Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Gallery 3s. Pit 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Doors open at half past five. Play begin at half past six. [Repeated.] Before the Play a new Overture and New Occasional Prelude (Public Advertiser). The House has been quite alter'd since last Season and is now fitted up in the most elegant manner Possible by the Adam's etc. and is the most Compleat of any Theater in Europe. Great applause to the House before the Curtain. The Theatrical Candidates is wrote by D. G. Esq and was received with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording. In Judging the popularity of a play in terms of box receipts for this season one must be aware of the fact that the treasurer's account books here differ from those of the five preceding years in not recording the income from the tickets delivered out for benefit nights. Hence on those nights the stated income reflects only the money taken at the door the night of the performance, and does not indicate the larger amounts which the actors received for their tickets. Deficits to various actors listed on the following pages were all paid up, presumably from the ticket receipts. Each actor doubtless at least broke even on his benefit.] Ceiling rais'd 12 feet. Old side Boxes top and bottom remov'd. New passages to Boxes. Entrance Bridges St. Light pillars to support Boxes inlaid with plate glass on green and crimson ground. Old chandeliers remov'd. Gilt branches with two candles each on pillars. Four new chandeliers in front. No slit i Curtain. Adam architects. 4,000 guineas. Persons not employed in the night's amusement ordered not to come behind the scenes--performers by that means go cross stage (Winston MS 11, from Dr Burney's News Cuttings). Paid Renters #8; Supernumeraries and Drum #1 16s.; taylor's Bill #10 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [For the 188 acting nights of the season and for 11 Oratorio nights the Renters were paid a total of #1,692. The Supernumeraries were paid an average of #5 per night or #940 for the season. No further account of these items will be made. Full account of the new look given to Drury Lane by the Adam's brothers in the Westminster Magazine for Sept. along with an approving review of the Meeting of the Company.] From Lloyd's Evening Post, 25 Sept., "On the New Front of Drury Lane Theatre": @Garrick asham'd to poke his nose@Too sheepishly beneath the Rose:@And fearing, poor man, what were Worse,@His bashfulness might hurt his purse;@Resolves this year to push a front,@And put a better face upon't.@Not surely meaning to give o'er@His Art, and make no faces more.@Yet, fair as tis, I'd have him know@If tis the last he means to show.@This face will never make amends,@For turning tail upon his friends;@Who own, by general consent,@His face the best Stage ornament.@ (In Folger Library, David Garrick Verses, Prologues and Epilogues, MS, p. 86.) Receipts: #208 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece entirely new Composed by Dibdin. [An adaptation of Goldoni's Il Filosofo di Campagna.] Book of Songs to be had at Theatre (playbill). The Wedg R. a Comic Opera of Two Acts wrote & composed by Mr Dibdin. The Music very pretty--as the Author was kept a Secret The Town fancy'd that is one of Mr Bickerstaff & call'd out to know who was the Author. Mr Garrick inform'd them that he had no power to declare who the Author was but he could assure them that it was not Mr Bickerstaffs this did not Satisfy them at last Mr Dibdin went on & declard himself to be the Author & made an Affidavit of it & then the Farce went on with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [Account of The Wedding Ring in Westminster Magazine for Feb. 1773.] Paid #4 4s. for licensing The Wedding Ring and Alonzo (Treasurer's Book). [Maria Macklin, in a MS letter to her father, 3 Feb. 1773, commented fully on this night's performance: "Written as it was suppos'd by Bickerstaffe. The music by Dibdin. I went with a party into the Gallery to see the event as there was a great riot expected, & indeed never did I see an audience more inflamed. They would not suffer them to begin the piece. At last Mr King came on with a written paper in his hand, which he said he was desir'd to read in the name of the managers. After a great noise they let him read it. He said just before the play began the managers had receiv'd a letter from Mr Dibdin in which he declared that Bickerstaff was not the author of that piece, that he had made oath of it, and was ready to do the same again, but that for very particular reasons the author could not be given up. Then they stopp'd him & roar'd out that the author should be given up then. He continued as loud as he possibly could, reading on that 'but that if Mr Dibdin did not very soon given up the author he never should be suffered to appear again on that stage or any other.' Very luckily that turn'd them as I believe the House would have come down. The piece then began. Before the end of the first act one of Bannister's songs were encor'd. The other party were against it and would not let it go on. They all stood up and insisted that the author should be known then. After some time the house being nothing but confusion, Dibdin was push'd upon the stage ready to drop with fright, and declared that he was the author himself. Then they were as noisy the other way. Made them finish the piece, but how you may guess in a storm. It is like the Padlock, but the songs not so good." (Brander Matthews, Actors and Actresses, extra illustrated, Vol. I. Harvard Theatre Collection.). Westminster Magazine this month included in parallel columns flattering "Characters of Mr Garrick and Mr Colman," the Rival managers. The article especially praised Garrick's acting.] Receipts: #252 3s. 6d

Event Comment: This Musical Farce of one Act was wrote by Mr G on purpose to introduce Miss Abrams (a Jew) about 17 Years old. She is very small, a Swarthy Complexion, has a very sweet Voice and a fine Shake, but not quite power enough yet-both the Piece and Young Lady were receiv'd with Great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Books of the Songs, Choruses etc. of Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. The Conscious Lovers oblig'd to be deferred till Monday, with which will be performed the last new Grand Ballet, The Savage Hunters. [Advertisement to the published edition: "The author of this musical Farce, begs leave to inform the readers, if there should be any, that it was merely intended to introduce The Little Gipsy to the public, whose youth and total inexperience of the stage made it necessary to give as little dialogue to her character as possible, her success depending wholly upon her singing-This reason added to another, which is that the piece was produced at an early part of the season, when better writters are not willing to come forth, is the best apology the Author can make for its defects."] Paid 6 days salary list at #104 7s.-per diem, #626 2s.; Mr Lamash on note #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [The note on sale of books of the songs and choruses for the afterpiece occurs on all subsequent bills this season in which May Day is mentioned. The songs and chorusses and overture by Dr Arne. The afterpiece reviewed in Westminster Magazine for Nov.: The preparation is palatable, and the hand of the preparer is discoverable from the affinity between the scene of Roger and the Old Man, and that of whittle and Thomas in the Irish Widow....The Music of the overture and Finale were remarkably light and pretty: some of the airs also did Dr Arne credit. As to Miss Abrams, she has a sweet pipe, and a natural shake that charmed us;-If maturity does but strengthen her voice, at the same time that it gives her ease in deportment, she will prove an ornament to the stage."] Receipts: #205 3s. (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: Ladies send servants by 5 to keep Places and prevent Confusion. Doors will be opened at half after five o'clock. To begin at half after 6 o'clock (playbill). Mr G. Voice and Spirits was never finer he never wanted Spirit or Voice thro' the whole part and Convinced the Audience that those Amazing powers he has always possess'd are now as brilliant as ever. Never was a part play'd with greater Propriety nor an Audience more lavish of their Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] [A full column letter for the Morning Chronicle this date from Theatricus to Garrick protested the fact that his announced benefit for the Theatrical Fund on the 30th of May would be all sold out to the highest bidders for tickets; that a nobleman offering ten Guineas for four box seats would get them in preference to the tradesmen who offered only a pound, the stated price of the tickets. Since charity was the cause this writer suggested that Garrick give a second benefit night to the Fund, with the hopes (1) that the Fund would be thereby vastly increased, and (2) that opportunity might be given for twice as many People to see a Garrick final performance. It was, perhaps, in response to this public request that Garrick gave a second Benefit night for the Fund on 10 June. The Morning Post, 29 May, noted: "The concourse of servants assembled yesterday morning at seven o'clock, at Drury Lane Stage Door, to take places for the approaching benefit, in which it is said Mr Garrick will again play Richard III , was astonishing, amounting to many hundreds, three fourths of which were not able to Succeed in their embassies' (Hampden, Journal).] Receipts: #307 3s. 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: DDesdemona-Mrs Davies. $Mrs Havard being ill Mr King play'd Iago (Hopkins). Mrs Yates ill...Mrs Davies Desdemona (Cross Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Tickets for The Roman Father will be taken. Both main and afterpiece, By Particular Desire. Mr King Iago. Mr Havard could not play Mrs Havard being dead (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). A mistake in the Diary. Mrs Havard died Friday 27th (J. P. Kemble MS Notes-MacMillan). Music A La Mode deferr'd on account of Indisposition of a principal performer. Last time of performing till the Holidays. Charges: #64 4s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Tragedy never performed there. Mrs Yates first appearance this stage in 8 years. This Play is from the Orestes of Voltaire Mrs Yates who has been at Covent Garden these 8 years is now return'd & chose to make her first appearance in the part of Electra. Mr Garrick wrote an Excellent Prologue & Epilogue for the Occasion both of which were greatly receiv'd With great Applause. The Play is very dull & heavy & Mrs Yates wanted Spirit greatly in the part of Electra had but little Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days at #91 8s. 10d. #457 4s. 2d.; Mr French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [From Westminster Magazine, Oct. (of the mainpiece): From its want of business, it is a very heavy, tedious performance. Most of the scenes are mere declamations; and a certain air of coldness and apathy, which is the peculiar characteristic of French drama, runs thro the whole, which must ever render it unpleasing as well as uninteresting to an English Audience." Gave a severe comment on the Prologue with its theme "home is home be it ever so homely." Preferred the Epilogue. The perspective scenery of Argosv, the Palace of Aegisthusv, and the Tomb of Agamemnonv, designed by Loutherbourg, and painted by Messrs French and Roy, were warm and spirited, and the dresses elegant and characteristic."] Receipts: #243 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs King being to Quit the Stage at the end of this Season Mr G. kindly play'd for her Benefit great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for King. Pit and Boxes laid together. Paid salary list #494 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French, 6 days #1 10s. Receipts: #287 6s. Charges: #64 4s. Profits to Mrs King: #223 2s. [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: Miss Mansell made her first appearance upon this Stage in Louisa Dudley She has a good face her figure rather Clumsey a hoarse Voice & not much Simplicity (Hopkins Diary). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine agrees Miss Mansell not too good as Louisa. Macmillan note from Kemble differs slightly: "Miss Mansell's first appearance,--she played Louisa Dudley,--a slattern figure, rather clumsy,--a coarse voice,--and no simplicity,--very unfit for the character Hopkins Diary No 7."] Paid three day's salary list at #80 7s. 5d. per diem,-#241 2s. 3d.; Mr S. French, 6 days, #1 10s.; Lampmen #2 12s.; Bill stickers #3 12s. Handbills 5s.; Candlemen #1 8s.; Mantua Maker #6 1s. 2d.; J. Stevens (Porter) 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #205 16s. 6d. [The constant payments are tabulated for the season as follows and will not be further itemized]: @Item Weekly Average Season Total Lampmen #3 #111@Bill Stickers #2 14s. #99 15s.@Handbills 12s. #21 12s.@Candlemen & extras #8 #296@Mantua Maker #4 5s. #150@J. Stevens 18s. #33 6s.

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: Afterpiece: A masque in 3 parts with Music by Dibdin. New Scenes, Machines, Habits, and Decorations. This Entertainment is got up at vast Expence both in Scenery & Dresses very great applause (Hopkins Diary). But I wish it may answer the expence (Hopkins MS Notes). Book of Chorusses & Songs may be had at the Theatre. [The afterpiece thoroughly reviewed and excoriated by Theatrical Review for 28 Oct.] Paid Mr Dorman for coals #45 10s.; Mr Booth over stop'd last season 10s. 6d.; Supernumerary Soldiers #1 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #259 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: This Comedy written by Mr Kelly was brought on the Stage by Capt. Addington as his own was well perform'd & receiv'd with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #24 12s. 6d.; Paid salary list #529 2s.; Mr King's extra salary #3; Miss Brooker, 8 weeks not on list #8. (Treasurer's Book). [Mainpiece reviewed favorably by the Westminster Magazine: "He that cannot relish such a pleasing picture of Manners with such powerful Sentiments, so interesting a Fable, and so striking a Moral, must be a churl indeed."] Receipts: #244 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not played for 20 years. Afterpiece: By Desire. The Play very dull Little Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Reddish. Theatrical Review, 28 March: The plot of this piece is taken from a well known passage in history, which, however, is too barren of incidents for the support of a piece of 5 acts, on which account it is rather languid and tedious, notwithstanding the language in general is tolerable poetical. What could induce Mr Reddish to revive so dull a performance, after it had been neglected for 20 years, we cannot conceive, unless it was with a view of having an opportunity to rant a few speeches in favor of liberty; but (as the piece was miserably represented except in the characters of Timoleon and Eunesia) we think Mr Reddish extended his liberty a little too far with the public; for which neither his Occasional Prologue, the Solemn Sacrifice, nor the Epilogue spoken by Miss Younge, made sufficient atonement. Paid 4 days salary #333 19s.; Mrs Abington's Cloaths Acct #1; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s. (Treasurer'sBook). Receipts: #205 16s.; Charges: #67 6s. 6d.; Profit to Reddish: #138 10s. 6d. (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: Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 24 Oct. 1770.] Miss P. Hopkins made her first appearance in Celia-great applause (+Hopkins Diary). [The Young Lady who played Celia indentified by Winston MS 11 as Miss Pricilla Hopkins who became Mrs Brereton, then was married a second time to John Kemble. She had acted Celia 19 April 1773 in As You Like It. The Young Lady who played Tragedy was Miss Sharp, later married to W. Palmer (Winston MS 11).] Paid Mr Neale for a laced Hat #1 15s. Receipts: #155 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed before. New Scenes and Dresses. This Comedy is a first production of Mrs Cowley--It was receiv'd with very great Applause-Indeed the performers play'd very well and deserv'd it--the Prologue was written by the Author of the Play dull and Mr Gar. wrote a most Excellent Epilogue quite Local--which was received with uncommon Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. Mainpiece reviewed in the Westminster Magazine for Feb.: "As we have lately been much afflicted with the melancholy fate of theatrical authors, we have a pleasure more than common in the great sucess of this piece."] Receipts: #256 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Leonora-for first time-O Horrible! most Horrible'. (Theatrical Review). Leonora 1st time Miss Rogers very pretty & got Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin">Miss Rogers for first time-O Horrible! most Horrible'. (Theatrical Review). Leonora 1st time Miss Rogers very pretty & got Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for $J. Aickin, Miss Rogers. Rec'd Stopages, #11 2s. 6d.; From Mr Hopkins, on Acct, #16 10s.; From Mr Clutterbuck, #200; from Sinking Fund #126 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #156 6s. 6d. Charges: #48 8s. 6d. Profit to Aickin & Miss Rogers: #107 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece by Monsigny, Phillidor, and Dibdin. Books of songs at Theatre. The Farce was well rec'd the Music is very pretty. rather too long--much applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Receipts: #183 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. King? & Queen? (Cross Diary). Mr Havard being ill, Mr Aickin played Leonato (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Fanny first time Miss P. Hopkins-very well and great applause (Hopkins Diary). The altered Comedy of Old City Manners, which was to have been performed this evening, for the author, is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Monday next on account of Mr Dodd's illness, when tickets deliver'd for this night will be taken. Receipts: #154 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Milwood Mrs King So, so, Barnwell first time by Mr Brereton very well. The Jubilee is reviv'd with Alterations and Additions in the Pageant It was receiv'd with vast Applause (Hopkins Diary). [The Westminster Magazine for Dec. remarked on The Jubilee: "It appeared with still greater splendor [than in its original performance in 1769] from the introduction of more pageants and characters. Romeo and Juliet made a different appearance in this procession, and their was likewise a new Pageant for the Tragedy of Coriolanus, which was not introduced before. The scenes were either all new painted, or quite new."] Receipts: #242 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rosetta 1st time Mrs Wrighten very well, great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Ackman and Mrs Wrighten. Paid Master Brown 4 nights #1 10s. (16th inst. incl.). Receipts: #207 6s. 6d. Charges: #65. Profits to Ackman and Mrs Wrighten: #142 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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