized further.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #115 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Acted there but once. By Authority. Tickets deliver'd out by Miss Barton which could not get in on Thursday last, will be admitted this Night. [An Epistle from Mr Theophilus Cibber, to David Garrick, Esq. London: 1755, dated Nov. 20, 1755: When Th. Cibber returned from Guilford last July, he found a discharge from Covent Garden (p.5) He got a license from the Duke of Grafton to open Little Haymarket (p. 6). He began and acted ten nights in three weeks, with some success, but when Drury Lane opened, Th. Cibber was ordered to stop (p. 7). He then petitioned the Duke of Grafton to have The Haymarket for two or three times weekly for the rest of the season. He hoped that the Little Haymarket might be a nursery for young performers, as well as for new pieces (p. 24). See dl 24 Nov.

Event Comment: Speedily will be publish'd at 1s. 6d. Dedicated to David Garrick Esq a New Edition of the Orphan of China...acted at Paris with great applause. [A weekly writer says of this performance: "I could wish that our modern Play-wrights would endeavor to imitate this author in the judicious choice and dispositions of their Fable; and further think this very piece not unworthy the notice of our managers. The Translator has indeed, with great propriety, laid his version at Mr Garrick's door, since there is nobody so well qualified to take the orphan under their protection."] Printed for R. Baldwin in Paternoster Row. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Receipts: #41 13s. 6d. Paid J. Powell 6 nights Renters to instant: #72 6s.; Guards 6 nights #4 4s.; Mrs Rich 6 nights to instant #31 10s.; C. Rich ditto #6; J. Rich #20; Mr Gum for Scenemen #6 9s. 3d.; Performers 5 nights #185 11s. 6d.; Servants 6 nights #23 13s. [The expenditures for renters (100) at 2s. 4d. each per acting night, is a weekly constant. The amount for Mrs Rich of #5 5s. each acting night as well as that of #1 for C. Rich each acting night, is a constant. These will not be further recorded, nor will the nightly constant of 13s. for the guards, and 5s. 4d. nigthly for the barber.

Event Comment: Receipts: #138. The weekly bill for the scenemen doubled this week, #18 16s. Paid Meares as per bill #6 18s. 1d.; Paid Mrs Buck for 13 days salary as dresser at 1s. 6d. per day; 19s. 6d.; Paid Mr Buck for making 13 Tambourines for The Fair, #2 15s.; Paid Mrs Lucy Gwynn a bill for cleaning silks, &c., 17s

Event Comment: Benefit towards the Increase of a Fund, established by the Performers of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden for the Support of Decayed Actors and their Families. This Fund having been begun by voluntary contributions among the performers, improved by a proportionable Weekly Deduction on their salaries, and intended as a reciprocal Provision for them their widows and children, in sickness and infirmity, it is humbly hoped and appeal to the Generosity of the Public will not be taken amiss. Such of the Nobility, Gentry, &c. who are pleas'd to favour this Undertaking, are desired to send for places, Box or Pit tickets, to Mr Sarjant, at the Stage Door. Mainpiece [by John Banks]: Not acted these 20 years. Occasional Prologue, written by Hull [printed in the Jester's Magazine, May 1766, p. 241]

Event Comment: Mrs Barry's first appearance this season in Rosalind. Mrs Hunt Daughter of Mr Dunstall made her first appearance in Leonora a tolerable Voice figure & face, So, So, --pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Paid 2 Housekeeper's Bills #17 6s. 9d.; Black Lyon Bill #1 16s. 11d. (Treasurer's Book). [These were constant weekly items. The housekeeper's bills averaged #3 6s. per week or #122 for the season. The Black Lyon Tavern bill averaged #3 per week or #108 for the season. No further itemizing of these items will be made.] Receipts: #249 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Mansell made her first appearance upon this Stage in Louisa Dudley She has a good face her figure rather Clumsey a hoarse Voice & not much Simplicity (Hopkins Diary). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine agrees Miss Mansell not too good as Louisa. Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly: "Miss Mansell's first appearance,--she played Louisa Dudley,--a slattern figure, rather clumsy,--a coarse voice,--and no simplicity,--very unfit for the character Hopkins Diary No 7."] Paid three day's salary list at #80 7s. 5d. per diem,-#241 2s. 3d.; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s.; Lampmen #2 12s.; Bill stickers #3 12s. Handbills 5s.; Candlemen #1 8s.; Mantua Maker #6 1s. 2d.; J. Stevens (Porter) 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #205 16s. 6d. [The constant payments are tabulated for the season as follows and will not be further itemized]: @Item Weekly Average Season Total Lampmen #3 #111@Bill Stickers #2 14s. #99 15s.@Handbills 12s. #21 12s.@Candlemen & extras #8 #296@Mantua Maker #4 5s. #150@J. Stevens 18s. #33 6s.

Event Comment: N.B. The West Indian is oblig'd to be deferred. Paid Mr Vernon on note, #43 13s.; Housekeeper's bill #2 12s. 3d.; Properties 17s. 8d. (Treasurer's Book). [The housekeeper's bill was rendered weekly and the properties bill about every two weeks. The first averaged #8 7s. per week and totaled #310 for the season. The second averaged #2 4s. for a total of #81 14s. for the season. Neither will be itemized further.] Receipts: #248 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #13 10s.; Paid salary list #565 1s.; Ph. Butler's gratuity 10s. 6d.; J. French on Acct #5 5s.; Mr Baddeley's Law Bill #4 7s. 3d. (Treasurer's Book). [Butler's gratuity occurs weekly from now to end of season. It amounted to #13 11s. 6d. for the season. Butler was a sceneman or carpenter. No further itemization in this matter will be noted.] Receipts: #109 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Jewel from the Haymarket Theatre made her first appearance upon this stage in Lucinda and was receiv'd with great applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid 3 days salary list #134 15s. 6d.; Lampmen #2 12s.; Bill stickets #3 12s.; Handbills 8s.; Candlemen Bill #2 15s. 6d.; Taylor's Bill #13 16s. 3d.; Mantua Maker's Bill #8 12s.; Mr French #12 12s.; Painter's Bill #3 6s.; Heath andWife #2; Roye #4 1Os. (Treasurer's Book). [The following items among those listed in the Treasurer's Book were constant weekly expenditures. Their averages and totals appear in the following table and will not again be mentioned]: @Week's Average Total expense for season@Lampmen #4 5s. #171@Billstickers #2 14s. #92 12s.@Handbills 12s. #22 16s.@Tailors #8 10s. #323@Mant. Makers #2 5s. #85 2s.@Candlemen #12 #456@Mr French #10 10s. #388@Painters #7 #266@Mr Heath and Wife #2 #76 [A spectator writes to the Public Advertiser (to inform the country readers) about the changes in the interior of Drury Lane Theatre resulting from the remodeling by the Adams@brothers. They had managed to give the impression of greater magnitude to the house. They removed the old heavy square pillars at the side of the stage, raised the sounding board on the side next to the stage, greatly improving the sound of the music and the actors' voices. Much new decoration went into the boxes making them more light and gay. Much panel glass, ornamentation, and ceiling decoration, giving it the effect of a dome. The author believes the crimson drapery over the stage is too dark for the objects around it, and the gold fringe lacks the brilliant effect. The lobby behind the front boxes was remodeled and kept clear of servants, by means of an adjoining room prepared for the servants. New arches lead into the entrance from Brydges St. toward the boxes.] Receipts: #235 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Hamlet -Smith as usual (Hopkins Diary). Paid half year's Watch, St Martins #32 9s. 6d.; Housekeeper's 4 Bills #50 7s. 10d.; Music Books to Mr Stayner, #6 18s. (Treasurer's Book). [The housekeeper's weekly bill averaged #10, for a total of #380 the season. No further itemization of it will be made.] Receipts: #183 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the Fund, established for the Relief of those Performers who, through Infirmity, shall be obliged to retire from the Stage. The Theatrical Fund was established in 1765, under the auspices of the late Mr Beard and Mrs Rich; and received the sanction of Parliament in 1776. There are now, and have been for more than 20 years, several Annuitants supported by it, chiefly families and widows. Yet notwithstanding it has been so long set on foot, the interest arising from the Funded Capital has never been equal to defraying one half of the annual disbursements. The deficiencies have been continually supplied by progressive weekly contributions from the performers. When this is considered, it is respectfully presumed the generosity of a British Public will be exerted this night in favour of so liberal and beneficial an institution. Thomas Hull, Treasurer. Tickets to be had of Hull, Treasurer to the Institution, No. 7, Duke's-Court, near Dean's Yard, Westminster. Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: The Spartan Dame advertised, but The Orphan Reviv'd or Powell's Weekly Journal, 19 Dec., states: On Monday Night his Mae Author. The Spartan Dame advertised, but The Orphan Reviv'd or Powell's Weekly Journal, 19 Dec., states: On Monday Night his Majesty came to the playhouse in Drury-Lane, and saw the Comedy of the Busie Body

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A new Burlesque Entertainment of Dancing. Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 30 March: The Managers of Drury-lane Theatre observing how successful Lincoln's-Inn-Fields has been in several Entertainments, in which the Character of a Harlequin has the principal Part, were resolv'd to cut them out, and therefore prepared...Blind Man's Bluff, to be perform'd by no less than eight Harlequins; for, in their Way of Reasoning, eight Harlequins must divert much better than one; the Thing was so ridiculous there was no Musick to be heard but Hissing. [For an essay on the improvement of the stage, see Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 16 March.

Event Comment: Paid Candlemen, #1 10s.; Hickman (Porter), 18s.; Paddick rais'd, 10s.; Salary list at #49 17s. 7d. per day, #299 5s. 6d. Paid Cross for paper & pens, 7s.; Paid Bill Stickers, #2 14s.; Paid Brooks & Mason Hand Bills, 12s. (Treasurer's Book). [The payment to Billstickers and for Handbills, for Candlemen, and for Hickman, the porter, are weekly constants. They are averaged for the season in the following table and will not be further itemized.] @Item Weekly Average Season Total@Billstickers #2 14s. #86 8s.@Handbills 12s. #22 4s.@Candlemen #1 10s. #48@Hickman 18s. #28 16s.@ Receipts: #130 (Cross); #131 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid salary list 3 days at #71 2s. 5d. per diem #213 7s. 3d.; Paid Billstickers #4 1s.; Handbills 8s.; Candlemen #1 13s.; Mantua Maker #3 17s.; Page 18s.; Chorus singers 1 night #2 5s. 6d. (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book) [The first five items were constants (weekly) during the season amounting to a total outlay as follows. No further itemization of them will be made]: @Item Weekly Average Season Total@Billstickers #2 14s. #99 18s.@Handbills 12s. #22 4s.@Candlemen #4 #148@Mantua Maker #2 #78@Page 18s. #33 6s.@ Receipts: #142 9s. 6d

Event Comment: The House Open'd September. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places at Stage Door from Johnson No money taken at Stage Door or after the curtain is drawn up. Doors to open at 5 p.m. To begin at 6 p.m. [Repeated in all Season's bills.] Rec'd from Mrs Groath 1 year's rent to Xmas last, #3; Paid Supernumaries & Kettle Drum #2 8s. Taylor's Bill #1 #10 11s. 1d.; Carpenters #10 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [These payments were constant during the season. The weekly average and season totals will be set forth as follows and no further itemization will be made.] @Item Weekly Average Season Total@Supers & K. Drum #13 13s. #477@Taylor #7 #250@Carpenter #7 #250@ Receipts: #156 15s. 6d

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With a New Medley Overture of Favourite Sea-Tunes. Paid Housekeeper's Bill #3 10s. 5d.; Properties #1 8s. 11d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 6s.; Printer's Bill #18 4s. (Treasurer's Book). [These four items are weekly constants with averages and totals as follows. No further mention of them will be made except in unusual cases.] Receipts: #228 6s. (Treasurer's Book). @Item Weekly Average Total Season Payment@Housekeeper's Bill #5 10s. #203 10s.@Properties #1 5s. #55 10s.@Chorus #4 10s. #203 10s.@Printing #9 6s. #347 4s.