The National Register. — London, England, 1818-10-25 00:00:00

INT 25 THE DRAMA. DRURY LANE I'IIEATHE. Tueßday.—Tiie Recruiting Beijeatet was the perform ance of this evening. NVhen this comedy was revived twJ years ago, it possessed a fascination which extracted the sting of criticism as to its mural tendency. Time graceful and elegant deportment of Rae, the witchery of Mrs. Mardyn, and the inimitable representative of s';:egeast Kite (Johnstone), gave a zest to libertinism, a,cliarai to folly, and a delight even to roguery. Mrs. Marilyn. on the present occasion, seemed to want the animation with which her girlish fancy WWI wont to he excited by the gallantry of the sprightly Captain; • and Mr. S. Penley proved but a sorry sa stitute for our lost favourite. We regret that the present meagre list of performers of this Theatre precludes the prissibiiity of, confining this gentleman to that line in which his talents would doubtless receive the meed of approbation. Wednesday,—Bielerstaff's opera of Lionel and Cla rissa was performed for the second time this even.ng. We were prevented witnessing Mr. C. Fisher's debut in Lionel on Saturday. His voice, though nut powerful, is pleasing: he possesses much knowledge of the science of music, and his execution seemed only to want ani mation to give it due effect. He occasionally strains .his voice beyond its natural pitch ; it then, and then only, becomes unmelodious. His reception was most flattering. We understand this gentleman is a brother of Mr. D. Fis:ter, of this theatre. Miss Witham per. sonated Clarissa—but not with her usual success. Mr. Minden's Colonel Oldbou did not excite these pleasing sensations with which Duwton inspired us in this cha racter. He has, thoagh still a fivorite, descendel from comedy to farce. 'Vie character of Jessamy is not known in the present era of the drama: Mr. s.Penley gave it all the effect which characterized the effiminacy of former times—and although the Dandies of the present day are equally o'dre with that of Jessanzy— we can only pity the degradation of the human mind .that can prostitute talents for the express purpose of exciting ridicule. Mrs. Bland gave her usual fascina tion to Jenny. Tkursday —The Distressed Mother —lt becomes an irksome task to write a fair opinion on the merits of a perfortner, and par - icularly when Mr Kean is the sub ject of that opinion, when we dislike the piece itself in which his character is the most prominent. We had hoped this play would have been consigned " to the tomb of all the Capulets." It is founded on the French model : it is deficient in passion ; it possesses no claim to grandeur of sentiments: and the principal character is cold, dull, and declamatory rant, which give but few opportunities for the display of intellectual excel lence. The mad scene of Orestes, indeed, has ever been considered as cne of the greatest tests of the theatric art—and in this scene Mr. Kean was eminently successful. His brilant eye full of Lire encrcascd the illusion of the whole scene ; and in that where, Pyri p u ts once des royed, he anticipates the consummation of his best hopes that Hermivac may be his, and he consents, sooner than lose tne idol of his affections, to become an assapsin—and, after accomplishing his bloody purpose, is received sty his mist:ess ‘vith execrations instead of affectionate endearments : —in these extremes of love raised to the highest pinnacle of hope, and then hurled to the lowest gulf of despair—language fails of con. veying to our rea!ers Mr. Kean's able delineation—to be felt, it must be seen. The greatest compliment, perhaps, ever paid to an actor, was evinced on this oc casion—when Mr Kean was carried offin his paroxysm of madness, the audience would not allow the perf4m ance to be contiaued ; and when Mr. Barnard came forwatd, as we presume, to announce its repetition, Mr. Kean was called for from every part of the house. He obeyed the mandate, and announced it for Satur day. Of the other perfinoners, we do not wish to speak of them as they DESSILV:•: we wiil not descend to personality—and shall only add, it ' SUCH be the BILL Or FARE, we do not wonder that the oRDINAILY is not better attended. COQ ENT Tuesday.—We bad hoped the rage for melo-dramatic representations had subsided ; or, at least, that this species of entertainment had been consigned to Minor Theatres. We are deceived; and, it' we may judge -from the brilliant assemblage which graced the Boxes, and crowded the Pit, the mania encreases rather than diminishes. Another of these iwit-d:.seripis was pre sented this evening. We will endeavour to give an outline of the plot, which, we pr;s u is founded the late trial for the murder of M. Fualdes, in France It is entitled, Proof Pfccumptive ; or, the Abbey of Son Marco. Romani ( Macready), a determined liber tine, seduces his friend Aiberio (C. Kemple) to the gaming table ; living. by depriving him of his fortune, to secure his interest with regard to his sister Eraceliac (Mrs. I , ' ;meat ). in pursuit of this cbject, Alberto is swindled out.of a considerable sum of money : and is induced, by ille persihuoi.ms of Ins perfidious friend, t., yield a reluctant con4ent tl commit a robbery upon Orsapo, woo IA to .pass through the r ns of the Alory with a consid sum of money, he intention o. paying for an estate he had recently dui-chisel 0r.v,, , t0 resists the importunity of Alberto, and .~ _s Tlir, NATMAY. REG I STEIL Ormtno, and hurls his body into a neighbouring river. Ernestine arrives at the Algal to meet her husband, to whom she had been secretly married ; and who, from a soldier or thrtunts, returns, loaded • with riches ;ma honours, to claim her father's sanction ; pre vious to which he requests an Interview, to arrange , measures tar the elucilation of the - Mystery. &le, con s2quently becomes a witness of' tt murder, to which her brother is accessary ; and being discovered by Ro mani, is bound most siterelle to keep the secret, and her child is retained us an hosts, :or her During the interview with her husband, however, some memorials are dropped by him, which, being found by a cannitry:uan, are brought forward as " pre sumptive proof" that Finan:io was the murderer—but as these papers relate only to his clandestine union, he , refuses to submit them to the tribunal before whom he is summoned, and, consequently, increases the suspicion excited against him : during the trial, the firmness of Ernestine yields to the danger with which her husband is threatened-she denounces Romani, and he his friend. The latter, who had been joined with his father as judge, poisons himself in despair, and leaves a written memoratrlum corroborating the tetimony of Ernestine Romani, in attem»ting to kill himself, is prevented ; and the curtain drops on the julginent scene.—Ss much for the plot. Report ascribes thi s melange of horror, remorse, and crime to the pen of Mr. C. Kemble—as a translation—if so, We are de ceived is our opinion of his taste. The characters are superficial, and are Placed before us without poetical oolouring. The piece retains too many of the peculi- • arities of its original construction : and has nut even the merit of novelty, having been already dramatized at ope of our Minor Theatres. %Ir. C. Kembla and Mrs. Faueitt made too much of their respective parts: the former was a continued monotony of whine—and the latter betrayed her knowledge of the crime she had witnessed by excessive agitation; and, consequently, the denouement became comparatively feeble Mr. Macready gave a specimen of abilities it will be our pride to draw into notice : in the delineation of the cool and crafty, yet bold and deliberate villain, he has scarcely one competitor—and, if we had never seen hint before, we should, from his personation of Romani, have 'ranked Nita with those who tread the highest walk in the Drama. The opening scene surpasses every thing we have yet witnessed—it represents, in the fire ground, the ruins of the Abbey—and the per.. spective coinprizes a distant view of Italian scenery, interspersed with towns and chateaus, and forest crowned hills anti rivers meandering through its whole extent. The effect was beautiful , and the change from clear moonlight to a heavy storm was managed with great skill. Though, at its conclusion, some dis approbation was expressed, yet the majority of the audience were in its favour—and, when announced .for repetition, the AYES HAD IT, The Wedding Day followed', in which Nil. Farren gave addititional proof of talent in the character of S r Adam Contest: he was, indeed, little inferior to the great original. Mrs. T. Hill, from Bath, formerly Miss H. Kelly, made a favourable impression on the audience. Site po.sesses a handsome countenance, a pleasing voice, although somewhat harsh in the higher tones, and much vivacity. We cannot, however, listen to the song, " In the dead of the Night," with out calling to our remembrance the spell with which Mrs. Jordan enthralled us. Alibi; it would be unjust to make any sort of comparison between a debutante and such excellence, yet memory delights to dwell on • joys now past. ' Mrs Hill was most favourably received; and it is our pleasure to record her as bearing a claim to patronage rather above the ordinary novelties to which we have been accustomed. Th urs d a y.—Miss Somerville, formerly of Drury Lane, made her first courtesy at this theatre this even mg. in the character of Bianca, in Nlillman's tragedy of Faz.o We are not sure if it be in the, power of an act.,r to choose his own character for a debut, or whether thelioi of the Manager decides the point: but this we know, if the former claim the privilege, Miss Somer ville was injudicious in selecting one which bad pre viously been sustained by Miss ZYNcil—if the latter, we deem it invidious, as the reputation of Miss 0 Neil was considerably raised by her able delineatieu of this character; and, comequently, the iinnre:sion on our • minds had been pre-occupied by her excellence. Pro vincial report has eulogized Miss Somerville—and we think deservedly—for althotnlh she has vet much to learn, and something !o unlearn, she is evidently im proved both in the business of the scene, and in her general conception and delineation of character.. l'he house was crowded to excess, and Nllss Somerville was greeted on her entrance with peals of welcome. .She sustained the part very creditably ; but we would sug gest to her judgment the propriety of choosing some other ground, where we may have the opportunity of speaking of her endJwments, unshackled by impressions which the admirable powers of Miss O'Neil 'rive stamped upon elr memory. Mr. C. Kemble gave her every support—his Fazio was exec lent. A new tragedy, from the pen of Mr. Shiel, is in .considcrubie forwardness at Covent tiardi3l Chcatre. 1"017 TR r. TIM. FLOWERS. With eroli expanahr: /Wier we find Surer plen , ing sentiment : Love in the Myrtli's bloara Ii •Inc:ithrgotoe to the l'inlet e brightens in the Olive's gre.i. 'lope front the 1101'41os:A Iris springs: And Vilory on the Ltturti glows. And Wonsan bltsslieb in the Rose ! FRIENDSIITP. Come, PRIENDSIIM, come. sweetest Thy joys are exquiNite, tho' Calm: thou of lore dos: all contain, Ex;:ept i t danzers and it: ! ._.... :341 ANECDOTES OP DISTINGUISHED PERSONAGES, &T. Lord North, when Minister, (accused of nodding over the ruins of his country in the House) said. " I ant not dosing (a cry of bear 1 hear !) nor, as the Honourable Gentleman stated, am (fast asleep! (hear! hear l) but this I do assure the Honourable Speaker, that I would to God that I was." GENERAL WasnlNcyrosr.—When Col. Washington had closed his career in the French and 'lndian wars, and had become a me fiber of the House of Burgesses, the then Speaker, Robinson, was directed, by a vote of the House, to return their thanks to that Gentleman, on behalf of the Colony, for the distinguished military services which he had rendered to his country. As soon as Colonel Washington took his seat, Mr. Robinson in obedience to this order, and following the impulse of his own generous and greatful heart, discharged the duty with such warmth of colouring and strength of expression, as entirely confounded t!:e young' Hero. He rose to express his acknowledgments for the honour; but such was his trepidation and confusion that he could not give distinct utterance to a single syllable, he oluehed, stammered, and trembled fi►r a second ; when the Speaker relieved him by a stroke of address that would have done honour to Louis XIV. in his proudest and happiest moment : " Sit down, Mr. Washington," said he with a conciliating smile; "your modesty is equal to your valour; and that surpasses the power of any language I possess." 'KEmaLE.—When this celebrated actor first appeared in London as Alexander the Great. during his triumphal entry into Babylon in a splendid car drawn by ele phants, he appeared to be suffering under a degree of alarm, very inconsistent with that inflexible firmness which generally characterised him—but suddenly, before he alighted, his fears seemed to give way to laughter, which he was very evidently labouring to restrain Upon being interrogated as to the cause of this unusual appearance, he stated, that at the moment when he had presented himselfas the Macedonian hero, au unfortunate dispute between the legs of his elephant had caused his alarm, and excited his subsequent risi bility. The front members moving with a sprightli oess which the hinder partf thought inconsistent with the ponderous body they had to support, exclaimed— " You front legs, 4—n ‘e, if you go so fast, by G—d I won't, follow :" " why then, remain behind, and be d—d," retorted the leaders. This disagreement pro.. ceeding to extremittes had literally nearly thrown the actor of his guard. The following morning the con tending members were lodped off the establishment. A celebrated performer, during a rehearsal, having by some accident had a severe fall in a sedentary position, upon the inquiry of a sprightly young actress us to the extent of the injury he had received, was answered by the sufferer. that be was very much hurt upon his honour. The following morning, the same votary of Thalia assailed him in time words of Ophelia—How . does your honour for this many a day ? HeenensoN.—This celebrated actor war seldom known to be in a passion. When at Oxford he was ene day debating with a fellow student, w!io not keep.. ing his temper, threw a glass of wine in :.is face. Mr. Henderson took out his handkerchief, wiped himself, and cooly said, " That, sir, was a digression ; now for the argument?' - The Marriage of Figaro is to succeed The Barber of Sev lk, at Covent Garden Theatre.. Ben lison's ro/poue; or, Ike Fox, is said to be in the list of revivals at New Drury. This Drama was re-produced by Mr. Garrick with much success. Should it again be brougiit on the stage, Mumlen and Kean will, of course, luwe the two principal charact rs. The 'Mowing is a list of Actors and Actresses, not at present engaged at either of our .‘ictropolitan The. titres:—Messrs Barrymore, Bartley, Bellamy, Betty, Broadhurst, Brunton, Conway De Camp, Denning, Dowton, I gluon, Foote, Horn, incledon, Johnstone, . Mathews, Philips, Pope, Sinclair, Walla& and IVrench. Nile; lames Bartley, Davison, Edwin, Eger ton, H .rn, Mountain, and .Renaud. Misses Booth, Carew, Kelly, L. Kelly, and Poole —Rae has not vet appeared ; and it is with regret we learn that srvore indisposition has prevented hint item resumag professional duty.