Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime (never performed). The Music entirely new, by Fisher, New Scenes, Machines, Dresses, and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. [The note about full prices and availability of books of songs, &c. accompanies each subsequent bill for Sylphs this season. The Westminster Magazine (Jan. 1774) fears the afterpiece may have been composed by Woodward. The reviewer recounts the story in some detail, likes the paintings and scenery, but states categorically: "We do not hesitate to pronounce it the worst Harlequin entertainment we remember to have seen...The music too is very insipid and pilfered from other masters."] Receipts: #237 3s. 2d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Oratorio: Written by Milton. Set to Music by Handel. Among the instrumental performers are Messrs Ashley andSons, Patria, Sarjant, Billington, Mahon, Boyce, Mountain, Howard, Lavenu, Simpson, Gwilliam, Purney, Munro, Leander, Kaye, Sharp, Lyon, &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The whole under the direction of Harrison and Ashley. At Play-house Prices. No money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin precisely at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance, with the names of the performers to their respective songs, price 6d., may be had at the Theatre, and to prevent imposition in the streets, the Manager's books are printed with the following words at the bottom of each title-page, "Printed by H. Macleish, Duke's court, Drury-Lane.

Event Comment: It having appeared to be the Sense of a considerable Part of the Audience on Monday Night that the One Shilling Gallery should be restored, the Proprietor has already given Directions that their Wishes may be obeyed with all possible Expedition. With respect to the other Point, upon which some difference of Opinion still continued throughout the Performance, it is necessary to declare, that without absolute Ruin to the Property, this Theatre cannot be opened at lower Prices of Admission. The Proprietor therefore relies with Confidence on the Justice and Protection of the Public should any Attempt be made again to interrupt the Performance upon this Ground. [The new Upper, or One-Shilling, Gallery was constructed within two weeks, and opened on 1 Oct. The audience accepted The argument for the necessity of raising the prices of admission, which, as they now stood, remained in effect for the remainder of the century. 2nd piece in place of The Suspicious Husband, advertised on playbill of 17 Sept.] Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: 27th time [i.e. in continuation of the reckoning for the 1793 hay season]. The Overture, Chorusses, and the new Music by Dr Arnold. The Scenery by Rooker. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Half-Price not being taken at this Theatre, the Prices will be as in the Summer. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout season, but see 11 Nov.]. Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice at the Theatre. dl Account-Book, 23 Nov.: Received of Colman for 50 Nights Use of the Patent of Drury Lane Theatre at #15 a Nt. #750; 3 Dec.: for 10 nights Use of Patent #150 [Et seq. throughout season.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Jerrold. Afterpiece: Containing the Life and Death of King Chrononhotonthologos, the valiant Exploits of Bombardimian, his general, the unsuccessful Love of Fadladinada, Queen of Queerumania, to the Antipodean King, concluding with the marriage of the aforesaid Queen to her two fortunate Lovers, Aldiborrontiphoscophornio and Rigdum Funnidos. Mr and Mrs Jerrold present their humble respects to the Ladies and Gentlemen, and as through the badness of the weather, and being Assembly-Night on their former Benefit, there was not the Expenses in the House; therefore solicit the Favour of their Company, and Interest in this their second Attempt. To begin precisely at 6:30. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. Tickets to be had at the Crown, and at the Cock, Well's row

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Downes (p. 25) states that it was acted eight days successively, but as Pepys does not indicate whether he saw its first performance, the sequence of playing it is not known. Pepys, Diary: We [Mrs Pepys and Pepys] took coach and to the Duke's playhouse, where we saw The Duchess of Malfy well performed, but Betterton and Ianthe [Mrs Saunderson] to admiration. Downes (p. 25): This Play was so exceeding Excellently Acted in all Parts; chiefly, Duke Ferdinand and Bosola: It fill'd the House 8 Days Successively, it proving one of the Best of Stock Tragedies

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Charke. Mainpiece: Alter'd from Shakespear by Mrs Betterton. Afterpiece: a new Pastoral of two Acts. [Apparently not printed. Nicoll, Early Eighteenth Century Drama, p. 369, states that it was ascribed to T. Cibber.

Event Comment: At Phillips's Great Theatrical Booth opposite Cow Lane. With the surprising performances of an Englishman and a Citizen of London [Lort] who performs all the Equilibres on the Slack Rope that were performed by the muchfamed Turk. Prices: 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s., 6d. To begin at Twelve. [Time and prices the same at all booths.] Afterpiece: With the Escape of Harlequin into a Glass Bottle, also the last new additional Scene of Sig Jumpedo Jumping Down his own Throat. [An unhappy evening, for "last night the gallery of Phillips' booth fell down, with a great number of people in it, by which accident several persons were hurt, and some dangerously. This misfortune could be owing to nothing but the carelessness of the workmen, who upon such occasions deserve to be severely punished" (General Advertiser, 24 Aug.). The Daily Advertiser noted that Mr Stringellow, a goldsmith, in Aldersgate St., and Thomas Hodges, a journeyman-plaisterer in Golden Lane, were killed.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years [acted 28 Dec. 1787. Toms is identified in Morning Herald, 22 Sept. 1795: A Mr Toms made a probationary essay last night in the character of Romeo. The bills erroneously announced it as his first appearance on this stage [cg]; for his unsuccessful attempt in Young Norval [i.e. Douglas], about five years ago, on the same boards, is perfectly within our recollection. London Chronicle, 22 Sept. 1795, also refers to Toms as Douglas. European Magazine, Oct. 1790, p. 305, gives the name as Turner, but in Oct. 1795, p. 273, states that Toms performed on one night only "a few years since."]. Afterpiece [1st time; BALL. P 2 (?), by James Byrne, based partly on his Nootka Sound, and in May 1793 agin altered as The Shipwreck; or, French Ingratitude. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of action in Diary, 5 Oct.]: A Ballet Pantomime, with new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Overture and Music compiled by Byrne, from Haydn, Rochefort, Pleyel, Gyrowetz, Reeve, Pieltain, Dibdin. The new Music by Shield. On account of some Scenes which are introduced from the Entertainment of Nootka Sound (performed last Season [on 4 June 1790]) Half Price will be taken. [This alludes to the custom of not llowing half-price during the run of entirely new pantomimes.] Paid Brodie, for Stoves for the Theatre, #19 8s. Receipts: #207 8s. 6d. (201.16.0; 5.12.6)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. It is not certain that this play was revived at this time, but Tom Essence, which was probably acted toward the end of August or in early September (it was licensed 4 Nov. 1676) contains a scene in "Malfey's Chamber," suggesting that a revival of The Duchess of Malfi had occurred not long before the production of Tom Essence. On the other hand, it should be noted that the cast in the edition of 1678 contains names which point to a much earlier production; for example, Cademan probably acted little after his injury in the summer of 1673 and Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 35) states that Cogan and Price died ca. 1673-74

Event Comment: At the late Theatre in gf. A concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, Divided into Two Parts. Prices 3s., 2s., 1s. N.B. Between the two Parts of the Concert will be presented a Comedy gratis by Persons for their Diversion. 6 p.m. [This concert formula is included in every notice during the season but will be silently omitted from the Calendar. The customary notice about time and prices will also be omitted unless there is some change.

Event Comment: With New Habits, Scenes, Decorations and Music. Full Prices. Songs in the Entertainment will be given out at the Theatre. Afterpiece compos'd by Love, perform'd with success (Victor, I, 40). [N.B. In June 1762 the King of the Cherokee Indians arrived with two of his chiefs to pay respects to King George III. On 28 August they appeared at Marylebone Gardens. A dmission Price to see them 6d. (London Chronicle, No 857 & 860).

Event Comment: The Afterpiece a New Pantomime [by Henry Woodward, satirizing Garrick's Jubilee] with New Music by Fisher. New Scenes painted by Messrs Dahl and Richards. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. [Full Prices notice throughout the run of the pantomime this season. Town and Country Magazine (from Theatre No XIII) comments: "In the Pageant scene several of the characters that walk at Drury Lane are highly ridiculed, particularly Mark Antony and Cleopatra, who dance off with their black retinue to the playing of casquets." The scene closes with the descent of the statue of the late Mr Rich under the name of Lun, and the Harlequins all pay him honour.] Receipts: #250 6s

Event Comment: Boswell (Restoration Court Stage, pp. 180-81) believes that a performance occurred on this day, as well as on 16 Feb. 1674@5, Shrove Tuesday, the date often specified in advance statements. For previous notices, see 2 Feb. 1674@5, 15 and 22 Dec. 1674. Edition of 1675:....followed at innumerable Rehearsals, and all the Representations by throngs of Persons of the greatest Quality...at the 20th or 30th, for near so often it had been Rehearsed and Acted....And the Composer of all the Musick both Vocal and Instrumental Mr Staggins. Langbaine. (English Dramatick Poets, p. 92): a Masque at court, frequently presented there by Persons of great Quality, with the Prologue, and the Songs between the Acts: printed in quarto Lond. 1675....This Masque was writ at the Command of her present Majesty: and was rehearsed near Thirty times, all the Representations being follow'd by throngs of Persons of the greatest Quality, and very often grac'd with their Majesties and Royal Highnesses Presence. John Evelyn (The Life of Mrs Godolphin): [Mrs Blagge] had on her that day near twenty thousand pounds value of Jewells, which were more sett off with her native beauty and luster then any they contributed of their own to hers; in a word, she seemed to me a Saint in Glory, abstracting her from the Stage. For I must tell you, that amidst all this pomp and serious impertinence, whilst the rest were acting, and that her part was sometymes to goe off, as the scenes required, into the tireing roome, where severall Ladyes her companions were railing with the Gallants trifleingly enough till they were called to reenter, she, under pretence of conning her next part, was retired into a Corner, reading a booke of devotion, without att all concerning herself or mingling with the young Company; as if she had no farther part to act, who was the principall person of the Comedy...[With] what a surprizeing and admirable aire she trode the Stage, and performed her Part, because she could doe nothing of this sort, or any thing else she undertooke, indifferently....Thus ended the Play, butt soe did not her affliction, for a disaster happened which extreamly concern'd her, and that was the loss of a Diamond of considerable vallue, which had been lent her by the Countess of Suffolke; the Stage was immediately swept, and dilligent search made to find it, butt without success, soe as probably it had been taken from her, as she was oft inviron'd with that infinite crowd which tis impossible to avoid upon such occasion. Butt the lost was soon repair'd, for his Royall Highness understanding the trouble she was in, generousely sent her the wherewithall to make my Lady Suffolke a present of soe good a Jewell. For the rest of that days triumph I have a particular account still by me of the rich Apparell she had on her, amounting, besides the Pearles and Pretious Stones, to above three hundred pounds (ed. Samuel Lord Bishop of Oxford [London, 1847], pp. 97-100). See also 15 Dec. 1674

Event Comment: At Cibber-Griffin-Bullock-Hallam Booth by Hosier-Lane. Whereas it has been reported that [the Proprietors] intend to raise the Prices of their Seats...they intend to take only the Common Prices usually paid in the Fair, viz. Boxes Half a Crown. Pit Eighteen pence. First Gallery One Shilling. Upper Gallery Six pence

Event Comment: An Organ is Erected on the Occasion. Performance By Desire. Being the last time Mr Arne can have the Theatre to perform it this season. Mr Arne being inform'd that some persons have objected to the small addition of Prices, will (notwithstanding he performs at above #70 Expence) oblige the Town with this Performance at the Usual Benefit prices, viz: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. To begin at half an hour past Six. Tickets to be had of Arne Next door to the Crown &c. [see 20 March]

Event Comment: Benefit W. Hallam. Prices 3s., 2s., 1s. [These prices are repeated]

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Pantomime entertainment not performed these 20 years. The Scenes painted by Mr Lambert. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken during the performance. Ladies send servants by three o'clock. [The note about full prices is repeated throughout the run of this pantomime this season. A rather detailed description of the action in this pantomime appeared in the Drury Lane Journal, reprinted in the Gentleman's Magazine for Feb. 1752, pp. 52-53.

Event Comment: [This month the periodical, The Beauties of All Magazines Selected (London, 1763) quoted from the Theatrical Review Remarks on that Part of Dramatical Entertainments called Singing," A garrulous article concluding: The millions must be pleased-if audiences were only to be entertained with sensible exhibitions, or if only sensible people composed those audiences, whew! in what a sickly and consumptive state would be two thirds of the first rate salaries in every theatre!' (p. 76). This month publish'd An Appeal to the Publick in behalf of the Manager. Price 1s. Printed for Wilson. Hear all; and then let Justice hold the Scale. Shakespeare. A rather full description of the Fitzpatrick half-price riots, exonerating Garrick and the players. This month (probably) was published Theatrical Disquisitions; or, a Review of the late Riot at Drury Lane Theatre, 25, 26 January 1763, By a Lady (32 pp.). A calm defense of the acting profession, and a scourge of Fitzpatrick as a coward and a great nuisance. She prefers seeing plays to reading them. Holds Garrick blameless for reviving the Chances after failure of Eastward Ho. Comments at length on brilliance of contemporary stage costume in comparison with that earlier in the century.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard, being her last time of appearing on the stage. [Prices first announced: Pit and Boxes 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 2s. 6d. but acted to usual prices. Garrick wrote farewell adress.] N.B. As all the places are taken, there will be no admittance into the Pit and Boxes, but with tickets; Mrs Pritchard entreats the Ladies and Gentlemen to avoid confusion, and for their own convenience to be at the theatre a little earlier than usual, and to send their servants at 3 o'clock

Event Comment: Afterpiece [by Colman and Arnold]: A Pantomime never perform'd before. With New Scenes, Machines, Dresses and Decorations. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. [Full prices throughout the run of the pantomime this season.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime Entertainment, never performed. With New Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Machinery. The Overture composed by Fisher. The scenes painted by Messrs Dahl and Richards. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. The Words of the songs to be given at the Doors. [This information included in all subsequent bills for the pantomime this season, until 25 March when the half-price practice is announced. Full account of the content of the afterpiece is given in The Westminster Magazine for Dec. The reviewer was delighted with the adherence to the classical myth in the first and last scenes, and with the variety of action and excellence of the machinery and painting in the interventing comic portion.

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the Opera, and there saw Romeo and Juliet, the first time it was ever acted; but it is a play of itself the worst that ever I heard in my life, and the worst acted that ever I saw these people do, and I am resolved to go no more to see the first time of acting, for they were all of them out more or less. Downes (p. 22): Note, There being a Fight and Scuffle in this Play, between the House of Capulet, and House of Paris; Mrs Holden Acting his Wife, enter'd in a Hurry, Crying, O my Dear Count! She Inadvertently left out, O, in the pronuntiation of the Word Count! giving it a Vehement Accent, put the House into such a Laughter, that London Bridge at low-water was silence to it. This Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, was made some time after into a Tragi-comedy, by Mr James Howard, he preserving Romeo and Juliet alive; so that when the Tragedy was Reviv'd again, twas Play'd Alternately, Tragical one Day, and Tragicomical another; for several Days together. [No specific notices are known which would indicate when Howard's version appeared.

Event Comment: Benefit Pullen and Mrs Pullen

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Dunstone. The Songs at the Request of several of the . . . Free and Accepted Masons