The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-10-31 00:00:00

rffs47ltBS.

This theatre was re-opened lad night.'for the rota
pular cosamencemeset of. the growl. under very
favourable *Nomura. We were loippy to therms
that the public embraced the esrlirst upposolually of
manifesting their souse of Mr. ELLIS/018's taste bud
enterprise, mid rendering solid jestiee to his ear/.
times for its amusement. by a very fall atteuslance.
The dress circle presented • bright and dense amens•
blage of fashion and elegance l the pit was
crowded to excess, and the ether party of the house
boasted a proportionate share of visitants. The
theatre was excellently lighted, and the' new rm•
imillsohniento noel decorations appeared to the
imatelt advantage. The entertainments selected
fee the tveiting were. the comedy of the Rood to
Rein, and the slew eat ravagatisa, which had*. great
a run lad season. of Giovanni in London. The
cast of the diameters in ;bush pieces was she esme
as that of last season. withi cue exception, Mr. EAR-
Kan played Old Menton, in the room of Mr. Nlto tr-
DEN who was prevented prom appearing by sudden
indisposition. The character was surto oted ;Is
new representative as well OM the very short iroice
which he had received could possibly admit. Miss
KELLY, in .Sophia. displayed even more than her
customary abitisy. Whit to the two nam,s we
have mentioned we add the respectable and favourite
ones of ELLISTON, HARLEY. KNIGHT. BARN• 6111,
GATTII. Mrs. HABLoWT., and Mrs. °soya, it will
readily be believed that the comedy experienced
capital support, snit a most flattering receptiote.
The afterpiece presetited • powerful combination
of vocal talent, including Madame VPSTRIS. Mrs.
BLAND, Muss I'OvAT, anti Miss CURITT. The rain-
bition was entirely successful, amid elocitcol the wait m-
eat expressions of applause. At the conclusion of the
play, Mr. ELLISTON cant forward. and satooneiced
that the theatre should he devoted, on Tuesday
(this) evening, to a benefit for the widow and
family of the late Mr. Rae, on which °erasion
would be performed the comedy of The Rivals,
and the fame (of Age To-morrow. with a selection
of vocal and instrumental music, for the execution
of which no pains had been•stiartd to procure the
frt,oftgest support of music.) Solent in each kind.

COVENT GINGEN.
Dr, YOUNG'S tragedy of 7he Ileoenge was per-
formed here last night, fur the first • these four
years. This is not only the chief of this writer's
dramatic works, but among the choicest which
British genius Ines ever produced. Violating. we
bells cc, not one of those rules which critics hive
prescribed to the votaries of Melpomene, it poi-
vessels a merit which no art nor observance of ruler
can attain. It is strongly cliaracretised by the
very highest qualities to which any species of poetry
can aspire—sublimity 1,1 thought, vigour and bold-
oval of couceptioio, and a torrespotedent brevity and
pithineses of diction. The priticipal character
of the tragedy (Zeno) is drawn with a pencil
as much superior to that of column's writers, aelhat
character's crimes exceed in meguitude those of
ordinary villains. Dr. YOUNG has in 'bier' truly
delineated " a soul of fire," a " child of the son,
with whom revenge is virtue." Thus very atriums:
part was assigned to Mr. MIICREADV Ind night,
for the lint time. Arduous that character may well
be called, which, when adequately sustained, must
excite in the spectator the rentionents of loathing
and abhorrence in the highest degree, united to no
inconsiderable portion of amazetneeit, awe, and even
admiration. This, then, is the praise due to Mr.
MACILLADY'II effort. Whoever sow it would doubt
the universal truth of the ItOfflall satirist's observa-
tion, that revenge belongs only to little, abject
minds. Mr. MACREAGY'S Zmiga could not but
be hated—it is not in homes' nature to avoid de-
testing the ninny diabolical qualities which he
brings into operation against the lisppioess of
itailiveduala, with whom he is living on teems of
friendship, and some of whom have lesser given
him cause of offence ; but it was not eery to
despise it ; his guilt had an originality, a luftine-s,
a grandeur about it, inconsistent with contempt.
lie stood forth a villain, but a commanding, inegni-
fiCtla villain. There were various imssieges,
ia-
deed nearly all the striking ours in the part, %leech,
from this gentleman', niuiimr of giviug them.
elicited isestasitaneous awl involuntary expressions of
admiration from a large proportion of the audience.
Await these were the descriptiou of the blow
received front ALoszo:—the first opening on his mind
of the plot for venrr'eance—" I la! it dawns,"
the execration olAlurizo addressed to the prophet,
which was delivered with a surprising intensity of
passion—the sarcasm contented in 'these lines was
most forcibly preserved in the recitatiou—
" if yam forgive, the world will call you good;
If you forget, the world will all you wise ;
If yes receive her to your ersee again,
The world will call you, very—very
The dank side of the portrait received its finish..
ion{ touch in the lost scene, when Zang,. opens the
lust Alonzo's eyes to the fatal deceptions he has
'practised. and the irreparable calamities and crimes
in which lie has involved him. In this Fassage the
.violence of the actor's emotions, the feelings of
satiated malignity, gratified revenge, and boundless
triumph over his fallen foe. seemed ready to burst
his bosom, and to swell Ins form into somethieig for
beyond its natural dimensions. Mr. C. KESIBI.C'S
Alonzo was a most vigorous and spirited perform-
ance. The two female characters. Isabella and
Leonora, were rustaileed, the former by Mrs. STEIL.
LING, the latter by Miss Fool's, who of count
looked the character well, and played the tares(
scenes 'esthetically.
• •
ROYAL Mount trim—His MAJZOTY boa been enseioesly
pleased to trassinit to the Committee for enosineting
Benefit for the Widow sad Family of the late Mr. RAI, •
donation of bof., and has condescended to express • hope
that the exertious wow making for their relict may coral the
must minguine expectateires of the friends of this anictril
family
We are happy to see a combination of circum-
entices tending to produce so overflowing hirnvos
this night at Drury-lane, for the benefit of Mr*. Was
and her family. • The public well private character
of her late husband attached to him a numerous
circle of flieurhi and admirers, svho must be mistime
fur an opportunity of chewing their grateful ninon-
6rance, but the great variety of entertainment. and
talent of the performers who have come forward
on the OCCIIIIIIOII. pointss attraceious chick eveey
!over of the drama mot be anzi,,us to witness and
enjoy.

a. ~~

._- s