Event Comment: [Kirkpatrick is identified in Morning Chronicle, 8 Nov. He was from the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin.] Receipts: #132 11s. 6d. (129.19.0; 2.12.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: With Alterations and Additions, particularly two Grand New Scenes designed by DeLoutherbourg [see 2 Jan.]. Receipts: #163 13s. 6d. (122.15.0; 40.11.0; 0.7.6)

Event Comment: [This was the last performance ever held in this theatre. On 27 June the Morning Chronicle published the playbill for that same evening: Love in a Village and Comical Courtship, but on 29 June the same newspaper reported that on "Friday [26 June] (soon after the performances of the evening were finished at China Hall, Rotherhithe) the theatre was discovered to be on fire. The flames increased so rapidly that in a short time the whole building, with all the scenes, stage, cloaths, &c. were consumed...There is no doubt but the theatre was wilfully set on fire." During the course of the summer it was rebuilt, but "Yesterday morning the play-house at China-hall, Rotherhithe, was blown down by the violence of the wind. The said play-house was burnt down last summer, but it being insured was rebuilt by contract, and the tiling of it completely finished last week" (Gazetteer, 26 Nov. 1778). And see 30 July.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years acted 6 Nov. 1775. Prologue by Nicholas Rowe. Afterpiece [ 1st time; f 2, by Frederick Pilon. Prologue by the author (Public Advertiser, 5 Nov.). In speaking a line in the Prologue that won applause Whitfield waved his hat so vehemently tha he "dislocated a Bone in his Arm. He went to the side of the stage, and one of the Scene-men taking him by the Wrist, and giving four or five pretty severe jerks, the Bone recovered its place" (ibid). In all subsequent performances the Prologue was spoken by Lee Lewes.]. Public Advertiser, 18 Nov. 1778: This Day at Noon is published The Invasion (1s.)

Event Comment: Public Advertiser, 22 Mar.: At the particular Desire of the Nobility and Gentry, the Subscribers to this Theatre, on account of the young Prince's Christening there will be no Opera to-morrow. This delay will prove very convenient for compleating the great Preparations which in every respect are necessary to present [the new] Opera [see 25 Mar.] in all the Magnificence it requires. [Prince Octavius, 8th son of George III, was christened on 23 Mar.

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Orphan, announced on playbill of 30 Oct.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [same for rest of season]. Receipts: #124 8s, 6d, (123.4.6; 1.4.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years [acted 23 May 1778. As afterpiece the playbill announces the 24th night of The Critic, but it was not acted (see 1 Jan. 1780). Its substitute is listed in the Account-Book.]. Receipts: #162 2s. (135.2; 26.9; 0.11)

Event Comment: [Afterpiece in place of The Elopement, announced in Public Advertiser, 21 Oct.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 16 May 1781]. Receipts: #110 7s. (80.1.0; 29.18.6; 0.7.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [Prologue by Nicholas Rowe.] Receipts: #144 2s. 6d. (107.15.0; 33.10.0; 2.17.6)