Event Comment: Benefit for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York. Mainpiece a Sacred Ode written by Dr Brown set to select Airs, Duets and Choruses from Mr Handel, and other Eminent Composers, with the addition of several new songs. Pit and Boxes to be put together. No Persons to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd at the Office of the theatre at 1!2 a Guinea each; and also at the following Coffee House, viz: the Smyrna, Pall Mall; the Mount, Grosvenor St; George's, Temple Bar; the Rainbow, Cornhill, the New York, Sweetings's Alley; and the Pennsylvania, Birchin Lane. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallerp 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half past Four, Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at 1!2 after Six (playbill). This philanthropic enterprise, of which the theatrical benefit was but a part, seems not to have born much fruit for the respective Colleges. See Letter to the Governors of the Colleges of New York, respecting the Collection that was made in the Kingdom in 1762 and 1763, for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York, to which are added Explanatory notes and appendix. By Sir James Jay, M. D. (London, 1771). The funds collected seem largely to have been used up in a law suit. The Governor of the College of New York, Rev. Dr Johnson, asked Jay to collect funds, which he did. Alderman Trecothick wrote Dr Johnson that the funds were not safe in Jay's hands. The Governors insulted Jay, and when they found they were wrong refused to apologize. They entered a bill against him in Chancery to gain the funds. It dragged out for four years. When the power of Attorney had been given to Trecothick, he claimed that a sum of #1437 15s. 6d. was unaccounted for by Jay, and was supposed to be in Jay's hands. Jay explained the Governors had not reckoned on reimbursement for his time and expenses for two years.

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for The Literary Fund. [In this performance the male parts were acted chiefly by amateurs; the female parts were acted by professionals. Prologue and Epilogue by Thomas Morris (Morning Herald, 17 Apr.).] The Committee for the Management of the Literary Fund respectfully inform the Public that affecting instabces of Merit in distress exceed their power of relief by the ordinary Subscription; and that they wish to have recourse to every honourable expedient to increase that power. The Admission will be by Tickets, at the Opera Prices. Boxes and Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. No more Company will be admitted than the House will hold with perfect convenience; and when the proper number of Tickets is issued, no means of admission can be obtained. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 precisely. Registers: Thomas Dale, M. D.; Mr Deputy Nichols. Treasurers: Thomas Morris, Esq.; Mr E. Brooke. "In the course of the play we observed several restorations of Shakespeare's text, with some interpolations. The boldest of the latter was the introduction of Richard's son to him in the tent, the night befiredthedbefore the Battle of Bosworth field. This scene was borrowed, as we believe, from Thomas? Hull's Legendary Tale of Richard Plantagenet. It was well written, and produced a considerable degree of effect. The Ghosts were banished, and the start and stagger of Richard, heretofore the theatrical trick of the scene, necessarily omitted" (Diary, 17 Apr.)

Event Comment: Leonora-Theatrical Review). Leonora 1st time Miss Rogers very pretty & got Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin">Miss Rogers for first time-O Horrible! most Horrible'. (Theatrical Review). Leonora 1st time Miss Rogers very pretty & got Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin, Miss Rogers. Rec'd Stopages, #11 2s. 6d.; From Mr Hopkins, on Acct, #16 10s.; From Mr Clutterbuck, #200; from Sinking Fund #126 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #156 6s. 6d. Charges: #48 8s. 6d. Profit to Aickin & Miss Rogers: #107 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for raising a Fund for the relief of those, who from their infirmities shall be oblig'd to retire from the stage (playbill). Pit and Boxes laid together. Come as early as possible. No Admittance to persons but with tickets. House opens at 5 o'clock. Play to begin at half past 6. [The only house charges for a Fund Benefit seem to have been the incidental expenses as follows]: Renters #8; Supernumeraries & Kettledrums #1 3s.; Soldiers 14s.; Printer #2 6s. 6d.; Extra Constables #1 10s. 6d.; Candles, Oyl & Lampmen #3 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #304 11s. 6d. Charges #17 12s. 6d. Profits to Fund #286 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard (Cross). Mainpiece: Not acted these 30 years. This day publish'd. Price 1s. Reflections upon Theatrical Expression in Tragedy. [By Roger Pickering. This is a defense of the theatrical profession, "which in all countries is considered low and contemptible." Author's thesis: "A master of theatrical expression in all its extensive significancy must be possess'd of such accomplishments, as to set the profession above all contempt." Garrick is mentioned as best example. True tragic expression "requires Genius, Education, Reading, Experience...and a solidity of thought which never accompanies abject morals" (p. 11). Includes an interesting treatise on acting-sections on figure, voice, ear, memory, management of feet and legs. Comments on costume: "Taste in dress demands that an actor be conversant in the mode of dress ancient and modern, in other countries as well as in our own...Alexander and Cato were not masters of the snuff box, nor Greek women of French heels." The appendix asks why all our plays are not dressed in character in point of time and place, and why they do not contain at least one "scene" proper to the country. The author (p. 61) sees need for variety in acting same role, especially when a play has a continuous run of several nights. He calls (p. 77) for creation of appropriate mood for the play by selection of proper music between the acts. Wants a softening of the prompter's bell. Concludes by damning contemporary audience manners, especially those of the stage loungers (pp. 79-81).] Receipts: #314 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit and Increase of a Fund Support of decay'd Musicians, or their Families. To begin at 6 p.m. Prices 10s. 6d. The Fund has dispensed #482 17s. during the past year

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes to be put together; and no persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver'd this day, at the office, at Half-a-Guinea each. Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries will be open'd at Four, Pit & Boxes at Five, and to begin at half an four after Six o'clock. Tickets delivered out for 25 Jan. will be take. Subscribers tickets may be had of Richard Dawson, at his house near Henry the Seventh's Chapel, Westminster, who is empower'd by the Society to deliver them, and receive the subscriptions. N.B. Tickets deliver'd to subscribers to this charity will admit one person into any part of the House. Benefit for Increase of a Fund establish'd for the support of Decay'd Musicians, or their Families. [The governors report that they have expended from June 1757 to June 1758 #541 8s. 6d. from this fund.

Event Comment: Benefit for Increase of a Fund established for the support of Decayed musicians and their families. An Oratorio from the Works of the Late Mr Handel, performed but once. The Governors of the Fund spent #628 18s. 6d. last year. Pit and Boxes Half a Guinea. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries open at 4, Pit and Boxes at 5. To begin at 6:30 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit towards the Increase of a Fund, established by the Performers of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden for the Support of Decayed Actors and their Families. This Fund having been begun by voluntary contributions among the performers, improved by a proportionable Weekly Deduction on their salaries, and intended as a reciprocal Provision for them their widows and children, in sickness and infirmity, it is humbly hoped and appeal to the Generosity of the Public will not be taken amiss. Such of the Nobility, Gentry, &c. who are pleas'd to favour this Undertaking, are desired to send for places, Box or Pit tickets, to Mr Sarjant, at the Stage Door. Mainpiece [by John Banks]: Not acted these 20 years. Occasional Prologue, written by Hull [printed in the Jester's Magazine, May 1766, p. 241]

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes laid together. No admittance to Pit but through the boxes and with tickets. Towards raising a fund for the relief of those who from their infirmities shall be oblig'd to retire from the stage. This fund having been begun by a voluntary contribution among the performers improved by a proportionable weekly deduction on their salaries and intended as a reciprocal provision for them, their widows and children in sickness and infirmity, it is humbly hoped an appeal to the generosity of the public will not be taken amiss &c. (Winston MS 9)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted this season. Benefit for the Increase of a Fund Establish'd by the Performers at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, for the support of such actors, and their families, who from age or infirmities shall be incapable of their business. Such of the Nobility, Gentry, &c., who are pleased to favour this undertaking, are desir'd to send for places, Box or Pit tickets to Mr Sarjant at the Stage-Door. Charges #65. Profits to the Fund #13617s., plus #22 6s. from tickets (Box 82, Pit 12). Paid Mr Weller as per bills for property and machinery in Faustus #14 13s. (Account Book). Receipts: #201 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #3 4s. 6d.; Paid salary list #441 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #171 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Pay List 24 Jan. 1767 at #73 10s. 8d. per diem, #441 4s. per week (Winston MS 9), at close of season 1766-67. @Men Daily Weekly@James Lacy #2 15s. 6d. #16 13s.@David Garrick #2 15s. 6d. #16 13s.@#2 18s. 4d. #17 10s.@Yates & Wife #3 6s. 8d. #20@Holland #2 #12@Powell #2 #12@Palmer & Wife #2 #12@King & Wife #2 #12@Dance & Wife #1 1s. 8d. #6 10s.@Hopkins & Wife 18s. 4d. #5 10s.@Havard 16s. 8d. #5@Dodd 16s. 8d. #5@Baddeley & Wife 13s. 4d. #4@Bransby 11s. 8d. #3 10s.@Burton 10s #3@Moody 10s. #3@Rooker 10s. #3@Packer 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Parsons 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Aickin 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Hurst 6s. 8d. #2@Ackman 6s. 8d. #2@Hartry 6s. 8d. #2@Weston 6s. 8d. #2@Clough 5s. #1 10s.@Raftor 5s. #1 10s.@J. Johnston 5s. #1 10s.@J. Palmer 5s. #1 10s.@Castle 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Strange 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Fox 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Marr 3s. 4d. #1@Mas. Burton 3s. 4d. #1@Philips 3s. 4d. #1@Keen 3s. 4d. #1@Watkins 2s. 6d. 15s.@Mortimer 2s. 12s.@West 2s. 12s.@ Women Daily Weekly@Pritchard #2 6s. 8d. #14@Clive #1 15s. #10 10s.@Abington 16s. 8d. #5@Pope 16s. 8d. #5@Barry 10s. #3@Reynolds 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Bennett 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Bradshaw 6s. 8d. #2@Lee 6s. 8d. #2@Plym 6s. 8d. #2@Cross 5s. #1 10s.@Simpson 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Smith@Speres@Miss Simson@Mills@Pearce@Mathews 3s. 4d. each #1@ Singers@Arne #1 10s. #9@Vernon #1 #6@Vincent 16s. 8d. #5@Scott 13s. 4d. #4@Champness 13s. 4d. #4@Dorman 5s. #1 10s.@Fawcett 5s. #1 10s.@Kear 3s. 4d. #1@The Band #7 14s. 8d. 46s. 8d.@ Dancers@Guidetti 17s. 6d. #5 5s.@Grimaldi & Wife 16s. 8d. #5@Giorgi & Wife 16s. 8d. #5@Duquesney 10s. #3@Tassoni 6s. 8d. #2@Granier@Mathews@Roullet@Luchi@Tetley 5s. each #1 10s.@Walker 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Hurst@Pope@Mas. Lelly@Eagan@Heath 3s. 4d. each #1@Heyward@Reinhold@Wallis@Brawn 2s. 6d. each 15s.@Office Keepers 2 at #1@3 at 15s.@1 at 12s.@Box Keepers 15 Doorkeepers (Palmer included) 9s.@Men Dressers 1 at 12s.@11 at 9s.@Women Dressers 16 at 9s.@Treasurer: Victor 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Sub. Treas.: 5s. #1@Wardrobe: Heath & Wife 6s. 8d. #2@Wardrobe: Slaughter 5s. #1 10s.@Wardrobe: Johnston 3s. 4d. #1@Properties: Berkely Jr 3s. 4d. #1@Properties: D Jr 1s. 9d. 10s. 16d.@Numberer: Fosbrook 2s. 6d. 15s.@Housekeepers: Johnson 8s. 10d. #2 13s.@Hulett 2s. 6d. 15s.@Sceneman 1s. 8d. 6s. 4d.@Soldiers 14s. #4 4s.@Sweepers 11s. 6d. #3 9s.@Barber 4s. #1 4s.@Constable 2s. 12s.@Candlewoman 2s. 12s.@Pensioner: Waldgrave 1s. 9d. 10s. 6d.@Sinking Fund 1s. 15d. 10s. 10d.@Salary Fund 1s. 15d. 10s. 10d.

Event Comment: Benfit towards the increase of a Fund (Established by the Performers of this Theatre) for the support of such actors, and their families, who from Age or Infirmities, shall be oblig'd to quit the stage. Charges #65 7s. 6d. [including candles, extra kettle drum, side drum, organ and tabor & pipe]. Balance due Fund #101 17s. 6d. plus a special income of #17 13s. from 64 Box tickets (Account Book). Receipts: #167 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Timanthes and the Citizen oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of Indisposition of Mrs Yates and Mrs Mattocks. Benefit for the increase of a Fund, for the support of such actors and their families who through age or infirmity are oblig'd to retire from the stage (playbill). Charges #70 12s. 6d. Profit to the Fund #68 1s. 6d. plus [apparently] #10 from sale of 40 Box Tickets (Account Book). Receipts: #138 14s. (Account Book)