Records of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres
various, see individual entries
Folger Shakespeare Library
282.0 items
(218 manuscript volumes and 64 manuscript documents)
1714-1880
Descriptive lists of records of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres. Includes lists of journals, nightly accounts, pay books, records of the wardrobe keepers, lists of plays with casts, inventories, etc. with dates.
In English.
Drury Lane Theatre.
Covent Garden Theatre.
Arrangement
Arranged into two series: 1. Records of Drury Lane Theatre; 2. Records of Covent Garden Theatre.
Each of these series are then further arranged by record type and then within these sub-series arranged chronologically.
Processing Information
Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff.
Other Finding Aids
This finding aid replaces the typescript finding aid in Reference Collection (Z6621. F61 D7 R.R.), which included both descriptive and chronological lists. For more information, contact Curator of Manuscripts.
Acquisition Information
Items acquired at various times, mostly before 1932. Please contact reference@folger.edu for further information.
Preferred Citation
[Item title and date], Records of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres, Folger MS [shelfmark and item number or page], Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.
Availability
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Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899
King’s Theatre (London, England)
Lyceum Theatre (London, England)
Theatre Royal (Birmingham, England)
Wyatt, Benjamin Dean, 1775-1855
Account books -- England -- London -- 18th century -- Manuscripts
Account books -- England -- London -- 19th century -- Manuscripts
Cast lists -- England -- London -- 18th century -- Manuscripts
Cast lists -- England -- London -- 19th century -- Manuscripts
Costume -- England -- London -- Manuscripts
Inventories -- England -- London -- 18th century -- Manuscripts
Inventories -- England -- London -- 19th century -- Manuscripts
Journals (accounts) -- England -- London -- 18th century -- Manuscripts
Journals (accounts) -- England -- London -- 19th century -- Manuscripts
Manuscripts -- England -- London -- 18th century
Manuscripts -- England -- London -- 19th century
Theater -- England -- London -- Accounting -- Manuscripts
Records of Drury Lane Theatre
1714-1880, undated
The performances took place at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, and at the Lyceum between 1809 and 1812. Some of
Benjamin Dean Wyatt's plans for the rebuilding of the theatre, 1812, 1814, and a plan for the Birmingham theatre, undated, are among these volumes.
The majority formed part of the
Augustin Daly collection. For example see American Art Galleries auction catalog, March 20, 1900, no. 1051.
Journals (receipts and payments)
1749-1750, 1766-1816
W.a.155
1749-1750
Incomplete.
W.b.273
1766-1767
W.b.274
1771-1772
W.b.275
1772-1773
W.b.276
1773-1774
W.b.277
1774-1775
W.b.278
1775-1776
W.b.279
1776-1777
W.b.280
1777-1778
W.b.281
1778-1779
W.b.282
1779-1780
W.b.283
1780-1781
W.b.284
1781-1782
W.b.285
1782-1783
W.b.286
1783-1784
W.b.287
1784-1785
W.b.288
1785-1786
W.b.289
1786-1787
W.b.290
1787-1788
W.b.291
1788-1789
W.b.292
1789-1790
W.b.293
1790-1791
W.b.294
1791-1792
W.b.295
1792-1793
W.b.296
1794 March-July
W.b.297
1794-1795
W.b.298
1795-1796
W.b.299
1796-1797
W.b.300
1797-1798
W.b.301
1798-1799
W.b.302
1799 September-November
A duplicate volume.
W.b.303
1799-1800
W.b.304
1800-1801
W.b.305
1801-1802
W.b.306
1802-1803
W.b.307
1803-1804
W.b.308
1804-1805
W.b.309
1805-1806
W.b.310
1806-1807
W.b.311
1807-1808
W.b.312
1808-February 1809
W.b.313
1809 March-June
The performance after "this noble theatre was burnt to the ground" were given at the Opera House, i.e. the King's Theatre, Haymarket, and at the Lyceum.
W.b.314
1811-1812
W.b.315
1812-1813
W.b.316
1813-1814
W.b.317
1814-1815
W.b.318
1815-1816
Includes weekly payments, 1816-1818.
Nightly accounts
1766-1852
W.b.319
1776-1779
Covers nightly accounts for 1776-1777, 1778-1779 and September-October 1777; musicians' forfeits and payments, 1776-1782 (some deleted).
W.b.320
1796-1797
W.b.321
1799-1800
W.b.322
1802-1803
W.b.323
1811-1812
W.b.324
1812-1813, 1819 October-November
W.b.327
1813-1814
W.b.329
1814-1815
W.b.331
1815-1816, 1852 April 19-May 17
W.b.334
1817-1819
See also
Y.d.265 for January 6, 1818.
W.b.336
1819-1820
W.b.337
1820-1821
W.b.338
1826-1828
W.b.339
1828-1830
W.b.340
1830-1832
W.b.342
1832-1833, 1843-October 1844
W.b.343
1834-1835
W.b.344
1836 January-October
W.b.345
1844-1846, 1851 October, 1852 March-April and October
W.b.346
1846-1847, 1851 December-1852 March
W.a.76
1849 December-1850 May, 1850 December-1851 February
W.a.77
1850 December-1851 June
Rough drafts of nightly accounts
W.b.341 (1)
1830-1831 February
W.b.341 (2)
1831 February-November
W.b.341 (3)
1831 November-1833
General nightly accounts
W.b.325
1812-1813
W.b.332
1815-1816
W.b.333
1816-1817
General nightly accounts
Check books
W.b.326
1812-1813
W.b.328
1813-1814
W.b.330
1814-1815
W.b.335
1817-1818
Nightly receipts
W.a.12
1813-1814
Arranged according to the largeness of the sum ... by
Edward Warren
Pay books (receipts and disbursements, salaries, etc. )
1789-1880
W.b.347
1789-1794
W.b.348
1797-1799
W.b.349
1799-1802
Contains a note of advice as to the method of book keeping initialled RBS.
W.b.350
1802-1803
W.b.351
1803-1804
W.b.352
1804-1806
W.b.354
1806-1808
W.b.357
1808-1809
W.b.359
1812-1813
W.b.360
1813-1814
W.b.361
1814-1815
W.b.363
1815-1816
W.b.364
1816-1818
W.b.367
1818-1819
Contains a statement of arrears, 1817-1818.
W.b.369
1819-1820
W.b.370
1820-1821 October
W.b.372
1821-1823
W.b.373
1823-1824 November
W.b.374
1824 November-1826 February
W.b.375
1826 February-July
W.b.376
1826 July-1828 March
W.b.378
1844-1847, 1852 January-May
Rough account books
With signatures of recipients - some removed.
W.b.353
1804-1805
W.b.355
1806-1807
W.b.356
1807-1808
W.b.358
1808-1809 February
W.b.371
1820-1821
W.b.372
1821-1822
W.a.51-53
1823-1825
Petty cash books
W.b.362
1815-1818
W.b.375
1843-1847
W.b.379
1851-1852
Pay list
Y.d.266
1774 January 22
W.b.365
1816-1818
Y.d.267
1825-1827
Benefit accounts
W.b.366
1816-1818
Rentals and incidentals
W.b.377
1839-1880
Weekly payments
W.b.318
1816-1818
W.b.368
1818-1819
Fines
W.a.9
1812-1818 January
Fines
Engagements of performers
Y.d.126
1774
Account of actresses engaged
ART Vol. d45, p. 154
1774 May 5
Agreement between
Mrs. (Frances Barton) Abington and the theatre
W.b.475, p. 440
1775 June 3
Autograph letter signed from
David Garrick to
Jane Pope concerning her engagement at the theatre
Y.d.248
1794 March 31
Articles of agreement
W.b.82
1807 September 16
Y.d.23 (108 j-k)
1815 July 26, 1819
One agreement between the theatre and
Thomas Simpson Cooke and
Fanny Cooke and one agreement between the theatre and
Thomas Simpson Cooke
Y.d.23 (122 c-d)
1818-1822
Agreements bewteen the theatre and
Maria Caroline Cubitt
Y.d.23 (109 k)
1820 October 26
Agreement between the theatre and
John Cooper
Y.d.23 (93)
1822 June 19
Agreement between the theatre and
George Charles Carr
Y.d.546
1822 June 19
Agreement between the theatre and
John Willmott and
Emma Willmott
W.b.3
1822 September 23
Agreement between the theatre and
James George King
Y.d.23 (61 b)
1823 July 15
Agreement between the theatre and
Thomas Blanchard
Y.d.23 (158)
1823 August 13
Agreement between the theatre and
William Henry Scraggs
Y.d.23 (57)
1823 August 14
Agreement between the theatre and
Elizabeth Blake
Y.d.23 (133 b)
1824 May 24
Agreement between the theatre and
Andrew Ducrow
Y.d.387-388
1824 July 20 and 1825 March 17
Agreements between the theatre and
Edmund Kean
Y.d.82 (242)
1824 July 5
Agreement between the theatre and
Andrew Ducrow
Y.d.82 (244)
1826 July 25
Agreement between the theatre and
Harriet Phillips
Y.d.82 (245)
1831 June 29
Agreement between the theatre and
Henry Rowley Bishop
Y.d.82 (246)
1831 September 24
Agreement between the theatre and
Paul John Bedford on behalf of his wife
Lucy Ann Bedford as to her employment
ART Vol. b12, p. 354
1832 November 1
Agreement between the theatre and
Edmund Kean
Y.d.82 (247)
1833 January 26
Agreement between the theatre and
Thomas Simpson Cooke
Y.d.378
1837 December 30
Agreement between the theatre and
Charles John Kean
Y.d.444
1841 December 15
Agreement between the theatre and
John Mitchell
Receipts
Y.d.590
1814 July 18
James Grant Raymond, for salary
Miss Rein's journal
1803-1804
Weekly accounts for the Ladies' wardrobe, with remarks. In 1813-1814
Mary Rein was described as a mantua maker and wardrobe keeper. See journal of prompter, W.b.381.
W.b.380
1803-1804
Journal of prompter, probably Thomas John Dibdin
1812-1818
Includes receipts for sundries, notes of rehearsals, incidental ones on acting, occurrences in the theatre, books received and borrowed. At the end is a summary of the pieces performed. The names of the members of the company are given for each season, 1812-1815 and 1817-1818.
W.b.381
1812-1818
Delivery book
1814-1816
The purpose of the purchases, the plays in which they are to be used and the actors who are to use them, is often mentioned in the lists of deliveries to the Gentlemen's and Ladies' Wardrobe keepers, the carpenters, the property makers and the painters.
W.b.382
1814-1816
Bills and receipts
For the wardrobe, stage properties, writings, printing, food. The purpose of the purchases is sometimes added here, too. Signed by
Robert Wilkes,
Barton Booth and
Colley Cibber.
W.b.110 and W.b.111 are two bound volumes bought by
J.O. (James Orchard) Halliwell-Phillipps from Mr. Pailthorpe and Mr. Waller. Warwick Castle MS.
Y.d.95
1713/14-1716
W.b.110
1713-1716
W.b.111
1714-1716
Further bills
1714-1722
W.b.473, p. 72, 433
1714-1722
W.b.475, p.17
1714-1722
W.a.167, p.114
1714-1722
Inventories
1819-1878
W.b.383
1819
Inventory of furniture and fixtures.
W.b.384
1826
Title page deleted and "First schedule referred to in the above written indenture" penciled in.
W.b.385
1813-1815
"Stock book" - inventory of wardrobes and stationary.
W.b.386
1819
Inventory of the men's, hat and feather and women's wardrobes.
W.b.387-388
1841-1878
Two full inventories were made in 1841 and 1866 of the men's wardrobe, one full one of the women's in 1841 and one of armour in 1868. The costumes worn in certain plays are sometimes mentioned.
Registers of subscribers, renters, free admissions, etc.
1794-1843
The titles vary - new renters, proprietors, subscribers box, attendance book, free list.
W.b.389
1794-1803
"Renters' book." Signatures at back.
W.b.390
1812
List of subscribers - indexed.
W.b.391
1815
List of subscribers - indexed.
W.b.392
ca. 1819-1823
"Claims and compositions."
W.b.393
1814-1820, 1822-1824 and 1829-1830
Labeled "A."
W.b.394
1814-1820, 1822-1824 and 1829-1830?
Labeled "B."
W.b.395
1830-1833
"A register of new renters etc. shewing the state of the admissions."
W.b.396
1833-1843
"Register of subscribers shewing the state of their admission."
W.a.51-53
1823
W.a.1
1811-1813
Subscriptions for rebuilding the theatre deposited with Messrs.
Thomas Coutts & Co.
Y.d.444
1841 December 15
Agreement between
William Charles Macready and
John Mitchell about the renting of a private box.
Order books
1806-1857
From 1813 on, the names are generally autograph signed - some removed.
W.b.397
1806 December-1807
Contains several engraved medallion portraits.
W.b.398
1807-1808 March
W.b.400
1813-1814 March
W.b.401
1814 March-July
W.b.403
1815-1816 April
W.b.404
1816-1817
W.b.405
1817-1818
W.b.406
1818 April-1820 April
W.b.407
1822-1823 March
W.b.408
1823 March-December
W.b.409
1826 January-December
W.b.410
1827 May-1828 January
W.b.411
1829 May-1830 March
W.b.412
1832 January-1833 April
W.b.413
1833 April-1834 February
W.b.414
1835 January-November
W.b.415
1837 May-1838 May
W.b.416
1852 January-May
W.b.417
1852 December-1854 October
W.b.418
1856-1857
W.b.399
1813-1815
Appears to include subscriptions to the pit.
W.b.402
1815-1818 April
Appears to include subscriptions to the pit.
Box books
1812-1817
Z.e.15
1812-1813 February
Z.e.16
1814 January-June
Z.e.17
1814 June-July, 1815 May-July
1817 February-October
Z.e.18
Ticket books
1834-1843
W.b.419
1834 December-1836 November
W.b.420
1841 December-1843 December
Cast book
ca. 1815
W.b.421
ca. 1815
Lists of plays
1714-1851
W.a.32
1714-1723
Known as Rich's register.
W.a.104 (1-13)
1747-1760, 1762-1764, 1768-1776
Known as the Cross-Hopkins' Diary.
W.a.39
1767-1793
Lists benefits.
W.a.43
1794-1795
Names the principal players.
T.a.107
1795-1796
Names the principal players.
W.a.44
1796-1797
Names the principal players.
W.a.45
1797-1798
Names the principal players.
W.a.46
1808-1809
Names the principal players.
T.a.7
1817-1825
Includes plays acted at Covent Garden.
W.a.47-50
1819-1823
"Theatrical register" for Drury Lane and Covent Garden.
W.b.8
1828-1851
Performances at Drury Lane and Covent Garden.
W.b.1
1841 December-1843 February
Architect's plans
1812
Benjamin Dean Wyatt's plans, no. 51-101A, copies 36, 32, 36, for the rebuilding of the theatre. Several are "signed" by him.
Z.e.19
1812 January-June, 1814 July-August
Shelved in Manuscript Map Cases on Deck C.
Also includes plan no. 2 for the Birmingham Theatre, undated. [
Samuel Wyatt? 1780?]
Y.d.268
1812?
Abstract of tradesmen's bills for work done under the direction of
Benjamin Wyatt.
Ledgers
1789-1852
Cover payments to playwrights, salaries to actors. Overlap with the
[Journals](ref3) and
[Nightly Accounts](ref56) subseries
W.b.422
1789-1796
W.b.423
1795-1800
An official copy of a warrant of attorney to secure the payment of 20,000 pounds to
Thomas Rodwell and
James Thomas Gooderham Rodwell, box book keepers, September 30, 1818, has been pasted in.
W.b.424
1799-1803
W.b.425
1802-1806
W.b.426
1806-1809
W.b.427
1810-1812
W.b.429-430
1812-1815
W.b.431
1815-1818
W.b.432
1816-1819
W.b.433
1818-1819
W.b.434
1826-1830, 1843-1846, 1851 December-1852 May
W.b.435
1830-1835, 1835-1836
W.b.428
1811 August-1819
A volume of "Monthly sundry accounts."
Miscellaneous documents
1722-1842, undated
Order
W.b.475, p.17
1722 September 22
Letter from
John Rich to
Robert Wilks,
Barton Booth and
Colley Cibber
PN2598.G3 F5 Ex.ill. copy 4 v.5, p. 262a
1723 May 20
Letter from
James Lacy and
David Garrick to the
Lord Chamberlain : autograph manuscript signed
Y.c.2600 (103)
1767 February 7
List of the benefits at the theatre
W.a.39
1767-1781
See Hamnet record for
W.a.39 for more information.
Letter from
James Lacy and
David Garrick to the
Lord Chamberlain : manuscript signed
Y.c.2600 (126)
1769 September 5
Letter from
David Garrick to
Albany Wallis : autograph manuscript signed
W.b.480, fol. 128
1775 September 22
Autograph letter signed by
David Garrick to
Albany Wallis.
Collection of miscellaneous theatrical papers compiled by
James Winston,
George Colman,
Jacob Henry Burn and others
Y.d.23
1789-1830
See especially:
Y.d.23 (20);
Y.d.23 (57);
Y.d.23 (61);
Y.d.23 (93);
Y.d.23 (101);
Y.d.23 (108);
Y.d.23 (122);
Y.d.23 (123);
Y.d.23 (133);
Y.d.23 (149);
Y.d.23 (173);
Y.d.23 (185).
Grants of rent charges
Y.d.257-260
1793-1821
Proposal submitted by
Richard Brinsley Sheridan to the consideration of
Hammersleys & Co., bankers of the Duke of Bedford : autograph manuscript draft
Y.d.614
1801?
Letters and receipts collected by
James Winston
W.a.78
1804-1842, undated
Calculation of average box office receipts at
Edmund Kean’s performances
ART Vol. b8, after p. 262
1814-1815
Records of Covent Garden Theatre
1740-1871
Journals (receipts and payments)
1740-1821
W.a.94
1740-1741 April
Probably a working journal.
W.b.2
1761 September-November
Opening pages missing.
W.b.436
1793-1794
W.b.437
1812-1813
W.b.438
1813-1814
W.b.439
1814-1815
W.b.440
1815-1816
W.b.441
1817-1818
W.b.442
1818-1819
W.b.443
1819-1820
W.b.444
1820-1821
Nightly accounts
1780, 1830-1831
shelfmark unknown
1780 May, September-November
Incomplete.
Shelfmark listed as W.b.319 on typescript finding aid. This information is incorrect.
W.b.340-341 (1-3)
1831-1832
Lenten music accounts.
W.b.341 (3)
1833 October-November, 1834 February
W.b.343
1834-1835
Y.d.269
1818-1820
Lists of nightly receipts.
Pay books (receipts and disbursements, salaries, etc.)
1759-1760
W.a.95
1759-1760
Belonged to
J.O. (James Orchard) Halliwell-Phillipps and later to
Augustin Daly
Y.d.270
1767 September 14
Pay list
Weekly accounts
1755-1832
The previous year's takings are entered for comparison. The volumes belonged to
Frederick Burgess of Burgess Hall, Finchley, and later to
Augustin Daly.
W.b.474, p. 397
1755-1756
Wardrobe accounts (2 leaves only).
Y.d.271
1819-1821
Comparative annual accounts.
W.b.445
1827-1828
Includes one loose sheet for November 1826.
W.b.446
1828-1829
W.b.447
1829-1830
W.b.448
1830-1831
W.b.449
1831-1832
List of plays
1803-1851
W.a.30
1803-1804
Give casts.
W.a.31
1804-1805
Give casts.
T.a.7
1817-1825
Includes plays acted at Drury Lane.
W.a.47-50
1819-1823
"Theatrical register" for Drury Lane and Covent Garden.
W.b.8
1828-1851
Performances at Drury Lane and Covent Garden.
Miscellaneous documents
1810-1871
Invitation
W.b.476, p. 232
1810 May
Grant from Covent Garden Theatre to
Alexander Copland
Y.d.274
1816 January 8
Receipts of
John Philip Kemble's benefit
Y.d.448 (4)
1816 June 10
Agreement of Covent Garden Theatre with
Henry Harris : manuscript draft
Y.d.263
1822 January 28
Receipt by
Martha Wilkinson on behalf of
Sarah Siddons
ART Vol. a92 v. 2 part 2, after p. 226
1871 November 2
Ledgers
1833-1836, undated
W.b.435
1833-1836
Engagements of performers
1809-1829
Y.d.450 (2)
1809 May 16
An agreement between
Sarah Siddons and the theatre.
Y.d.446 (1-8)
1822-1829
Articles of agreement between the theatre and
George Bartley,
John Simmons Fuller,
Sarah Goward,
William G. Irwin,
Louisa Perry,
John Pindar,
John Rost and
James Prescott Warde.
Memoranda
1817-1823, undated
Y.d.448 (1)
1817 May 7
Sale by
John Philip Kemble to Covent Garden Theatre of his theatrical wardrobe.
Y.d.272-273
1823, undated