The National Register.
London, England, 1816-05-12 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN.

On Monday, in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the
audience experienced a severe disappointment in the
hoarseness of Mr. KEMBLE, who performed the part of
flrut,H. In many passages, indeed, he was almost in-
audible. This circumstance drew forth cries of " Speqk
up!" from the galleries, at the beginning of the second
scene of the second act; when Mr. KEM nix apologised
to the house; saying, that his hoarseness had come upon
him too late fs.r a clangs in the piece or the characters ;
but that he would proceed, in reliance on its indulgenets
if the part were not spoken so plaint,' as it ought to be.
This aduress was warmly applauded, and the piece pro-
ceeded without interruption.
It was fidlowed by a me: musical entertainment, br
honour of the marriage of the Princess Cu stu.ovrie,
entitled The Royal Nuptials : ur, the Masque ql Hymen.
As a piece produced on the spur of the occasion, it would
be unfair to view it with the rigid eye of criticism. Suf-
.ice it therefore to say, that it is a showy production, en-
titled to every indulgence from the consideration of the
purpose for which it is intended. The scene commences
with a view of the sea-coast in the back ground, and a
double line of female characters in front. Various em-
blematic allusions to the high Saxon origin of the Prince
were exhibited ; and in the progress of the Masque an
abundance of magnificent scenery and appropriate deco-
ration was displayed. Mrs. RENAUD was the majestic re-
presentative of Britannia, Miss S. BOOTH personified
/fusses, and Miss STEPHENS and Miss MATHEWS Were
Attendant Nyniyht. Miss thanes is also introduced,
but in a manner which reflects no credit on the taste of
those by whom the piece has been produced. She was
exhibited to the public in a part altogether unworthy so
accomplished a person, and in which she was ofli!red no
opportunity whatever for the display of her talents. In
nmny parts of the piece, a considerable portion of spirit
was evinced ; and on the whole, it went off successfully,
The house was well filled in all parts.

On Saturday Miss O'Neill took her benefit, and ap-
peared for the first time as the representative of Mrs.
Oakley, in the Comedy of The Jealous Wife. She wLis
very successful ; and, though her comedy does not excite
those extacics of mirth, which her tragedy awakes of sor-
row, her performance gave unmixed pleasure thmughout,
and would have been sufficient to give her -fame as the
votary of Thalia, had she not previously so greatl♦
distinguished herself in the service of Melp9meae. In
other hands, we have seen the diameter of Mrs. Oakley
provoke more laughter; but this has generally been at
the expense of that dignity and interest which, with all
her failings, ought still to attach to The Jealous
to account thr the hold whiCh she retains to the last on
the affections of her husband. These Miss O'Neill
appeared careful not to compromise; and in her
most boisterous scene:, there were still some fascinating
touches, which might well be supposed to captivate
him who had most reason to complain of her ground-
less suspicion. In the scene where she visits Ludy
Freelove, her anxiety to conceal the real object of solic►-
tude ; her embarrassment at finding she has incautiously
revealed the secret, and the air with which she endea-
voured to correct this mistake, where she says—" Not
my husband, of course," were admirable; and her sulise-
quent ineffectual efforts to conceal her distresswere not less
entitled to praise. Thestrongavcrsionwithwhichsheavoid-
ed Harriet in the last scene, was finely contrasted with the
tenderness and penitence which marked her deportment
when shewas final ly convinced of her error ; and thuoders of
applause when the curtain descended, announced the
high interest the audience had taken in the business of
the play, and the exquisite gratification which they had
derived from the elliwts of the heroine. The play was,
generally, well cast. Y OUNG was very good its, some
parts of Mr. Oakky, but occasionally was a little farcical.
Mr. C. Kzmut x playa Charles with great spirit, humour,
and propriety. TERRY gave a fine cool, natural portrait of
the Mqjor ; FA WC ETT was irresistibly laughable in
Tokri.v's Captain (Yeutter was mu .11 too
coarse. Mrs. C nits 1T:44 admirable in the part of Lath/
Freelure ; and Miss F•ooT¢ obtained and merited consi-
derable applause as Harriet. The house was well
tended, hut nut crowded.