Event Comment: House. Mr Reddish Still continuing a little Mad or So--Mr Cautherly plaid the Duke & very well was applauded (Hopkins Diary). Last time but one of performing before Easter. Paid Carpenter's Dinners &c. at Black Lyon #6 6s.; Tabor & Pipe 10 nights (1st inst. incl.) #5 5s.; Rec'd of Mr Rowland 1 yrs. rent to Lady Day last (#1 16s. Land tax deducted) #41 4s. Receipts: #180 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted in two years. [See 13 May 1772.] Benefit for Miss Pope. Last time of performing till Easter. Part of p1t laid into boxes. Last play till Holidays. Paid 4 days salary list #378 10s. 8d.; J. French on acct #5 5s.; Tallow chandler's 8th bill #27 11s. 4d. Receipts: #287 3s. Charges: #66 3s. 6d. Profits to Miss Pope: #220 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Hopkins, prompter, and Mrs Hopkins. Paid half yrs. Land & Window tax Covt. Garden to Lady Day last #3 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #133 4s. Charges: #67 14s. Profits to Mrs Hopkins: #65 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Jewel from the Haymarket Theatre made her first appearance upon this stage in Lucinda and was receiv'd with great applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid 3 days salary list #134 15s. 6d.; Lampmen #2 12s.; Bill stickets #3 12s.; Handbills 8s.; Candlemen Bill #2 15s. 6d.; Taylor's Bill #13 16s. 3d.; Mantua Maker's Bill #8 12s.; Mr French #12 12s.; Painter's Bill #3 6s.; Heath andWife #2; Roye #4 1Os. (Treasurer's Book). [The following items among those listed in the Treasurer's Book were constant weekly expenditures. Their averages and totals appear in the following table and will not again be mentioned]: @Week's Average Total expense for season@Lampmen #4 5s. #171@Billstickers #2 14s. #92 12s.@Handbills 12s. #22 16s.@Tailors #8 10s. #323@Mant. Makers #2 5s. #85 2s.@Candlemen #12 #456@Mr French #10 10s. #388@Painters #7 #266@Mr Heath and Wife #2 #76 [A spectator writes to the Public Advertiser (to inform the country readers) about the changes in the interior of Drury Lane Theatre resulting from the remodeling by the Adams@brothers. They had managed to give the impression of greater magnitude to the house. They removed the old heavy square pillars at the side of the stage, raised the sounding board on the side next to the stage, greatly improving the sound of the music and the actors' voices. Much new decoration went into the boxes making them more light and gay. Much panel glass, ornamentation, and ceiling decoration, giving it the effect of a dome. The author believes the crimson drapery over the stage is too dark for the objects around it, and the gold fringe lacks the brilliant effect. The lobby behind the front boxes was remodeled and kept clear of servants, by means of an adjoining room prepared for the servants. New arches lead into the entrance from Brydges St. toward the boxes.] Receipts: #235 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid 3 day's salary at #100 12s. 6d. per diem #301 17s. 6d. Salaries short-paid last week #168 8s. 6d.; Tabor and Pipe #3 13s. 6d. Louchre [Lauchery] #8 8s. Mr Abington #2; Mr King #3; (Treasurer's Book). [The payment to King was the first of 37 similar ones for extra salary amounting to #111. That to Mrs Abington was the first of weekly payments for her clothes account, amounting to #60 for the season. No further mention will be made of these items.] Receipts: #265 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [From the Middlesex Journal (7-9 Oct.) quoted by Hampden, Eighteenth Century Journal: "The Way of the World, though confessedly replete with wit and character, is not the most entertaining play in representation. It is so full of plot and intrigue, that it demands an Unusual degree of attention in the performers and audience to excite admiration. On Saturday they seemed averse to assist the author. Mr King in Witwou'd was as entertaining and full of spirits as usual. Mr Jefferson in the gay admired Mirabel (independent of the antique mode of his wig, and formal cut of his clothes, which surely were both uncharacteristic) seemed in attempting to be quite natural, to keep the entire plot of the play in his own bosom, looked more like the father than the Mirabel of Congreve. Mr Reddish was a contrast to his friend Mirabel; he seemed attentive nervous, and played the latter part of his character well....Mrs Abington's person, manner and dress were fashionable and elegant; but though the character was certainly a fine one, there was a want of that spirit best calculated to call her powers into action: her delivery was tediously formal; and had the audience been deprived of their sight they would conclude that Capt. Bobadill had got into petticoats. Her dress was no more decent than Madam Hidou's was on her first appearance last year; stays so low cut before puts modesty to the blush; and will not be countenanced by an English audience, though made after the French fashion....Mrs Greville, to convince the town that she could keep a secret, whispered it to only a few friends in the Pit....her indifference is intolerable, and should be noticed by her employer."

Event Comment: St Patrick's Day oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of Indisposition of Mrs Pitt. The Slip now converted into Boxes at 5s. Was only 2s. (Folger News Clipping, and Winston MS 11 note from the Morning Post of 9 Oct.)

Event Comment: Paid salary list 5 days at #101 19s. 8d. per diem #509 18s. 4d.; Mr Bensley 2 weeks not on list #8. Receipts: #216 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Archer by Mr King. Cherry first time Miss Jarratt pretty well. Sga Pacini danc'd for the first time. She is a small figure, not much Elegance but was very well received (Hopkins Diary). Agreement with Sga Paccini, 20 June 1775: "I do agree for my partner, Mr Willoughby Lacy, and myself, to engage Signora Paccini as first dancer at our Theatre, the ensuing season, which commences the first week in September 1775, and finishes the end of May 1776; for which the said Signora shall receive from us, by weekly or monthly payments as she pleases, the sum of three hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling, and she is likewise to have a benefit in course of salary, and at the best time of the year, for which she is to dance whenever she is called upon, to the best of her power and abilities. This engagement the managers of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane engage to fulfill on their part, under the penalty of five-hundred pounds sterling. Witness my hand this nineteenth day of June 1775." (Signed.) David Garrick for Willoughby Lacy and himself (Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, II, 63). The Comedy of The School for Lovers oblig'd to be deferr'd. Receipts: #153 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Parsons being taken last night suddenly ill, the New Musical Farce of May Day is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Wednesday. Receipts: #166 15s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Alterations (Hopkins Diary). [On this day Garrick wrote to Mrs Abington, relative to his practice in casting new plays: "That I may hear no more of this or that part in Mr Murphy's play, I now again tell you that every author since my management distributed his parts as he thinks will be of most service to his interest, nor have I ever interfered, or will interfere, unless I perceive that they would propose something contrary to common sense" (Harvard Theatre Collection, Autograph Letter Signed). Charges: #84 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington being ill with a cold, The Sultan is oblig'd to be deferr'd a Day or two. Receipts: #83 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid 5 days salary list #525 1s. 3d.; Supernumeraries for the Jubilee #71 7s.; Ditto for the Jubilee this night #14 8s.; Tallow Chandler's 4th bill #50 13s. 1d. (Treasurer's Book). [N.B. at a rate of 2s. 6d. for walking in a pageant the Jubilee would seem to have required 115 supernumeraries this evening.] Receipts: #194 4s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera of Two Acts written by Mr Bate--Much hissing and Crying out no more no more!--Mr Reddish was desired to give out the Play as soon as Matilda was over--but he with his usual politeness ran up and undress'd himself as fast as he could so that the play was not given out till the End of the Farce as soon as the Blackamoor was given out for the next Night they kept a great Noise and call'd for another Farce to be given out--at length they began to be more appeas'd and went away vowing Vengeance on it the next Night (Hopkins Diary). The Overture and Music of the afterpiece entirely New. Books of the Songs &c. to be had at the Theatre. New Scenes, Dresses, &c. [This is Larpent MS 400. Sir Oliver Oddfish distrusts his servants and is about to replace them with blacks, giving his nephew the chance to introduce Frederick , his daughter Julia 's lover, in disguise as a blackamoor, and to effect an elopement. Act I criticizes Londoners and concludes with the comment, "O that I should ever live to see the day when white Englishmen must give place to foreign blacks." MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid the late Mr Johnston's bill to his executors #44 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Afterpiece reviewed in three columns in the Westminster Magazine for Feb. Reviewer thought it had been produced well in all departments, music, scenery, costume, and acting, but concluded it a theatrical trifle giving not much credit to its author.] Receipts: #166 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Wash &c. left out of the title (Winston MS). The farce went off very well till the second act when Capt. Roper and another Gentleman came into the boxes very Drunk hiss'd and kept a great Noise 'till at last the Pit and Gallery began to hiss them he struck at Somebody in the Pit--the Gentleman that came with Capt. Roper Jump'd out of the Stage Box upon the Stage immediately Several out of the Pit and Boxes follow'd and Some blows ensued and I thought they would have pull'd the House down this lasted about half and hour and then it all grew quiet and we finished the Farce (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days #520 5s. 5d.; Mrs Garrick for sundry stage trimmings #7 8s. 6d. Receipts: #197 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. [MacMillan notes from Kemble: "The Spleen, or Islington Spa was not acted tonight. The Jubilee was perform'd instead of it." The Spleen, tho' advertised was deferred on account of King's illness.] Paid 4 days salary list at #104 1s. 1d. per diem #416 4s. 4d.; Mr Short for attending Jubilee 17 nights #4 5s. Receipts: #212 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: King continuing ill. The Spleen Deferr'd. Paid 4 days salary list #416 4s. 4d. Receipts: #239 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Lyric Ode (never performed) "On the Witches, Fairies, and Aerial Beings in Shakespeare. The Music entirely New." [The Westminster Magazine for March commented: "This poem is said to be written by a young gentleman of Oxford, and has many strokes of genius and inagination in it. The music, we hear, is composed by Mr Linley Jr, who has (since his return from Italy) been a student under that most excellent musician Dr Boyce. This composition must be allowed to be an extraordinary effort of genius in so young a man. The Fugue of the overture is masterly. The song of 'There in old Arden's inmost shade,' is well suited to the scene described by the poet....But what we think most deserving of praise is the power our young composer has shown in the chorusses....From the general and sincere applause with which the Ode was received, we may venture to pronounce, that if Mr Linley Jr pursues his studies, he will one day stand foremost in the list of modern composers."

Event Comment: A Sacred Oratorio, never performed. The Music entirely new, composed by Hook. [The reviewer for the Westminster Magazine for March thought the Ascension would make but a poor figure at the Day of Judgement. [Hook] has, like many other votaries of Clio and Calliope, mistaken dullness for dignity...if there were no other objection to the Ascension than its extreme length and tediousness, that circumstance alone would prevent it from ranking among the pleasing Oratorios now in performance."

Event Comment: Benefit for Moody. Paid Paving, Cleaning and Lighting to Lady Day last #27 6d.; 3 extra trumpets 2 nights #2 5s. Charges: #83 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sga Crespi. Tickets deliver'd by Harwood will be taken. Rec'd Stopages #14 14s. Paid half yrs. paving #19 13s. 9d.; three quarters land and Window tax (Covent Garden Parish) #12 2s. 9d.; Ditto for paving #6; Ditto for Rector's rate 13s. 4d.; Duke of Bedford's Rent half year to Lady day last #164 2s. 10d. Receipts: #25 17s. Charges: #66 18s. 6d. Deficit to Sga Crespi: #41 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Love, Mrs Cross, and Mrs Millidge. Last time of performing both pieces this season. Afterpiece: By Desire. Tickets delivered for Macbeth, on Monday the 13th, and by Garland, Walker, L'Englois, and Mas. Pulley will be taken. This Benefit was fix'd and advertised for Macbeth on Tuesday the 21st but as Mr G., wanted that day to play himself he gave them the above Play and Farce as a Recompense for their coming later they had a very great House (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd stopages #9 9s. Receipts: #105 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Mrs Love, Mrs Cross, and Mrs Millidge: #21 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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 [1st time; MD 3, by Sir George Collier, based on Zemire et Azor, by Jean Francois Marmontel]: The Music [by Thomas Linley Sen., adapted from Gretry], Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations entirely New. The Scenes, &c., designed by DeLoutherbourg. The Words of the Songs, &c. to be had at the Theatre. The Entertainment is splendidly got up--The Music by Thomas Linley Jun. [sic] was very well received (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 7 Dec. 1776: This Day is published the Songs in Selima and Azor (6d). [Text 1st published by J. Bell, 1784.] Receipts: #218 7s