The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-21 00:00:00

AMUSEMENTS,

.•.
THE AMPHITHEATRE.-On Wednesday night last thri'""
spectacle, for so it may be strictly called, of " Macbeth,"
which had so successful a run last year in the Theatre
Royal, was revived in the Amphitheatre. In many respects
the greater s;ze of the latter building better fits it to display
the most striking effects of this performance, and in no
material respect is the amount of attraction which made it
so remarkable last year _diminished in its revival. As in
the previous instance, the character of Macbeth is performed
by Mr. Barry Sullivan, hut. there is an alteration in the
performance of Lady Macbeth, where Miss Marriott is very
advantageously substituted for Mrs. Vickery, who last year
aeeumed that most difficult part. In every respeot Miss
Marriott's acting contrasts most favourably with that of
the actress who preceded her ; and although it most inevit-
ably come into a very trying comparison, in the mind of the •
spectator, with that of s.)me of the greatest of our actresses,
it is nevertheless of merit fully sufficient 'to sustain
the general character of the performance, and
keep the audience from being thrown too much upon
the merely scenic effects which• surround this rendering
of the drama. We devoted some space last year to an
examination of lir. Barry Sullivan's performance
of itzacbeth ; and although we do not consider it a part as
well suited to the peculiar characteristics of his acting as
some others in which he is especially successful, yet it is
beyond dispute that he displays in this, as well as in every
other part he assumes, a thorough compreheusiein of the
character he has to represent, a careful attention to the
development of tha author's meaning rather than his own
specialities, and a spontaneous vigi ue and variety of expres-
sion, which keep the outlines he has to fill up always fresh
and vivified before the spectator. The truth, however, can
hardly be denied, that such representations as this of which
we sprat., tend to render the actors, and indeed the poet and
author, little more than mere accessories, or auxiliaries, to
scenic effect. It may be questioned whether any of the
causes which are complained of lately, as operating to
dethrone " our great King Shekspere," can bemore effee ive
than this latest effort to restore him by the aid of external
and foreign splendour. We feel thoroughly satisfied that'
when the object cf scenic effect passes beyond that of
preserving the mind of the spectator in harmony with that
of the dramatist, by preventing the utter destruction of an
illusion, it must tend to injure the poet by Making
him but the means of displaying gorgeous spectacles, and
the spectator, by drawing his mind down from the exalted
and spiritual to that far lower state, which is filled only by
amazement at startling effect and admiration of stage
glitter. Even the instruction, which we are told is to be
derived by an insight thus correctly given into the manners
and costumes of past ages, is scarcely the object with which
the plays of Shakspeare are to be studied and acted. In
some instances, tee, the very arerrectness with which this
object is carried out, brings the sp, dater into positive
disunion with the mind of the poet. Thus, in the magma
ficent scene which opens the " Midsummer Night's Dream,"
recently brought out at the Princess's Theatre, the very
reality and panoramic correctness of the view cf the Athena
of Pericles and Demosthenes, brings the mind at once into
a period, and among scenes, utterly inharmonious with
the whole character of the drama, and to which, no matter
by what name the poet gave his creations a local
habitation, hie meaning and spirit had but little refer-
ence. One cannot hut feel that the modern loves of
Lysander and Hermia are made to become as extravagantly
out of keeping with the scenes thus presented almost
real before us as the fairies of Tita-ia with the
groves of Ilyssus, and the humour of Bottom under the
shadow of the Parthenon. This confused blending of such
diverse elements we could forget while absorbed in the
page of the poet, or even with the effect of ordinary titan
representation, where the contrast is scarcely obrer;ed in
the general outlines surrounding the central limes. It is im-
possible to lose sight of it for a moment, whore the art of the
painter has made us to see with all hat reality the propor-
tions of every bailding long identified in our minds with the
name of Athens, looking down upon characters and vagaries
which are thoroughly suffused by the genius and the humour
of the North. These remarks do not indeed apply with
quite equal force to the revived spectacle of " Macbeth ;"
although, in the main, wo cannot help feeling that equal
injustice is done to the genius and the spirit of the poet.
If we view it, however, apart from these critical conside-
rations, and only look upon it as a splendid setting en-
circling the play, it must be allowed that it would be
scarcely possible to 820 so brilliant a succession of scenes
and effects. la every respect the representation is
equal to that brought out some years since in
the Princess's. Theatre, and, in some points,
especially in the second act, very much • superior.
A more strikingly life like effect than that produced by tilt
gradual breaking of dawn over the fatal castle yard, where
the spectator stems to feel the very chill of the bleak
northern morning, it would not be easy to conceive. The
banquet scene, and the moonlight flight of Hecate, although
before noticed by us at some length, we cannot avoid again
distinguishing by especial mention. It is but last to say
that the whole performance is well sustained by the manner
in, which our local actors have mastered their several parts,
in some instances requiring a high degree of talent as well
as care.

lIIINGLER'Ei CIRQUE VARIETE.--FrOM an advertisement
in another eolumn it will be seen that the first morning
performance will take place this day (Saturday), at two
o'clock. We have already alluded to the success which,
during the past week, the Spirited and energetic proprietor
has obtained. With regard to the performers, all of whom
are most excellent in each of their particular lines, we
cannot speak in terms too appreciatingly—whether we select
the graceful and elegant riding and daring leaps of Master
Louis Francisco, the speedy transformations of character of
Mr. James Powell and Mr. J. Bridges, or the exteaor-
dinaay double act of Equestrianism by Mademoiselle Elise
and Mr. Powell--each of whose performances were last night
greeted with the greatest marks ct admiration and astonish-
ment. The Brothers Francisco, in thei • drawing room
entertainment, also elicited great applause. The evening's
entertainment was much enlivened by the four clowns,—
Frowde, Jackson, Ferdinand, and lieriderson,—each of
whom appeared to vie with each other in endeavouring to
create the most amusement. The grand pageant of the
evening was " La Belle Alliance," in which was introduced
sixteen baantifnlly trained steeds, richly caparisoned, and_
for the manner in which it is arranged, great credit due
to Mr, Charles Hengler. To enj iy an evening's amnse •
thism n t ,
templew c e r t
of
fi n leyq cu ae
tnr oi
at
nt
somstrongly recommend
stay.
a visit tot
evening, although the weather was rather unfavourable, the
building was crowded.

MASTER MARINERS' ASSOCIATION.--The seventh. quarterly
meeting of the Liverpool Master Mariners' Association, wag
held at the Association's Rooms, Great George square, on
the evening of Thursday last; J. P. Jackson, El., one of
the trustees, presiding. The meeting was well attended, and
the statement of the treasurer gave general satisfact'on,
the general annual meeting beim; about to take place early in
June, the business laid before the present meeting was of a
preliminary and routine character. The objects of this
society being of a very laudable character, it merits the
approbation of all parties interested—merchants mut
otherwise— connected with the shipping trade of the port.

BIRKENHEAD AND CLAUGHTON GAS AND
WATER BILL.

There was a special meeting of the Birkenhead Commis-
sioners held yesterday morning, at ten o'clock, at the office,
Birkenhead, in order to take into consideration a petition that
had been drawn up by the law clerk for presentation against
the Birkenhead and Clanahton New Gas and Water Bill, that
had been read in the House of Commons on Tuesday last.
John Laird, Esq., presided and there were present, Messrs
M'Donnell, Baylee (Dr.), Willoughby, Goulborne, Bradley,
Aspinall, Park, Rea, Hind, Keight,ey, and Bailiff. The
following petition was read by the clerk :