The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-09-14 00:00:00

THEATRES.

-..ini•

bltuitir-txxx.
(living fortunately, we may almost .ay, mins-
csiukolv, r.c.,pril the 'Scylla of Law, and the
choybdis fiction, this theatre opened I,r the
arn•..... on S muddy evening, under .iiisnicei iiifi-
virly more I.4vosirible than we hall arinciiiiited.
l'i, below was c:owdrd to excess—awl, what is
particularly gratifying. we believe, with very
few eXteptiung, it w.lB tilted with • money atria-
ererP—a 'Mac most 6' devoutly to he weshed,”
ho,, by Id tvera and ~roprietors. There is a
charm i•i tie name of " Old /)vary'"—arising from
the rein -mbrance of GARRICK. SHERIDAN. and
at.wr celebritril men, who hive been connected
with this establishment—which insist necessarily
the syirtoatliettc feeling of every real friend
to ,himatit• ,iinuornient, as much with reference in
authors as to actors, when the untoward state of
its aims is considered. They must experience

deep regret, when they behold Urury-lane degraded
fr.'s!' her .4 most high and palmy state"—shaken
to the centre by intestine divisions—and rendered
time rental ksible for the violence of the quarrels of
whirl' she ha' been the subject, than for the ottrac-
boor which she has lurid 01st to visitors. This feel-
ing of regret cannot hut e4icit a strong desire, by a
liberal support, once more to raise Drury-lane
to something like that rank from which ultra un-
happily fallen. Such a desire—such an minions
feeling--were displayed most Unequivocally on
Saturday 'vetoing—and we hope, with great since-
rity, that a similar disposition will be manifested
-throng! t the season. A successful season would
glee confidence to those proprietors whose opposi-
,,„„ has been founded on principle—and it would
moderate. if not entirely stop the clamours of
others, whose selfish and ambitious views have been
heretofore thwarted.
At semen o'clock the curtain ruse, and discovered
a goodly company of vocalists, well-dressed atNl
well-arrasigeol, who executed Gud stave the Kilog
null, melt skill and effect. Amongst them we oh-
SerVed Airs. BLAND, Mrs. T. Comm Miss Co-
olie, Mr. T. Coons, Nlr. G. SMITH, and Mr. J.
who were assisted by • host of mirror
singers. They were loudly cheered on their op-
pestatice : at the close of Cod save the King,
the house rang with enthusiastic plaudits, and the
sinlirore commanded it to he sung a second time.
Mr. 11. JOIINiFON stood forward immediately al-
ieroarels, and delivered, la su impressive manner,
tire subjoined newt sod appropriate Orsoitne Au-
DIMS. It is the production of JOHN TAYLOR,
Esq. null was received with universal approbation:—
Once mere Old Drury now her standard rears,
thistainA by bowls, yet not exempt from fear's;
tolerual feuds have chiseled her onward course,
Anil law has interpuest its awful forte;
But Cnneord here, we trust, will soon revive,
And for your smiles with emulation strive.
Is tows, we know, is stronger e'en than taw,
Aid all nosakituresa in her circle draw :
To Novelty-her stamp such puw'r conveys,
lii vain niery`Genins spread its splendid rays •
In cold "deededits brightest beams may fade,
Loat it, trtscurity'scieewhelliting shade.
But on the spot wiwie GARRICK ross'd his name
In madam isedissee with his Swonercaitea tame;
alwre SIDDONs, Tragedy's onrivali'd Queen,
As nature vivid, dognify'd the some;
Whet.. Susumu, our boast, whom ell admit
A eve t Coiontve Is the melons of wit,
Eserich'sl those realms with humour that shall live,
And polish'sl mirth to hued ages give:
Wru the " Fell bevies'', Death" has borne away,
th.third has alstiesited weak away :
Yr, still their spirit hovers oler the plane,
With reason, trails, and energy to grace;
Shall these, so long to Fashion yield,
And Telesis slroop on the deserted Arid
No—Paste upheld by'you, with noble pride,
tihall Fashion "WWII, or lead to Merit's side—
No—still this spot to Menery shall he dear,
And using Genius find protection hem
Tiw tragedy of Romeo and Janet then com-
menced, under circumstances, to which—.

" Our 'aging remembraace.cavaut parallel
" A fellow."

We allude to the introduction, on the satire wren-
ill, of a mewßareeo and a new Juliet, in the per- 1
sons of Mr. H. KEMBLE and a Mrs. Macitesisis.
We recollect having seen the former, some seasons
since, at the Haymarket theatre. He then gave
promise of being a sensible and useful, if not a
tirsi.rate tragedian, and his studies, since that
per al, appear not to have been unsuccessful. lie
is tensility much improved—but a good deal,
both in the way of learning, and, what is per-
haps more difficult, of un-learnissg, remains to
he dunes. Mr. H. KEMBLE'S person is gond.—
He is nearly of the middle stature—and possesses
a light and well-formed person. His complexion
is daik, and his features are expressive—bat, of the
livuel.v. contour, they present scarcely any traces.
Hs ~are, which, at times, reminded us of that of
his uncle, Mr. C. KEMBLE, is powerful, but some-
what harsh—a defect which a careful study of the
art of mollulatioutuay in a great measure remove;
and Isis rounciatiots is distinct and perfect. 'rills
geutlesnan seemed to have paid great muco-
us.. to the character, and, if he did not throw into
it PO moth of the vivida vis ardour—of the soul of
an asdesit lover—as we could hare rushed—he never
offrialcd by that boisterousness', which is sometimes
soma's:els for true passion, but of which it is, in fact,
ti.e yert antipode,. it is truly said, that " light
.flrrum spedk—but great grief is dumb'—and the
''nark applies to every species of intense passion.
111rr n the heart its under the influence of one pow-
tri.lll predominant feeling, looks rod motions
hsic.ste•i:s situation more truly ans,l more forcibly
thatt wants. Mr. I). KEMBLE endeavoured, by
tlrrrmesos, to describe the emotions of nom. a—
sod. if lie (11.1 mint always succeed in his aim, lie at
i""1 Prayed. (Ind he understood the mode •hest
etilstsd to develope the feelings of the warm and
slevishit laver. Ms scene with Friar Lawrerset.
sites bosun's bassishinesit, was distinguished by
vigour and animation. It was well played,
and would have been excellent. last for the oc-
over-straiiiing of the voices whirl' 1":""
11111C11 a saund soot unlike Unit created ItY a Ira"
l'"""vse. A little attention to a lust modula-
tion mould entirely present this. Mr. H. Krmist:7's
14,1 1.11-11 t was decidedly flip best. Mid. ,41'1"re,
stud despair, were forcibly 'depicted. and "r"wsZlY
cantt•'"rds to Its prove. If unaniurnue applause
Dr 11w greatest incentive to otressuous rarovin in
/I," "It of fame. Mr. 11. K native undotile.edly
ter vivid the beat Vasetturagerstrot to keep .his •conrsw
" sight osswaid." Mrs. Maextaztf, the mew

jefict. w.al, we understand, when Mi•• MOODY,
wttechr,l for some time to the company of Mr.
WATsun, which she quitted for • trip to Scotland.
She there learned The Wayib gel Married—and
returned from

" That nation, isseil for song sad beauty's chums"
with nu ii.ietent and excellent name, and a consider-
whir pur!fuw of theatrical experience. She is in
stature tielow the middle size—with a neat figure—
rossiiii face—end features more remarkable for the
exprees 1111 l i.f good-nature than any other quality.
Her voice is .weet, but is deficient in strength—a de-
fect which she in mime degree remedies, by distinct-
ness of urticidation. Her performance was judici-
ous, and consequently pleasing. In the tender
ivirts, we mean the interviews with her lover. her
opting was very natural, and excited great 111-
terra. She w.s not so successful when label
throws aside eke love-sick girl, and becomes the he-
roine. Mrs. MACKILNZIE appeared all through
to understand the character extremely well, but
her physical powers were unequal to the madly-
-1""Hoome parse. She acted them cleverly—but
suit greatly. Her performance was honoured with
the strongest marks of s.iti.faction. Mr. Pita i.gx's
Mercietia w. unamusing. He has milt hew.
ever, sufficient of that graceful volatility, the very •
essence of the character. which is necessary to give
a perfect idea of Mereatio. The " fiery Tybalt,"
and the reasoning &media, were well supported
sfy Messrs. BENOODOH and HOLLAND. The Nine
was played by Mrs. SPARKS in a chastely-hunio-
sfyle—and her attendant, Master Peter, found
a truly comic representative in our old favortite,
Mr. NIGHT.

II AY M AIN IT.

Saturday night being the last of the cont.
patsy's performance this season, this house was ex-
r-edingly crowded. The pieces selected fur repre-
sentation were, 'lhe Castle of Andalusia, 7'easing
made Easy, and The Agreeable Sarprise, and
in each the exertions of the performers were
crowned with the iiireg unequivocal marks of
approbation. The selection could not have been
mule inure happily. 4t brought before the house
characters long recognised as the most popular
efforts of the dramatic insist, supported by those
who have proudly borne the stamp of public favour.
As the curtsies fell, closing the rept-oleo:silos' of
Teaziog made Easy, Mr. TERRY came forward,
and, in his peculiar happy manner, delivered the
following Address :

" IND dINTLItIIEN-4 have lOW the honour or
aileiressirs you, to offer the acknowledgments of the Pro-
prietors of this Theatre; on the clear of their season • and
pis. any recollect, they assured you it should be' a
anon? life, and Gamin' one' . .

"The
.Ord part of Shia promise they gave with the utmost
confidence, being morally certain that their old friends sad
guarantees, of Covent garden, or of Drury-lane (if not of
both), would he anxious to redeem Shia house'. pledge of
RICVITY, before a was in any danger of being forti tied.
" As to the second part of their obligation—that of pro-
•doicing Mirth—you have exonerated them. If they have
not twrstialiei! mirth themselves, you, certainly, have brought
41 with you ; fur (bating those representations, or parts of
representation, when we courted your g r fictitious),
never was a merrier set of kind souls than our audiences uf
this swasiturr.

" la short—for every thing, at present, must be abort
here—the Proprietors seem to have accomplished their ends
I of atfordiiii you satisfactio• tyro from one mil of the sea-
son to the other; but how (if this system of curtailmeut
should proceed) they see la make/WA wide meet, is a Salter
of toe serious cuusideratiou to obtrude spots your minds
at this moment.

" They depute me, Ladies awl Gentlemen, to entreat your
acceptance of their warmest gratitude ; to which allow me
to add most respectfully, the Farewell Tribute of the Per.
formers. We wish you all, Ladies and Geollemen, a LO:t•
life and a Dictum owe."

ThiefAthiress ass received with the•houdest ap-
plaisse—eskry pert of the home appearing desirous
of testifying their high admiration of the summer in
which this Theatre was conducted during the sea-
son just terminated.

SURREY THEATRE.
The attendance at this theatre oil Saturday
night was, as usual, numerous and brilliant. It
being the last night of the appearance for the
season on these boards of Mrs. ORGER and
Mr. GATTIE, the audience warrinly testified their
sense of the merits of these popular performers,
by repeated expressions of applause. The Sea
Serpent. ur Harlequin Yankee, excited, as usual,
considerable Imaginer, ,and the credulity of the
public iii else existence of these " monsters of
the deep," was sharply and humorously touched
upon in parts of the dialogue. lied Riding Hood
drew forth the same plaudits which hailed its first
appearance. Mrs. ORGER, as Si/tip/Me, wits full
of sivacity and humour ; and OATTIE'S Auras
Fierpuase displayed energy and spirit. HURT..
LEit's Prince ilhdor was much applauded;
WILLIAM'S Simple was irresistibly comic; Mrs.
BROOKES.* Grandmother was excellent ; and LEO-
N ARV's songs received, as they deserted, $llllll
approbittinn.
Throughout the several performances the scenery
was remarkable far its superior merit. The to-
Test vices are picturesque and beaulifsol, cod mat'
vie with any of the same subjects mu our 1111160111111
theatres.

_
'11:e manner in whit h the pieces are got up nt
this theatre, and taste of the retitle arrangements,
tried the highest credit opus the tuatiogemtut of
the rtoprietor.

We lately copier' from u PArisPaper n paragraph,
mating, that the Nlasiagrr of the Thcatee du ran.
drod;r Wet romanced 31r. HUNT flu its ()mania.
Asiother Paris Paper, the Juurnul do Debuts,
critique on the piece the Magazin de Cha-
perons, 'tinier.% the circutriatantea
in she follawesig word•
An f.mehahurin arrives with a straw has, which hail
liven sonic d•tys ht fore CA ell to Iwo-thirds by a horse. This
tuilistairsot as the relebrate4 Mr. Maul, still 114-arise un
lits front the glorious seats of his espluits iu the late West-
hunater EICCII/141."

A rodugutie Jrw lately died at Paris. aged
103 yearv.
A Redituila Paper. Of the I Ith tilt. contain* a
Proclaioat of Gisverisor Cut KBURN, prohibiting.
the catty of ally erratl lit tiny of the public °theta.
Ix-toren the 1.4 slay of :tidy and the lit stay of Ot-
t:ember, tttllunu tire, proitioring a certificate of vials
tati.ou frs.iii tilt. health officer of the port, and fur-
hi 1Jla;; iitssonsi. reetpt ',dote awl officer* of
Goveriiinetst, h. hoard, the aforesaid permit,
soy vessel tittering the lon !hitlausl,pre VIOIIII
10 Mir ► vlsolatiun of Itratith otlietva, mid a ccrtificate
*um Omni.