Event Comment: SSigismunda by Mrs Dancer, being her first appearance on this stage, --was well received and great applause, --She is a good figure, and has a great deal of merit, --and is an acquisition to the theatre (Hopkins MS Notes). Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 21 Nov. 1765.] Got with difficulty into the Pit before the play began. Holland played Tancred pretty well but can never divest himself of a certain stiffness...Mrs Dancer was affecting in Sigismunda...Lovel [in the afterpiece] by King, much better than by Cautherly. Saw the Duchess of Ancaster at the Play, who tho upwards of 40, is still remarkably handsome (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. The Absent Man published at 1s. [During the Easter Week holidays the text of the afterpiece had been changed. The advance bill in the Public Advertiser (31 March) notes "With Additions" and omits Mrs Hopkins from the list of characters.

Event Comment: Two glass branches added to the Stage Boxes, and look well (Hopkins MS Notes). Places may be had of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door. Doors open half past 4 o'clock. Play to begin exactly at 6 o'clock. Vivat Rex et Regina. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s

Event Comment: MMrs Jeffries very imperfect in Lucy. The Farce greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary). Afterpiece: With alterations

Event Comment: MMrs W. Barry very bad in Almeria-imagine she was in Liquor (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: AAlexander by Mr Reddish-Very Bad (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. King of Denmark. Richard-Mr Garrick (Cross Diary). For the King of Denmark.--Richard by Mr Garrick, for the first time these six years-Beyond discription fine, -his voice clear to the last (Hopkins Diary). No money taken at stage door. None returned after curtain is up. The doors (by particular desire) will be opened at half an Hour after Five. To Begin at Seven. Neville MS Diary: Hearing about 7 o'clock that Garrick did Richard III, one of his very capital characters which he has not done these 7 or 8 years, resolved (if I could get in to see him) to bear the abhorred sight of that woman-like painted puppy, the King of Denmark. After one unsuccessful attempt got into the Pit with the greatest difficulty after the third act. Garrick is inimitably great in Richard & very different from the other Richards I have seen; his expression of the dying agony of that wretch is beyond description. Some actors speak with as strong & loud voice in that scene as if they had received no wound & were not dying. One Lloyd, who waits on Garrick sometimes, observed that he himself says he never acted better in his life, modestly observing that something must be allowed to the improvement of his judgment. During the dance (for there was no farce) I was within a yard of the Danish tyrant

Event Comment: This comic opera of two acts [Padlock] was written by Mr Bickerstaffe and is a very compleat, pretty piece,--the music very striking.--Mrs Dorman was hissed at first, but the piece went off very well, and much applauded (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Music and other Decorations. Doors opened at half past 4. Play to begin exactly at 6 o'clock. [A three column retelling of the plot of the padlock appeared in Lloyd's Evening Post, for Oct. 5-7.

Event Comment: For the Farce--New Scenes, Dresses, Music. Book of the play sold at the Theatre. Play to begin at 6 o'clock (Winston MS 10). The Farce went off very well,--some hisses (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Mrs Egerton smart figure not much of the Gentlewoman tho, appear'd in Lady Townly (Hopkins Diary). From the Theatre Royal, Dublin (MacMillan). Lady Townly, Mrs Egerton, first time (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: Richard by Mr Dodd-O la! Ola! (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Dodd. Afterpiece: Not acted for 3 years. [See 9 April 1768.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sparks. Miss Radley became Mrs Fitzgerald (Winston MS 10). Ld. Townly, Mr Sparks Jun: first Appearance (Cross Diary). Mr Sparks Junr Son of Mr Isaac Sparks made his first Appearance on any Stage in Ld. Townly a fine figure and met with Applause (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Garrick. Lady Brute 1st time Miss Younge--very well (Hopkins). Paid Half a year's paving, Lighting & Cleaning to Mich. Last--#14 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #254 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Farce was Much Applauded Mrs Barry play better than the Night before (Hopkins Diary). Paid 6 day's salary list at #85 7s. 11d. per diem, #512 7s. 6d.; Mr French on Acct #5 5s.; Rec'd Stopages #18 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #177 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted for 14 years, altered from Shirley. [See 7 Feb. 1758.] Characters New Dress'd in the Habits of the Times. This Comedy is reviv'd with Alterations. It is well perform'd & had great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Half year's paving &c. to Mich. last for Drury Lane & Russel St. #14. Mr Godfrey for women's cloaths, #15. Mr Clutterbuck's last summer's balance #57 15s. 2d.; Mrs Foster for men's cloaths, #25 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #121 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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: Mr Reddish who has to perform the part of Alonzo was not come to begin the 3d Act, which put us in great Confusion, at Length Mr J. Aickin consented to read the part, & we Cut Mr Aickins part quite out-An Apology was made to the Audience that Mr Reddish was not come, nor had he sent any Message-The Play went on;-before the play was finish'd Mr Reddish came to the House when the Play was over Mr King & Mr Reddish went on the Stage Mr King apologis'd the Audience in behalf of Mr Reddish & told them that Mr R. was ready to make oath that he had entirely forgot that it was a play Night, & that it was by meer chance he came to the House at all-his looks were so truely pitiable, the Audience had Compassion & excus'd him (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. Genest, V, 353, notes that the rebellion of the audience was quelled by an offer of return of entrance money to those wished to leave. He also notes that Reddish on the eleventh published an affidavit in confirmation of his statement, begging Pardon for disappointing the public.] Paid Mr Wright per order Mr G. G. #13 5s. 2d. Receipts: #143 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Afterpiece: Alter'd from Sir John VanBrugh. Not acted in 5 years. [See 24 March 1768.] Miss Jarratt hiss'd in Harriet (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #162 2s. Charges: #65 2s. Profits to Miss Pope #97 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Play is alter'd by Capt. Thompson and a New Sea Character introduc'd which was well perform'd by Mr Weston. the Play Concludes very properly with a Representation of the Grand Naval Review the same as was introduc'd in Alfred--the whole was receiv'd with very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Housekeeper's Bill #3 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece a Reviv'd Comedy, with Alterations and Additions, and a New Medley Overture of Favourite Sea Tunes (playbill). Receipts: #245 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr G. Play'd most Divinely (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #232 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Genii is reviv'd with Alterations & Concludes with a Bacchanalian Jubilee & was receiv'd with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Smith's Music Composing Bill for Alfred #26 5s.; Mr J. Johnston's Music Bill from Xmas last to the end of the season #23 6s. 10d.; Two extra flutes this night 10s.; Mr Loutherbourg's draft #80; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Afterpiece: Not acted these 9 years. [See 21 Dec. 1764.] Receipts: #140 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in 7 years. [See 20 Feb. 1767.] Mr Barry being ill Mr Palmer play'd the Bastard--with applause $Mrs Barry not so well in Constance as was expected (Hopkins Diary). Paid properties #2 8d. Receipts: #162 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Brereton. [Afterpiece not printed. Larpent MS lists characters: Widow Watchem, Harriet, Maria, Bluster, Swallow, Truman, Juggle (MacMillan).] This Farce was written by Mr Andrews it was receiv'd with Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid tallow chandler's 8th Bill #37 13s. 2d.; half years Land & Window Tax to Lady Day last for St Martin's #38 4s. 4d.; Easter Offering 10s. 6d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #216 8s. Charges: #67 6s. 6d. Profits to Brereton: #149 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A new short Introductory Piece before a play [The Meeting of the Company]. This new Prelude call'd The Meeting of the Company or Bayes' Art of Acting by D. G. Esq--it is full of fine Satyr & an Excellent Lesson to all performers, it was receiv'd with very great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in the wording. The salaries this season were #94 7s. 8d. per day; #566 6s. per week. Kemble's note as to total receipts is short by 8 pence.] Prices: Box 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. [Unfavorable review of Meeting of the Company in The Westminster Magazine (Sept., p. 472). The actor Aickin referred to this season is J. Aickin. Francis Aickin left dl before the beginning of this season. He was dismissed by Garrick in May. See Booden, Private Correspondence of David Garrick, I, 651-55.] Paid Renters #8; Advanced Mr Watson (box office keeper) #10; Ditto to Mr Mortimer (box office keeper) #15 (Treasurer's Book). [The funds to the box office keepers was operating cash which was returned 29 May 1775. Payment to Renters was same for each acting night until the eighty-eighth night (9 Jan. 1775) when it dropped to #4 nightly, since half of the stock holders (the Old Renters) were paid up by that time. The remaining 100 nights of the season plus 11 Oratorio nights yielded #448 to the Renters. No further mention of this item of expense will be made this season.] Total to Renters #1,152. Receipts: #212 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Smith from Covent Garden Theatre made his first appearance upon this Stage in K. Richd the 3d & was receiv'd with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording. Kemble also refers to borrowing Smith from cg 29 May 1759, which was actually his first appearance at dl.] Paid a Tow Bill 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [This is the customary monthly charge for tow for wicks. It came to #4 10s. for the whole season. No further itemizing of it will be made.] Receipts: #239 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)