SEASON OF
1765-1766
^X^lthough account books are lacking for this season to
indicate the financial status of the theatrical business, the
season seems to have been prosperous, in number of perform-
ances (433), number of performers employed (231), and
UtTiber of different plays performed (about 100). A spate of critical com-
Jntary appeared in the Public Advertiser, the Gazetteer, the Gentleman's
^ a$flzine, and the Jester's Magazine — especially in connection with the new
°f the season, The Clandestine Marriage.
^as
Garrick’s return to acting after two years’ absence on the Continent
act a^rec*ate^ by a*b He seems to have shed those parts which younger
rs Powell and Holland had taken over from him, and to have done so
Q satisfaction. The theatres were closed for ten days in early November
account of the death of the Duke of Cumberland, and a near riot occurred
1 , rury Lane upon its re-opening because members in the audience not in
Were insulted by some of those that were.
S°me agitation for a system of reserved seats appeared in the St James
C/j
M, °ni.C^ but to no avail. An argument took place in the papers condemning
^ size of ladies’ hats, which obscured the vision of the men in the theatres.
P ^Ca was made for decreeing a one-way street at the entrance of Drury
at ^to °bviate the confusion among the coaches. An account of an Assembly
act 6 ^nS>s Opera House (1 March) yields useful information as to the
size of the stage there. Puffs appear for the various actors and actresses,
^ cially for Sga Spagnola at the Opera and for Mrs Abington at Drury Lane.
fQ Press lamented the death in January of two of the century’s best per-
Cq rtlers~~Mrs Cibber and James Quin. The Hopkins Diary yields important
ents °n several performances, and, along with newspaper accounts,
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