Event Comment: Great Applause to Mr G. House (Hopkins Diary). N.B. King Arthur which was to be performed this evening for Mr Barry's Benefit, is oblig'd to be deferred till further notice, on account of his continuing ill. Receipts: #266 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. House (Hopkins Diary). But Tickets delivered for Benefit of Mr W. Barry will be taken. Mr Wm. Barry's tickets this night (Box 88; Pit 76; Gallery 47) #38 2s.; Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Master Brown 2 nights (26th incl.) 15s.; Extra trumpet 2 nights (March 31st incl.) #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Smith Polly (first time) very well (Hopkins Diary). Paid Salary list #513 17s. 6d.; Miss Mansell and Mr Dimon 5 guineas each per order, #10 10s.; Mr Clinch ditt, #5 5s.; Rec'd stopages #20 13s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #141 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Hopkins, Prompter's Bill, #32 15s. 4d.; Mr Reddish's Law bill #28 9s. 6d. Receipts: #144 9s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece by Command. Mrs Jefferson made her first appearance upon this Stage in Miss Grantham a Small figure not Handsome no Spirit & not at all like the Character. Some applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Masque of Alfred oblig'd to be deferr'd till Saturday next. Paid Mr Nicoll for lines #10 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #230 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years. [See 19 April 1751.] New Scenes, Machines, Decorations &c. The Characters dress'd in The Habits of the times. This Masque is very well got up with New Scenes & Decorations particularly a Representation of the Grand Naval Review design'd by Mons DeLoutherberg & vastly well Executed had great Applause the piece is very dull (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid five day's salary at #86 13s. 10d. per diem, #433 9s. 2d.; Miss Younge 6 days not on the list #1; Mr Courtney 3 days not on list 7s. 6d.; Mr J. French on Act #10 (Treasurer's Book). The Songs, Chorusses, &c. in the Masque (in the order they are now performed) to be had at the Theatre. The Music by Dr Arne and other masters (playbill). Receipts: #158 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 1st bill #42 11s. 6d; Mr Hopkins for last summer #20; Mr Arnick for Men's cloaths #14 14s. Receipts: #126 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This farce was wrote by Mr Cumberland & receiv'd with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Larpent MS 365, suggests Sapling was written for Weston.] Paid Mr Lacy Frederick for sattin #15 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #205 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House. This was to have been Mr Weston's Night but Miss Younge being ill he desired to have it deferr'd (Hopkins Diary). The School For Wives iS oblig'd to be deferr'd till Saturday, on acct of Mr Weston's indisposition (playbill). Receipts: #250 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Champnes. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Mr Champnes quits the Stage at the End of this Season therefore Mr Gar: plays for his Benefit (Hopkins Diary). Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Rec'd Messrs Stanley & Smith 11 Oratorio Nights at #24 per night (candles oyl &c.) #304 6s. Paid to Renters #88 from 11 Oratorio nights. Receipts: #233 1s. 6d. Charges: #74 14s. Profit to Champnes: #58 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With New Dresses and Decorations. N.B. After this night the Meeting of the Company will be laid aside for sometime. The Play was New drest in the Habits of the time & they look'd very well & was applauded (Hopkins Diary) Paid 3 days salary list at #91 16s. 4d. per diem, #275 9s.; Sundry salaries not on list last week as per partners in Memorandum Book, #44 8s.; Mr Granier for last week 12s. 6d.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #226 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Acted but once these 14 years. [See 4 May 1772.] Paid Hewetson & Co. (lacemen) #13 6s.; Thomson (smith) #52 7s. 6d.; Stacy (colourman) #13 12s.; J. Johnston's Music Bill #26 15s.; Mr Hopkins (for author of Maid of Oak's) Bill #4 4s.; Mr Luppino for making dresses &c. #64 14s. 6d.; Cole (turner) #16 2s.; G. Garrick on Acct #100; Chorus 2 nights (Courtney excluded) #2 15s. Receipts: #123 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy was Written by Dr Franklyn very heavy. Was pretty well receiv'd & had Considerable Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #15 10s.; Paid salary list #567 11s.; J. French on acct #20; Mr Blanchard per Mr Beckett #5 5s. Receipts: #225 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Ranger-Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Paid $Mr Barthelemon">Mr Vernon-much Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Paid $Mr Barthelemon for composing The Election &c. #30; Gratuity to Ralph Harwood #5 5s. Receipts: #196 18s. 6d. Charges: #67 4s. Profit to Vernon: #129 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Matilda deferr'd Reddish ill. Afterpiece: Performed for the last time this Season. Mr Reddish was to have play'd in Matilda to Night but Sent word late last Night that he could not play Mr Brereton Play'd Posthumus & very well had great Applause-House (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd stopages #16 17s. 6d. Paid salary list #566 6s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #88 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Prelude and Mainpiece By Command of their Majesties. Jane Shore is oblig'd to be deferr'd on Account of Mrs Yates's being incapable of performing. [MacMillan's note from Kemble "Mr Smith Kitely -dull enough" does not appear in the Folger, Hopkins Diary.] King and Queen Present. Rec'd from Mr Reddish on Acct #50. Paid Printer's Bill #14 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [This weekly payment throughout the season averaged #9 6s., for a total payment of #353 8s. No further itemization of it will be made.] Receipts: #284 11s. 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: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Mr G.-never play'd better, and when he was in the Woman's Cloaths he had a head drest with Feathers, Fruit etc. as extravagant as possible to Burlesque the present Mode of Dressing-it had a Monstrous Effect (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid Mr Fredrick his bill for sattin #40 10s.; a Tow Bill 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [This monthly bill for Tow amounted to #4 10s. for the season and will not be further mentioned.] Receipts: #217 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Portia by Mrs Siddons being her first appearance upon this Stage a good figure rather handsome--wants Spirit and ease her Voice a little course very well receiv'd (Hopkins, Diary). Paid Mr Wrighten on note #100; Mr Garrick 2 nights for Bon Ton and Little Gipsey, #238. Receipts: #197 (Treasurer's Book). Books of the Songs and Chorusses of the Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. [This note appeared on all subsequent bills advertising the Jubilee this season.] The most accomplished actress can display little other abilities in this part [Portia] than a correct elocution, and a knowledge of the author. The lady of last night being thus circumstanced [her first appearance] it is impossible to pronounce what the nature or extent of her powers may enable her to execute when placed in a situation that calls them forth. But from the speciman she gave there is not room to expect anything beyond mediocrity. Her figure and face, although agreeable, have nothing striking, her voice (that requisite of all public speakers) is far from being favourable to her progress as an actress. It is feared she possess a monotone not to be got rid of; there is also vulgarity in her tones, ill calculated to sustain that line in a theatre she has at first been held forth in; but as these observations are formed when the lady laboured under the disadvantages of a first attempt in the metropolis, her future efforts may perhaps entirely remove them (Middlesex Journal, 30 Dec. Quoted in Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: Signor Martini danc'd for first time tolerable (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Park 1 boy 18 nights #6 15s.; Pryor (turner) #3 6d.; Mr Blanchard (tallow chandler) #43 17s. 2d. Receipts: #156 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The New Comedy of The Runaway oblig'd to be deferr'd till Tuesday, on account of Mrs Hopkins' sudden illness. Paid Mr Machin, Chorus, 24 nights, #6; Tallow Chandler's Bill #49 6s. 8d.; additional flutes #1; Mr Landall for sashes #6 14s. Receipts: #195 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Wrighten. This Farce wrote by Mr Vaughan pretty well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [The Westminster Magazine for April damned the afterpiece as to plot and characters. Allowed it passible only as a beneift piece.] Paid 2 extra flutes 10s. Receipts: #90 5s. Charges: #66 9s. Profits to Mr and Mrs Wrighten: #23 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Abington. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Garrick's last time of performing Archer . Pit and Boxes will be laid together. Ladies and Gentlemen most earnestly requested to come early (playbill). Mrs Abington having wrote to Mr Garrick that she intended to quit the Stage at the End of the Season never to return to it again, he very kindly play'd for her Benefit (Hopkins Diary). Tickets deliver'd for Much Ado will be taken. Attempted to get into Drury Lane Theatre to see Mr Garrick in the character of Archer, but the crowd was so great that after suffering thumps, squeezes and almost suffocation for two hours, I was oblig'd to retire without effecting it (Hampden, Journal). Receipts: #129 19s. 6d. Charges: #65 7s. 6d. Profits to Mrs Abington: #64 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington's First appearance in Clarinda . She was very easy and like the Character. Mr G. as Usual play'd finely (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd of Mr Parker in full of note #30. Receipts: #279 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Lampmen #3 18s.; Tailors #11 2s. 10d.; Mantua Makers #3 14s. 6d.; Carpenters #16 15s. 6d.; Printer [of playbills] #19 5s. 6d. The Hypocrite and Christmas Tale in three Acts was advertised for to-morrow. This Morning at Rehearsal Lacy came and told Sheridan that he could not be off from his Agreement with Mr Langford and Captain Thomson. Sheridan told him, if he did agree, that he would withdraw himself from the Management of the Theatre--accordingly at eight this Evening he sent me with a Letter to Lacy confirming what he told him, and ordered me to receive my orders from Mr L and that he withdrew the Christmas Tale, as he had altered, for a Farce, it was his Property. This put us all into confusion--Sent to Mrs Abington to know if she would play in the Hypocrite, as it was advertised--Her answer was, that she had made her Agreement with Sheridan only, and would play under no other Manager. About twelve at night we got Richard the third settled, and sent Bills accordingly (Hopkins Diary). [For further remarks concerning this situation see 15 Oct.] Receipts: #173 6s