SEASON OF
1766-1767
or students of the theatre the record of this season is the
ij richest yet produced, assembling as it does financial information
from rather complete account books at both the patent
theatres, the intimate revelations of Sylas Neville as frequent
attender in the Pit, and commentary from contemporary newspapers and
^gazines.
Evidence occurs that puffs, especially concerning Royal attendance at
SP°cial plays, cost the managers of Covent Carden 6s. for each insertion in
the
Ledger and Gazetteer. Many a puff and counter puff occupied space in the
j^Pers and periodicals concerning the actors at both houses, Cautherly,
arry, and Miss Wilford being the most favored. In a year of critical cont¬
ent;
ary the managers did not escape. I have included in more detail than
Sl'al the account of a variety show at the Haymarket, 27 October, which
^Rired the “surprising and diverting performance on the tight rope by
[( c donkey,” because it provides illuminating context for the anonymous
'etter from the Rope-Dancing Monky in the Haymarket to the Acting
°nkcy of Drury Lane” (see 13 December), damning Franklin’s play The
^ °f Warwick at Drury Lane. A new edition of Thespis appeared in early
P |jVcmber, rather downgrading individual performers at Drury Lane. It was
p °Wed a month later by the Anti-Thespis ; or, A Vindication of the Principal
^0rmcrs belonging to Drury Lane. Of wider scope appeared the Theatrical
“mpaign, an examen of productions during the season, The Stage the High
ad to Hell, and Theatrical Entertainments Consistent with Society, Morality, and
"■el ip
hi
^is
Wm, as an answer to the author of the Stage the High Road to Hell, “shewing
Arguments to be fallacious, his principals enthusiastic, and his authorities,
construed.”
179