Event Comment: We play'd the Beggar's Opera & ye Oracle by Children for the Benefit of some distress'd Actors who formerly belong'd to the Theatres. There was #102 in the House, the following Persons receiv'd from it Mr Marshall #23. Mr Morgan #21. Mrs Edgerton #5 5s. Mr Bowman #5 5s. Mr Phenix #10 10s. Mrs Gardner (formerly printer to ye house) #2 2s. N.B.: Mrs Clive refus'd to play her part of Lucy , it was done by Miss Young. New performers engag'd Y: Fletewood, Obrien, Packer, Perry, Miss Glen (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lowe. Afterpiece: A Musical Masque. With new Additions. Books of the Masque may be had at the theatre, Price 6d

Event Comment: Receipts: #115 3s. [The Weekly Magazine; or, Gentleman and Lady's Polite Companion (1760), pp. 61-63, deplores the lack of new plays and lack of competition for the Patent houses. "Our theatres seem now to aim at glorious opposition: Harlequin is set against Harlequin, one dancing master opposes another; the scene shifters, the singers, and even the drummers figure at each house by turns, and it is to be hoped soon that the mere actor will become useless....The Fair has scarce even pantomime probability...for instance Harlequin should never exercise his magical power without reason, and should never make escapes without being pursued, but here he conjures, leaps, runs and waggles without any apparent design; and the whole seems destitute of plot, a if contrived by a dancing master. Harlequin's Invasion at the other House is still rather more absurd." The author expected a speaking Harlequin, Pantaloon, Pierot, Mezzetin, &c. but found the customary figures banished for the substitution of a "stupid Taylor and his more stupid wife." Regrets the sinking of stage performance to such absurdity.

Event Comment: MMaster Leoni's first appearance. Music by Smith. On account of Machinery and music no persons can be admitted behind Scenes or into the Orchestra. Nothing under full prices will be taken. Books of the Entertainment will be sold at the Theatre at 6d. each. The Enchanter, a new Musical Entertainment wrote by Mr Garrick, and set by Mr Smith, very well received.Master Leoni, a Jew, made his first appearance in this piece, and was received with great applause (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Music composed by Dr Arne. Pit and Boxes will be laid together at Half a Guinea, and no person to be admitted without Tickets, which may be had at Dr Arne's in the Piazza next the Church, Covent Garden, and of Varney at the Stage Door of the Theatre. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. [Information concerning this Oratorio appeared in the Public Advertiser, 23 Feb.. "on Saturday last the New Oratorio called Judith, composed by Dr Arne, to be at Drury Lane on Friday, was rehearsed at the House of a Lady of Quality, where was present a numerous Assembly of the First Distinction, who honoured it with the highest approbation. We are assured that in the Sacred Oratorio, Sg Tenducci has obtained Permission from his Plaintiff, to sing the part which Signora Eberhardi was so obliged as to understudy for him, in Case he could not obtain such Indulgence."

Event Comment: Full Prices. There will not be room behind the Scenes for more than the persons acting in the coronation, [Others] cannot possibly be admitted. The coronation of their Majesties was followed by a stage representation of it at both houses...Garrick knew that Rich would spare no expense in the presentation of his show; he knew too that he had a taste in the ordering, dressing, and setting out these pompous processions, superior to his own; he therefore was contented with the old dresses which had been occasionally used from 1721-1761. This show he repeated for near forty nights successively, sometimes at the end of a play, and at other times after a farce. The exhibition was the meanest, and the most unworthy of a theatre, I ever saw. The stage was...opened into Drury Lane; and a new and unexpected sight surprised the audience, of a real bonfire, and the populace huzzaing and drinking porter to the health of Queen Anne Bullen. The Stage in the meantime, amidst the parading of Dukes, duchesses, archbishops, peeresses, heralds &c. was covered with a thick fog from the smoke of the fire, which served to hide the tawdry dresses of the processionalists. During this idle piece of mockery, the actors, being exposed to the suffocations of smoke, and the raw air from the open street, were seized with colds, rheumatisms, and swelled faces. At length the indignation of the audience delivered the comedians from this wretched badge of nightly slavery, which gained nothing to the managers but disgrace and empty benches. Tired with the repeated insult of a show which had nothing to support it but gilt copper and old rags, they fairly drove the exhibitors of it from the stage by hooting and hissing, to the great joy of the whole theatre....Rich...fully satisfied [the publick's] warmest imaginations (Davies, Life of Garrick, I, 365 ff.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted this season. Tomorrow will be Reviv'd the second part of King Henry the 4th, New Dress'd in the Habits of the Times (playbill). [In a letter 14 Nov. 1762, T. H. suggested to Garrick a scenic device for the last scene of Act II, of the Wonder, a device he had noted in the Portuguese theatres in Lisbon, to give a view of a number of gallants passing before the window of a lady": two large windows to be made in the scene, cover'd with gauze to give a transparancy and the effect of glass, the windows to be barrel likewise in imitation of a casement (Harvard, D. Garrick, Original MSS (1930) No. 6. TS 1116.256.3).

Event Comment: Characters in Mainpiece New Dress'd in the Habits of the Times. [Theatrical Intelligence for 4 Nov. (Theatrical Miscellaneous Cuttings, G 60.23, Boston Public Library) notes: Last night the reformation in dress took place at the theatre in the revival of the second part of King Henry IV. The beauty as well as the propriety of the dresses give great satisfaction. The Old English Habits are indeed admirably suited to the style and manners of the plays of that time, in which a peculiarity prevails very remote from modern dialogue and the present fashion. The effect of this observation of the Costume, as the French call it, is very visible in the representation of Every Man in His Humour, and will, we hope, for the future be strictly observed in dressing every character of the plays of that age." The author then comments on Love's succes as Falstaff, and Garrick's effectiveness as the sick king especially in delivering the long speeches.

Event Comment: With New Habits, Scenes, Decorations and Music. Full Prices. Songs in the Entertainment will be given out at the Theatre. Afterpiece compos'd by Love, perform'd with success (Victor, I, 40). [N.B. In June 1762 the King of the Cherokee Indians arrived with two of his chiefs to pay respects to King George III. On 28 August they appeared at Marylebone Gardens. A dmission Price to see them 6d. (London Chronicle, No 857 & 860).

Event Comment: Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Benefit for the author of the Alterations [in mainpiece]. A Riot to demand admittance at 1!2 price after 3rd act, all times except at the run of New Pantomime, wch. not agreed to, the Mob broke Chandeliers, &c. No Play (Cross Diary). [Fuller account in Victor, History of the Theatres, III, 46 ff., he being the beneficiary that night. Elvira publish'd at 1s. 6d. (Winston MS 9). See account of riot in Gentlemen's Magazine (p. 31). See Comment 5 Feb.

Event Comment: [B$Barry, as a new patentee for the Dublin Theatre, set out for Ireland 28 Sept. (Winston MS 9).] Receipts: #187 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime, the Overture and Comic Tunes compos'd by Potter, the Airs and Chorusses by Batishall. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. The Words of the Airs and Chorusses in the Entertainment will be given away at the theatre (playbill). At the end of the Play a great Noise & many cry'd out, the whole! the whole, &c. Mr Holland told 'em there never was any more play'd, which a little appeas'd em; but some noise continued till the Curtain was drawn up for the Pantomime & then all was quiet. The Pantomime got great applause; the Tunes were very bad, & a great want of Business & Incidents thro' the whole. The Scenery is very Pretty & well Executed. The Elephant is excellent & has a Fine Effect (Hopkins). Machinery Pleas'd. Business so, so (Cross Diary). [Wording in comment from Hopkins Diary-MacMillan, differs only slightly.] Receipts: #269 13s

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. A new serious Opera. Pit and Boxes put together and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day, at the Office, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By their Majesties Command no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or in the Orchestra. Gallery, Pit and Boxes to be opened at Five. 6:30 p.m. [Repeated in the subsequent bills.] Messrs Crawford, Vincent, and Gordon most humbly request that the Nobility and Gentry, Subscribers to the Operas for the ensuing Season, will please send their Subssciptions to Andrew Drummond and Co., Bankers at Charing Cross; or to Crawford, at the theatre, where attendance will be given every day from Ten to Two, to receive Subscriptions, and the names of the Subscribers who are pleased to honor the Managers with their Protection to enable them to get the Tickets engraved before the Operas begin (Public Advertiser through October and November)

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera. The Music composed by several celebrated Composers. All Boxes put together, and no Persons admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office at Half a Guinea each; First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. By His Majesties Command no Person whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in all bills.] [A pasticchio similar to La Schiava (The Humorists). See Nicoll, III, 361. Advertisement for the company of performers at the Opera had been given in the Public Advertiser three months earlier, 6 August: 'Drummond, Vincent and Gordon,Proprietors and Managers of the Opera at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket beg leave to announce that they have engaged the best Company that could be got in Italy...and are expected in London this month. The company are as follows: Serious-the celebrated Guarducci, first man; Signora Aunuciati, first woman; Savoi, second man; Miss Young, second woman; Grassi, Signora Piatti, third woman. Comic-Lovattini, first man, tenor; Signora Zamperini, first woman; Savoi, first man, serious; Miss Young, first woman; Signor Moriggi (the old man) bass; Signora Piatti, second woman; Zamperini second man; Signora Gibbetti [Gibelli in the Gazetteer] third woman."

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Afterpiece: A New Musical Entertainment in 2 acts, words imitated from Rousseau, with his original Musick (Burney). Books of the entertainment at the Theatre, published for 1s. Paid Mr Chitty his coal bill #91 13s. and Mr Johnston's bill for guilt leather #24 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Advertisement to 2nd Edition, 1766: Upon rehearsing the music it has been thought necessary to retrench the Second Act for fear of satiety: for though the Airs and Dances after the reconciliation of Celia and Phoebe are by no means inferior to the rest in point of composition; yet as no other business remained to be done after that circumstance but that of mere festivity, the Editor, with some reluctance, submitted to the omission of such airs as are printed with inverted commas; which, however, are all publish'd with the music by Mr Bremner in the Strand."] Receipts: #150 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed. Founded [by Thomas Hull] on a Play wrote by the late Sir Samuel Tuke [Adventures of Five Hours]. The Afterpiece: A Masque (perform'd but once) [by Thomas Hull], With New Music, Dresses and Scenery. The Music by Mr Bach. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Paid for The Perplexities #2 2s. (Account Book). Receipts: #226 16s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Music [to afterpiece] by Barthelemon. I often go to both theatres, have seen Garrick and Mrs Yates, who are the first in this theatrical sphere. The former has hitherto [i.e., this season] appeared only in comedy, --his manner, his humour, and his judgment are not to be equall'd. The adoration he meets with from the English is equal to his merit. His every motion they attend to, and every turn of his eye seems to transport them. Mrs Yates [at Covent Garden] has much tragic merit. Her low voice is very tuneful, her feeling great, her action peculiarly graceful and her figure uncommonly fine. She has more power than Mrs Dancer (at Drury Lane] and more variety than Mrs Fitz-Henry, tho' less strength and compass. On the whole she is superior to the former and inferior to the latter. Barry and Mrs Dancer are engag'd here (MS Letter from Henry Grattan to Cornet Broome giving his first impressions of living in London, 27 Oct. 1767, in Folger Library). Neville MS Diary: Went into the Pit to see As You Like It a second time. Reddish did Orlando for the 1st time. He is a pretty good player. End Act I, Hearts of Oak. The Entertainment was the new Farce called a Peep Behind the Curtain. Glib by King who is the author. The piece is not unentertaining, whatever other merit it may have. The Prologue and an Address to the Town by way of Epilogue, are spoken by Mr King, the music by Barthelemon

Event Comment: A new comedy of three acts. Places to be taken of Mr Jewell at the Theatre. No Admittance behind the Scenes. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money to be returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Pit and Galleries to be open at 5:30 p.m.; Boxes at 6 p.m. To begin exactly at seven. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in the bills.

Event Comment: For the Farce--New Scenes, Dresses, Music. Book of the play sold at the Theatre. Play to begin at 6 o'clock (Winston MS 10). The Farce went off very well,--some hisses (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money taken at the Stage Door, nor any after the Curtain is up. Door open by 5 o'clock. Play begins at 6 o'clock. [Customary note repeated on all bills.] [This month publish'd A Letter to David Garrick on the opening of the Theatre, in which with great freedom he is told how he ought to behave, by H. W. The thesis of the pamphlet: The decline of dramatic genius is owing in great measure to your management (p. 16). "What I would earnestly recommend to you is to represent as many new plays as possible, and let them stand or fall on their own merit."

Event Comment: [See note for 9 Jan. 1770 of a mild riot this night during best scene of The Orphan.] Afterpiece: A New Opera [by George Alexander Stevens] the Music composed by Mr Fisher. Books of the entertainment to be had at the theatre. Gave Duke of Glocester's Footmen #2 2s. (Account Book). [Afterpiece a roaring burlesque of Lee's Rival Queens. Larpent MS 302 includes Semi Chorus, Grand Chorus, and Perdiccas, not listed in the Playbill. The Court awakes with total hangover. Alexander orders a pot of coffee to clear his head. Thais begs him to leave the gout giving juice-Retire with me @ In my Chinese pavilion, drink some Tea." Afterpiece reviewed inthe Freeholder's Magazine for Jan.] Mr Shuter and Mrs Mattocks gave great satisfaction in their different characters; the words of the songs were written by Mr George Alexander Stephens, author of the celebrated Lecture upon Heads, and several other whimsical productions; and the airs which had Uncommon merit, were composed by Mr Fisher, a young genius, who has hitherto been but little known in the musical world. Receipts: #215 8s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Macklin. Part of Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Come as early as possible to avoid confusion. Charges #64 10s. Balance to Miss Macklin #79 18s., plus #146 from Tickets (584 Box & Pit at one price of 5s. each); Paid Mr Monk #2 12s. 6d. for mending the Owl & a new Spring (Account Book). [The bonus value of the benefit to an actor or member of the company staff may be seen when one considers that Miss Macklin's regular salary was #7 per week, or about #28 per month. On this one benefit performance she made a profit in book value equal to her previous eight month's salary. Book value because the Account Book records, for the tickets which she delivered, only the face value of 5s. each. It is probable that many a wealthy theatre-goer gave her on this occasion, by way of appreciation for the pleasure of her performances, much more than the face value of the ticket.] Receipts: #144 8s

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Musical Entertainment [by Isaac Bickerstaffe] never acted before. This Piece was performed last Summer at Ranelagh; but though very much approved by the best judges of Musical Composition, by being performed in an Orchestra, lost the better part of its effect. It was thought it would please more in action upon the Theatre; and with the Addition of a New Scene, and Chorus and Ballet suitable to the subject; is now accordingly once more presented to the Public, with the necessary Advantages of Dresses and Decorations (Edition of 1770)

Event Comment: At Panton St., Haymarket. By the Italian Fantocini of Carlo Perico. This piece of the Italian theatre is in three acts, and decorated with many agreeable changes of brilliant scenery; in which Harlequin is to eat a Dish of Maccoroni. With a Large Addition of new Metamorphoses. [This ran for considerable time, and will not be noted further.

Event Comment: Benefit for Dibdin. Afterpiece: A new Burletta in two Acts by Bickerstaffe. [Adaptation of Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona.] Books of the Burletta to be had at the Theatre