Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard
University
f
MS Thr 12
Drury Lane Theatre.
Drury Lane Theatre financial records,
1747-1817.
1 volume (.16 linear ft.)
Collection materials are in English.
Documents and letters concerning the financial state of the Drury Lane Theatre, the oldest
English theater still in use.
*49M-216F. Purchased with the F.E. Chase fund from Ifan Kyrle
Fletcher, 12 Lansdown Road, Wimbledon, London, S.W.20; received: 1950 Apr. 7.
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material. Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation for Publication:
Drury Lane Theatre Financial Records, 1747-1817 (MS Thr 12). Houghton Library, Harvard
University.
The Drury Lane Theatre in London is the oldest English theater still in use.
Includes a manuscript of financial statements for the theater, several unsigned manuscripts in a
clerk's hand of articles of agreement between Willoughby Lacy and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, an
autograph letter from Willoughby Lacy to Robert Langford concerning the sale of his share of the
theater, a manuscript letter from Richard Brinsley Sheridan concerning the financial straits of the
theater, among other documents.
[Note: these MSS. comprise items 186-192 and 199 in I. K. Fletcher's catalogue 134]
(1)
Financial statement of debts, mortgages and annuities of the theatre. MS.(unidentified
hand); London, 11 Apr 1747.
1s.(2p.)
(2)
Indenture between James Lacy and David Garrick,
and James Clutterbuck. MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned);
London,
1753.
13s.(13p.)
Left in blank, and evidently never put into effect.
(3)
Articles of agreement between Richard Brinsley Sheridan,
Thomas Linley,
James Ford, and Willoughby Lacy. MS.(clerk's hand;
unsigned); London [ca. 1776]
20f.(20p.)
Left in blank.
Missing as of August 2006.
(4)
Articles of agreement between Willoughby Lacy and Richard
Brinsley Sheridan for sale of Lacy's share. MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned);
London,
[1777]
4f.(4p.)
Left in blank.
(5)
Articles of agreement between Willoughby Lacy and Richard
Brinsley Sheridan. MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London,
1777]
1s.(2p.)
Another draft of the agreement.
(6)
Memorandum by Willoughby Lacy regarding the transaction with
Richard Brinsley Sheridan. A.MS. (unsigned); [London, ca.
1777]
1s.(4p.)
(7)
Memorandum on financial affairs of the theatre, 1767-1777. MS.(clerk's hand);
[London] 3 Jan 1777.
1s.(2p.)
(8)
Form of nomination to the free list, for use by Willoughby Lacy.
MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London]
1779.
1s.(1p.)
Left in blank.
(9)
Three identical forms for assigning annuities, for use by Willoughby Lacy.
MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London]
1779.
each
1s.(2p.)
Left in blank.
(10)
Agreement between Willoughby Lacy and Raphael Franco.
MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London]
1779.
2 sheets.
Not concerned with the theatre.
(11)
A.L.s. from Willoughby Lacy to [Robert] Langford;
[London] 2 Aug 1777.
1s.(3p.)
Power of attorney to handle the sale of Lacy's share in the theatre.
(12)
Case of W. L. [i.e., Willoughby Lacy] A.MS.(unsigned);
[London,
1777?]
1s.(3p.)
Summary of transactions between Garrick and Lacy's father.
(13)
Memoranda concerning Willoughby Lacy's financial status. MS.(by
various hands; unsigned); [London,
1777?]
3s. (6p.)
(14)
Memorandum of Willoughby Lacy's grievances. A.MS.(unsigned);
[London,
1777?]
2s.(4p.)
(15)
Statement of account of Drury Lane theatre and Willoughby
Lacy, 1803-1806. MS.(clerk's hand; S. W. Lacy); [London]
1806.
1s.(2p.)
(16)
MS.L. from the attornies for [] Latter,
[] Nairn, and [] Turner, to Richard Brinsley
Sheridan,
Richard Tickell, and Richard Marriott;
[London] 18 Oct 1782.
1s.(2p.)
Demanding payment on annuities bought from Willoughby Lacy.
(17)
MS.L.s. from Richard Brinsley Sheridan to []; [London,
n.d.]
3s.(12p.)
Outlining the financial straits of the theatre.Also includes a typed copy, 12 pages.
(18)
Rules agreed upon by the patentees for the government and management of the theatre.
MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London,
177-?]
2s.(5p.)
(19)
Orders for serv[an]ts [in the theatre] MS.(clerk's hand; unsigned); [London,
177-?]
1s.(2p.)
Missing as of August 2006.
(20)
A.L.s. from James Ford to Richard Brinsley Sheridan;
Rouen, 18 Jan 1792.
1s.(3p.)
(21)
Statement in chancery of the proprietors of the Drury Lane theatre.
MS.(clerk's hand, unsigned); [London] 11 Feb 1817.
6s.(11p.)
(22)
Memoranda of Willoughby Lacy concerning financial difficulties of
the theatre. A.MS.(unsigned); [London]
1788.
2s.(3p.)
(23)
MS.L.s. from Thomas Harris and Richard Brinsley Sheridan
to the shareholders in Covent Garden and Drury Lane
theatres;
[London] 25 Nov 1777.
4f.(8p.)
Proposing establishment of a third theatre in London.
(24)
Intended agreem[ent] with D. and Mrs. Fisher and Mr.
Sheridan and others. MS.(unidentified hand; signatures torn away); [London]
8 May 1778.
1s.(2p.)
Concerns proposals set forth in no. (23)