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 in 3 acts, altered from Garrick's original 5 acts by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.] The Music composed by Dibdin. With New Dresses. The Scenes, Machines, &c. invented by DeLoutherbourg. The Christmas Tale reduced to three Acts (by R. B. Sheridan esq.) was performed for the first time as a Farce--was received with very great Applause--it is too long, and must be shortened (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 22 Oct. 1776: This Day at Four o'Clock will be published A Christmas Tale (1s.) [For Baker see 28 Sept.] Receipts: #241 14s

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Thomas Vaughan, based on Il Servitor di due Padroni, by Carlo Goldoni. Prologue by the author (Town and Country Magazine, Dec. 1776, p. 663)]: With New Dresses. Public Advertiser, 2 Dec. 1776: This Day at Noon is published The Hotel (1s.). Receipts: #182 1s

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; M. ENT 2, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (also attributed to Richard Tickell). Prologue by Richard Tickell (London Chronicle, 23 Oct.). Text 1st published probably by T. Lowndes, 1795]: To conclude with a perspective Representation of the Grand Camp at Cox-Heathv [near Maidstone, Kent, where a military encampment had been in existence for several months], from a View taken by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] With a New Overture and other Music [by Thomas Linley Sen.]. New Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. Account-Book, 16 Oct.: Paid Supernumeraries & Soldiers for Camp #35 5s. 6d. Receipts: #266 0s. 6d. (258.16.0; 6.18.0; 0.6.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Hurst and Burton. Public Advertiser, 24 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Hurst, No. 368, opposite Norfolk-street, Strand; of Burton, Duke's-court, Bow-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #194 13s. (54.10.0; 16.5.6; 0.2.6; tickets: 123.15.0) (charge: #66 1s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; B 3, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by the Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick (Public Advertiser, 3 Aug. 1781)]: With a Procession. [This was included in all subsequent performances. For the Sea Fight see 20 Nov.] With New Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Scenery designed by DeLoutherbourg, and executed under his direction. The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [same for rest of season, except on 1 May 1780]. "The House was so crowded that there were many disturbances, one so great that Smith when he had nearly finished 'To be or not to be' was obliged to leave the Stage, and when the noise subsided, to return and begin the soliloquy again... As The Critic took up two hours and a half in performance, it must of necessity be considerably shortened" (Morning Chronicle, 1 Nov.). "The scene of the battle with the Armadav [was] executed in the most masterly manner. The Motion of the sea, the engaging of the ships, and the destruction occasioned by the fire-ships were happily contrived and accurately represented" (London Chronicle, 1 Nov.). Account-Book, 9 Nov.: Paid R. B. Sheridan on Acct. of Critic #320. Receipts: #241 19s. 6d. (222.11.0; 19.3.6; 0.5.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Thomas Lewis O'Beirne, based on Le Dissipateur; ou, L'Honnete Friponne, by Philippe Nericault, dit Destouches. Prologue by Frederick Pilon (Crouch, 1, 90). Author of Epilogue unknown. For Pastoral Interlude see 23 Nov.]: With new Scenery and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 13 Dec. 1780: This Day at Noon is Published The Generous Impostor (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #197 3s. 6d. (183.4.0; 13.10.6; 0.9.0)