CHAPTER XX.
"HALF-PRICE AT NINE O'CLOCK." The plan of admitting the public to the theatres at "half-price," after the conclusion of a certain portion of the entertainments of the evening, has, of late years, gone out of fashion.

Half-price was an institution of old date, however, and by no means without advantage to the playgoer.
Formerly, the prices of admission to the theatres were not fixed so definitely as at present.

In Colley Cibber's time it was held to be reasonable that the prices should be raised whenever a new play was produced, on account of which any great expense in the way of scenery, dresses, and decorations had been incurred, or when pantomimes were brought out, involving an outlay of a thousand pounds or so.

After the bloom had a little worn off these novelties, the prices fell again to their old standard; consisting for some years of four shillings, two shillings and sixpence, eighteenpence, and one shilling.
In November, 1744, when Mr.Fleetwood was manager of Drury Lane, he was charged by the public with raising his charges too capriciously, without the excuse of having presented his patrons with a new or a costly entertainment.

Thereupon ensued a disturbance in the theatre, and Mr.Fleetwood was required by the audience to give an immediate explanation of his conduct.