Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by Richard Cumberland] never performed. [Genest, V, 282, reports that Garrick was in the House this night and was agreeably surprised at the complimentary reference to him in the Epilogue: Who but has seen the celebrated strife Where Reynolds calls the Canvass into life: And, 'twixt the Tragic, and the Comic Muse, Courted of both, and dubious where to chuse, Th'immortal Actor stands?' A long retelling of the plot appeared in the Freeholder's Magazine for Dec., concluding: This comedy was received with great applause by the Audience. It is said to be written by Mr Cumberland, who has already oblig'd the Public with a musical piece, called the Summer's Tale. The Performers, particularly Mr Smith, Mr Woodward, Mr Yates, Mrs Green, Mrs Bulkley, and Mrs Yates, did great justice to their characters. The Prologue was spoken by Mr Smith, and the Epilogue, which alluded to the celebrated picture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, where Comedy and Tragedy are contending for Mr Garrick, by Mrs Yates." Receipts: #215 18s

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Public Advertiser, 3 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, No. 12, Catherine-street, Strand. Receipts: #292 17s. 6d. (65.17.0; 14.1.6; 0.10.0; tickets: 212.9.0) (charge: #106 11s. 4d.)

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Ward, but "An apology was made for Mrs Wilson's reading the part of Angelica, vice Mrs Ward, who was suddenly taken ill" (Diary, 22 Mar.). Afterpiece in place of The Pannel, advertised on playbill of 18 Mar.] Receipts: #234 3s. 6d. (188.12.0; 44.1.6. 1.10.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Oracle, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, No. 6, York-street, Covent-Garden. Receipts: #82 19s. (56.7.0; 22.18.6; 3.13.6; tickets: none listed) (charge: #115 2s. 2d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Morning Herald, 3 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, No. 6, York-street, Covent-garden. Receipts: #479 15s. 6d. (106.9.0; 48.1.0; 5.15.0; tickets: 319.10.6) (charge: #158 6s. 3d.)