The National Register.
London, England, 1819-11-22 00:00:00

711E.47111C4L5.

' Drury-lane.—On Friday night, Mr. Kean per-
fanned at this theatre the part of Brains, in the
tragedy of that name, with his usual distin.geiished
Mat. His reception was flattering, and his acting
instilled the enthusiasm of the audience. The tra-
gedy ushered in a new claimant for public patro-
nage, in the person of a young gentleman named
(we understand) Mode who performed Friday night
for the first time on the London boards the charac-
ter of Titus. To a pleasing and prepossering
countenance, and a figure tall and well proportioned,
Air. Mode unites an easy and unembarrassed man-
ner.—llls voice is clear and harmonious, and his
enunciation distinct, and we have no doubt that
when he shall have acquired by practice a further
acquaintance with the mode of managing his toice
in so large a theatre, it will denote more eompatis
than it exhibited on this first trial. lie received
the warmest plaudits throughout the play, and a
very cordial and general greeting hailed his efforts
in the concluding scene. NVe have no doubt that
• this actor will be fiend most useflil and efficient at
this theatre. Mrs. Glover's Tullia, ard Mrs. West's
Tarquinia, were excellently sustained by those dis-
tinguished actresses. The other chief parts were
cast with judgment, and sustained with spirit and
ability. Thus much is due to the pertbrmers: but
it would be illiberal and unjnit to overlook the
merits oldie Proprietor and Manager, in the splen-
dour of the scenery, dresses, and processions, which
abound in this tragedy. The architectural scenes
are admirable, and show every thing in proportion,
character, and beauty, that can be required on
such occasions. The machinery and whole ar-
rangement of the demolition in the great gate
and conflagration which follows, cannot be too
highly praised—it is, fir effect, the best display of
suck an event we remember to have seen on the
stage. Costume is observed with a elssical precision.
The music between the acts, is creditable to Mr. T.
Cooke's skill.
The pit was crowded to excess soon after the
opening of the theatre on Friday, and the dress cir-
cle iu the boxes presented a rich assemblage of the
rank and beauty now stationed in the metropolis.
The theatre is admirably lighted, and its ornamen-
tal appearance brilliant and striking.
Curent-Garden.—On Friday was produced a pe-
tite comedy in two acts (founded on an historical
anecdote,) called A Short Reign and a Merry One.
Stanislaus is in France at the time that he is elected
to the vacant throne of Poland. The French Mini-
ster, apprehensive that obstructions would be thrown
in the way of the new Monarch on his journey to
his dominions, through the jealousy of the neigh-
bouring powers, employs a young. French Nobleman,
the Chevalier de Morangcs, to counterfeit his name
and rank—the stratagem • succeeds, and while the
fictitious potentate is reposing and enjoying himself
in Brittany, the true Monarch escapes thir vigilance
of his enemies, arrives in Warsaw, and is crowned.
This is the basis on which the structure is reared,
of which the following is an outline. The Baron
de Husterville (Mr Blanchard), at whose chateau
the Chevalier de Moranges (Mr. Charles Kett-dile)
is entertained, has a lovely daughter (Miss Foote)
t passionately attached to a youth, named Saville
(Mr. Abbott), nephew of a griping usurer, who is
Treasurer of Brittany (Mr Liston), and old ac-
quaintance of the Chevalier's. The Baron destines
his daughter's hand for the Treasurer, and Savallc
is abandoned by the latter, and rejected by the far-
mer. Ilusterviii. has a sister also, who unexpect-
.ally arrives at the castle, and turns out t.) be the
Countess de Itosierre (Mrs. Davison), a lady be-
tween whom and the Chevalier a mutual and ar-
dent passion had been felt, but who is pressed by
her brother to marry the Count de Lausanne (Mr.
Connor), Governor of Brest, and the officer ap-
pointed to conduct the false Prince on his feigned
journey. This Lady instantly perceives the strik-
ing resemblance between her lover and the pseudo
King, and has bier suspicion of their identity con-
tinued by discovering a scar on the right band of
the latter, exactly similar to one on that of Mo-
ranees.
Meantime, the Chevalier, touched with the un-
fortunate situation ot St valle, had interested himself
warmly in his affairs, procuring him a reconciliation
with his uncle, and the means of access to the ob.