Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Hopkins, Mrs Hopkins. The Distressed Mother was oblig'd to be deferred on account of the death of Mr Holland's father (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Tickets deliver'd for that play will be taken

Event Comment: PPortia, 1st time, by Mrs Abington--very well.--Mr and Miss Hamoir were advertised to dance at the end of the first act, being their first appearance.--At practice this morning Mr Hamoir sprained his leg so bad, he was not able to perform--An apology was made by Mr King; and another dance got ready, and all was quiet (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Mr King paid #9000 for three fourths interest in Saddler's Wells (Winston MS 10). Paid a Tow bill 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [A monthly Purchase amounting to #4 10s. for the season, and not to mention hereafter.] Receipts: #252 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Waldron and Dimond. Rec'd stopages #15 16s. Paid salary list #525 12s.; Mr King's extra salary #3; Mrs Canning in full of salary not on list (10 Guineas paid 20 Nov. last deducted)-#32 10s.; Mr G. Garrick on Acct in full for this season #50; Mr J. French ditto #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #188 11s. 6d. Charges: #64 11s. Profits to Waldron & Dimond: #124 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Portia by Mrs Siddons being her first appearance upon this Stage a good figure rather handsome--wants Spirit and ease her Voice a little course very well receiv'd (Hopkins, Diary). Paid Mr Wrighten on note #100; Mr Garrick 2 nights for Bon Ton and Little Gipsey, #238. Receipts: #197 (Treasurer's Book). Books of the Songs and Chorusses of the Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. [This note appeared on all subsequent bills advertising the Jubilee this season.] The most accomplished actress can display little other abilities in this part [Portia] than a correct elocution, and a knowledge of the author. The lady of last night being thus circumstanced [her first appearance] it is impossible to pronounce what the nature or extent of her powers may enable her to execute when placed in a situation that calls them forth. But from the speciman she gave there is not room to expect anything beyond mediocrity. Her figure and face, although agreeable, have nothing striking, her voice (that requisite of all public speakers) is far from being favourable to her progress as an actress. It is feared she possess a monotone not to be got rid of; there is also vulgarity in her tones, ill calculated to sustain that line in a theatre she has at first been held forth in; but as these observations are formed when the lady laboured under the disadvantages of a first attempt in the metropolis, her future efforts may perhaps entirely remove them (Middlesex Journal, 30 Dec. Quoted in Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Newton, box-keeper. As Newton superintends the whole Performance of the Play, Farce and Interlude, the greatest care will be taken to gratify the taste of a most generous Public. Tickets to be had of Mrs Newton at the Seven Houses

Event Comment: "When Brabantio speaks to Iago and Roderigo from the Window, Aickin should not show to the audience that he stands upon a Ladder, which he manifestly does, by getting down first, and pulling the Window down after him ... Mrs Ward and Mrs Hopkins seemed to have forgot their Engagement on the Stage, and dressed themselves for a Card Party ... frizzed, hooped and fly-capp'd" (Public Advertiser, 4 Oct.). [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #152 0s. 6d. (107/7/0; 44/11/0; 0/2/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons [who had 1st acted Zara at Liverpool, 21 Oct. 1776]. Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Part of the Pit will be laid into Boxes. To prevent Confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by Half past Four o'clock. Receipts: #329 16s. 6d. (154/17/0; 3/4/6; 0/0/0; tickets: 171/15/0) (charge: #108 17s. 4d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. Gazetteer, 16 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Bannister, No. 7, Suffolk-street, Hay-market. King Lear [announced on playbill of 29 Mar.] cannot be performed, on account of Henderson's Indisposition. Tickets for King Lear will be admitted. Receipts: #244 9s. 6d. (140/7/6; tickets: 104/2/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Bertie Greatheed. Prologue by the Rev. David Williames. Epilogue by Hester Lynch Piozzi (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Public Advertiser, 20 May 1788: This Day is published The Regent (1s. 6d.). Afterpiece: Not acted these 12 years [acted 29 May 1779]. "I do think that Mrs Siddons for Vigour of Action, pathetic Tone of Voice, & a sort of Radiance which comes round her in Scenes where strong heroic Virtues are displayed, never had her Equal" (Thraliana, II, 715). Receipts: #226 13s. (211.1; 14.4; O.18; tickets not come in:0.10)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Silvester. Mainpiece: Written by Congreve. The Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin at 6:00. Tickets to be had of Silvester, No. 50, Brewer-street, Golden-square, and at No. 25, North Audley-street, Grosvenor-square; of Massey, No. 18, Snow-hill; of Frith, No. 39, King-street, West Smithfield; and of Blandford, Pea-Hen, Bishopsgate-street

Event Comment: Benefit for Chippendale, Chatterley, Ryder, Fisher, Evans, Miss Tidswell, Miss Campbell, Mrs Butler [who are named in the Account-Book, but not on the playbill]. Receipts: #68 1s. (36.3; 29.15; 2.3; tickets: none listed) (charge: #212 16s. 1d.)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece by Newburgh Hamilton.] Benefit Mrs Willis. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Mills

Event Comment: Benefit Mac-Swiny. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Shakespear. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of The King and Miller of Mansfield

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [Lee had returned to Covent Garden. See Winston MS 7.] Notwithstanding the reports of Mrs Cibber's Indisposition, we hear that she is not ill at Bath. We hear that the Comic part of the Little French Lawyer is alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher, and will be acted very soon at Drury Lane, the part of the little French Lawyer will be perform'd by Woodward (General Advertiser). [See 7 Oct.] Receipts: #170

Event Comment: Benefit for Master Mattocks and Mlle L'Contri. Paid Salary List #296 10s. 6d.; Mrs Hobson a bill 3s. (Treasurer's Book). [The George Garrick Treasurer's Book breaks off at this point. It records for 165 nights, a total income of #17,296 9s. as against a total outlay of #12,055 14s. 5d. Cross, who jots down receipts in round figures, and is almost always high, indicates the income from the 164th to the 174th and last night to be #1,446, but since all except one night (11 May) were benefits, the theatre probably received only about #800 (At #63 per benefit). Total income for this season is estimated to be, therefore, #18,096 9s. It is difficult to estimate end of season expenditures. At least #789 10s. 6d. went out in the three final pay days of the season and probably another #500 went out in bills before the books were closed at Midsummer. From this it appears that the profits to the managers that year came to about #4,600.] This day is Publish'd The Actor at 3s. In One Volume (dedicated to the Managers of the British Theatre. A treatise on the art of playing, interspersed with theatrical anecdotes, critical remarks on plays and occasional observations on audiences Printed for R. Griffiths (General Advertiser). Receipts: #120 (Cross). [Income missing from Treasurer's Book.

Event Comment: Benefit for Pritchard (Treasurer). Tickets and places to be had of Pritchard, at his house next the chapel in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and of Hobson at the stage door. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. The Triumphal Entry of the King will be as usual. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Foly (Box lobby doorkeekper) and Veal (First Gallery doorkeeper). British Chronicle, 16 May: Yesterday Foulkes, a Beadle of Vere St Clare Market fell from the upper gallery of Drury Lane play house into the pit & expired immediately. The seat on which he fell was broke in half. British Chronicle, 16 May: It is said Mrs Pritchard is appointed Dresser to her intended Majesty for the Royal Wedding

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. No Building on the Stage. Mrs Palmer? did not act (Winston MS 9). Mainpiece: Advertised as for the last time this season. Tickets deliver'd for Romeo and Juliet will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Wright. Tickets deliver'd for Jane Shore and the Fairy Tale; and for the Benefit of Mrs Cross will be taken. Charges: #64 4s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis, Banks, and Mrs Souchart

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. N.B. The Jubilee, after this night, cannot be perform'd again for sometime on account of the Preparations for King Arthur

Event Comment: Benefit for Hopkins, prompter, and Mrs Hopkins. Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Afterpiece: A Dramatic Entertainment (in two parts) of Singing, Dancing and Dialogue in Honour of Shakespeare. In which a Pageant. The Music by Dibdin. Public Advertiser, 10 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Hopkins, No. 7, Little Russel-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #280 7s. (169.5; 21.0; 1.2; tickets: 89.0) (charge: #64 4s.)

Event Comment: Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Benson, Coates, Chatterley, Gregson, Gibson, Purser, Sparks, Smith, Whitmell, Willis, Weber, Wells, Mrs Byrne will be admitted. Receipts: #56 12s. (26.17.0; 28.1.6; 1.13.6; tickets: none listed)