Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece: By Desire. Benefit for Powell. Part of Pit laid into boxes. Send servants by 3 o'clock. House charges #74 10s. [Profit to Powell #207 5s.] Paid Johnston, under prompter #7; Five extra trumpets #1 5s.; 2 Flutes 10s.; Chorus singers #2 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #281 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Half past 4 walked to Drury Lane House. With every great difficulty got into the 2s. Gallery before; saw the Death of Alexander with his Triumphal Entrance into Babylonv and the Dance of the Vintage, for the benefit of Powell who played Alexander. Some reported that Garrick says he makes mistakes in the character exceedingly in the banquet scene, in which no one ever surpassed him. I cannot judge of the truth of this observation (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Arne. Afterpiece: By Desire. House Charges #68 16s. 6d. [Profits to Mrs Arne #150 18s. 6d.] Tickets deliver'd for The Beggar's Opera will be admitted. Dido oblig'd to be defer'd a few days. Paid 1 year's Watch for St Martin's #10 2s.; Reynolds Oil bill #46 4s.; Carpue (silk dyer) #7 9s. 6d.; Jennings (glover) #13 12s.; Vernon on note #21; Chorus 1 night #2 5s. 6d.; Hautboy 5s.; Salary list #294 2s. 8d. [Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #219 14s. (Treasurer's Book). At 4 dined at the Chop House in St Clements. At 5 went to Drury Lane to see the Tempest for the benefit of Mrs Arne the prettiest performer at the house...She has a sweet little voice...A grand Dance of Fantastic Spirits in different shapes. At the end of the play a Double Hornpipe by Mr Walker and Miss Tatley. We had the entertainment of Daphne and Amintor with dancing by Sg and Sga George, Sg Tessoni, Miss King, &c. Having a seat in the third row of the Pit, was much pleased as all the principal characters were well played and the scenery is very fine. Had I been later in going, I should not have got in (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Vernon. House Charges #67 9s. 6d. [Profit to Vernon #52 1s. 6d.] Paid Burney Jr 8 days salary #1 13s. 4d.; Chorus singers #2 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #119 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Fifteen minutes past 4 took my seat in the 4th row of the first Gallery at Drury Lane...Lord Ogleby was excellently played by King. Heidelberg inimitably by Mrs Clive. After the Vintage, King by desire presented the Public again with Linco's Travels, but omitted a few things spoke last night. Cupid in Daphne and Amintor by Miss Rogers...Eleven o'clock when we got out (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #76 10s. [Profit to King #55 14s.] Paid Master Burney 15 nights #3 2s. 6d. Printer's bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #132 4s. (Treasurer's Book). At 5 went to the Pit at Drury Lane to see the Clandestine Marriage...I could see this play, as it is now performed, every night, but J. Palmer was not so good in Brush as the other Mr Palmer whose character it is. Plym did not please tonight. The scene between the lawyers was omitted. We had the Irish Lilt by Mrs King, Giorgi, &c., and a comic scene by her and M Dugermay, with Linco's Travels...Mrs King is certainly a very fine dancer and has the best legs I ever saw. Past eleven ere we got out. A little girl of 7 or 8 years old danced very prettily (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Widow Vincent. House charges #64 15s. 6d. [Deficit Mrs Vincent #20 3s. 6d.] Rec'd by draft on Mr Clutterbuck #200, and from Sinking Fund #287; Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #27 18s. 11d.; and French on account #12 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Fifteen minutes past 5 went to the 2s. gallery...(Widow Vincent's voice pleases me much. Holland did Oakly,-he imitates Garrick, but is very inferior to him (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #44 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Messrs Wignel and Stoppelaer. Neither Piece Acted This Season. The Prologue and Epilogue spoken By particular Desire by Master Wignell. Charges #72 15s. [of which Wignel bore #32 2s. 6d. and Stoppelaer bore #40 12s. 6d. Their deficit codered by income from tickets: Wignel #97 6s. (Box 82; Pit 362; Gallery 225); Stoppelaer #104 15s. (Bhx 118; Pit 377; Gallery 187).] Paid Edward Bamford for the Giant in the Dragon of Wantly #1 1s. (Account Book). With difficulty got into the Pit just before began (Neville MS Diary). [He comments favorably on the play and performers. Liked Shuter, especially, as Sharp in the afterpiece, and thought Miss Baker looked well in men's clothes.] Receipts: #48 7s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Mr Vincent for 3 sets of Abels Symphonies #2 5s. (Account Book). Receipts: #116 11s. (Account Book). This was the last time Mr Beard appeared on the stage. John Beard Esq Buried in the vault (at Hampton) 12 Feb. 1791. This celebrated actor was bred up at the King's Chapel, and was afterwards one of the singers at the Duke of Chandos's Chapel at Canons, where he took a part in Handel's Oratorio of Hester. His first appearance on the stage was 30 August 1737, in the character of Sir John Loverule [Devil to Pay], at Drury Lane. In 1739 he married Lady Henrietta Herbert, daughter of James, Earl of Waldegrave, and Widow of Lord Edward Herbert. Upon this event he quitted the Stage. After a few years he returned to it again, and continued to be a great favourite with the public both as an actor and a vocal performer till 1767, when he finally retired from the theatre. Lady Henrietta Beard died in 1753; and in 1759 Mr Beard married a Daughter of John Rich Esq Patentee of Covent Garden Theatre. On this occasion he removed a second time to that theatre, where he had acted from 1744 to 1748; and on the death of his father-in-law in 1761, was appointed Manager. Mr Beard, who was as much esteem'd in private life as he was admired on the stage, was for many years an Inhabitant of Hampton. See Lysons's Middlesex Parishes, p. 89 and 80. Mr Beard died 4 Feb. 1791, aged 74 years. See his Epitaph, ibidem. See Lady Beard's Epitaph in St Pancreas Churchyard (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mortimer, Tomlinson, West, Lings. House charges #84. [Deficit to actors #60 4s.] Received Mr Evans and Miss Roger's deficiency #28 18s. 6d. Paid Ann Collett for a gold brocaided silk #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #23 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Went into ye Pit...Vernon is an excellent MacHeath. I don't like Yates as Peachum so well as Shuter, and Parsons is not so good a Filch as Holborn. Bransby ye Lockit and Mrs Abington Lucy pretty well...Polly-$Mrs Vincent, who is now too old for ye character, and I think wants feeling...One Tomlinson, who had a 4th of the Benefit, spoke an Epilogue in the character of a Beggar, but by one party hissing and a greater clapping, could not hear it.--At Covent Garden a Hurdy-Gurdy man and girl play in the whore's scene, and as the Highwaymen march out, one returns and kisses MacHeath, and Shuter says some things Yates did not, but perhaps they are additions of his own (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Benefit for Bowers (box-keeper) and Veal (1st gallery door-keeper). Play begins exactly at six o'clock. House charges #84. [Deficit to beneficiaries #61 5s. 6d.] Tickets deliver'd for The Busy Body will be taken. Paid Rector's rate and Watch 4 quarters #1 13s. Rec'd from Messrs Powell & Co for cloaths #11 11s.; Eight days from the Certainties #82 13s. 4d.; Stopages #1 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #22 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Took a place in ye front Boxes at Drury Lane for Wednesday next, when ye Suspicious Husband is to be performed for ye Decayed Actors' Fund, scarcely a place remaining untaken. I wanted one in ye Pit (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Theatrical Fund. Doors open at 5 o'clock. Play to begin at half past 6. Last night of season. Cash in the Galleries #88, from Mr Johnston #211 18s. Total #299 19s. Paid in sundries (Rent #8; Soldiers 14s.; Properties 2s.; Bill Stickers 18s.; Candles, Oyl, Lampmen #3 18s. 6d.; Printer #2 13s. 6d.; Total #16 5s. 6d.; Box tickets 680 #170). Ladies and Gentlemen who have taken tickets for the Pit and Boxes are requested to be early at the Theatre, to prevent their being incommoded in getting to their Place. [N.B. 27 June 1767 the Gentleman's Magazine reports that Sg Tenducci "renounced the errors of popery, and embraced the protestant religion in Dublin."] Receipts: #299 19s. (Treasurer's Book). Instead of going to dinner put The Suspicious Husband in my pocket and read Ranger's part at the Somerset Coffee House. Dressed and at half past 5 went into the Front Boxes at Drury Lane to see The Suspicious Husband for the Fund for the Relief of Decayed Actors, being the last time of performing this season. The Pit and Boxes were laid together. Mr Garrick spoke an occasional Prologue and played Ranger. Though in the back row I saw him very well by the help of my glass...Before the Dance Mr Garrick saying that he would not have been able to do it after, in the name of the company and managers thanked the public for the favors received this season. Mr @@ asked me to go to Vauxhall after ye Play, but I chose rather to see Daphne and Amintor ye characters as usual (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Never Perform'd. Founded on Beaumont and Fletcher. Music by Thomas Linley. A Comic Opera the Music entirely new. [By Thomas Hull altered from The Royal Merchant; or the Beggar's Bush (Biographia Dramatica). See 19 Dec. 1767 for further note on Music.] Paid Mr Horne for 4 Tambourines #1 10s. (Account Book). Went into the Pit to see the opera founded on Beaumont and Fletcher, performed for the first time....The music may be good, but the piece is trifling and childish, barren of incident and character except that of Clause played by Bensley and the frightened peasant. The performers are in the Flemish dresses of the times, and do the piece much justice. At the beginning of the 2nd act some fellows in the 2s. Gallery began a disturbance, but were turn'd out and carried before Sir John Fielding, where they confessed that they were hired to disturb this performance by a publican, but refused to say whom....Stood in the well (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #225 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Last time of the company's performing this season. [Following deficiencies for this season paid up: Richard Smith, Lewes, Dumay, Condell, Potter, Thomas Smith, Quick, Furkins, Wilkinson, Abbott, Simmonds, Pullen, Stephenson, Asbury, Wilde, Francis, Mrs Griffiths, Claridge, and Sharratt (Account Book). This includes payment of half value of tickets for those who were granted partial benefits on that basis.] Music forfeits at end of season #17 6s. 11d. Neville MS Diary: Went...to see Cymbeline...chiefly to hear Powell speak an occasional prologue. Would not have gone had I known it was only a stale piece of flattery to George. [See The Gentleman's Magazine, 9 July p. 346: "On shutting up the playhouse in Covent Garden at the end of the season, admission into the theatre having been denied to Mr H and R through any other passage but Mr Powell's House, those gentlemen at the head of a large posse on the 17th of last month, [June] made a forcible entry by breaking open a window near the playhouse door in Hart street; after which they expelled by violence Mr Sargeant the Housekeeper, all his family and others; but the acting managers not being inclined to submit to the arbitrary proceedings of their colleagues, immediately applied for redress, where redress was effectually to be had, and this day they were formally expelled by virtue of a warrant from under the hand and seal of the high sherrifs of London and Middlesex, and the old housekeeper, Mr Sargeant, restored to his office of trust, to the great mortification of one of the champions who had been heard to say: That he had now got possession and d--n him if he would not keep it while he had a drop of blood in his body, and while there was one brick upon another belonging to the house."

Event Comment: Benefit for City of London Lying-In Hospital in Aldersgate Street. Charges #85 5s. Balance to Hospital 8s. 6d. plus income from tickets #142 3s. (Box 402; Pit 203; Gallery 112). Paid Dunstall balance for Theatrical Fund #120 6d. (Account Book). [The Occasional Prologue is Larpent MS 303, ending in anti-Mandevillian fashion; Private virtue leads to Public good."] . Receipts: #85 13s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for New General Lying In Hospital in Store St., Tottenham Court Road. Charges #85 10s. Balance to Hospital #10 17s. 6d., plus income from tickets #116 15s. (Box 377, Pit 150). Paid Tenducci for his performance in Amintas the 21st Inst. #30 (Account Book). [Shuter's Occasional Epilogue is Larpent MS 303.] Receipts: #96 7s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Tickets deliver'd for King Arthur will be taken. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Ladies send servants by 4 o'clock. Paid Supers, Kettle Drum, & practices to King Arthur #2 16s.; Printer's Bill #8 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Mary Martin to J. M. Rebow, 6 April (MS correspondence in Washington State University Library): There has not been any mention of Barry's Benefit in ye Papers till to Day when it is advertis'd for ye 23rd of this Month, & ye Play. After...ye Constant Couple, which I imagine is no very desirable thing to see so late in ye Season, therefore pray tell me if I must send ye Tickets back directly, or may keep them till you are in Town again, which I hope you certainly will be before that time; I find we are not ye only unfortunates that Mr Johnson disappoints of Places, for that it is his Constant Practice not to let a single Place, till all his Five Guinea Chaps are serv'd even if you are at ye Play House, & apply ye Instant ye Play is given out, for which reason Mr Garrick has desir'd Gentlemen will Write to him upon such Occasions, & it is now very commonly done. Receipts: #264 11s. 6d. Charges: #67. Profits to Barry: #197 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece entirely new Composed by Dibdin. [An adaptation of Goldoni's Il Filosofo di Campagna.] Book of Songs to be had at Theatre (playbill). The Wedg R. a Comic Opera of Two Acts wrote & composed by Mr Dibdin. The Music very pretty--as the Author was kept a Secret The Town fancy'd that is one of Mr Bickerstaff & call'd out to know who was the Author. Mr Garrick inform'd them that he had no power to declare who the Author was but he could assure them that it was not Mr Bickerstaffs this did not Satisfy them at last Mr Dibdin went on & declard himself to be the Author & made an Affidavit of it & then the Farce went on with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Account of The Wedding Ring in Westminster Magazine for Feb. 1773.] Paid #4 4s. for licensing The Wedding Ring and Alonzo (Treasurer's Book). [Maria Macklin, in a MS letter to her father, 3 Feb. 1773, commented fully on this night's performance: "Written as it was suppos'd by Bickerstaffe. The music by Dibdin. I went with a party into the Gallery to see the event as there was a great riot expected, & indeed never did I see an audience more inflamed. They would not suffer them to begin the piece. At last Mr King came on with a written paper in his hand, which he said he was desir'd to read in the name of the managers. After a great noise they let him read it. He said just before the play began the managers had receiv'd a letter from Mr Dibdin in which he declared that Bickerstaff was not the author of that piece, that he had made oath of it, and was ready to do the same again, but that for very particular reasons the author could not be given up. Then they stopp'd him & roar'd out that the author should be given up then. He continued as loud as he possibly could, reading on that 'but that if Mr Dibdin did not very soon given up the author he never should be suffered to appear again on that stage or any other.' Very luckily that turn'd them as I believe the House would have come down. The piece then began. Before the end of the first act one of Bannister's songs were encor'd. The other party were against it and would not let it go on. They all stood up and insisted that the author should be known then. After some time the house being nothing but confusion, Dibdin was push'd upon the stage ready to drop with fright, and declared that he was the author himself. Then they were as noisy the other way. Made them finish the piece, but how you may guess in a storm. It is like the Padlock, but the songs not so good." (Brander Matthews, Actors and Actresses, extra illustrated, Vol. I. Harvard Theatre Collection.). Westminster Magazine this month included in parallel columns flattering "Characters of Mr Garrick and Mr Colman," the Rival managers. The article especially praised Garrick's acting.] Receipts: #252 3s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Love. Recd Messrs Stanley & Smith 11 Oratorio Nights at #28 per night Candles Oyl &c. #347 12s.; Paid 11 nights Rent for Oratorios #88 (Treasurer's Book). [The Apology for Apologies is Larpent MS 351. Satire upon "Indispositions" of principal performers, suggests what would happen if other professions (law, medicine) substituted stand-ins with no other apology than is made in the theatrical profession.] Receipts: #168 8s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Love: #103 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Barry, who humbly requests those ladies and gentlemen who have taken places in the Pit, will be pleased to come early to prevent confusion in getting to their seats. Tickets deliver'd for Thursday March 24, will be taken. Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years. [See 8 Dec. 1757.] [Hopkins MS Notes identifies Ismena as Mrs I. Barry.] Pit and boxes laid together. Paid Properties #1 15s. 2d. Housekeeper's bill #6 10s. 6d.; 1 yrs Watch for St Martin's to 14 Feb. last #10 16s. 9d. Receipts: #273 13s. Charges: #65 2s. Profits to Mrs Barry: #208 11s. (Treasurer's Book)