The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-16 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

Mr. Liston performed at this house last night for the
first time this season as Billy Larkaday, in the comedy of
Sweethearts and Wires. The character is expressly adapted
to the peculiar talents of that gentleman ; that is to say, it
is a ludicrous compound of love and imbecility and shrewd-
ness, exhibited in the most ridiculous situations. The
drollery, the quaintness, and the irresistible grimace of
Liston are unquestionably original of their kind, and their
effects upon our risible faculties in the highest degree ex-
citing. No performer of the present day can at all ap-
proach the portraiture which he gives of the queer lack-
adaskai mare animal whose strange mixture of the pa..
thetic and the absurd defies all definition. In such elle-
ractershe must ever remain alone, pre-eminent in his own
originality. But it has been said that Linton is not only an
original, but a most natural actor. It could be wished, for
the credit of our English taste, which has esteemed him
so long and so highly on this ground, that the Opinion
were correct. But if by natural acting be meant (what we
suppose must be meant) a just miscrimination and deve-
lopeinent of human passion in certain situations, which
though not common, are still within the range of possible
occurrence, heightened of course by the aid of genius, but
always in true keeping, and ever observing a strict consist-
ency with nature—a close imitation and spirited delineation
of the manners and habits of meo ; if these be the qualifi-
cations Which constitute a natural actor, then we do most
seriously doubt whether Mr. Liston, notwithstanding his
gre.at 'talents and his long popularity, can make any real
and well- bunded tlaini to that character. We arc not
bound to adduce our reasons for this doubt, but if we were,
the performance of last night would afford us several.
When Liston first comes to the knowledge that Curtis
(Mr. Lee) is his father, he weeps, but bow does be
weep? . In the highest style of burlesque, like a tra-
gedy queen ; and most potent is the effect, for the
tides of tht audietee shake most incontinently. He
then eiclaitned, " And you, yoU are my father ?" and
immediately he changes his voice to the oddest strain of
familiarity, and says, " What s queer old cock you are."
This is funny, and highly laughable—but is is nature ?
Perhaps it will be said—nay, but the author has made the
character thus, and ribt Liston. If this were the only in-
stance of the kind, there would be great force in the ob-
. •
iervintn; but this is oh ly one o(many: besides, why slid the
author make the character thus? simply because it suits the
genitis of the actor, ..V•lio is admirable in buffoonery, but not
in the delineation of natural (diameter. Mr. Liston was much
applauded throughout the whole of the play. Madame
Vestris threw her usual animation and playfUlness into the
character of Laura; she was encored in her song, which
was given in admirable style. Miss C. Glover has ap-
peared several times at this theatre with a success that at
first was neither flattering, nor was it altogether the re-
verse, but a kind of doubtful approbation which usually
ends in an unnoticeable mediocrity. Her performance,
however, of last night, in the part of Etreenia, evinced
powers that promise better things. Her reeding is good ;
the emphasis invariably correct: but We Would caution her
not to indulge in that peculiar intonation of the voice which
is generally called whining. Let her study the true stan-
dard of nature, site will find that there seldom Omit
situations which require us to speak long at a time
in a strain of excited pathos or unbending passions.
There is a monotonous tone created when the voice is
continued for several sentences together, at a pitch above
the usual conversational one; and which is as unpleasing
to the ear as it is untrue to nature. The reverse of this
is, that perpetual transition of the voice which Kean so
unfortunately indulges in. Both are in the extreme; and
are equally to be avoided. The good taste of Miss C.
Glover, will, we are sure, avail herself of this hint; and
she may then look forward with confidence to becoming a
very great favourite with the public. The scene where
she reveals her real name to Admiral Franklyn, (Williams)
and relates to him the last words of her dying father, was
exquisitely wrought up and received very deserved applause.
William did full justice to the Old Admiral. He was
particularly good in many parts. Fining had but little to
do as Charles Franklyn, mil he did that little well. Mr.
Melrose performed Sam/fired; he was of the true lacka-
daisical family. This Gentleman seems to be retained for
the sake of a very indifferent song now and then ; why or
wherefore it would h difficult to say. After the play A
Day after Me Wedding was performed by Madame Vestris
and Mr. Vining. The former was a most charming vixen
and the latter an admirable moral teacher by example. It
is a very amusing and a very instrustive piece of acting.
The house was well attended.