The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-10-10 00:00:00

I

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

imitation ofadded
the pe-
According to his own account, Mr. Booth has come over
from America for the purpose of supplying the place of
Kean, during the transatlantic trip which that gentle-
man has deemed it advisable to make. If a considerable
theser vtiwl en
performers,
culiarities that characterise the acting of Lis predecessor,
personalto tt very resemblancesidious and btehtewreefeonr e
are circumstances sufficient to fit Mr. Booth for the task he
has undertaken, he will be able to keep his word—tot
otherwise. As far as intrinsic and individual power is
concerned—in all that regards the faculty of observing ac-
curately, and faithfully portraying in action the emotions,
passions, struAglcs, and propensitiesof the human heart—
in a word, in genius—the difference between Kean and his
disciple is

" As Ossa to s wart !"

Mr. Booth's notion of mankind is one which he has picked
up at second-hand, and it is consequently a little the worse
for the wear. lie looks at nature through Mr. Kean, and
has no idea of anything out of that performer. Imitation
is bad enough of itself---when it falls beneath the standard
of the object copied, it is still worse. Such is the case
in the present instance. The performer plays Kcan, tot
!Aldus Junius Brutus, .and as it happens, be plays Kean
badly. His personation of Brutus is the shadow of a
shade. His copy of Kean is no more a correct resemblance
than the image afforded by a concave magnifying mirror
is a true representation of the human face. Someof the
features are preternaturally enlarged, others correspondingly
diminished, and all thrown out of their just proportions.
Faults are magnified a hundred &Id, and beauties rendered
nearly invisible. Now this is horrible, particularly when
Kean is the model, who has faults enough of his own in all
conscience. But thus it fares always with imitators;
were it otherwise, we could scarcely endure it better ;
seeing

" We hale e'en Garrick's self at second-hand !"

Mr. Booth has shown considerable tact in his choice of
the period for a re-appearance before an English oulience.
When a poor portrait is to be exhibited, it is something in
its favour, if the original is out of the way. Mr. Booth
once came in contact with his prototype, and immediately
discovered with 31 rs. Malaprop, that "comparisons u-c-e
odorous." We are not disposed to dwell unnecessarily on
the circumstance alluded to, iota it must be fresh in ti
memory of all play-goers. Messrs. Kean and Booth are
both known to, us only as public Performefs, and it is eti-
tirely out of a sense of justice and kindnesi to the latter,
whom we would willingly convince of the necessity of doir-
something for and from himself, that those remarks hal.;
been made. On the same principle, we shall decline a pat-
tic.ular analysis of the performance of Saturday night,
which, if entered upon, could not fail to call tip re •o'l, c-
' tions and resemblances exceedingly unfavourable to Y.:
Booth.

At the falling of the curtain, " a quantity "—not a vas,
numerous one either—" of barren spectators" in the'g.:.
leries made an effort to bring Mr. Booth forward, for the
purpose of receiving their congratulations. Others of the
audience appeared decidedly opposed to the attempt. Mr.
Archer came in front of the curtain, as we supposed, to
announce the performances for to-night, but, after an us.
successful attempt to procure a hearing, retired. The
noise, considering the few persons engaged in making it,
was most perseveringly kept up for about a quartet of an
hour. The rising of the curtain for the ballet appeared to
give new vigour to the efforts of the "claque-nes," and they
clapped their bands, and vociferated " Booth, Booth," sit
loudly, that the dancers, whose trade consists " in durb
show," not being able to stand the " inexplicable noise,"
took to their heels, and pirouetted about their business.
Mr. Wallack at length made his appearance, and, after
some tint?, comparative order having been restored, ad-
dressed these words the belligerent parties:—" I hare
made year wishes known to Mr. Booth,• and he declines
the honour." The Manager retired—the storm raged
louder than ever—and, after about five minutes more spent
in an ineffectual attempt, on the part of the dancers, to
renew the ballet, Mr. Wallack again appeared, and, hay.
ing with considerable difficulty succeeded in procuring s
hearing, spoke as follows:
" I assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen (considerable disorden—
I do assure you that the curtain had not fallen one minute when f
sent to 11r. Booth to acquaint him with your pleasure. I after-
wards went to him myself, perceiving your wishes to be unazimou..
(Cries of " No, no ;" great disorder, and mingled applause a"d
disapprobation) and he still declines—still respectfully declines the
honour. • teen do no more."
With this explanation4l parties appearing to be satis-
fied, Mr. iVallack retired and the ballet was permitted to
proceed without further interruption. At the commence-
ment of the farce (in which the new actor, Mr. iletriarns,
played Peter Simpson very cleverly) a second but feeble
attempt was made to renew the call fur Mr. Booth :—it
soon fell to the ground.