Event Comment: Mainpiece: Acted but once these 20 years. Rec'd of Condell on Acct of Fruit Rent #20; Paid Richards (painter) as per bill #115 15s.; Paid Partridge & Franks (hosiers) #60 5s.; Paid Lowe & Lewis (woolen drapers) #35 15s. (Account Book). Receipts: #207 10s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Condell, Potter and Evans (box-keepers). Charges #81 5s. Deficit to the Box Keepers #14 7s. 6d. apiece, cover'd by income from tickets: Condell #67 3s. (Box 169; Pit 116; Gallery 75); Potter #56 (Box 116; Pit 102; Gallery 117); Evans #83 13s. (Box 151; Pit 228; Gallery 117). Paid Cooper (printer) #33 10s. 6d.; Paid Richards (painter) as per bill #6 16s. 6d.; Paid Dr Arne for composing two songs one in Comus, the other in Twelfth Night #6 6s. (Account Book). Receipts: #38 2s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Last time of company's performing this season. Benefit for Bowers and Widow Veal. Tickets deliver'd by Berrisford, Hodges, and Burroughs will be taken. Thus Ends the Season-63 different plays-36 different Farces-186 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Paid Watch, Rector, Cleansing, &c., cg to Lady Day last #5 18s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). After Season Receipts: 11 June: Box Office Keeper's cash #25; Condill's 3rd and last payment for Fruit Office #20. 16 June: Candles, Oyl and Lampmen of Theatrical Fund Night 2nd inst. #3 18s. 6d. 23 June: Mr Johnston for Candle ends sold to sundry #11 7s. 6d.; Ditto for Lace burnt form the Wardrobe #205 8s. 26 June: Harrison's rent 1 yr to Lady Day last #46 but with #12 5s. in taxes deducted amount rec'd #33 15s.; Williams rent ditto (#48 with #8 6s. 8d. taxes deducted) #39 13s. 4d.; From Public Advertiser this season #50; From Daily Gazetteer #50. 3 July: Remainder of Sinking Fund #160 2s. 6d. 6 July. Mr Rowland 1 yrs rent to Lady Day last with #3 8s. in taxes deducted, #139 12s.; Mr Pope 1 yrs rent to ditto with #3 11s. 2d. taxes deducted #26 8s. 10d. 10 July: Benefit deficiencies cleared and Cash taken up by Evans as per acct. #89 7s. (Treasurer's Book). After Season expenditures: 11 June: Hopkins, Prompters Bill #8 15s.; Miss Hopkins 18 Nights full #2 5s. 13 June: 2 days salary list at #72 6s. 5d. per diem #144 12s. 10d.; S. French 6 days #1 10s. 16 June: Davies on note #7 6s.; Printer's 2 bills #11 14s.; Mas. Thomson 3 nights in full 15s.; Mrs Mann on note #2 2s.; Tallow chandler's 9th bill (#30 14s. 4d. with a discount of #26 15s. 6d. on all bills for season) #3 18s. 10d. 19 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s. 3 July: J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s; Sandys & Co. for Colours #10 4s. Dorman for Coals #20 10s. and for attending practices of dances, as usual #10 10s.; Cole (turner) #14 3s.; Bibb (sword cutler) #3 12s.; Barret (wax chandler) #20 6s. 6d.; Blakes, (hatter), #5 12s.; Lowe and Co (glaziers) #16 6d.; Cropley, (linen draper) #14 7s. 6d.; Chamberlain & Co. (ironmongers), #25; Carter (scowerer) #14 12s.; Jennings (glover and furrier) #18 6d.; Scott (copper laceman), #51 19s.; Carpue, (silk dyer) #9 1s. 6d.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #28; Carver's bill #2 1s.; Chettell (timber) #14 9s.; Cubitt (Tinman) #18 2s. 6d.; Waller (hosier) #24 19s. 6d.; Barrow & Co. (only) #118; Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 6s.; Hatsell (mercer) #28 2s.; Thomson (smith) #10 15s. 6 July: B. Lyon, Wardrobe & Carp Bills #10 10s. 6d.; Stephens (manson) #6 4s.; Pope (peruke maker) #29 6s. and #3 16s. for 38 extra nights dressing &c.; Mrs Slaughter's Bill #9 2s. 6d.; Roberts (shoemaker) #3 12s. 6d.; D. Richards, 30 weeks 5 days extra salary in full for this season #30 16s. 8d.; Hewetson (laceman) #17 6s.; Mr Page in full of #25 this season #1 17s. 6d. 8 July: J. Johnston's Music Bill #37 13s. 6d.; Powney & Co., (stationers) #3 14s.; Landall for Mrs Cape's Funeral per order #4 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, (harpsichord maker) #18 14s.; John French, painter's bill #5 3s. 10 July: Palmer for Spermacetti Candles #255 8s.; Miss Collett's schooling #2 8s. 10d.; Stafford (glassman) #4 19s.; A. Johnston's bill for feathers &c. #15 6s. 6d.; Ditto four Housekeeping Bills #10 1s. 4d.; Chapman (Jubilee horsekeeping) #3 13s. 6d.; Victor 2 weeks salary as usual #5; Victor gratuity as usual #30; Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #3 and #42 in lieu of a Benefit. Books Closed 10 July. Total income #32,538 6s. 1d. Total outgo #26,410 8s. 8d. Profit #6,127 17s. 5d. paid To Managers #5,040 To Clutterbuck #1,087 17s. 5d

Event Comment: Benefit for Robinson, Berrisford, Carlton Jr and Kaygill. Saw the Beggar's Opera at Drury Lane. Pit and Gallery so full no place Went into front Box ou much mob--low sort of people had tickets given them--side boxes almost empty. Extremely pleased with Mrs Smith (the Polly whom I never heard before), Mrs Wrighten (Lucy) and Vernon (Macheath) who all performed incomparably well (Baker Diary, p. 259). So Ends the Season 63 different Plays 36 different Farces 188 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #201 15s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Berrisford, Robinson, Carlton, and Kaygille: #117 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS (Treasurer's Book). 5 June: Rec'd Box Officer keeper's cash (deficit #6 5s.) #18 15s.; Benefit deficiencies #142 13s. 6d.; Remainder of Mr S. Barry's Bag #40 3s. 8d. 15 June: Rec'd in benefit deficiencies #223 18s.; Mr Griffith in full of #12 lent him #2 5s.; Mr Davies on acct #20; J. Aickin ditto #16 11s. 6d. 18 June: Public Advertiser and Gazetteer acct this season #100. 19 June: Sundry salaries taken up by Mr Evans #227 4s.; Remainder of Sinking Fund #70. 23 June: Rowland one yrs rent to Lady Day (#43 with #2 2s. tax decuted) #40 18s.; Mr Pope one yrs rent ditto (#30 with #1 13s. King's tax deducted) #28 7s.; Harrison one yrs rent ditto (#46 with #7 King's tax deducted) #39; Balance from Clutterbuck #159 16s.; Discount on #344 18s. 6d., the amount of tallow chandler's Bills this season #27 11s. 9d.; From the Managers per Mr D. G. #534 11s. 8d. 1 July: J. Johnston in part of Music forfeits #29 10s. 6d. 2 July: From A. Johnston for oil and sperm. Candle ends sold to sundry #6 12s. 6d. 3 July: Their Majesties Acct 3 nights #30; Her Majesty's Ladies Acct ditto #9; Williams one yrs rent to Lady Day last (#48 with #4 King's tax deducted) #44. EXPENDITURES 15 June: Paid J. French on acct #20; Wegg half yrs rent to Lady Day last #57. 19 June: Paid Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; Loutherbourg (in full of #300) #70; D. Garrick (in full of #800) #254 11s. 8d.; King's extra salary at #3 Per week) #93 10s.; Parsons in lieu of a benefit night #80; J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s. 23 June: Paid Black Lyon Wardrobe and Carpenter's Dinner bills #16 10s. 8d.; Pope's bill for wigs #21 4s., and for 54 nights extra dressing &c. #5 8s.; Tallow chandler's 10th and last bill #23 11s. 9d. 24 June: Paid Bibb, sword cutler, #14 16s. 6d.; Dorman, Coals, #27 15s., and for attending practices of Dances, as usual #10 10s.; Jennings, Glover & Furrier #21 9s.; Cropley (linen draper) #35 12s.; Cole (turner) #7 3s.; Hatsell (mercer) #35 9s.; Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #15; Thomson (smith) #15 15s. 6d.; Barber, for men's cloaths #6 6s.; Barret (wax chandler) #18 14s.; Ireland (upholder) #27 6s. 6d.; Blakes (hatter) #16 19s.; Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #42 2s.; Carpue (silk dyer) #9 10s.; Carter (scowerer); Jones (worsted lace man) #3 17s.; Hinchcliff (mercer) #36 11s. 6d.; Cubit (tinman) #12 7s.; Lowe & Co. (glasiers) #1 16s.; J. French on Acct #10. 25 June: Waller & Co. (hosiers) #20 19s.; Scott (copper laceman) #47 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, Harpsicord tuning #18 16s.; Mrs Chitty, Coals, #28 5s. A. Johnston a bill for gilt leather &c. #51 15s.; J. Aickin's Law bill to Mr Stephens #54 7s. 9d.; Mrs Garwood for work for the Wardrobe, &c. #17 16s. 6d.; Barrow & Co., for oil, #170; half yrs rent to Duke of Bedford to Lady Day Last, #165 17s. 7d.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 3s.; Mr Page in full of #25 for this season, #1 10s. 1 July: Paid Daigville's 5 Children Dancing &c. in full #5 5s.; Johnston Music bill to Xmas last, #29 10s. 6d.; Chettel (timber) #46 3s.; D. Richards of M: Band 31 weeks and 1 day, extra salary at #1 per week for this season, #31 3s. 4d.; Victor's gratuity as usual, #30; Evans in lieu of a Benefit #42; Hopkins, prompter's bill, #4 12s. 6d.; Jenkins, extra Trumpet 17 nights in full #8 18s. 6d.; Miss P. Hopkins, 8 Nights in full #2; C. Roberts (shoemaker) #6 9s. 6d.; One yrs Watch & Paving for Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last #4 8s.; Victor & Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #8. BOOKS CLOSED 1 July 1773: Total income #32,639 15s. 5d. Total outgo #27,705 7s. 3d. Profit #4,934 8s. 2d. distributed as follows: To Managers #3,760; To Clutterbuck #1000, To Clutterbuck #174 8s. 2d

Event Comment: King Richard III oblig'd to be deferr'd on account of Indisposition of Miss Miller. Receipts: #139 11s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Cash advanc'd Clarke as per bond #400. Paid Richards (scene painter) as per Bill #190. Receipts. #230 6s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In three acts altered from Shakespeare. Afterpiece, a New Pastoral Masque and Pantomime interspersed. The Music composed by Fisher. The scenes painted by Messrs Dahl, Richards and Carver. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. Books of Songs, &c. sold in Theatre. The words of the Masque taken chiefly from Ben Johnson (playbill). [DNB s.v. "Jonson," suggests The Haddington Masque, 1608, with the "Hue and Cry after Cupid" material as the source. The reviewer for the Westminster Magazine commented on the performance of 25 November, after outlining the story: "Such are the outlines of The Druids, whick is a hetereogeneous jumble of monstrous absurdities; and if considered merely as a vehicle for music, dances, and decorations, is, in our opinion, far inferior to the dramatic monstrum horrendum of the other House [The Maid of the Oaks]. Both pieces, however, are equally an insult on the understanding and judgments of the Public, and exhibit striking proofs of the miserably depraved state of the English theatre, whose entertainments are at present conducted by Managers either destitute of taste and abilities or actuated by no other than the paltry, despicable motives of vanity, prejudice, and avarice,"]

Event Comment: Benefit for Carlton Jr, Berrisford and Kaygill. Tickets delivered by Burroughs, The Widow Veal, and for King Richard III, will be taken. Receipts: #211 16s. Charges: #84. Profits to beneficiaries: #127 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

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: Garrick put the finish hand to the sale of half the patent &c. to Dr Ford, Linley, Ewart, and Sheridan for #35,000 to be delivered over in June next. Garrick it was said rais'd #12,000 last year by subscription to pay New Ornamentation, which cost #3000, so that the remaining #4500 and #35,000 was no bad interest for the #5,000 he gave in 1747. New property valuation giving him a...(Winston MS 11, from Burney News Cuttings). Paid Mr Palmer, spermacetti candle Bill #186 13s.; Mr Machin, Chorus, 19 times #4 15s. Rec'd Mr Percy's rent 1 year to Mich Last, #10; Stopages #14 5s. Receipts: #167 2s. (Treasurer's Book). From the Morning Chronicle, 19 Jan.: "David Garrick, Esq., has signed and sealed for the sale of his share in the patent and Property of Drury Lane Theatre. The purchasers are Dr Ford, Mr Ewart, Mr Linley, and Mr Richard Sheridan. The purchase money is #35,000. The public may now therefore depend upon it that this will be the last season of Mr Garrick's performing. The new proprietors as an act of their own, have stipulated that Mr Garrick shall continue to keep that box which has of late years been set apart for the accomodation of his family. Mr Garrick intimated last night to the audience his having sold his share in Drury Lane Theatre, by answering in the part of Abel Drugger , on being asked if he had any interest at the theatre, 'I had some, I don't know what I may have.'

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Afterpiece: For the last time this season. [Public Advertiser, 20 April: The following Accident happened at Drury Lane on Thursday in the Entertainment of the Jubilee. As Mr Hurst and Mr Palmer were representing the characters of Posthumus and Iachimo in the Fighting Scene where they were engag'd with extreme violence, the former narrowly escaped losing his eye from a severe wound in the temple."] Paid Richard Barnard for detecting a pickpocket 10s. 3 extra trumpets #1 2s. 6d. Receipts: #121 5s. 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

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: Mainpiece: With a New Scene and New Dresses. Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by Charles Dibdin and Edward Thompson. Thompson's name does not appear on the title-page of the text; it has been added by J. P. Kemble on the half-title of his copy now in the Huntington Library]: The Music chiefly composed by Dibdin [Public Advertiser, 15 Nov.: Three of the airs and the finale were composed by Samuel Arnold; one air by John Abraham Fisher]. With New Scenes [ibid: by Dall, Richards, and Carver], Dresses and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Account-Book, 7 Feb. 1777: Paid Dibdin in full for copyright of the Seraglio #20; ibid, 2 June 1777: Received of Cooper for Songs & Books sold of The Seraglio #19 10s. 9d. [Mrs Ward was from the Birmingham theatre]. Receipts: #221 11s. 6d. (219.7.0; 2.4.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1758]. With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick]. The Characters new dressed. This Play is revived with Alterations (by R. B. Sheridan Esq) and a new occasional Prologue written by Mr Garrick? and spoken by Dodd, both well received. Miss Essex made her first Appearance upon this stage in Silvia, a small mean Figure and shocking Actress, so bad that she is to do the Part no more. Reddish was very imperfect in Vainlove from the Beginning, but was so very much so in the last Act, that the Audience hissed very much, and cryed out, 'Off, Reddish, Off!" He went forward, and addressed them as follows, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been honoured with your Favour and Protection for these ten years past, and I am very sorry to give any cause for your Displeasure now; but having undertaken the Part at a very short Warning, in order to strengthen the Bill, and having had but two Rehearsals for it, puts it out of my Power to do Justice to the Part, or myself.' The Play then went on. So great a Lye was never delivered to an Audience by any Actor or Actress before. He had the Part at least six weeks in his Possession, and repeated Notice to be ready in it, and six Rehearsals was called for it,--indeed, he attended but three. Vernon undertook to study the Part at eleven o'clock to-night, and to perform it to-morrow (Hopkins Diary). [Miss Essex was from the hay.] Receipts: #209 6s

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by George Edward Ayscough, based on Semiramis, by Voltaire. Prologue by the author. Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (see text)]: With New Scenes and Dresses. This Tragedy is a translation from Voltaire by Captain Ayscough. Mrs Yates played finely, and met with the Applause she deserved. Mrs Reddish, alias Mrs Canning, who played the part of Azema, was hissed all through, and must never perform again. Indeed she was very bad. The Play was greatly applauded (Hopkins Diary). Public Advertiser, 24 Dec. 1776: This Day is published Semiramis (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #226 3s. 6d. (224.16.6; 0.0.0; 1.7.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), author unknown]: An Alteration of Prometheus. The Overture and Music composed by Fisher. The Scenes painted by Dall and Richards. Books of the Songs, Masque, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Receipts: #208 3s. 6d. (205.14.6; 2.9.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted here. [Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.] Receipts: #235 17s. (216.14.0; 17.19.6; 1.3.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Altered from [The Relapse, by] Sir John Vanbrugh [1st time; C 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick (see edition of 1781)]. The Characters new dressed. Receipts: #229 7s. 6d. (217.13.0; 10.8.0; 1.6.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lee Lewes. Afterpiece: In [it] will be introduced the Stockwell Scenes, with a Prologue [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (Boaden, Mrs Siddons, I, 107)], in the Character of Harlequin, spoken by Lee Lewes; to conclude with the Escape through the Tub, as in Mother Shipton. [The Stockwell Scenes were included in all subsequent performances. The Prologue and Escape were included in the first 3 performances only (see 3 May).] Public Advertiser, 8 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Lee Lewes, No. 40, Charlotte-street, Rathbone Place. Receipts: #282 18s. (119.15; tickets: 163.3) (charge: #69 17s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick. Epilogue by George Colman elder (London Chronicle, 9 May). Text 1st published (unauthorized), Dublin, 1780]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "No modern theatrical piece ever met with a fuller success, nor deserved it more... The performers deserve every sort of commendation for their spirited exertion in supporting the respective characters, especially Smith, King and the incomparable Mrs Abington" (Gazetteer, 9 May). "To my great astonishment there were more parts performed admirably in The School for Scandal than I almost ever saw in any play. Mrs Abington was equal to the first of her profession, Yates (the husband), Parsons, Miss Pope, and Palmer, all shone. It seemed a marvellous resurrection of the stage. Indeed, the play had as much merit as the actors. I have seen no comedy that comes near it since The Provoked Husband" (Walpole [13 July 1777], X, 82). Receipts: #224 10s. (215.12.0; 8.14.6; 0.3.6)

Event Comment: [Extra night] By Permission [of the Lord Chamberlain]. Benefit for Mrs Jewell. The Out-standing Tickets of Mr Jewell [from his benefit on 3 Sept.], and those issued for King Richard III will be admitted

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan]. The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:15 [same for rest of season]. Receipts: #187 9s. (139.0.0; 45.4.6; 3.4.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by William Shirley. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 19 Dec. Prologue by the author (London Chronicle, 23 Dec.). Epilogue by Richard Cumberland (Collection...of English Prologues and Epilogues, IV, 194]: With New Scenes and Dresses. "I have been at another new play, The Roman Sacrifice. It is the old story of Junius Brutus, without a tolerable line. I went to see it, as I had never seen Henderson, and thought I could Judge him better in a new part; but either the part was so bad, or he wants to copy, that I should not have found out he was at all superior to all other actors" (Walpole [23 Dec. 1777], X 170). Receipts: #2223s. 6d. (207.8.0; 13.13.6; 1.2.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years [acted 16 May 1772]. [Epilogue by Richard Cumberland.] Afterpiece: Never acted here. Receipts: #165 6s. (161.12.6; 3.13.6)