Event Comment: Afterpiece: With Alterations, not performed for 2 years [see 25 Nov. 1756]. Antony and Cleopatra deferred till Tuesday to give major performers a necessary respite (Winston MS 8). Receipts: #150 (Cross); #145 0s. 6d. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: GGarrick's night for the farce (Winston MS 8). Receipts: #200 (Cross); Charges #63 (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Thos. Davies advertis'd somebody hiss'd him last night & that he hop'd they would desist he not offending anyone intentionally (Winston MS 8). Receipts: #160 (Cross); #168 12s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: [This month published Observations on the Use of Theatres, their present regulations and possible improvements. Price 1s. Printed for Cooper. See review in Gentleman's Magazine (p. 232). Proposal is that the "conduct of theatrical entertainments be for the future taken under the care of the goverment, and a person of judgment and integrity appointed by the name of comptroller, or conductor of the stage, who alone shall determine what old plays shall be acted, and what new ones received; and who shall take charge of the money received, and defray the necessary expenses, accounting for the remainder to the public. The author seemingly Dr John Hill, lately (see 21 Dec. 1758) upset by the failure of his farce, The Rout. (Winston MS 8). Receipts: #108 (Cross); #122 6d. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: [Lucy identified as Miss Dayes by Kemble note on playbill and by Winston MS 10.] At the opening of this season Justice Sir John Fielding wrote to Garrick not to play the Beggar's Opera fearing it had a bad influence on the minds of the young. But both Garrick and Colman continued to play it (Winston MS 10). Receipts. #183 13s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Miss Younge having been a Season in Ireland is now return'd play'd Well & was receiv'd with Great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Potter, Theatrical Review: We must beg leave to point out a small error in her playing the part of Imogen; and which was too obvious to escape notice: --When Iachimo arrives from Italy...he is introduc'd to her by Pissanio who says..."Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome comes from my Lord with letters." And Iachimo on his first appearance informs her, that "the worthy Leonatus is in safety." These circumstances ought to awaken the highest joy and transport in Imogen, instead of which, we wer sorry to observe, she dropped a solemn curtsey, and without one joyous feature said, with the utmost langor, "Thanks good sir, &c." And even after she had read the letter...she addresses herself to him again with the same indifference. Rec'd Mrs Groath, 1 yrs. Rent to Xmas last #3, and from Mr Atkins on Acct #5 5s.; Advanc'd Mr Barry, Box Office keeper #15; Ditto to Mr Watson, Box Office Keeper #10 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #164 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

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). Doors open at 5 o'clock. Play to begin promptly at six. Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #236 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd Stopages #11 16s. Paid Bibb (sword cutler) #6 19s. 6d.; Marshall and Co (plumbers) #69 11s.; Waller and Co. (hosiers) #18 14s. 6d.; Scott (copperlaceman) #66 14s.; Barrow and Co. Oil Bill #46 16s. 6d.; Chettle (timber) #16 17s. 6d.; Hatsell (mercer) #79 8s.; Stacey (colorman) #33 3s.; Powney (stationer) #3 9s. 6d.; Jones (worsted lace) #8 12s. 6d.; Pryer (turner) #4 18s. Receipts: #243 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston, Hartry, Fawcett. House charges #64 4s. [Deficit #18 18s.] Alchemist deferred Palmer Ill. Tickets deliver'd for Alchemist will be taken. Paid Barrow & Co., Oil Bill, #49 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #45 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Full Prices. [N.B. Winston MS 9, indicates from Rich's Register that Henry V was played this night by Royal Command. Playbill for 4 Dec. lends credence to this as it states Not Acted this season." For cast of Henry V see 18 Nov. TheAccount Book clinches the matter by listing Henry V with Dancing, and an indication that the Boxes this night held #70 5s., or some 281 people.] Present His Majesty and Attendance. House gave Yeomen of the Guards the usual gratuity of #1 1s. [Rich also paid that night #1 1s. for an Occasional Prologue for Henry V for 18 Nov. last, and #2 2s. for an occasional prologue to Thomas and Sally for 28 Nov. (Account Book).] Receipts: #210 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #3 4s. 6d.; Paid salary list #441 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #171 18s. (Treasurer's Book). Pay List 24 Jan. 1767 at #73 10s. 8d. per diem, #441 4s. per week (Winston MS 9), at close of season 1766-67. @Men Daily Weekly@James Lacy #2 15s. 6d. #16 13s.@David Garrick #2 15s. 6d. #16 13s.@#2 18s. 4d. #17 10s.@Yates & Wife #3 6s. 8d. #20@Holland #2 #12@Powell #2 #12@Palmer & Wife #2 #12@King & Wife #2 #12@Dance & Wife #1 1s. 8d. #6 10s.@Hopkins & Wife 18s. 4d. #5 10s.@Havard 16s. 8d. #5@Dodd 16s. 8d. #5@Baddeley & Wife 13s. 4d. #4@Bransby 11s. 8d. #3 10s.@Burton 10s #3@Moody 10s. #3@Rooker 10s. #3@Packer 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Parsons 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Aickin 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Hurst 6s. 8d. #2@Ackman 6s. 8d. #2@Hartry 6s. 8d. #2@Weston 6s. 8d. #2@Clough 5s. #1 10s.@Raftor 5s. #1 10s.@J. Johnston 5s. #1 10s.@J. Palmer 5s. #1 10s.@Castle 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Strange 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Fox 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Marr 3s. 4d. #1@Mas. Burton 3s. 4d. #1@Philips 3s. 4d. #1@Keen 3s. 4d. #1@Watkins 2s. 6d. 15s.@Mortimer 2s. 12s.@West 2s. 12s.@ Women Daily Weekly@Pritchard #2 6s. 8d. #14@Clive #1 15s. #10 10s.@Abington 16s. 8d. #5@Pope 16s. 8d. #5@Barry 10s. #3@Reynolds 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Bennett 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Bradshaw 6s. 8d. #2@Lee 6s. 8d. #2@Plym 6s. 8d. #2@Cross 5s. #1 10s.@Simpson 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Smith@Speres@Miss Simson@Mills@Pearce@Mathews 3s. 4d. each #1@ Singers@Arne #1 10s. #9@Vernon #1 #6@Vincent 16s. 8d. #5@Scott 13s. 4d. #4@Champness 13s. 4d. #4@Dorman 5s. #1 10s.@Fawcett 5s. #1 10s.@Kear 3s. 4d. #1@The Band #7 14s. 8d. 46s. 8d.@ Dancers@Guidetti 17s. 6d. #5 5s.@Grimaldi & Wife 16s. 8d. #5@Giorgi & Wife 16s. 8d. #5@Duquesney 10s. #3@Tassoni 6s. 8d. #2@Granier@Mathews@Roullet@Luchi@Tetley 5s. each #1 10s.@Walker 4s. 2d. #1 5s.@Hurst@Pope@Mas. Lelly@Eagan@Heath 3s. 4d. each #1@Heyward@Reinhold@Wallis@Brawn 2s. 6d. each 15s.@Office Keepers 2 at #1@3 at 15s.@1 at 12s.@Box Keepers 15 Doorkeepers (Palmer included) 9s.@Men Dressers 1 at 12s.@11 at 9s.@Women Dressers 16 at 9s.@Treasurer: Victor 8s. 4d. #2 10s.@Sub. Treas.: 5s. #1@Wardrobe: Heath & Wife 6s. 8d. #2@Wardrobe: Slaughter 5s. #1 10s.@Wardrobe: Johnston 3s. 4d. #1@Properties: Berkely Jr 3s. 4d. #1@Properties: D Jr 1s. 9d. 10s. 16d.@Numberer: Fosbrook 2s. 6d. 15s.@Housekeepers: Johnson 8s. 10d. #2 13s.@Hulett 2s. 6d. 15s.@Sceneman 1s. 8d. 6s. 4d.@Soldiers 14s. #4 4s.@Sweepers 11s. 6d. #3 9s.@Barber 4s. #1 4s.@Constable 2s. 12s.@Candlewoman 2s. 12s.@Pensioner: Waldgrave 1s. 9d. 10s. 6d.@Sinking Fund 1s. 15d. 10s. 10d.@Salary Fund 1s. 15d. 10s. 10d.

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of mainpiece. House Charges #76 19s. 6d. Mrs Yates' last appearance here until the 1774-75 season (Winston MS 9). Tickets deliver'd for the 9th of April and 7th of May will be taken. Paid Burney Jr 2 weeks' salary #2 10s., and Printer's Bill #9 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bensley. The Tragedy Altered by Dr Hawkesworth. Part of Pit will be Laid into the Boxes. [Winston MS 10, from O. Smith from the Town & Country Magazine, suggests Oroonoko--Fleetwood, son of the late manager, and brother to the gentleman who appeared about Nine years ago at dl.] Charges #66 19s. Balance to Bensley #51 15s. 6d. plus #113 15s. from tickets (Box 416; Pit 59; Gallery 9). Paid Younger for writing parts #6 3s. 4d. Receipts: #118 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Patty by Mrs Hunt very Indiff (Hopkins Diary). Man fell from gallery into the pit, running down at opening of doors. Broke his ribs--He was able to walk not having any bones broken which was supposed to arise from his catching a chandelier worth #50 which he carried with him (Winston MS 10). Paid chorus 2 night this incl. #4 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. The New Tragedy of Zobeide deferr'd on account of Indisposition of Mrs Yates. Zobeide publish'd at 1s. 6d. (Winston MS 10). Paid Younger #2 2s. for license for Zobeide. Advanc'd Cushing as per note #37 10s., and Gardner #30 (Account Book). Receipts: #148 10s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [Last time of performing till the Holidays. Miss Brown identifield by Winston MS 10 and playbill for 29 Oct. 1772 as the young lady, although Miss Potts and Mrs Woodman would seem likely candidates too.] Paid Dunstall the Balance of Theatrical Fund profit #68 1s. 6d. (Account Book). Receipts: #209 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted in three Years. [See 17 Dec. 1768.] Paid Printer's Bill #8 12s. (Treasurer's Book). #1500 given for 3 tragedies to author of Grecian Daughter (Winston MS 10). Receipts: #266 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [by Bickerstaffe]: a Musical Entertainment never performed there before. The Cnaracters new dress'd. [Daphne identified by Winston MS 10 and by Kemble note on playbill.] Paid Cooper (printer) #42 1s. (Account Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine commends Miss Wewitzer for the lower register of her voice. Belives she will be a credit to her tutor, Griffiths the Organist."] Receipts: #181 4s. 6d

Event Comment: Mrs Abington having sprain'd her leg, the new Comedy Ye School for Wives oblig'd to be deferr'd (Winston MS 10). Paid properties 13s. 6d.; Housekeeper's Bill #9 8s. 6d. Receipts: #254 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Wash &c. left out of the title (Winston MS). The farce went off very well till the second act when Capt. Roper and another Gentleman came into the boxes very Drunk hiss'd and kept a great Noise 'till at last the Pit and Gallery began to hiss them he struck at Somebody in the Pit--the Gentleman that came with Capt. Roper Jump'd out of the Stage Box upon the Stage immediately Several out of the Pit and Boxes follow'd and Some blows ensued and I thought they would have pull'd the House down this lasted about half and hour and then it all grew quiet and we finished the Farce (Hopkins Diary). Paid salary list 5 days #520 5s. 5d.; Mrs Garrick for sundry stage trimmings #7 8s. 6d. Receipts: #197 2s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, adapted from Die Spanier in Peru, by August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue. Prologue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (consisting of the 1st 30 lines and the concluding couplet of his Prologue to The Miniature Picture); Epilogue by the Hon. William Lamb (see text). For publication see 1 July]: The Scenery, Dresses, and Decorations entirely new. The Musick, Airs and Chorusses incidental to the Piece composed and selected [from Gluck, Sacchini, &c. (Morning Chronicle, 25 May)] by Kelly. The Symphony preceding the Play, and those between the Acts, composed for the occasion by Dussek. The Scenery designed and executed by Marinari, Greenwood? Jun, Demaria, Banks, Blackmore, &c. [See Theatre Notebook, XX, 30-32, for suggestion that one scene was designed by DeLoutherbourg.] The Machinery, Decorations, and Dresses under the direction of Johnston, and executed by him, Underwood, and Gay. The Female Dresses designed and executed by Miss Rein. Account-Book, 14 May: Paid Miss Anne? Plumtree [i.e. Plumptree] for Spaniards in Peru #25. [It was this translation of Kotzebue's play that Sheridan adapted for the stage as Pizarro. For an account of the relationship between the translation and its adaptation see Marcella Gosch, "'Translators' of Kotzebue in England," Monatshefte fur deutschen Unterricht, XXXI, 178-83.] Paid Johnston [on this and other days] for sundries for Pizarro #135 14s. "It requires certainly more than English patience and spirits to sustain any Play of five hours in length. It is not one of the worst features of Pizarro that it contains a great deal which may be spared, without injury to the piece [see 25, 27 May]" (Morning Chronicle, 25 May). Receipts: #540 3s. 6d. (406.0.6; 17.5.0; 0.4.0; tickets sold by Fosbrook's Office: 116.14.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never performed. Founded [by Thomas Hull] on a Play wrote by the late Sir Samuel Tuke [Adventures of Five Hours]. The Afterpiece: A Masque (perform'd but once) [by Thomas Hull], With New Music, Dresses and Scenery. The Music by Mr Bach. Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Paid for The Perplexities #2 2s. (Account Book). Receipts: #226 16s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for King. House charges #67 2s. (Treasurer's Book). N.B. Dido is oblig'd to be deferr'd a few days (playbill). Paid Blandford (tallow chandler) #29 18s. 6d.; Paid Mr Pinto for 3 sets of symphonies #1 11s. 6d. B. Jonson's Head #1 19s. 1d.; Mrs Pritchard's gratuity #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Put on my old clothes and at 5 went to Drury Lane, found the Pit and 2s. gallery quite full, at last had myself squeezed into the Pit, where I was most woefully pressed, but saw very well and got a seat ere the farce began. The play was Cymbeline, with The Deuce is in Him. This play pleases me. The dresses were tolerably proper, ye scenes (particularly that of Imogen's chamber and the Cave) pretty and ye performance of ye principal characters good, but having never read the play, lost a great deal of the effect. Imogen, Mrs Yates, she is very hoarse. In Act II a Masquerade Dance, with singing by Mrs Vincent. After Act III the Vintage. After the play, King in the character of Linco, with Dorcas and others of his neighbors, asking him questions, partly spoke and partly sang, for this night only,-a new very humorous little piece called Linco's Travels, particularly in England. Glad I did not go to the other House, tho I wished to see Macklin, who played there this night only for his daughter's benefit. When the Farce began, the Gods (as those in the Upper Gallery are called) called for the Prologue, on which Packer came on and said, Mr King has not spoke the Prologue this winter, and is now dressing to play in the Farce and hopes the Audience will excuse him." Miss Pope and Miss Plym coming on again were hissed off, and after we had waited some minutes longer, King spoke the Prologue, which was lucky for me who had never heard him speak it. The gods called for it on Monday last, but desisted on the above excuse being made. Almost eleven ere all was over. I now know all the entrances into the Pit and Gallery at Drury Lane (Neville MS Diary)