Event Comment: The Last
Time of Performing in This Theatre.
Kemble Mem.:
Sheridan wrote the
Address [not listed on playbill; see
Gazetteer, 6 June],
Palmer delivered it.
Universal Magazine, June 1791, p. 438: On Saturday night, of a gradual decay, and in the 117th year of her age, died old Madam Drury, who lived through six reigns, and saw many generations pass in review before her...She had a rout of near 2000 people at her house the very night of her death; and the old lady found herself in so much spirits, that she said she would give them 'No Supper' without a 'Song'; which being complied with, she fell back gently in her chair, and expired without a groan.
Dr Palmer, one of her family physicians, attended her in her last moments, and announced her dissolution to the company. [This was written by
George Colman, ynger.]
Gazetteer, 6 June:
Samuel Johnson was powerfully and pathetically shewn the universal horror which men feel of the last even towards things indifferent, or
sometimes unpleasant; and there seemed to be
some apprehension of this sort of pain on Saturday, for a very few attended to take their leave of the scene where they have been so often regaled with fictitious sorrow and gladness. [This theatre was first opened on 26 March 1674. It
has been altered and redecorated on several occasions, notably by the architects
Robert and James Adam in the summer of 1775, for which see illustration in
The London Stage, Part IV, Vol. III, 1650. The new theatre was not in readiness until April, 1794. The principal reason for the delay was that the patent had lapsed, and "it being necessary to obtain one previous to the payment of their respective sums on the part of the subscribers, application was made to
Mr Harris, of
Covent Garden Theatre, who possessed a dormant patent." The price set was #15,000, and the patent was sent to a banker for inspection. A
Mr George White, who had married a daughter of
William Powell, one of the former patentees, and had thereby a financial interest, objected to this price, and "obtained a prohibition in the
Court of Chancery which obliged the banker to restore the patent to the Manager of Covent Garden Theatre." The subscribers to the new
Drury Lane thereupon refused to pay their subscriptions, and work on the demolition of the old theatre was halted (
London Chronicle, 30 July 1792). Sheridan finally offered #20,000: #15,000 to Harris and #5,000 to White, which was accepted, and work on the theatre was resumed, the cornerstone being laid on 4 Sept. 1792 (
Morning Chronicle, 6 Sept.;
London Chronicle, 12 Sept. 1792). The Actual sum eventually paid to Harris was #11,667.] Paid in lieu of Benefits:
Kelly #100;
Miss Farren #300;
Aickin #60;
Williames #42. Received from
Their Majesties for Season #78. Paid Renters #20 apiece (Account-Book). Receipts: #105 5s. 6d. (74.7.0; 24.0.6; 6.18.0)