Covent Garden Theatre, London: Cashbook, September 1757 – October 1758
John Powell, one of the proprietors of the first Covent Garden Theatre was an ancestor of George Powell. George Powell was interested in obtaining the autographs of actors for his collection which includes letters from Charles and Ellen Kean and the French tragic actress Madame Rachel; He also acquired an account book of Drury Lane Theatre for 1745.
Covent Garden theatre was opened in 1732 and rebuilt in 1809 and 1858. Here is the record of the accounts for part of December 1757. Three of the people mentioned are of particular importance. John Rich (1682? – 1761) was the first manager of Covent Garden theatre. Spranger Barry (1719-77) was considered by some of his contemporaries to excel even Garrick as a tragic actor, while Giovanni Gallini (1728-1805) was one of the most famous dancers of this time.
