The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-15 00:00:00

COVENT-CARDEN THEATRE,.

ScitlLLEa's Iragedy.entitled Mary Shear,. Quern
of Scotland, adapted to the Cngli►h sing.. was pro-
duced at this Theatre for Ihe tirst time last ought.
The characters were Ilia* represented :
Earl af Leicester
Earl of Skreirsburro llr. Auuorr.
Cecil, Lord Burle%gh Mr. EG ANTON.
Earle( Kent Mr. comm.
Sir William Darisaa ... • .... Mr. CON N on.
Sir Anima Pasha .. Mr. TERRY.
Nir Edward Mortimer .... Mr. C. liemet.r.
Coast L' A *bevies Mr. II ONT.
. Mr. J►r►Rßtcs.
'sir //rye brims— ........ Me. Tacos%
Sir Andrew Neleille
Elizabeth Melva of England Mrs. Burt.
Mara Staarl,Qrani of Neuf Miss MAC vt.cy.
Mannah Kennels
Margaret Cirri

The fo!lntsitig is n sketch of the plot
to whom Mary had Reel for protection after her
defeat in Scotland, availed herself of that opport 111 l il y to
hold the online wish! Queen a close prisoner in Follwrintay
Castle for many !WIMP, during which time Mary was tried try
the English Comoocil for treasonable practices, and con-
demned to die. The events which hurry on the fatal came.
tros,the arise from the unavailing attempt of Mortimer, one
of the adventnters in ber !AIM, to rescue the captive
Queen. To accomplish his purpose, he imposes upon his
uncle, Sir Amiss Paulet, the Governor of Futheringay
Cis:le, obtains an interview with Mary, and learns from
leer, that her only hopes of freedom rest on Leirester. Ile
delivers a letter from her to that Nobleman, who readily
films into his views, and artfully contrives ■ meeting be.
twirls Elizabeth and Mary in Fotheringay Park. Here, an
attempt upon the life of Elisabeth by a higotted Priest,
by the wily Burleigh, attributed to the intrigues of
Marv; and that Minister haring discovered the curers-
poodence between the Scottish queen and Leicester, the
latter contrives to elude the vengeance of his Sovereign by
the sacrifice of Mortimer. Elizabeth, a pro y to emaciate.
ing passions, and urged on by Boirleigh, at length signs the
'►arrant fur the execution of Mary, notwithstanding the
pressing remonstrances of Shrewsbury, and intru.is it to
her secretary, Davison; he imprudently gives it np to Bur.
Nigh, who, to prevent the consequences of Elisabeth's re-
tracting, hu►ries off with it to netheritigay Castle, and sees
the sentence put in force —and Elisabeth finding that Mary
was innocent of the attempt spinal her life, becomes a prey
to the keenest remorse.

The proprietors have spired nothing in decora-
tion, scenery, dresres, &r. ; they were most grand
and magnificent ; but with all in the power of those
great auxiliaries to effect, the tragedy plowed on but
heavily—even the excellent acting of Miss MACAU-
LEY, who appeared for the first time at this theatre,
in the character of Mary .Stuart, cnold hardly give
spirit to the dull declamation she had to recite.
—The audience were, however, sensible to her
merits, and applauded her efforts. On her entre,
she was receivert with warm acclamations. Mrs.
BUNN was the Queen Elizabeth of the evening, and
supported the dignity of the character with great
ability. Mr. MACBEADY'S Earl of Leicester, sod
Mr. CHARLES KEMBLE'S Sir Edward Mortimer,
were excellent; hut neither of the character* gave
them an opportunity of dispinying their talents to
adrantige. Towards the end of the fourth art the
audience began to testify their disapprobation of
the length of the piece, which continued until !lie
conclusion of the tragedy, at eleven o'clock. Cur-
tailment is certainly tnucit wanted, and when that
iv judiciously applied, we have no doubt but the
play may become a favourite. The house was
crowded, and the tragedy wai announced for ■
second performance by Mr. TERRY.