The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-04-26 00:00:00

THEATRES.

DRURY-LANE.

Mr. SHERIDAN'S conittly of The Itioo w•is
psi I. °ruled on Saturday evenivez. The characters
were very judic►ously cast, and the stet hug wit and
humour of the piece, aided awl set-off by much
good actin,;, were crowned with constant laughter
and applause. Mr. MENGES'S picture of the
mild, conciliating Sir Anthony Absolute, w•i+ comae,
almost beyond the powers iil descriplioii. We have
seen representatives of Sir Anthony who thirw into
the character a much greater portitni of sternness—
but not one whose performance could, for richness
of humour, compete with that of Mr. MUN OEN.
Perhaps no two accuse were ever more admirably act-
ed than that in which the old Baronet informs (
Absolute that he has procured a wile for
the reconciliation scene whirls followa, when the
Captain, finding that the lady, bi pent), is the ro-
mantic fair one to whom lie has long paid his ad.
dresses, becomes suddenly as obedient to his father's
will, as lie was before rebelliously opposed to it.—
Nothing could be imagined more exquisitely comic
than the rage with which Sir Anthony received hits
son's refusal. The countenance at first assumed in
apperauce in which incieduility mid auger were
alike visible. But young Absolute continues tixrd
to his purpose—incredulity vanishes —end uninixsal,
but ludicrous rage, distorts every feature. The
gold-headed taut was involuntarily grasped—aud
the body thrown into an attitude of menace— be-
fore the tongue could utter what was conceived in
the fullness of the heart. In the succeeding accuse,
the astooisliment and delight of the old Gentleman,
on leariiiiig the almost miraculous change in his
son's sentiment., were expressed with equal force
and tidelity. The chuckling joy with which he
heard Jack's determination to :e wholly guided
by him, and the laughable gravity with which he
observed, " I never hesid yell speak so sensibly in
all my life," excited the risible faculties of the
audience in a very high del;ree. Mr. RAE appear-
ed as Captain Absolute. Hie performance was dis-
tinguished by the easy vivacity of the dashing son
of Mars, joined with the elegant polish of the re-
filled gentleman. Mr. JOHNSTONE sustained the
character of Sir Lucius U' Trigger with inimitable
humour. When this Gentleman quit► the stage,
we fear poor Sir Lucius will anon be pickled, and
sent " to Blunderbuss-hall," fur there is 119 doubt
that he will be mnrdered. Mr. HARLEY. as Acres,
was extremely entertaining. His duel scene was
Particularly good. Mr. KNIGHT is nee of the
best representatives of Davy that we recollect to
have seen. The argument with Acres on the sub-
ject of honour was excellent. When Acres told
that if he were killed " his honour would
follow loin to the grave," tlw archness and munch',
with which he answered, " Now that's the very
place win re I could best of all make a shift to do
without it," crested a general burst of laughter.—
Mrs. ALsor supported the character of Lydia
Languish, in her best style. It is very difficult
to give an adequate idea of this romantic gii I,
sentimentally determined, according to the rules
loud down in the most approved novels, not to
marry, even the man of her heart, if her friend*
sanction the match. Mrs. ALSOP, however, sue.
needed to admiration. Lydia's raptures, when
she discovers the supposed Beverley under the
seine root' with her—when she has in prospect
all the pleasures of all elopement—were full
of mischievous spirit; her pouting disappoint•
ment, when her beloved is presented to her, its
form, as Captain Absolute—her heroine-like pets-
lance, when she discards him—hut, above all, her
description of the various delights of which she had.
been deprived, " such a becoming disguise—so
amiable a ladder of ropes"—were loudly and de.
servedly applauded. Mrs. W. WEST performed
the part of Julia, for the first time, and performed
it excellently. Her reproof of Falkland, in the
ocelot where, to prove Julia's truth, lie proclaims
his life f‘rrtiated, was tender and impressive. Mrs.
SPARKS was the Mrs. Malaprop of the evening.
She puultrayed, with the most humorous effect,
the comic peculiarities of this antiquated martyr to
the tender passion. The scene in which she cont.
pets Captain Absolute to peruse the letter, which
he had himself addressed to Lydia, and iii which
lie honours the old lady with the delicate epithet of
" that old weather-beaten she dragon," was use.
commonly well supported by Mrs. SPARKS mud
Mr. RAE.

The comedy was received with the greatest op.
probation, and we hope will be repeated.
COVENT-GARDEN.

Saturday night the Heart of Mid-Latham was
performed at this theatre, with increased applause.
77ie Critic followed—a piece that hears alt the
marks of its author's genius, of his floe fancy, and
his refined and animated wit. Mr. EMMEN repre-
sented Sir Fretful Plagiary quite as he was drawn
by SHEISIDA N—vuin, querulous. mod irascible.
Impatient of control, end, like many of our
living authors, fond to admiration of his own
performance, he listens to the newspaper criti•
clams, as reported by his good-natured friend,
Mr. Sneer, with that sort of horror with which
a bigot listens to an attack upon his faith ; his
affected indifference, his real anger, rising
in
proportion to the severity of the critic, until
at length it burst forth without mercy and with-
out control upon the devoted heads of his friends,
Dangle and Sneer—all this was admirably pour-
trayed by Mr. F ARISEN. Indeed we have never
seen that Gentleman in any part to inure advantage;
his time oil the stage, it is true, is but short, but.
no opportunity is lust, no point omitted that could
increase effect—his forcible and natural personifies.
lion brought belOre our eyes the living image of
the vain, inconsistent, and impatient Sir Fretful
Plagiary. The applause of the audience, at mice
the best and the most gratifying test of an actor's
abilities, fully requited the exertions of 51r.
KREN.
For the absence of poor Sir fretful, who indeed
receives too much ill-usage to remain, we are simply
compensated by the presence of the indefatigable
Pirtj: Mr. IticitAßD JON El has made this chem.
ter his owii, nor could it be in better huuds. There
is about this gentleman a light and graceful man-
ner, independent of his other aiid higher merits,
that peculiarly lit him for the gayer loots of
comedy—he sustained the character of Prdr with
the utmost vivacity and effect, alternately ex-
citing the applause and laughter of the au.
' dience : in his hands the fine wit of SHERIDAN

lost none of its beauty or its point. Mr.
Enettrog and Mr. CHARLES CONNOR, es Sneer
will Dangle, were extremely well. Lithe SIM•
MOONS, I/ they call loom, was excellent, and the
Don Whiskerundos of I,l4Tllsi was errePisaibly
cheroot.. lootlerd it wits difficult to look at hurt
without luring all chins. to the character of a
grave 1111111.
Tile House was full and fasloionattly attend:cf.