The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-06-22 00:00:00

TIIEJTRES.

DRURY-LANE._

The tragedy of Corinhsnus was performed at Drury-hoe
last evening to a crowded and brilliant audience, attracted,
in a great degree, by the charm of the drama, but still.
more by the powers of the lady who remains unrivalled is
her art. However we may admire, and there must be a
dearth of feeling in the heart that does not admire the
meg-
ing of Madame Catalani, we cannot avoid expressing oor
disapprobation of the course which the manager appears
determined to persevere in, of forcing tragedy as wdl as
comedy to yield to the mania of the day. There is some-
thing so utterly oulre in the instant succession of " Cos e
.ryour unning" to an address to a Roman Senate, that either
the one or theother must lose the greater part of its effect—
not even the almost superhuman voice of Madame
Catalani can reconcile us to the innovation. The au-
dience received her, last evening, with the greaust
,enthusiasm, and encored her without mercy. But
the repeated calls were answered by the lady with a
grace and kindness that made her doubly pleasing. The
Coriolamis of Mr. Macro:ally is not, we presume, the cha-
racter of his choice. An actor of his talent will be supetke
in all he undertakes, but there are some parts to which
Mr. Nlacready can never de justice ; and, in our opinion,
that of the proud but noble Roman is one. Some portions
of the tragedy were delivered with powerful effect, and
some of its scenes were sustained with decided ability,—
but, in the towering dignity, the contempt that is called
forth from a great mind, and the struggles of a mama-
spirit between honour and interest, Mr. Macready was
manifestly inferior to those who have trodden the stage
before him, and can never be forgotten. The last and the
most arduous scene was probably the best, but in railing
at Auliduo, Mr. Macready appeared to forget that, in a
mind like the Romans, a conscious dignity would always
have prevented him from abuse. The manner in which
there lines were delivered by Mr. Kemble and Mr. Mac-
ready, formed ameiking contrast
When, like an eagle itt a dore-eote, I
Fluttered your votes
Alone in Coekati—
Alone I did it.
The anger of Mr. Kemble was that of a mighty mind—
Mr. Macready's was not so. Mrs. Bunn looked the RD.
man matron, and acted it better. Of Mr. Pope, as Comi-
nius, we cannot say so much. The lefenenius of Mr. Terry
was good ; but we do not think that Terry is ever other-
wise. The Revolt of the Greeks followed. The whole
performance of the evening was one of a most gratifying
nature.

COVENT-GARDEN.
Mr. Kent repeated the character of Richard, at this
theatre, last evening, for the second and, we presume, the
last time. Indeed our opinion, on the first night, was
nearly made up as to the incompetency of this gentleman's
qualifications to undertake so arduous and trying * part.
We reserved the expression of this opinion, desirous to
pardon something to the incompleteness of self-possession,
inseparable from a first appearance—which, in the ass of
Mr. Kent, displayed itself in rather an excess of confi-
dence than of modesty or distrust in his own powers. How-
ever, the principle of
„jedex dumnatur, tke. injustice to the
public, eau no longer be delayed, and the fair observance
of this principle obliges us to say., that Mr. Kent's appearr.
once, to speak in " plain set terms, ' has beer eft:dere. Mere
declamation, and that too of a very noisy kind, and accom-
panied with an ill-cultivated delivery,seems to be his prin-
cipal qcalifiration. The house was exceedingly thin; and
scanty as the attendance was, if the play be repeated,
and Mr. Kent be continued the hero of it, the manager'
will have to hire even an equally numerous auditory.
With Kean's admirable and impassioned impersonation ef
the haughty tyrant fresh in the public mind, it was at
least venturesome to make an endeavour to dethrone hint
from the pinnacle to which his performance of this
character had raised him. Ile himself considered it
" the foundation of his fortune and his fame." To be
sure, this may not be a reason why Mr. Kent should not
play the character ; but then it provokes a cornparls.o (for
it is by this standard the public form their opinion), aral
one in which Mr. Kent, in every respect, " fares worse.
The energy of Kean's voice and manner—his collectedness
—lris perfect iutelligence of the part—his susceptibility to
delineate the most subtle variations of paseion—fortn s
direct contrast to the undecided manner, the agitation, the
We understandthat his the intention of our most Gracious incorrect readings,—the very passionless tone of the
Sovereign to visit Carlsbad for the benefit of its salubrious soliloquies, and the whole general deportment of Nir.
waters, which arc of peculiar effinacy in the removal of Kent, which afford abundant evidence that the varied
gone This excursion has been suggested Ire his Majesty's and internal workings of passion of the English .trer.t.
are far beyond the grasp of his comprehension. It k pa.•:-
physicians ; and, if lie be sufficiently restored in health to ful to he obliged to say thus much of a performer w
undergo the fatigue of the journey, there is but little doubt really not deficient of qualifications fur his profession.
that in the ensuing month the design will be put in execu- lint the heroes of Shakspeare are too great personages 'ct
don. It is, we believe, the royal pleasure also to live in him to become their substituted representative. Ile mast.
domestic retirement, as far as his high and commanding t,o, speak in the language of a celebrated modern politinsa,
shrink to his r rope;dimensions," anti then he will he.
station in society will permit. His Majesty will be accom- , come a very useful and available member of the roves d"'
panic(' by those officers of his household, who have for some lan; ,re. Ile should not be discouraged by what hzs past•
time back been in immediate attendance about his person.
t, genus
should be elated or misled by the fe
The royal party will little cetend beyond these few and pit•irl I:oattirse(
of
Itatitiley
nights
i ishferii•lianslsa)„ have
(ear°ed.Nfr. Kwenat it s
select friends of his Majesty. 1 t is expected, however, I better Richard than Mr. 13:nnct,l appeared.
Mr. Bennet, in hi:
that the. presence of Royalty Will make the town a place of proper sphere, is now a very efficient actor. Miss F.
H.
gay and fashionable visitors, during the period of his • Kelly played Lady Anne in a most pleasing manner. la;
I coartship scene was a style of unusual excellence ; ana
so guru there. of the little scope for talent that the part affords she
w
IVi tinsel 'owns, Je xi: ele—This afternoon, abrmt , availed herself. Again we ask, why do we not see tho
three o'clock, the King took au airing in his phaeton in the ' lady oftener? 'ler rare appearance is a regulation of the
Park. Theatre in which neither its interests nor the wishes of the
The Duke of Dorset, Lord Graves, Sir William Keppel, public have any share.
and Sir Andrew Barnard, left the Castle this (lay for
London. Prince Leopold, attended by Baron Stockman, arrive'.
His Majesty is expected to leave the Castle to-morrow, , in town yesterday morning, from Claremont. The Bache*
for London, to hold a Privy Council in the course of a few' of Kent, the Prince of Leiningen, and the Princess Fee'
days. 1 [lore, visited his Royal Highness, and partook of an elope:
On Sunday the Duke and Duchess of Clarence dined (berme.. In the evening his Royal 111gliness had' laLt'
with the Duchess of Kent, at her apartments at Kensing- Merous and grand party.
ton Palace. I Mr. Munro, the King's Messenger, arrived in lowa
There is no truth in the statement which appears in the' Sun•lae night, with despatches from he Hague.
Morning Papers, copied from the Kent Herald, that Mr. I Mr. Avis, who arrived in town on Friday, from ••
Lushington bad declined acceptine• the appointment of accomplished his journey in nine days. the Fe
Governor of Bombay, and that Sir John Malcolm had in 1 Despatches were receives' yesterday morning at t"" ° r
consequence been nominated to that important office.— reign Office, Downie;-street, from Sir Edward 11"TT.
Courier. our Ambassador at Lisbon, data' the 14th inst.