The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-31 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The re-engagement of Mr. G. V. Brooke' at this
theatre, which commenced last evening, will afford to
the lovers of the legitimate drama another opportunity
of witnessing this eminent tragedian in some of his fa-
vourite characters, ere he takes his departure for Ame-
rica. That this opportunity will be taken advantage of
to a considerable extent, we have not the slightest doubt,
lor notwithstanding the exceptions taken to his acting,
the success which has invariably attended his
performances, now extending over a considerable
period, is a pretty good proof that he possesses
rare histronic abilities, and is far removed above
the ordinary run of his professional brethren. We
are far from saying that th• vote populi is always to be
depended upon for the justice or correctness of the ver-
dict it passes on the merits of a man, but no one will
leny that it forms a most important ingredient for con-
sideration when estimating the qualifications of actors
and orators, whose success is greater or less in propor-
tion to the impression they make on large assemblies of
people. If we judge Mr. Brooke by this standard he is
the first tragedian of the day ; but we are content to say
that he is the most popular, and that with few imper-
fections he inherits a large share of those qualities which
combine to make a fine, noble, effective, and intelligent
delineator of charaoter upon the stage.
Last night Mr. Brooke's reception was most enthu-
siastic, and as the house was thronged throughout, it is
evident that he has not fallen in the estimation of metro-

politan audiences. The piece selected for his re-appear-
ance was Howard Payne's tragedy of Brutus, or the fall of
Tarquin, said not to have been produced hero for twenty
years, and certainly seldom revived elsewhere, though
both in point of writing and construction, it is equal to
many of the best and favourite tragedies, founded on.
historical incidents of ancient Rome, and constantly
brought out at the London as well as provincial theatres.
It was first produced at Drury-lane on Thursday, the
3d of December, 1818, with Kean as the hero, and Mrs.
Glover as Tullia. The part of Brutus gave ample scope to
Mr. Brooke for those manifestations which characterise his
style. His great effects occurred in the scenes in which he
denounces Sextus Tarquin, and appeals to the excited
passions of the mob over the body of the injured and
lovely Lucretuis. To the former explosion of loathing
indignation he gave immense force. The madness which
he feigns in the first and second acts was discriminated
with much success ; and his delineation of the paternal
struggle which constitutes the element of the latter sec-
tion of the tragedy was by to means wanting in feeling.
Taken as a whole, the personation was vigorous, manly,
and careful.
Mr. Brooke was vociferously applauded when the
curtain fell, and was recalled to receive a fresh shower
of acclamations, together with some two or three com-
plimentary bouquets.
The tragedy was otherwise supported by Mr. George
Bennett, Mr. Belton, Mrs. Vickery, and a Miss Fanny
Cathcart, a debutante from Liverpool, who played Tar-
quinia in an artless and agreeable manner.
Great labour has been bestowed on the getting up ;
Ind there were some effects that were very telling. The
breaking into the Palace of Tulia was highly so, and the
tumbling down of the massive walls, with the raging
multitude 'without, was admirably managed. The seenes
with the women were classical and pretty, and the closing
scene was extremely picturesquely and cleverly groped.
Die Roman scenery of the theatre came in well, and
altogether the revival deserves, and doubtless will have,
a considerable run. It is a spirited effort of a spirited
manager, and should be responded to 'by all who still
admire the high heroic drama of our country.