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: To begin at 7:00 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pits 3s. Gallery 2s. Places for the Boxes to be had of Mr Jewell at the Theatre. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in the bills. Note in St James Chronicle speaks of great crowd and of numbers turned away.

Event Comment: The Third Night. At the Theatre-Royal in the Haymarket this Day, will be performed..

Event Comment: The Fourth Night. [Theatre-Royal now repeated in each bill.

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for boxes to be had from Johnston at Stage Door; No money received at Stage Door, nor any returned after Curtain rises. Play will begin at exactly six o'clock; The passage from the Strand up Catherine Street to Drury Lane Theatre will be clear for Carriages. Paid Renters #8 (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book). [A constant expense nightly for 191 nights amounting to #1528 for the season. Will not be further itemized.] Receipts: #82 12s. 6d. (Drury Lane Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Michelmas last #15 12s. 6d., and ditto for the House in Bow St. passage 15s. 1!2d. (Account Book). Receipts: #144 9s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [R+Rich's Register lists The Hermit as afterpiece.] Paid salary list 5 days at #72 6s. 8d. per diem, #361 13s. 4d.; Atkins not on list #1 7s. 6d.; Rollet on note #7 7s.; Vernon on note per order Mr L, #12 12s.; Bill for 2 suit Men's cloathes #15 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [See engagement contract for Guidetti (Private Correspondence of David Garrick, II, 454) arranged for in Paris by Jean Monnet in early August 1766. He was engaged as Premier Danseur and composer of Ballets at 150 Guineas a year plus "300 Livres argent de France" for travelling expenses. He was to dance for no other theatre without explicit permission from Garrick.] Receipts: #130 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Books of the Burletta to be had at the Theatre. Paid Thos. Williamson for 4 pounds spermeceti candles 7s. (Account Book). Receipts: #133 7s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera. The Music composed by several celebrated Composers. All Boxes put together, and no Persons admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office at Half a Guinea each; First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. By His Majesties Command no Person whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in all bills.] [A pasticchio similar to La Schiava (The Humorists). See Nicoll, III, 361. Advertisement for the company of performers at the Opera had been given in the Public Advertiser three months earlier, 6 August: 'Drummond, Vincent and Gordon,Proprietors and Managers of the Opera at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket beg leave to announce that they have engaged the best Company that could be got in Italy...and are expected in London this month. The company are as follows: Serious-the celebrated Guarducci, first man; Signora Aunuciati, first woman; Savoi, second man; Miss Young, second woman; Grassi, Signora Piatti, third woman. Comic-Lovattini, first man, tenor; Signora Zamperini, first woman; Savoi, first man, serious; Miss Young, first woman; Signor Moriggi (the old man) bass; Signora Piatti, second woman; Zamperini second man; Signora Gibbetti [Gibelli in the Gazetteer] third woman."

Event Comment: [From The London Evening Post: Married: Michael Arne, music composer and son of Dr Arne, to Miss Wright, a celebrated singer of Drury Lane Theatre."] Paid Mr Evans on Wardrobe acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #133 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Afterpiece: A New Musical Entertainment in 2 acts, words imitated from Rousseau, with his original Musick (Burney). Books of the entertainment at the Theatre, published for 1s. Paid Mr Chitty his coal bill #91 13s. and Mr Johnston's bill for guilt leather #24 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Advertisement to 2nd Edition, 1766: Upon rehearsing the music it has been thought necessary to retrench the Second Act for fear of satiety: for though the Airs and Dances after the reconciliation of Celia and Phoebe are by no means inferior to the rest in point of composition; yet as no other business remained to be done after that circumstance but that of mere festivity, the Editor, with some reluctance, submitted to the omission of such airs as are printed with inverted commas; which, however, are all publish'd with the music by Mr Bremner in the Strand."] Receipts: #150 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Books of the opera to be had at the Theatre. A charge of #8 17s. for extras and music now appears regularly for this opera. Paid Cooper (Printer) as per bill #39. Rec'd of J. Jackson for an order for 2 in the Gallery 4s. (Account Book). Receipts: #175 8s. (Account Book)

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: By Particular Desire of the Right Honorable and Honorable The Governors (Being the Last Time of performing till the Holidays). Not acted this season. For the Benefit of the General Lying-In Hospital, Quebec Street, Oxford Road. Charges #85 5s., Balance to Hospital #5 6d. Hospital also receiv'd #156 10s. from tickets (Box 544, Pit 116, Gallery 31). Paid for 1 year's watch for theatre due at Xmas #12 10s. and for the House in Bow Passage 12s. 6d. Paid Dunstall the balance due for the theatrical Fund #136 17s. (Account Book). Receipts: #90 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd of Miss Townsend for a place in the Boxes last night 5s. Gave King's Footmen #2 2s.; Queen's Footmen #2 2s.; King's Chairmen #2 2s.; Queen's Chairmen #2 2s.; Duke of Glouster's Footmen #2 2s. (Account Book). [The Account Book shows on this night a profitable balance of #5365 19s. 4d., for the operation of the theatre this season. During Rich's time a regular sum was deduted nightly for the Rich account (#6 in 1760-61) and in addition he withdrew large sums (up to #800) on many occasions. No such deductions or withdrawals appear so far in this last season of Beard's management.] Receipts: #197 15s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: New Scenes, Dresses, Machinery and other Decorations. Book of the Entertainment to be had at 1s. 6d. at Theatre. A Dramatic Romance by David Garrick, Music composed by Michael Arne. Gave King's Footmen and Chairmen #4 4s.; Queen's ditto; Dukes of York and Gloucester ditto (Treasurer's Book). [A memorandum dated 22 August 1766 (Folger Library, Garrick Album, 520 MS, Cage) explains that Michael Arne was to compose the Music for Cymon, and as compensation shall be intitled to and receive one third part of the profits of the three first nights which the author shall take for his own Benefits." Zachariah Stephens was witness. See 15 Jan. 1767.] Receipts: #196 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Elliot. This Comedy is intended to be perform'd only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Charges #64 5s. Balance to Miss Elliot #24 9s. 6d. [No tickets seem to have been delivered.] Paid a bill for the Funeral of Mrs Cable #3 8s., and for the funeral of Grace Gould, #4 8s. (Account Book). [The latter had long been a servant in the theatre, and this year was Wardrobe Mistress.] Receipts: #88 14s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed. Founded [by Thomas Hull] on a Play wrote by the late Sir Samuel Tuke [Adventures of Five Hours]. The Afterpiece: A Masque (perform'd but once) [by Thomas Hull], With New Music, Dresses and Scenery. The Music by Mr Bach. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Paid for The Perplexities #2 2s. (Account Book). Receipts: #226 16s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #197 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Half past 5 went to the 5s. Gallery at the Opera House to see the comic opera La Buona Figliola, altered from Goldoni. The Music by Sg Nic Piccini, a Neopolitan composer. The Marq by Sg Lovatini, Castina by Sga Zamporini, the German by Sg Marigi. These I believe are reckoned the best of the company. I can't say I was greatly entertained, tho the music is very pleasing. There is something very absurd and truly characteristic of the present age in supporting a set of people at an immense expense to perform plays in a language which very few here understand. We had dances after every act by Sg Adriani, Sga Radicati, &c. It is said the dances at the opera are better than those at the theatres, but I am no great judge either of music or dancing. The scenes, particularly that of the Garden with waterworks &c. are very fine. They who go into the Pit &c. must be in a vile French dress (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Tickets sold at the doors will not be admitted. Tickets and Places to be taken of Mr Smith at his house in Beaufort Buildings, Strand; and of Mr Sarjant at the stage-door of the Theatre. Charges: #70 19s. 6d. [Profit to Smith #79 10s. 6d. plus #136 16s. from tickets (Box 388; Pit 198; Gallery 101).] Receipts: #150 10s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: TThe Maid of the Mill oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of the Indisposition of a principal performer. Paid 1!2 year's poor rate for the theatre due at Lady Day #15 12s. 6d., and for the House in Bow Passage 15s. 7 1!2d. Paid Mas. Lindley for his performance in the Fairy Favour #20 (Account Book). Receipts: #157 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Gibson. Mainpiece: Not acted these 25 years. Written originally by Shakespeare, and reviv'd and adapted to the stage by Mr Theobald. Charges #66 5s. [Profit to Gibson #37 18s. 6d. plus #30 15s. from Tickets (Box 79; Pit 74).] Paid one year's Rector's Rate for the Theatre #8 6s. 8d., and for House in Bow Passage, due at Lady Day 8s. 4d. (Account Book). [Neville attended, noted the information contained in the playbill, but could not hear well from his 2s. seat in the Gallery.] Receipts: #104 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Gardner, Curtat, Miss Helm, Miss Twist. Tickets deliver'd out by Claridge will be taken. Charges none. House took half value of tickets deliver'd, plus the #64 4s. 6d. ready money taken at the theatre. @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Gardner 15 70 56 #19 17s. #9 18s. 6d.@Curtat 24 189 107 #45 1s. #22 10s. 6d.@Miss Helme - 37 31 #8 13s. #4 6s. 6d.@Miss D. Twist 26 35 36 #15 7s. #7 13s. 6d.@Claridge 13 19 22 #8 6s. #4 3s.@Mrs Hitchcock 45 59 13 #21 8s. #10 14s.@Total 114 409 262 #118 12s. #59 6s.@ Receipts: #64 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

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)