The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-04 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

The first part of King Henry the Pooret was performed at this
theatre last evening, with all the pomp and circumstance" of a
revival, attention to costume and other sounding epithets in the an.
nouneennen.. :surely it does not require all this trickery to recom.
mend the inspitations of Shakspcare's must to the people of Eng.
land ; but trickery is a part ache practical philosophy of theatrical
management, and this accounts foe the superfluous epithets and
hustings which nown.tlays ecemnpany the announcatnent of
almost evay dramatic performs-c:. The principal attraction
in this play was the novelty of Mr. Charles It:noble's first ap.
pearance in London as Sir John Falahri. Ile had played the pan,
we understood, with considerable success in several provincial
theatres. Al:hough his fame had preceded him to the metropolis,
we own we were nut easily susceptible of being mule panto; to
such a dramatic illusion as the metamorphose of ifornco into Sir
John FuLdqr,--of the accomplished lover into the representative
of an old, jesting sensualist. Who could fancy the well-formed
figure, the light movement and graceful deportment of Charles
Kendal*. as representing " the fulness of the spirit of wit and his.
moue bodily." Who could suppose the ardent and enthusiastic
Ittnaen, Pauly to leap up to Jrairt in the balcony., as a pawn like.
ly to •• lard the lean earth as he walled along ?" Notwithatand.
ing this personal unfitness for the part (an unfitness of which Mr.
Kemble is deubtless not desirous to divest himself), yet he evinced
a very correct conception of this very comic and original character.
If his performance was not perfect, is was because he had not those
natural qoalifications which amuse brings to the character, and
without which Pablo", sot ge substitute cannot be " witty hintself,
or the cause of wit in nthcrs." Mr. Kemble seemed not insensible
to the disadvantages under which he laboured, and this apparent
consciousness imparted an elaborate air to his acting, which greatly
impaired the off.hantled nod jovial pleasantries which constitute the
rafeeming quali.ies of this strange and eccentric character. In
short die general performance of Mr. Ketuble did not impair,
neither (lid n eohance, hie previous reputation. 31in F. 11. Kelly
played I.,stin Perry. She had but little to do, but did that
little well. Iler reception, from a very crowded house was most
cordial and tut:ring ; it conveyed, we thought, an intimation to
the management of a desire to see her oftener. This would he but
a due attention to their own interests and to the wishes of the
public; it would moreover be but an act of justice to a young
lady of real and approved merit, who owes them very little on
the score of liberal and kind encouragement. There was an
arch fascination in the dclirery of her solicitation of Ilotspar,
which drew down a burst of well.rarned applause—
" In faith I'll break thy little finger. Harry,
" An if thou wilt no: tell toe all things true."
The Hotspur of Mr. Young was a performance that might rank
amongst the best of that accomplished actor. The character is the
very impersonation of English chivalry, and is well adapted to his
full.toned declamation fine flow of action. Mrs. Davenport,
as the Busiest, was very buxomish and very clever. The other
parts were well sustained ; and the play given out for repetition on
Wednesday, amid a general expression of warm approbation.
There was a display of some new and beautiful scenery ; and the
attention to costume, which wu costly, was creditably correct.