The Economics of Theatrical Dance in Eighteenth-Century London

What did dance cost eighteenth-century London theatre and opera companies? This survey of account books and other financial records uses percentages to obtain comparisons among disparate sources. As the art became increasingly specialized, the amount allotted to dancers fluctuated, but grew as high as 25 to 55 percent of salaries. Although outspent by the opera, the theatres continued to compete as best as they could. The substantial appeal of dance must be reckoned in any account of this period.