Event Comment: [Mrs Siddons had 1st recited the Monody at Bath, 1 May 1779.

Event Comment: [Mrs Vernon is identified in Oracle, 31 Jan. Author of Address unknown.] Receipts: #227 2s. (222.9; 4.13)

Event Comment: [Mrs King was from the Stamford theatre.

Event Comment: The United Company. Lord Ashburnham's Diary: I went to the Play (the Rehearsal) where there was a great deal of company (Ashburnham MS 932; see 14 Dec. 1686). The play was reprinted in 1687. Cibber, Apology (ed. Lowe, I, 167): People were so fond of seeing her [Mrs Mountfort] a Man, that when the Part of Bays in the Rehearsal had for some time lain dormant, she was desired to take it up, which I have seen her act with all the true coxcombly Spirit and Humour that the Sufficiency of the Character required

Event Comment: At Mr Gibbin's and Mrs Violante's Great Booth

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by William Henry Ireland; incidental music by William Linley. Prologue by Sir James Bland Burges; Epilogue by Robert Merry (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses & Decorations. The Scenes designed and excuted by Greenwood and Capon. The Dresses by Johnston, Gay & Miss Rein. Printed slip attached to Kemble playbill: A malevolent and impotent attack on the Shakspeare MSS. [i.e. those forged by W. H. Ireland, of which this play was one] having appeared, on the Eve of representation of Vortigern, evidently intended to injure the interest of the Proprietor of the MSS., Mr Samuel? Ireland [W. H. Ireland's father] feels it impossible, within the short space of time that intervenes between the publishing and the representation, to produce an answer to the most illiberal and unfounded assertions in Mr Malone's enquiry [i.e. Edmond Malone, An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers attributed to Shakspeare, Queen Elizabeth, and Henry, Earl of Southampton, 1796]. He is therefore induced to request that Vortigern may be heard With that Candour that has ever distinguished a British Audience. The Play is now at the Press, and will in a very few days be laid before the Public. [But it was not issued until 1799 (see below). See also Bernard Grebanier, The Great Shakespeare Forgery, London, 1966.] 4 Apr., states that the first three acts were listened to with patience, but beginning with the fourth act the play was damned, when "one tremendous yell of indignation from the pit burst simultaneously." "At four o'clock the doors of the theatre were besieged; and, a few minutes after they were opened, the pit was crowded solely with gentlemen. Before six not a place was to be found in the boxes, and the passages were filled...The audience betrayed symptoms of impatience early in the representation; but, finding its taste insulted by bloated terms, which heightened the general insipidity, its reason puzzled by discordant images, false ornaments, and abortive efforts to elevate and astonish, pronounced its sentence of condemnation at the conclusion of the play" (Gentleman's Magazine, Apr. 1795, pp. 346-47). "Irelands play of Vortigern I went to. Prologue spoken at 35 minutes past 6 [see 29 Mar.]: Play over at 10. A strong party was evidently made to support it, which clapped without opposition frequently through near 3 acts, when some ridiculous passages caused a laugh, mixed with groans-Kemble requested the audience t o hear the play out abt. the end of 4th act and prevailed.-The Epilogue was spoken by Mrs Jordan who skipped over some lines which claimed the play as Shakespeares. Barrymore attempted to give the Play out for Monday next but was hooted off the stage. Kemble then came on, & after some time, was permitted to say that "School for Scandal would be given," which the House approved by clapping. Sturt of Dorsetshire was in a Stage Box drunk, & exposed himself indecently to support the Play, and when one of the stage attendants attempted to take up the green cloth [i.e. a carpet which, by custom, was laid on the stage during the concluding scene of a tragedy], Sturt seized him roughly by the head. He was slightly pelted with oranges" (Joseph Farington, Diary, 1922, I, 145). Account-Book, 4 Apr.: Paid Ireland his share for the 1st Night of Vortigern #102 13s. 3d. Morning Chronicle, 29 Mar. 1799: This Day is published Vortigern and Henry the Second (4s.). Receipts: #555 6s. 6d. (528.6.0; 26.9.6; 0.11.0)

Event Comment: Written by Sir Richard Steele. Letter of complaint in Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 20 Jan.: That filthy Brute, Mr Penkethman, who by his Part, was obliged to dance, [took] in the Galleries with an idle Jest, by pretending that his Activity had shuffled down his Breeches. In short, Mr Mist, this Indecorum fill'd me with such gross Ideas, that the Thoughts of them hinder'd me from sleeping all that Night

Event Comment: This being the Last time of Mr G. performing he generously gave the Profits of the Night to the Theatrical Fund, he spoke the Usual prologue & after the play he went forward & address'd the Audience in so pathetic a Manner as draw Tears from the Audience & himself & took his leave of them forever (Hopkins Diary). [Accounts of the farewell address in the Morning Post and in Davies; Life of Garrick.] So Ends the Season 67 different Play 32 different Farce 189 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). N.B. The profits of this night appropriated to the benefit of the Theatrical Fund: Cash #309 2s.; After Money #2 10s. 6d. Received #311 12s. 6d. Paid #36 5s. 9d. viz: @Renters #8@Supernumeraries & Kettle Drum #2 11s.@Soldiers 14s.@Extra Constables #1 10s. 6d.@Candles, Oyl & Lampmen #3 18s. 6d.@Carpenters Extras #2 1s.@Music Band #7 18s. 9d.@Messrs. Legg, Lauchery, Larivere, Garland & Langlois Salary #1 13s. 4d.@Sundry Doorkeepers & Servants #7 18s. 8d. @#36 5s. 9d.@Rec'd #311 12s. 6d.@Paid #36 5s. 9d.@Remains #275 6s. 9d.@Brought Fd #62 3s. 7d. from 10th May@Total #337 10s. 4d.@ N.B. The above sum of the two Nights for Theatrical Fund-order'd by Mr Garrick this 25th day of June 1776 to be paid into the hands of Mr Hatsell (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS (Treasurer's Book): 11 June: Rec'd Box office keeper's cash #25; Candles, Oil &c. the 2nd Fund night #7 17s.; From Mr Dodd in Full #21. 24 June: From Sinking Fund (3rd) in full #963 10s.; From Grimaldi on acct #70; From Mrs Smith (singer) in full #31 10s. 2 July: From Public Advertiser for this season #50; Gazetteer ditto #50. 4 July: Their Majesties Acct this season #76; from Mr Harrison one yrs. rent Land tax deducted #37 5s. 5 July: From Mr Parsonage 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Midsummer (tax deducted) #53 15s. 15 July: From Mr Pope 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Mids. Last (taxes deducted) #35 12s. 6d.; Mr Heath 1 yr. and 1!2 Rent to Mids last #15. 19 July: From Mrs Johnston 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Mids. last #7 10s.; Mrs Groath 1!2 year to ditto #1 10s. Mr Percy three quarters Rent to ditto #7 10s.; Mr Waterer five quarters rent to ditto (land tax deducted) #51 7s. 25 July: Sundry forfeits taken up by Evans #38 5s. AFTER SEASON EXPENDITURES (Treasurer's Book): 11 June: Five days salary to sundries at #88 2s. 10d. per diem #440 14s. 2d.; George Garrick in full of #400 #5 13s. 4d.; Slingsby in full of #350 #1 3s. 4d.; Everard on note #10 10s.; Davis on note #21; Mr King to make up #500 in full #32 10s.; Lauchery on note #15 15s.; Mr Page in full of #25 #1 12s. 6d. 28 June: To Lord Walpole for one year's acting season #315; Mr Highly in Full of his building acct #85 19s.; Ditto for 3 yrs. ground rent to the 24th inst. #42. [For explanation of Walpole payment, see Boaden, Garrick Correspondence, II, 155 an involved agreement re an annuity dating from October 1761, now being collected because of new taxes on Carriages, and because Lady Walpole was footsore and would walk nowhere.] 20 June: Adelphi Tavern Bill & Waiters #20 10s. 6d.; Mr Park, chorus 4 nights in full #1 10s.; Mr R. Johnston's property Bills in full #33 1s. 6d. 24 June: Mr D. Garrick in full of #1,300 #235 13s. 2d.; Mr R. Harwood's gratuity #5 5s. 2 July: One yrs. subscription for St George's Hospital for both the managers #10 10s. 5 July: Three quarter's rent pd for Miss Abrahams at Gardners #37 10s. 9 July: Blakes (hatter) #11 15s.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #94 17s.; Hadley & Co., Engine, #12 12s.; Thomson (smith) #6 15s.; Barrow & Co., Oil, #108 13s. 6d.; Ireland (upholsterer) #17 2s. 6d.; Stevens (mason) #42 7s. 6d.; Hewetson (laceman) #9 2s.; Racket (taylor) #16 9s.; Barret (wax chandler) #14 5s.; Waller (hosier) #11 5s. 11 July: Machin, Chorus singer, #6, Bibb (sword cutler) #2 5s.; Gardner (shoemaker) #3 2s.; Marshall (plumber) #4 13s.; Stacey (colourman) #4 17s. 15 July: Daley (sadler) #5 5s.; Scott (copperlace) #25 14s. 6d.; Norfolk (glazier) #3 7s.; Carpue (silk Dyer) #18 13s.; Mrs Carter (scowerer) #1 14s. 6d.; Chettle (timber) #4 6s. 7d.; Pope, for Wiggs, #12 12s.; ditto for 81 extra nights dressing #8 2s.; Mr Preston 69 nights dressing Mr Garrick #5 3s. 6d.; Hatsell (mercer) #47 3s. 16 July: Powney (stationer) #2 10s.; Jennings (glover) #25 17s. 6d.; Prior (turner) #9 5s. 6d; Hopkin's Prompter's bill #13 18s.; Palmer for Sperma. Candles #7 14s.; Kirkman (harpsicord maker) #13 17s. 6d.; Hele (surveyor) #26 10s. 19 July: Mrs Garwood (laundress) #2 12s. 8d.; a Green coat for Mr Garrick #3 3s.; Mr Woods, chorus, 63 nights in full, #15 15s.; Mr French's bills in full #235 3s. 6d. 22 July: Mr Waterer, Black Lyon dinner Bills #56 8s. 6d. 25 July: Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 18s. 6d.; Cubit (tinman) #2 15s.; Kirk (housekeeper) three quarter's salary to Midummer #30; Victor's gratuity and two weeks salary #35; Evans in lieu of Benefit #42 and 2 weeks salary #3; Mr Westley 2 weeks salary #1 10s. AFTER SEASON COMPUTATION: DRURY LANE 1775-1776: Books closed 25 July 1776. @Total income #37,917 3s. 10d.@Total Expense #33,453 18s. 4d.@Profit #4,463 5s. 6d. divided as follows:@Mr Clutterbuck #1,000@Managers #3,240@ In Victor's hands #223 5s. 6d. [presumably for summer expenses and opening the next season. The Treasurer's Book also mentions a sum of #575 18s. 8d. at Mr Clutterbucks, without indication of its source or contemplated use.

Event Comment: Benefit for Settree, Rawlings, Gardiner, Mrs Griffith

Event Comment: [Seymour is identified in European Magazine, Oct. 1787, p. 315. Address by Edward Hickey Seymour (London Chronicle, 4 Oct.).] "The clock striking two -instead of the usual folly of a small table bell, when Macbeth's drink was ready -forms an alteration of much good sense and propriety" (World, 2 Oct.). "Of the Lady Macbeths [since the time of Garrick] Mrs Siddons has exhibited the most happy effect of her skill -has shown a portrait of Lady Macbeth which before existed but in imagination. Mrs Yates claims the second place of eminence; her deportment and manner were equal to Mrs Siddons, but very inferior to her in pathos and energy. Mrs Pope's performance lays claim to praise, particularly in the sleeping scene, but there is a certain delicacy and tenderness associated with the powers of that lady which prevents her giving a glowing picture of that female fiend. Mrs Bates's performance was sufficiently marking and bold in some passages, but the whole wanted uniformity and finishing" (Public Advertiser, 4 Oct.). Receipts: #225 (224.5; 0.15)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross and Mrs Vincent. Receipts: money #30 14s.; tickets #100 10s

Event Comment: Benefit Kelly, Gwinn, Mrs Harrison. Receipts: money #18 3s. 6d.; tickets #171 19s

Event Comment: Benefit Moreau, Mrs Moreau, Papillion. Receipts: money #36 5s.; tickets #59 1s

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; tc 5]: Altered from [The Picture, by Philip] Massinger [by Henry Bate; incidental music by William Shield. Prologue by William Pearce (see text)]. With New Dresses, Scenery, &c. Afterpiece: Written by O'Keeffe. London Chronicle, 10 Nov., prints the words of the Chorus, and also of a song sung by Quick, Poor Hillario, once so jolly, and of one sung by Mrs Martyr, Would you view the loveliest rose. Receipts: #209 16s. (205/3; 4/13)