The National Register.
London, England, 1811-09-08 00:00:00

'THE NATIONAL-REGISTER.

DRAaIATIC REGISTER.

.• Litetcat Titz.vrat.—On Thursday the Comic Opera of 'The
Puenna was performed for the purpose of introducing a lady to
the Public in the character of Clara, of whom report hath said
much. Her name, we have understood, is HETHERINGTON,
and that she hath had the advantage of being tutored by Mr.
CORRI. Her voice is one of the very best that we have heard
during a long time from a native Debutante—its compass is
nearly as extensive as the, voice of Madame CATALANI, and she
resembles that lady very closely in the management of some of
her tones. She has three perfect octaves from the treble lower
G; but her fears were so overpowering that she could not per-
fectly command her own qualifications; and her exertions that
night may be considered as some of ANGELICA KAUTTMANN'S
sketches, rather as significant of what she may do, than as in-
stances of perfect skill. She was several times false in the ex-
pression of her upper notes, and she gave us some reason to fear
that her ear is not very delicately organized, by her execution
of the sweet bravura of ‘' Adieu thou dreary pile," in which she
was more erroneous than her other attempts; but the lady was
so ice-bound, and fettered by her apprehension, that it is scarce..
ly just to draw any thing like a conclusive deduction, from what
she might do under such an amiable pressure of modesty.

stance in which this recurred. It was most forcible at the time,
when the hero forgot his text, and trying back-to recover the
cue, as the prompter calls it, after audibly expressing his doubt
and hesitation, by the contradictory mowssyllables, no, yes—ac-
tually repeated over again the very speech that he had just finish-
ed. Again, when he said, Is it a dream, or am I mad ?" the
laugh exceeded even its former excess. At length the dying
scene came, and was performed amidst unceasing roars of laugh.
ter, in which several extraordinary sounds mingled, such as
crowing and chuckling like a cock, crying cock-a-doodle-dos
&c. till the curtain fell, and here the play closed, the audience
vociferously and repeatedly, though ineffectually demanding, by
cries of encore, encore, &c. that the death-scene should be re-
acted, as it had been in Mr. Coates's former performance of Re.
meo at Cheltenham. Air. Coates did, however, appear again,
and recited " Bucks have at you all," in a style somewhat less
laughable than his Romeo. There were some alterations to suit
his own particular case ; and an allusion to some of the Chelten-
ham critics, whom he supposed to have mixed among the Rich-
mond audience, had a very good effect. The audience were at
last put into good humour, and sincerely applauded and called
for a repetition of the address. But Mr. Coates not appearing,
while the encore was insisted upon for near a quarter of an hour,
the Manager, Mr. Beverley, came before the curtain, dressed
fur the character of the Jew, in the afterpiece of The Jew and
the Doctor; and having obtained silence, the following dialogue
ensued between him and some Gentleman who spoke on the
part of the audience
MA NAG E R.—Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems to be the wish
of the majority of this company to hear Mr. Coates again.—Am
I right in that construction ?

AUDIEN C E.—Yes, certainly—(accompanied with laughter.)
MANAGER.—(dUlligingiyAre you really disposed to hear
him again ?

AuDlENCE.—Certainly—Coates, Coates!
MANAGER.-r-YOU have had every thing that is mentioned
in the bills. It is quite contrary (to dramatic usage to speak
a speech over again ?

Au DIENCE.—No, no; we have heard prologues often re-
pcated. •
MANAGER:4 have never known an instance of it. But the
thing is now impossible. Mr. Coates has left the house. But
if you really wish to sec him again, I will undertake that he
shall perform. That is all that I can do.
This assurance having been acquiesced in, the dialogue (in
which the Richmond Manager cor.versed very much in the 0.
P. managerical style with those who held parley with him)
closed, and the afterpiecc was suffered to proceed.
We understand Mr. COAT E S will re-appear cu.-morrow night
in his favourite character of Row°.