The National Register.
London, England, 1815-07-30 00:00:00

jiILY 30.

DRAMATIC REGISTER.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.
Mr. Meggett, who lately made his debut in Richard, and
who was certainly treated in an illiberal and unfair manner,
made a second attempt on Monday night in Octavio', and
we were much gratified to find that the audience were not
inclined to depress the energies and talent of this Gentleman,
by a repetition of such conduct, which is certainly not at all
consonant to the generous and manly character of a British
public.
It is not our intention to flatter Mr. Meggett, by bestow.
ing on him unqualified applause, which his representation of
Octavian does not merit, but to state our opinion briefly, in a
fair and impartial manner. His performance throughout was
respe' table, and in many parts he rose to excellence; it was
evident hat he felt emboldened by the applause he received
and so well deserved. He was most successful in the scene
where he is unable to recognize Rogue, and in his interview
with Flueanthe; in the former, the gradual and natural man-
ner in which he appears to remember the faithful domestic be
lied been accustomed to behold with such joyful sensations ;
and in the latter, the extacy with which he is convinced of
the presence of his long-lost mistress, gained him loud and re-
peated applause. Mr. Megeett's action is at times redundant
mod even awkward; but, upon the whole, this Gentleman
cannot fail of proving a great acquisiton to the Theatre, and
a favourite in tht estimation of the public. It was an-
nounced for repetition on Thursday amidst shouts of" Bravo,
Bravo "

A new Comedy in three Acts, was produced. at this
Theatre on Tuesday, with the extraordinary title of " My
Wife! what Wife''' The following is a blief sketch of the
plot.
St. Erman( (Terry) who is supposed to have deserted Const4ntia
(Mrs. Hayward), the dmighter of Governor Hurricane, and married
another, pursued by bailiffs. takes shelter in a house which proves to
be that of Co:Wan:ids father, where he meets with the fiirmer Mis-
tress Of his affections. They mutually -charge each other with in-
constancy, and he by the as4istance of a rival, is liandini user to the
care of his pursuers. Thus ends the first act. In the second lie
discovers a friend in a spnitehiv, house, who restot es him to liberty,
and this friend in the thiril.proves to be the husband of the woman St.
Ernsont hail married. St Ermovt and Conslantia, find that each had
been misrepresented to the oilier, and Are united by the Governor to
the great martifieatir►n of a clownish rival.
The incidents of this piece are . numerous, and what is
much better, they are in general novel; the dialogue is
replete with point, and the denouement is carried on with
much bustle and humour. It was announced for represen
tation with considerable applause, and we have no doubt but
that ••.My Wife," will be well attended, at least for the
season The performers supported their respcctivA parts
admirabl►• ; particularly Tokely, as an Irish servant (of St.
Ermont); he depicted the native impudence and blunt ho.
nests of an Irishman with considerable humour, and a strict
adherence to Nature. Matthews was all bustle in Governor
Hurricane, and gained the applause of the audience by ;form.
Mts. Gibbs as the fortunate female with two husbands, gave
to the part, as much pertness, wantonness, and spit it as the
Author could possibly whh. It .is the production of the
author of The Hcr,ine.