The first Theatre Royal was built in 1660. It was known also as "Vere Street, Clare Market". It burned down after three years and was re-erected. In 1732, it became the famous Covent Garden Theatre. Nell Gwyn played at this theatre when this medalet was issued.

The Queen's Theatre was named in honor of the wife of the Duke of York, subsequently James II who was crowned in 1685.

Charles II married Catharine of Braganza for her huge dowry of £300,000, exclusive of the town of Tangiers and Bombay. She took a keen interest in the arts and financed—ironically—the career of her King's sweetheart Nell Gwyn.

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, was the second son of George II. The year following the issuance of this medalet, he was in command of the English army at the Battle of Culloden in Scotland. He became known as the "Butcher." Medalet issued in commemoration of the above battle.

The old Covent Garden Theatre burned down on September 30, 1808, eight months after it had been rebuilt.

"Besides the subscribers, all performers whose salaries are above £6 per week are entitled to (four) ivory tickets for Free Admission of their friends, viz: a double or single order for the Boxes, or two double or single orders for the first Gallery. All performers whose salaries do not amount to £6 per week are totally excluded from any similar privilege." - Ackerman's Microcosm of London, 1808; Vol. I, p. 217.

This theatre, which began its career as an amphitheatre in 1771, was then known as The Surrey. In 1782, it became the Royal Circus, with only children as performers, the idea being to make it a school for actors. And equine performers were first introduced to the London stage at this theatre. Here too appeared the first canine actors. In fact, two dogs, Geler and Victor, became so popular it was necessary to hold daily receptions so that the public could pet them. For a time, dramatic pieces in which dogs played parts became the rage, and the actors who owned the dogs were called "dog stars." The Royal Circus and Surrey Theatre, Blackfriars Road was erected in 1782 as opposition to Astley's Amphitheatre. The Royal Circus burned down in 1804 and was rebuilt. Not until 1809 was it converted into a regular theatre.

Mentioned in W. J. Davies and A. W. Waters, "Tickets and Passes of Great Britain and Ireland" as "perhaps not local," meaning London.

The Covent Garden Theatre was built by John Rich and opened December 1732. It was enlarged in 1792 at great cost. Kemble's famous management began in 1802. The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1808 and rebuilt in 1809.

This medalet commemorates the Old Price Riots, probably the first of the sitdown strikes. Eight months after the small Covent Garden theatre was destroyed, a large new theatre, modeled after the Temple of Minerva in the Acropolis at Athens, was erected on the same site. John Philip Kemble, the famous actor-manager of the time, announced a raise in prices and the engagement of a foreign actress, Madame Catalani. Evidently the combination was too much for the theatre-going public. On the opening night, when Kemble stepped before the audience to make an address he was saluted with groans, catcalls, hisses and shouts of "Old Prices!" This continued throughout the performance of "Macbeth" and "The Quaker." The Riot Act was read from the stage, and constables and soldiers called in. For sixty-one nights, the riots continued inside and outside the theatre with increasing violence. Men wore the letters "O.P." on their hats and waistcoats, and the ladies wore the O.P. medalets on ribbons and medals. John Bull's Theatre must refer to the New Theatre Covent Garden and the legend "Clifford forever" evidently refers to one Clifford who brought action against Brandon the box-keeper who assaulted his for wearing an O.P. badge in his hat, and won his case. The inscription, "My Head Aitches" is a legend giving one of the rioters' various war cries, really an exclamation of protest made from the stage by the manager, John Philip Kemble, introducing the mispronunciation of such words as, "aches" which he always affected. Hence, "My Head Aitches."

The theatre for which this pass was issued was erected in 1866 upon the site of a coach-yard and stables, and was named after the thoroughfare in which it was situated. In 1875 it was renamed "The Mirror," and shortly after, "Duke's." It burned down in 1880. On part of its site stands the First Avenue Hotel.

This theatre is believed to be the one which was built in the gardens of Highbury Barn, in 1865 by Giovanelli, especially for the performance of farces and other light pieces, seems to have had a very brief existence. It disappeared with the gardens in 1871.

The burning of Her Majesty's Theatre in 1867 brought the Italian Opera thence to Drury Lane, where seasons were given till 1877.

Commemorative medalet of the quatro-centennial celebration of the great victory over the Armada, staged by Sir Augustus Harris, famous Victorian impressario.

A riding school was established here in 1768 by Philip Astley. In 1780 it was converted by J. Astley into a covered amphitheatre, reconstructed and called the Royal Grove, in 1786. Destroyed by fire in 1794 and again in 1803. Rebuilt and suffered the same fate in 1841. Dismantled in 1891, was (in 1922) the site of residential flats and business premises.

The Theatre Royal, George's Street was built in 1760-1761 on the model of the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin. It stood near the site of the old theatre of 1756 and was burned down in 1840.

Edwin Forrest, (1806-1872) was the earliest American born actor of first rank.

Joseph Sheppard Munden (1758-1832) was the most celebrated comedian of his day. Played at Covent Garden, the Haymarket, Drury Lane. According to the Dictionary of National Biography, "there are few actors concerning whose appearance, method and merits so much is known". Charles Lamb, Hazlitt, Leigh Hunt and other noted contemporary authors wrote about him.

John Gregory Hancock was a noted medallist and die-sinker of the flatter part of the 18th Century (circa 1775-1815). He lived at Birmingham, England and owes his reputation to his skill as an engraver of tokens. He worked for Matthew Boulton of Soho Mint, and later for P. Kempson, for whom he executed the dies of a series of medals commemorating British victories over the French, the Union with Ireland, George III, and a Statesman of the time, as well as prize-medals, badges, tickets, etc. Nearly all are signed, "Hancock" or "I. J. Hancock" or H. Among artists who produced 18th century tokens his name stands pre-eminent.