Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy [by William Kenrick] never performed before. [The play failed to succeed. Kenrick accounts for the failure in his Preface to the 1773 edition by reference to the Macklin affair (See 23 Oct., 30 Oct. and 18 Nov.) He quotes from the Public Advertiser (22 Nov.): "On Saturday last a new comedy called the Duellist was performed, for the first time, at Covent Garden Theatre. Previous to the curtain being drawn up, the following written handbill was dispersed about the house. 'Mr Macklin has been pursued by a malicious party to such a pitch of rancour, that at last they have succeeded so far in their cursed designs, as to get him discharged this theatre, and thereby have deprived him of the means of a livelihood; therefore if the public have any spirit, they will not suffer the new play to begin till Mr Colman promises that Mr Macklin shall be engaged again.' This handbill found its way into the green-room, and had a very visible effect on the performers, as was plainly evident from their confusion. The piece was received with great marks of approbation, and given out again for Monday, which was attended with some hissing, but that was greatly overpowered by the general applause of the audience. The overture to Thomas and Sally being attended to with silence, the greatest part of the author's friends quitted the theatre; which being taken advantage of by a party in the gallery, a riot ensued, and the entertainment was not suffered to go on till another play was given out for Monday." Kenrick agrees with this account, then analyses several other objections which he dismisses, to wit, in the play (a) too lengthy a satire on lawyers, (b) an indelicate passage in Latin (omitted from the printed version); in the audience, a conspiracy of Garrick and Bickerstaffe against him; and lack of a claque of his own friends to carry through their suport of him. Macklin's name appears on the playroll this night, but only for a accumulated 4 days of pay #8 16s. (Account Book).] Receipts: #221 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Catley, being the last time, but one, of her performing this season. Box, Pit and Gallery Tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. Charges #65 6s. Profit to Miss Catley #136 5s.; plus #67 11s. from tickets (Box 232; Pit 49; Gallery 22). Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s., Watch rate #14 11s. 8d., and half year's paving rate due Mich. last #26 5s. Paid Recor's rate (one year's due Xmas last) for House in Bow Passage, 6s. 3d, and watch rate for ditto 10s. 8d. Receipts: #201 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid for 2 extra Flutes & Guitars (29 ultimo incl.) #2 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published Bell's edition of Shakespeare's acting plays, 'as performed at the Theatres Royal in London, requlated from the Prompt Books of each House, by permission of the managers, with notes critical and illustrative by the author of the Dramatic Censors, 5 vols. 12 mo. Price 15s."] Receipts: #246 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Daigueville, late Ballet-Master, and First Dancer, at Drury Lane Playhouse begs leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he continues to teach the Minuet, Louvre, Cotillions, Allemande, Minuet Dauphine, Country Dances, &c. at his house in King-Square Court, Dean St. Soho. Receipts: #251 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Eighth time (Treasurer's Book). For benefit of House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #249 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. This was Mr Bannister's Night but the Managers bought it. House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #245 8s. 6d. (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: Benefit for Mrs Pitt and Stoppelaer. Charges #67 15s. Deficit to each #4 6s. 9d., cover'd by income from tickets: Mrs Pitt #53 7s. (Box 48; Pit 185; Gallery 136); Stopplear, #86 5s. (Box 112; Pit 271; Gallery 176). Paid Bates for performing 4 nights in the Sorcerer to 11 Oct. last 10s., 5 nights in Henry VIII to 14 Feb. last #1 5s., and 5 nights in the Fair to 13 Nov. last 5s. Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Lady day last, #24 15s. 10d., and ditto for House in Bow Passage 17s. 9d. Receipts: #59 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede and T. Ansell. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets deliver'd by Pilfold, Sherratt, Wilkinson, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Emery, Widow Trott, Claridge and Doe will be taken as well as those delivered for Rule a Wife. Receipts: #39 15s. 6d. (Account Book). [No charges. House received the ready money receipts plus half-value of the tickets delivered]: @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 21 41 53 #16 14s. #8 7s.@Ansell 10 61 47 #16 7s. #8 3s. 6d.@Pilfold 43 284 74 #60 15s. #30 7s. 6d.@Sharratt .. 14 10 #3 2s. #1 11s.@Wilkinson 34 55 12 #17 19s. #8 19s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 24 50 23 #14 6s. #7 3s.@Mrs Emery 15 84 100 #26 7s. #13 3s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 18 4 5 #5 12s. #2 16s.@Claridge 12 66 52 #18 2s. #9 1s.@Doe .. 36 54 #10 16s. #5 8s.@Total 177 685 430 #190 #95@

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Charges #83 16s. Deficit to Sarjant #24 19s., cover'd by income from tickets, #168 14s. (Box 467; Pit 293; Gallery 80). Paid Cooper (printer) #40 15s. and Huddy (rope merchant) #2 11s. Receipts: #58 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. Thirteenth and last time this season of performing the afterpiece. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid Chorus 3 nights (this incl.) #5 6s. 6d. Receipts: #134 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The Nabob and The Padlock announced on 17 May but withdrawn; evidently players were not released by patent houses.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In three acts altered from Shakespeare. Afterpiece, a New Pastoral Masque and Pantomime interspersed. The Music composed by Fisher. The scenes painted by Messrs Dahl, Richards and Carver. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. Books of Songs, &c. sold in Theatre. The words of the Masque taken chiefly from Ben Johnson (playbill). [DNB s.v. "Jonson," suggests The Haddington Masque, 1608, with the "Hue and Cry after Cupid" material as the source. The reviewer for the Westminster Magazine commented on the performance of 25 November, after outlining the story: "Such are the outlines of The Druids, whick is a hetereogeneous jumble of monstrous absurdities; and if considered merely as a vehicle for music, dances, and decorations, is, in our opinion, far inferior to the dramatic monstrum horrendum of the other House [The Maid of the Oaks]. Both pieces, however, are equally an insult on the understanding and judgments of the Public, and exhibit striking proofs of the miserably depraved state of the English theatre, whose entertainments are at present conducted by Managers either destitute of taste and abilities or actuated by no other than the paltry, despicable motives of vanity, prejudice, and avarice,"]

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [From the Westminster Magazine for March: "On Friday the third instant the Entertainments peculiar to this season commenced. Messrs Bach and Abel were first, and have been at each successive Oratorio since (one night excepted when the King and Queen favored Mr Stanley, with bringing the only good House he has hitherto had), honoured with the presence of their Majesties, who have been accused, we think justly, of partiality to these foreigners, in overlooking Mr Stanley's past services and great personal merits. Justice, however, requires us to observe, that both in point of vocal and instrumental performers, the former have displayed a striking superiority over the latter. The singers at Messrs Bach and Abel's are, Parry, Corse, Mrs Weichsel, Miss Brown and Sga Corri. At Drury Lane, Norris, Reinhold, Mrs Mattocks, Mrs Barthelemon, and a young Lady from the Founding Hospital."

Event Comment: Matilda deferr'd Reddish ill. Afterpiece: Performed for the last time this Season. Mr Reddish was to have play'd in Matilda to Night but Sent word late last Night that he could not play Mr Brereton Play'd Posthumus & very well had great Applause-House (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd stopages #16 17s. 6d. Paid salary list #566 6s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #88 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: For House. By Their Majesties's Command, 8th night (Treasurer's Book). Paid Cleansing & Lighting rate 1 year to Lady Day last, for St Martin's #20 2s.; half yrs. Land and Window Tax to Lady Day last for ditto #40 10s. 1d.; Easter Offering 10s. 6d.; Tallow chandler's 9th Bill #31 1s. 3d.; Mr Baddeley in part of #60 in liew of Benefit (remitting #30 to his credit) #30. Receipts: #211 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Doors open half past 5. To Begin at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. House. So Ends the Season 56 different Plays 37 different Farces 188 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; Subscription to Chas Standen #1 1s.; Returned Mr J. Palmer part of his Benefit Balance #30; Sga Hidou in full of 500 Guineas for this season #27 5s. Receipts: #118 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). After season receipts and expenses (Treasurers's Book). Receipts: 29 May: Stopages #6 1s.; Watson & Mortimer #25 returned from cash advanced at beginning of season; Mrs Smith in full of debt #14. 2 June: Mr Heath's rent 1 yr to Xmas last #10; Mr Brereton's salary stopt & Benefit after money 3rd May #17 11s. 6d.; Ditto for Reddish #10; Ditto for Dibdin #24 12s. 24 June: Public Advertiser this season #50; Ditto for Gazetter #50; Mr Pope one yrs rent to Lady Day last (#1 10s. land tax deducted) #28 10s.; Harrison's rent ditto (#8 15s. deducted) #34 18s. 4d.; also deducted #2 6s. 8d. sewer's tax; Mr Parsonage 1 yrs ditto (#5 land tax and 15s. Repairs deducted) #42 5s.; Late Mr Banks 1 yrs ditto #3; Their Majesties account #80. 30 June: Mr Burges, 1 yrs rent to Xmas last (#4 4s. land tax deducted) #16 16s.; Discount on #362 1s. 3d. amount of tallow chandler's 10 Bills this season at 8%-#28 19s. 2d.; Remainder of Sinking Fund, #159 12s.; Mr Reddish's Benefit Acct #78 16s. 6d. 15 July: Sundry salary forfeits taken up by Evans #144 18s. 4d.; Music forfeits #18 4s. 6d. B. Richards forfeits #6 12s. Expenditures: 29 May: Salary List #510 6s.; Davies on note #9 9s.; Slingsby in full of #350 for this season #3 1s. 8d.; Mrs Yates ditto of #800 this season 11s. 8d.; Mr Courtney Chorus 27 nights at 5s. per night in full #6 15s.; Advanced to Everard to compleat his ticket acct #1 5s. 6d.; Mr Page on note #5 5s.; Mr Page in full of #25 this season #1 12s. 6d. 3 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; King in full of #500 salary #32 10s.; Mrs Moffat, dresser, per order D. Garrick #5 5s.; Lamash on note #6 15s.; One yrs watch & rector's rate to Lady Day last (Cov. Garden) #1 10s. 24 June: Repaid Mr Bannister his Bt balance #35 16s. 6d.; Lent Mr Baddeley per order Mr D. Garrick #20; Mr G. Garrick in full of #400, #50; Mr Smart, attending practices of Dances #10 10s.; Mr Pope's bill for Wigs #17 7s. 6d., and his bill for 64 extra nights for dressing #6 8s.; Mr D. Richards 31 weeks 1 day extra salary #31 3s. 4d.; Chaise to Hampton, Mr Evans & Becket 19s. 8d.; J. French on acct #7 7s. 30 June: Mr Vernon's balance of Acct in full #18 9s. 6d.; Mrs Chitty for coals #77; Barrow & Co. for Oil #187 6s. 6d.; Burges (bricklayer) #134 11s.; Tallow chandler's 10th and last bill #28 4s. 10d.; Chettell (timber merchant) #76 12s. 6d.; R. Palmer Jr 47 nights in Maid of Oaks and Harlequin's Jacket #4 14s.; Loss on sale of 75 Guineas & half light cash of Sinking Fund #3 9s. 6d. 5 July: Bibb (sword cutler) #3 6s.; Scott (copper laceman) #100 3s.; Powney (stationer) #5 16s.; Mrs Jones (worsted lace) &c. #8 2s.; Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #33 3s. 6d.; Blakes (hatter) #10 4s.; Jennings (glover & furrier) #23 7s. 6d.; Mrs Lowe@and@Co. (glaziers) #2 16s.; Mr Hadley (engine maker) #13; Thomson (smith) #14 9s.; Carter (scowrer) #9 4s.; Cubitt (tinman) #4 8s. 6d.; Hewetson & Co. (laceman) #17 2s. 6d.; Gardner (shoemaker) #3 19s. 7 July: Waller & Co. (hosiers) #24 4s. 6d.; Carpue (silk dyer) #8 10s. 6d.; Cropley (linen draper) #13 9s. 6d.; Mr Knyvett (harpsichord performer) 14 nights #5 5s.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #13 12s.; J. French on Acct #8 8s.; Cole (turner) #35 5s. 6d. 12 July: Mr Stafford (glassman) per Mr Johnston #29 5s. 6d.; Mr King & Co. for Women's cloaths, per Mr Johnston #10; Mrs Garwood (laundress) per Mr Johnston #15 15s.; Mr Palmer for Spermacetti Candles, per Mr Johnston, #172 4s. 15 July: J. French on Acct #15 15s.; J. Johnston's Music Bill, #12 11s. 10d.; Repaid Mr Reddish's Benefit Acct to Mr Burns for his creditors, #78 16s. 6d. 19 July: Lent to Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; Mr Victor's Gratuity #30, and two weeks' extra salary #5; Mr Evans in lieu of Benefit #42 and two week's extra salary #3. Books closed and balanced paid. VIZ. Total income #33,614 16s. 6d. Total profit #389 5s. 7d. Total expense #29,719 10s. 11d. Paid Patentees #2840. To Clutterbuck #1000. Left in Victor's hands carried to next season 55 5s. 7d

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: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid half a years rent to Duke of Bedford to Mich. Last #164 2s. 10d.; Ditto to Mr Wegg to ditto #57; Mrs Scott (laceman) #99 7s.; Mrs Chitty for coals #92 10s.; Mrs Sutton for women's cloathes #12; Tabor and Pipe 7 nights #3 13s. 6d.; Two additional flutes #3. Receipts: #272 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). At the Play Mr Garrick acted and the house was so full you could not have thrust your little finger in, not withstanding the plague sweeps us away by dozens (Cumberland's Letters; Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: Queen Mab is reviv'd with Alterations and Additions particularly Grand New Scene with a Representation of a Regatta very well executed but is too much like The Naval Review (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Hopkins differs slightly. He also adds from the Public Advertiser, 13 Nov., The last grand scene is a Representation of the whole Regatta sailing by Ranelagh. That and the Red House were invented and drawn by Mr deLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, deRoy, Greenwood, and others."] Rec'd stopages #11 12s. 6d. Paid Salary list #626 16s. 6d. Receipts: #152 12s. (Treasurer's Book). [Fuller descriptions of the Regatta scene appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Nov.: The Scene affords a picturesque view of the Thames on the Surry Side to Ranelagh Gardens representing the procession of barges etc., of the different squadrons, previous to their landing the company. The effect produced by this united scenery and machinery was very pleasing; every barge appeared to be rowed to the time of the band of music which is supposed to be upon the water, and evepy man and oar keeps a regular stroke: the sky, flat behind, was finely designed and executed for the general relief, and disposition of the men and boats near shore, in the foreground, was beautiful and did the painter great credit. The whole concluded with a Tar 's song in character, by Mr Bannister, and a dance by sailors and their doxies.'

Event Comment: In Mr G. fine Scene with Thomas , Just as he was going to trust him with the Secret the House was very Silent and Mr G. very fine a fellow in the Gallery bawld out--Speak louder--It disconcerted Mr G. very much (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Mr Waller's Bill (hosier) #30 16s. 9d.; Mr Pryer [Turner] #3 2s.; Mr Bannizter [sic] for two songs #5 5s. Receipts: #242 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 11 May 1772.] [Young gentleman identified by Hopkins MS Notes. Genest, V, 517, also calls attention to the fact that the text lists Douglas as Norval and Old Norval as Stranger (1757) or Prisoner (1768). Webster first named as Douglas on bill for 27 Feb. 1776. Review of Webster's acting appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Jan.: "His person is rather elegant; his voice is full and harmonious, his pronunciation distinct and correct, and his delivery graceful and unembarassed. Those are his excellencies, and considering it was his first performance, he seems to possess them in a degree far superior to the various candidates for theatrical fame which the managers of both houses have brought forward for some years past. On the other hand he is aukward, and in some parts unanimated. His arms are too long, or he flung them about in a very disgusting manner. He seemed to express the sense of his author much better than his own feelings. His voice though full, wants variety and modulation; not but on some occasions he managed it with infinite grace and judgement. But if this want of variety of tones and extent of voice, which is so indispensibly necessary to constitute a first rate actor, be not the effect of Nature, the Public may behold with less anxiety their decayed veterans giving nightly proofs of their increasing infirmities, and quick approaching theatrical dissolution."

Event Comment: Wash &c. left out of the title (Winston MS). The farce went off very well till the second act when Capt. Roper and another Gentleman came into the boxes very Drunk hiss'd and kept a great Noise 'till at last the Pit and Gallery began to hiss them he struck at Somebody in the Pit--the Gentleman that came with Capt. Roper Jump'd out of the Stage Box upon the Stage immediately Several out of the Pit and Boxes follow'd and Some blows ensued and I thought they would have pull'd the House down this lasted about half and hour and then it all grew quiet and we finished the Farce (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days #520 5s. 5d.; Mrs Garrick for sundry stage trimmings #7 8s. 6d. Receipts: #197 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Webster. Mr Barry being ill, the tragedly of King Lear oblig'd to be deferr'd. [A comment in Lloyd's Evening Post for 29 Feb. refers to an incident in cg this evening: "A fellow who sat on the sixth row of the Upper Gallery...Threw a Keg (which he had brought full of liquor into the House) over the Gallery front. It fell upon a lady's head, who sat in that part of the Pit which was railed into the Boxes, but the Lady's hair being dress'd in high ton, the artifical mountain luckily prevented the mischief that otherwise might have been occasioned....The fellow who threw the cask was carried to the Public Office, in Bow Street, and from thence committed to Tothill Fields, Bridewell. As the custom of throwing mugs, bottles, apples, &c. from the galleries of the theatres is equally as wanton and wicked and is frequently the cause of great mischief, it is thought the present culprit will made an example of" (Quoted in Hampden, Journal).