Event Comment: NNeale had Tickets (
Cross). Last time of
the Company's performing this season. Neale had tickets on this night for which it is customary to pay half price,
the whole amount of his tickets in
the House came to #22 7s. (
Powel). Receipts: #60 (Cross); #33 18s. 6d. (Powel).
General Advertiser, 23 June: Yesterday was married by
the Rev. Mr Franklin at his Chapel
Russel St?,
Bloomsbury,--
David Garrick Esq. to
Mlle Eva Maria Violette. Comments by John Powel in MS
Tit for Tat: This was
the last night of
the season, having play'd 175 nights. Rec'd by forfeits of
the Band of Music #32 11d. Rec'd ditto from actors #1 15s. Rec'd of Mr Neale for half share of his tickets #11 3s. 6d. So that
they received as appears by
their own books in
the two seasons that Mr G k has been concern'd as manager,
the sum of #40,906 2s. 7d. having play'd in
the whole time 346 nights. But as Mr Garrick's Benefit and
Mrs Cibber's charges were included in
the account as a blind to
the Principle Treasurer, I must
therefore, among some few o
ther things, subtract
them from
the total amount, and
then it will stand as follows: @
The first season:@Cash return'd by licencer #2 2s.@G k's Benefit, whole amount of house #193 16s.@Mrs Cibber's charges at her Bt. #60@
Mr Berry #1 10s.@
Mrs Pritchard for a ticket as agreed #10 10s.@
The last season G k receiv'd as author of
Lethe, for 6th night #56 8s. 6d.@
Mr Warner #5 14s.@G k's benefit as before #187@Mrs Cibber's charges #60@Mrs Pritchard's #10@Total #587 16s. 6d.@
The sum subtracted, it wil remain #40,318 6s. 1d., which is at
the rate of #116 10s. 6d. for each night, one night with ano
ther, Benefit nights and all Disadvantages included. As I have no given an exact account of
the Receipts of Cash, I must also endeavor to give an account of
the nightly charge, that
the reader may be able to judge of
the Profits. But it must be first consider'd, that all nights will not amount to
the same, as for example
the play of
Macbeth requires more incidents, than a common play, such as wine, fruit made use of in
the Banqueting Scene, also spirits of wine for
the Cauldron in
the scene of
the Witches, Rosin for lightening, &c. Whereas in ano
ther play, such as
the Orphan perhaps
there are few or no incidents, and consequently
the charges must be less, so that it is impossible to be quite exact without giving
the particulars of each night's play throughout
the two seasons which would not only tire
the reader's patience, but swell this pamphlet to a greater bulk than
the nature of
the thing requires; besides as all
the Account Books are in
their own custody,
there can be no such thing as making an abstract. But as my own memorandums will let me into
the most principle things, it is an easy matter to make an allowance for o
thers of less consequence, which I shall take care as much as I can to do ra
ther in
their favor than against
them. In
the first place I shall begin with
their Rents and Taxes as
they stood last season: @A Calculation of
the Nightly Expence of Drury Lane Playhouse:@Renter's Shares in
the House, being in number Thirty-Six at #23 6s. 8d. each share for
the season amounts in all to #840, and supposing
they play but 170 nights (tho'
they play'd 175 last season which is allowing
them as much advantage as I possibly can)
then will it amount to per night #4 18s. 9d.@Land Tax for
the year #88, which calculated at
the rate of 170 nights as above, is per night 10s. 4d.@Ground Rent, and for
the rent of a Wardrobe call'd
the Sparrow's Nest, for
the year #80, which is per night 9s. 4d.@Poor's rate for
the year #33 6s. 8d., which is per night 3s. 11d.@Scavanger for
the House, and ano
ther place call'd
the King's Passage, for
the year #7 9s. 4d., which is 10 1!2d.@Rent for a Place call'd
the King's Passage for
the year #31 10s., which is per night 3s. 8 1!4d.@Watch Rate for
the Playhouse and a House in
Russel St, call'd
the King's Passage #7, which is per night 9 3!4d.@Window lights for
the Playhouse and
the King's Passage, #6 per year, which is per night 8 1!4d.@Water for
the year, #2, which is per night 2 3!3d.@Rent of a room call'd
the Scene Room for
the year #60, which is per night 7s. 1!2d.@Fruit money to be divided among
the renters, as by
their Lease #40, which is per night 4s. 8 1!4d.@(N.B.: It has not been
the custom for some years past to pay this money to
the Renters, but as
they are entitled to receive it, I think proper to make it one of
the charges.)@A Perquisite payable out of
the P t [Patent?] for
the year #815, which is per night #1 1 7s. 1!2d.@
The Total amount of
their Rent and Taxes is per night #8 17s. 6d.@ Thus far I have given an account of
their rents] and Taxes and before I proceed any far
ther I believe it will be necessary to acquaint
the reader, that
the Renter's Lease will expire in
the year 1753, and
then
the whole affair will come into
the hands of Messrs G k and L y, for
the term of near 21 years at an annual Rent of #210. This is a purchase made not long ago, for which
they gave #3000. But
the Annual rent of #210 commences before
the Renters time is out, occasioned by an addition of several dwelling Houses in
the Playhouse Passages which
they had thrown into
their agreement, and for some of which
they now receive Rent.
The next principal charge is
the Nightly Salaries of
the people belonging to
the House, such as actors, dancers, musicians, office keepers, doorkeepers, dressers, and sweepers.
The customary way of paying
these people is once a week; on a Saturday Morning
their names being all enter'd alphabetically upon a list (which is call'd
the Pay List). This List is always made out according to
the number of nights that
the House has played in
the week, but I must set it down at 6 which is a full week's pay. This is also a fluctuating affair, as well as
the incidents,
their generally being a necessity of ei
ther adding or striking off some names before
the season is out, which consequently ei
ther makes an increase or decrease in
the charges, but as I am oblig'd to be as particular as possible, and to bring it to a point, I will fix upon salaries of
the latest date. @Sat. Feb. 25, 1748-49.
The salaries amounted to per week #296 9s. 6d., and on Sat. 15 Apr. 1749,
the salaries were per week #294 6d. But as I chuse to make
the thing ra
ther more than less, I will enter it according to
the former list, which is per night #49 8s. 8d.@N.B.
Mr Lacy has #2 15s. 6d. per night upon this list for management, but I cannot comprehend that this is any part of
the charge because he has a moity, or equal half-share of
the Profits, as being a partner; and consequently ought not to be paid for inspecting into his own affairs. I shall
therefore subtract this from
the Nightly expence at
the end.@
The next charge to be consider'd is that of
the Tallow Chandler, which generally amounts to per week about #17, but this is not always certain, it varying sometimes ei
ther a trifle over or under. This person makes an allowance of 8 per cent Discount upon account of his receiving ready money for his goods, which deducted from
the #17 makes it per night #2 12s. 1d.@
The Printer's Bill generally amounts to between #7 and #8 per week, but as I ra
ther chuse to be over than under
the mark, I will set it down at #8, which is per night #1 6s. 8d.@Advertisements in
the General Advertiser,
there has been nothing charg'd for
these two years and upwards, which I believe is occasion'd by
the Managers having a share in that paper, that perhaps may bring as much as
their advertisements come to.@I shall find
the greatest difficulty of any yet in making an Allowance for
the nightly use of
their cloaths, Scenes, &c,
there being a vast number of rich cloaths bought into
their wardrobe within
these two years, and large sums paid to
the Taylor, Mercer and o
ther Tradesmen, on account of
the same, but
then
the Stock remains, and will serve for a considerable time with some little addition, and it is well known
the wardrobe was never so rich before, as at this juncture, a great many of
the cloaths having been bought ready-made at dery great bargains, and when
they are no longer fit to appear upon
the stage,
the Lace will burn to a considerable part of
their money again; And as it is impossible to be quite exact, I must submit to
the reader whe
ther #3 3s. a Night only for
the use of
their cloaths, Scenes and o
ther things that appertain to
the dress, is not sufficient, for according to
the calculation of playing 170 nights in
the season it will amount to #535 10s., only for
the use, which in my opinion is enough, and if
they can contradict it let
them make it appear #3 3s.@
Mr Fleetwood (who was
the late manager) when he made an assignment of
the Playhouse to Mr Lacy in trust for
the Bankers (Gr n, and Am r, late of
the Strand) and himself to care to keep a Reserve of #500 a year during
the Time
then to come on
the P t [patent?], a part of which has been paid annually to a Gentleman appointed to receive
the same by Mr Fleetwood. But when Mr G k came in as manager, it was agreed by
the consent of that Gentleman, that it should be paid at
the rate of #300 a year, and so to take a longer time for
the payment of
the whole. This annuity had it stood at
the rate of #500 a year as was first design'd would have expir'd with
the P t, which is several months before
the Renter's time is out, but this affair ought to be look'd upon ra
ther as a Debt than part of
the nightly charge of
the Playhouse. However, as it always stood in that Rank in
their books, I shall make
the same allowance here and leave
the reader to judge of it as he thinks proper, which is per night according to
the former calculation #1 15s. 3d.@
The Lamp Lighter's bill for lighting
the lamps will amount to about 7 shillings sixpence a night, but as
there is an occasion sometimes for Tin Wares and reparations, I shall set it down at Per night 10s.@Coals made use of are generally about 40 Chaldrons for
the season, which bought in
the summer time, we must suppose not be to above 34s. a chaldron, amounting in
the whole to #68, which is per night 8s.@Properties, or Incidents, are sometimes more, sometimes less, as I have before observed, and are according to
the play.
They are under
the Denomination of Fruit, Wines, Sweetmeats, Sticks, Stage Money, &c, but to take one night with ano
ther throughout
the season
they don't amount to quite 5s.@Bill Stickers are those men that stick
the Large Bills about
the Town, being Six in number, and have 18 pence per night each.
They are not enter'd on
the pay List among o
ther servants, on account of
their sticking Bills sometimes when
the House does not play, which makes a difference, and supposing
them to be in full pay, which is not always
the case,
then it would amount to per night 9s.@Two men that deliver Handbills, at 1 shilling a night each per night 2s.@Four constant supernumerary scene-men to assist
the scene-men belonging to
the House, and a Candle-man that sees all tne candles put out after
the play is over, at 1 shilling each, which is per night 5s.@
There are sometimes extraordinary Supernumerary scene-men, made use of in plays, to help
the traps, &c, such as
Richard III,
Macbeth,
The Tempest, &c, which have a shilling each, but one night with ano
ther it will not amount to above 3s.@Kettle Drums and French Horns are not included among
the Band of Music, and as
there are but two French Horns, and one pair of Kettle Drums made use of, which are only in some particular things, at 5 shillings a night, I cannot think
they will amount to throughout
the season more than per night 7s. 6d.@Chorus singers, which are people that stand behind
the scenes, whose additional voices are sometimes necessary in grand pieces of vocal music, and are made use of in
the Tempest,
Comus, Macbeth, &c., and seldom in number so many as 6, at 5 shillings each,--but if I make allowance for two each night throughout
the season, I am very confident it is more than sufficient, which supposition is per night 10s.@
The Prompter is allowed for Paper, Pens, Ink and Wafers per night 3d.@
The Carpenters, being sometimes employed in doing work in
the House, save 2s. 6d. a day each, and as this is also a fluctuating affair, I shall put
them down throughout
the season at per night 5s.@
The Glover's bill amounts one night with ano
ther to about 6s.@
The Stationer's Bill, perhaps about #15 in
the season, every Boxkeeper, &c being oblig'd to find his own Paper, which is per night 1s. 9d.@
The Fea
ther-man, Shoe-maker, Sword-Cutler, Hatter, Taylor, Scene Painter, Lace-man, Mercer, &c, I have already made an allowance for,--
the #3 3s. per night for
the use of
the Cloaths, Scenes, &c. ....@
The Brick-layer and Iron-monger are casual tradesmen, and as accidents so frequently happen, I think it necessary to put
them down at per night 7s. 6d.@
The Turner's Bill perhaps may amount in
the season to about #6 which is per night 8d.@
The person that has
the care of
the Candles brings in a bill for small wax candles, &c, and one night with ano
ther about 1s. 6d.@
The House-keeper sometimes brings in a bill for little things to
the amount of about per night 1s.@
The Prompter for writing parts, one night witn ano
ther 8d.@I have thus endeavored to give
the most minute Part of
the charges that belongs to
the House, but as most of
these affairs depends upon accident and for fear of any omission (At
the beginning of
the first season
their salaries were a few weeks at #54 per night, but as this was but of a short duration it cannot make any great difference) and lest
they say I fix
them to certain sums which have alter'd to
their disadvantage, I will as a
guard against such a supposition allow
them per night #3@#74 6s. 8d.@[Subtracting Mr Lacy's #2 15s. 6d.]
then according to
the nearest calculation I can make
the whole nightly charge is #71 11s. 2d.@
The next thing to be consider'd (supposing this charge to be right) is
their Profits, which will appear by multiplying
the sum of #71 11s. 2d. by 346 (
the number of nights
they play'd in
the two seasons) and
the total sum will be #24,759 10s. 10d., which subtracted from #40,318 6s. 1d.,
the remainder will be #15,558 15s. 2d.,
the profits, according to
the best calculations I can make arising from
the two last seasons. But I think it incumbent on me to inform
the reader that this money was not all at
the Managers' disposal, because
there was a mortgage upon
the Playhouse, &c to one
Mr Clutterbuck?, a tradesman in
the Strand, who was Mortgagee in trust for Mr G k himself and o
thers, and
the Mortgagee was entitled to take up #1000 a year and interest at 5 per cent. This security was made at Mr G k's first commencing manager in order to purchase
the Bankers' two shares in
the old P t, &c. which was sold for #3,500, also to discharge an old mortgage made by Mr Fleetwood, and o
ther debts due from
the playhouse. Thus have I made appear to
the Town
the receipts and charges as near as possibly can, and hope not to
the disadvantage of
the Managers. But perhaps
they will say that
they have expended more money than I have already given an account of, which I must readily submit to, but
then it has been upon different affairs than
the nightly charge of
the House; as for example
the first season
they, as will appear by
their own Books, #15,179 12s. 3d.;
the second season #13,663 3s. 3d., so at this rate
the profits do not amount to above #10,475 10s. 8d., which is noways right, for as I have already observed,
they bought large quantities of ready-made rich cloaths, merely because
they were great bargains.
These cloaths
they now have by
them, and doubtless are as good as money, and which I make an allowance for at #3 3s. a night.
They also made alterations in
the House, by enlarging
the first Gallery, and adding more seats, which are placed so neighborly toge
ther, that
they keep people pure warm in a cole [sic] winter's night, especially at
the upper end.
The transformation of that Part adjoining to
the Box-Lobby into a standing place for
the Quality, that
they may pay before
they go in, is ano
ther charming contrivance, and many o
ther alterations much to advantage, but
these conveniences being once finish't become Perpetual, and are no longer chargeable. Besides
they lent out of
the said sums money to several actors for some of which
they have bonds that bear 5 per cent interest, and
these are
the things that were
the occasion of
the Extraordinary Advancement, which perhaps
they under a pretence may call part of
the Nightly charges, but as I have made
the thing as clear as well can be, I shall submit to
the reader's judgment. I thought it necessary to set down each night's farce with
the play as near as I could throughout
the two seasons, and I believe upon strict examination
the reader will find that
the whole number consists of about 25 good old Stagers, one of
them having mounted upwards of that times. But however dis[agreea]ble
these antient attendants may prove to an Audience, yet
they are absolutely necessary on account of keeping up
the [starf--l P[rice]s, which could not decently be done without
them as
Mr Rich has Pantomime entertainments. [starWhilst
their rent, Taxes, &c are so very high, it is my firm opinion,
they cannot afford to take under full prices, and
therefore I would not have any one imagine to
the Contrary. And
the reason of publishing this account is no more than to do my self common justice and to shew how well
they could afford to make me amends for my past Labours. Tho in my opinion Mr G-k is such a rarity, that he needs no embellishment, and I hope I shan't be thought too lavish in his Praise when I say that his great condesention in playing oftener since he has been a manager (almost in spite of his sickness) than he did when he was under management, is such an obligation conferr'd on
the town, that it is questionable whe
ther
the salary he now receives as an Actor is equivalent. But lest it should not be generally known what it is (as such things do sometimes slip
the ears of
the People) I think it proper to inform
the Reader, and having first ask'd Mr Garrick
the manager's pardon, I shall begin with Mr Garrick
the Actor, whose salary for
the season is #525 certain, and as most players have a benefit once a year, so has he, but only this difference, that
they pay for
theirs (Mrs Cibber excepted) and he does not. Nor need he give himself any trouble to make an interest at
the time; for it is only playing
Richard, or
Lear, and
the job is done without putting his name up in large characters at
the top of
the Playbill, for every inquisitive person to gape at. What
these Benefits have brought him in is easily seen by looking backwards. This added to
the salary makes upwards of #700 a year, and so much for Mr G-k
the actor. As to Mr Garrick
the Manager, he only takes up #500 a year out of
the profits under
the denomination of Management, which does but just put him upon a footing with his bro
ther manager, who takes up
the same, and if I may presume to put
the Manager and Actor toge
ther, it will appear that Mr Garrick's income from
the Playhouse is upwards of #1200 a year exclusive of a Mortgage of #4000 upon
the Playhouse, Patent, Cloaths, Scenes, &c., which brings him in #200 per year, at
the rate of 5 per cent interest.
These things put toge
ther and added to his half share of Profits, makes it a comfortable living enough, and I heartily wish every brave fellow that ventured his life and limbs for his Country's service could meet with
the same success. I make no doubt but it will create some wonder that I have laid
these things before
the Town, without saying for why. But I must assure
the reader that after weighing every circumstance well within my own breast, I think I have sufficient reason, and would relate each particular reason, but that I have given to understand Facts may be Libels--that all advantages will be taken--that I must have a care what I do, and that Power may get
the better of Truth. I must confess I think it very hard that if a man is hurt he must not only suffer
the injury, but be also hindered from telling his grievance. However, as I have often groan'd in private, I will run
the risk of venturing one groan in public, but will be as concise as possible, for fear my antagonists may be too impatient to stay till my tale is told. Let it suffice
them that I was Deputy Treasurer of D-y L-ne Playhouse upwards of four years, and resigened my office
the beginning of this season. Several messages were sent to me to return again, and I had my place kept for me several weeks, which plainly shows I have been guilty of no misdemeanor, but have been ra
ther look'd upon as a valuable sl-ve than o
ther ways, and could I have been content with much more labor and little pay I don't doubt but I might have been suffer'd to trudge on and carry my Bur
then to
the end of my days. But having forgot my station, and that I had no right to make terms for myself, was so impudent as to imagine I had some Gratitude due me for past services, and that as I had wea
ther'd a most terrible Storm, I had some right to share in
the calm, but alas! I was mistaken. Property was not intended for me, I was only design'd to share in Adversity and help o
thers to cut
their passage to happiness. I believe it is pretty well known that near two years before Mr G-k came in as manager,
the Playhouse was involved [in] many difficulties, much money being due to tradesmen, Actors, &c occasioned by his not playing
there, which [would] not have been
the case had Mr Lacy, who was
then manager in trust for
the Bankers and himself, agreed with him, and given what he demanded as an actor, which was as Mr Lacy order'd him #500 for
the season, and as Mr G-k did not chuse to be under him he went to
Ireland where he remain'd during
the season.
The Bankers who advanc'd #6,800 to purchase
the Playhouse,
the Renters, and Mr Lacy begun to see
their folly, and were so unfortunate as to become Bankers' prey afterwards, though one of
them (
Mr Amber) has had
the grant to be made a Pit office-keeper in
the Playhouse, where he now remains at a salary of about #29 a year. I shall return to
the difficulties.
The People that had
the demands to
them (being upwards of #140) began to be very uneasy, and
they very clamorous, that we perceiv'd what we were to depend upon. Distruction, seemingly as it was a dark cloud over our heads, we expected daily to burst upon us; and tho' Mr Lacy had given as many fair promises as a man could do, yet it availed nothing, for every word
they spoke had something of danger in it (which oblig'd him to keep pretty much within doors). Here I interposed, and stood between him and his creditors, for upwards of a year and a half, ever breaking my rest to preserve his, and was continually forming excuses and pledging my word, to divert
them from
their design, and as it was unsafe for him to come to
the playhouse for a long time toge
ther, for fear of arrests, I was oblig'd to undertake
the management
there (which
they now take up #500 a year for) and go through a very hard Task to an account of
the people's not having
their pay. Added to this I had
the Accounts of
the Treasurer's Office to keep and as we were in debt every particular person's belonging to
the playhouse, beside. I also took upon myself
the Inspection of
the Wardrobe and kept an account of that (which was almost one man's business alone to do). I drew all
the articles between
the manager and actor, and at o
ther times were [sic] continually ei
ther writing, walking, though lame, or contriving for Mr Lacy's welfare. In
the day I had no rest, in
the night very little sleep, and my whole study was to extricate him from his troubles. I was bail for him to
the Sheriff in two actions for #200, and brought at
the suit of Mr Fl-dyer in
Bazinghall St, and Mr Ho-se, Tinman in
High Holborn, and had a great deal of trouble in getting one of
these actions defended in order to gain time. I was arrested twice myself for him: one of
these times dragg'd out of my lodgings at twelve o'clock at night. In short I went through every trouble that a sincere friend could do, while he was endeavouring to get
the new Patent, which he and Mr Garrick now enjoy, and did imagine if ever those difficulties were got over (which I
then very much question'd) that I should have met with some gratification, but instead of that as soon as Mr G-k came to be concern'd as a partner (who knew very well that I had gone through for
the service of
the Playhouse) I found ano
ther Person was to be put in Principal Treasurer over my head, with this Reason: "That it was
their interest it should be so, because his Wife, Mrs Pr-h-d was to play for
them." Not that I envy
the gentleman that has it, for I think him worthy of much more, and hope my being under a necessity of mentioning it will be a sufficient plea for my excuse. This I very easily look'd over, and had not
the least doubt but
they would make me some amends ano
ther way, but adding something to my salary, which was at
the rate of #44 a year, and this I was entitled to for doing
the business of Deputy treasurer in
the Office which was nothing in competition with
the o
ther affairs I had gone through. But I found I was mistaken here too for I had no addition, and discover'd when too late that I should have made use of
the opportunity when I had it in my power,--but though I knew
the time when everything must have been granted that I ask'd, yet I did not take
the advantage, nor would by compulsion force
the thing that I knew was due from
the strongest ties of Friendship. How wretched must such a disappointment make me! What must that man deserve that can betray such confidence, and without blushing deny
the breach he had made in Honour. If after this I can point out a way to do myself justice, have I not Right to make use of it? Must I lose my health, Time, Labor, for o
ther's happiness, and not consider my miseries? It is against Nature and I hope
the Reader will make my Case his own, and
then judge accordingly. In my next I shall give
the full history of
the Stage ever since Mr Fl-w-d was manager, down to
the end of
the last season, wherein will be
the Bankers' affair set forth at large.
The manner of obtaining
the new P-t, and Gratitude displayed in a particular manner.
The intended partnership between Mr Rich and Mr Lacy, how Mr Garrick came to be admitted. His compact with Mrs Pritchard, and some o
ther affairs necessary to be known both to
the Public and
the Theatres. @
Then let
the stricken deer go weep@
The hart ungall'd go play...&c. &c.@Finis.@ [Powel's second pamphlet seems not to have been written, as this one seems never to have been printed. His total income for
the two seasons #40,906 2s. 7d. corresponds favorably with Cross's total estimates for
the same period of #40,995. His analysis of
the cost of many items in his attempt to arrive at a reasonable statement of nightly charges is most valuable. If his figure of #71 11s. 2d. is correct,
then
the managers lost from #8 to #11 on each benefit night, which hardly seems probable.