Event Comment: The Tragedy of Hamlet having been greatly Altered by D. G. was perform'd for the first time Mr Garrick playd divinely & Merited the great Applause he receivd It is Alterd much for the better in regard to the part of Hamlet & I think the alterations very fine & proper (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble considerably briefer. See "Garrick's Long Lost Alteration of Hamlet," PMLA, Sept. 1934.] Paid Mr George Garrick on account #100; Mr Bulkley for Mr Weston, #2 8s. (Treasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine comments unfavorably on the Hamlet alteration: "How far the critics will approve these mutations we will not at present determine; but the admirers of Shakespeare must certainly be displeas'd, whenever they see his immortal works mutilated."] Receipts: #284 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: At the Crown and Anchor. A Religious Allegorical Poem to be rehearsed, yet in Manuscript, and by the author himself the Reverend George Marriott after the example of the most ancient bards and minstrals, with the assistance of a full orchestra, and vocal performers in the chorusses. The Band conducted and the music (entirely new) composed by Arnold. Postponed by reason of unforseen difficulties in preparing sufficient musical copies of the great number of chorusses. To begin at 7:00 p.m. Prices a quarter guinea each

Event Comment: Benefit for Moody. Paid one year's subscription to St George's Hospital #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #200 4s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Moody: #135 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s.; Mr Serres, for painting & rigging ships #63; Mr G. Garrick's note for Mr Weston #44 2s. (Treasurer's Book). [Serres is probably Dominique Serres, 1722-1793, brought to England 1752, apointed marine painter for George III, member of Royal Academy and its librairan after 1792. See Bryan's, Dictionary of Painters and Engravers.] Receipts: #253 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Younge being ill Mrs Lessingham was borrow'd from Covent Garden to play Imogen (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Dibdin. Paid extra bassoons & flute 3 nights in Christmas Tale (7th March incl.) #7 4s.; Tallow chandler's 7th Bill #20 13s. Heroine of the Cave Music Bill #2 3s. 9d.; Ditto Prompter's Bill #1 5s.; Housekeeper's Bill #3 6s. 5d. Properties #1 2s. 8d.; St George's Hospital subs. 1 year #10 10s.; Mr J. French's draft #23 19s. 9d.; Mr Everard's Note to Egerton #5 3s. 4d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 11s. (Treasurer's Book). The Comedy of Twelfth Night, which was to have been performed this Evening, is oblig'd to be changed, on account of the Indisposition of Miss Younge; Therefore Mr Dibdin humbly hopes that his friends will accept of Cymbeline in its stead. Tickets deliver'd for Twelfth Night will be taken. Receipts: #184 9s. Charges #68 15s. 6d. Profit to Dibdin: #115 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Jameson. Hull is to succeed Colman in the management of Covent Garden (Winston MS 10). Colman sold his share of the patent to Harris in the spring of this year, this departure to take place in June (Page, George Colman, The Elder). Michel Dyer Died (Genest, V, 424). Miss Jameson's charges #77 13s. 6d. Profit to her #59 10s., plus #66 7s. from tickets. (Box 127; Pit 138; Gallery 139). Receipts: #137 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By desire. Last time of the company's performing this season. [The Epilogue recites the mock burial of this King of Brentford reviewing certain high points of his management. A mock heroic written by Colman and printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1774 (p. 280). He sold his share for #20,000, which was #5,000 more than he paid for it. (See Page, George Colman, The Elder.) Rec'd half value of ticket returns from 13 servants amounting to #98 3s. 6d. Receipts: #124 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By George Saville Carey at the Great Room, Panton St., Haymarket. To begin at 8:00 p.m. Price 2s. 6d. [Second night. This was repeated numerous times during the summer season, 28, 30 July, 2, 4 Aug., &c.

Event Comment: Mrs Yates would not play for Mr Slingsby altho' her name has been advertis'd from the beginning--Mrs Hartly of Covent Garden was ask'd to do the part, She refus'd it as it was to be done there for a Benefit the week after at Last Mr Reddish said Mrs Canning Should do it, & Such a performance I think was never Seen in Drury Lane Theatre very bad indeed many hisses (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Slingsby. [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid 1 yrs. Subscription to St George's Hospital to Lady Day 1776, #10 10s. Receipts: #270 10s. Charges: #68 8s. Profits to Slingsby: #202 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid salary list #630 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Tuesday Next, not acted these 2 years. George Barnwell, to which will be added, first time these 6 years, The Jubilee, in honor of Shakespeare. Receipts: #247 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A sacred Oratorio selected from the works of $George Frederick Handel, Esq.

Event Comment: The Prologue to the Capuchin, written by George Colman, Esq printed this day in the Public Advertiser: @"Critics, whatsoe'er I write, in every scene,@Discover meanings that I never mean, etc."

Event Comment: Prelude [1st time: PREL 1, by George Colman elder; incidental music by Thomas Linley Sen. and Nicola Piccinni. Prologue by David Garrick (Poetical Works, II, 327)]. The Words of the Songs in [the] Prelude will be given at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:3O. To begin at 6:30 [see 11 Nov.]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Fosbrook at the Stage Door. No Money to be taken at the Stage Door, nor any Money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. The TR opened this Season under the Management of Messrs Lacy, Sheridan, Ford and Linley. This Summer the Flys has been raised considerably--the Stage widened and heitened--the orchestra enlarged, and Iron ornaments at the Top. New Brooms written by G. Colman Esq. went off with tolerable Applause--is much too long (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 3 Oct. 1776: This Day at Noon will be published New Brooms! (1s.). [Yates had last acted Malvolio at dl on 6 Jan. 1764 and at cg on 5 May 1772.] Receipts: #269 19s. 6d

Event Comment: [Afterpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.] The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [see 30 Apr. 1777]. Receipts: #194 18s

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by George Edward Ayscough, based on Semiramis, by Voltaire. Prologue by the author. Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (see text)]: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy is a translation from Voltaire by Captain Ayscough. Mrs Yates played finely, and met with the Applause she deserved. Mrs Reddish, alias Mrs Canning, who played the part of Azema, was hissed all through, and must never perform again. Indeed she was very bad. The Play was greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 24 Dec. 1776: This Day is published Semiramis (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 3s. 6d. (224.16.6; 0.0.0; 1.7.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick. Epilogue by George Colman elder (London Chronicle, 9 May). Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1780]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "No modern theatrical piece ever met with a fuller success, nor deserved it more... The performers deserve every sort of commendation for their spirited exertion in supporting the respective characters, especially Smith, King and the incomparable Mrs Abington" (Gazetteer, 9 May). "To my great astonishment there were more parts performed admirably in The School for Scandal than I almost ever saw in any play. Mrs Abington was equal to the first of her profession, Yates (the husband), Parsons, Miss Pope, and Palmer, all shone. It seemed a marvellous resurrection of the stage. Indeed, the play had as much merit as the actors. I have seen no comedy that comes near it since The Provoked Husband" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 82). Receipts: #224 10s. (215.12.0; 8.14.6; 0.3.6)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time in London; F 2, by John O'Keeffe, 1st acted at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 13 Apr. 1774. Prologue by George Colman elder (Prose on Several Occasions, III, 222)]. Public Advertiser, 16 Aug. 1780: This Day is published Tony Lumpkin in Town (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: Benefit for Daly. Public Advertiser, 14 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Daly, No. 8, George-street, York Buildings

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Beaumont and Fletcher [and altered by George Colman elder]. The Music by Purcell. New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season]. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Rice at the Theatre. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Servants to keep places are to be at the Door in Suffolk-street by Five o'Clock

Event Comment: [Mainpiece: Prologue by George Colman elder.

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. Morning Chronicle, 22 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Quick, No. 151, Drury-lane. 1st piece [1st time; M. PREL I, by George Downing]: The Music by Hook. 3rd piece: Not acted these 18 years. With a grand burlesque Procession and triumphal Entry of Alexander into London. The Nobles, Guards, Officers and Attendants will be all dressed in the Habits of the Times. Receipts: #274 14s. (173.9; tickets: 101.5) (charge: #70 7s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by John O'KeefFe, altered from his The She Gallant; or, Square-Toes Outwitted, 1st acted at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 14 Jan. 1767, and in London at the HAY, 13 Oct. 1779. Incidental music by Michael Arne and William Shield. Text 1st published by T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1800. Prologue by George Colman, the elder (Colman, Prose, m, 231)]. Receipts: #228 10s. 6d. (226/14/6; 1/16/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lewis. Afterpiece: As performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket [beginning 6 Aug. 1779]; by the Author of the Son-in-Law, the Agreeable Surprise, &c. [John O'Keeffe]. [Prologue by George Colman, the elder.] Receipts: #195 9s. 6d. (161/11/6; tickets: 33/18/0) (charge: #105)