The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-14 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

The production of Lord Byron's Sardanapalus, on
the occasion of the annual benefit of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Kean, last evening, must be pronounced the
highest triumph of the present management, fertile as it
has been from the first in attractions of so powerful a
character as have deservedly elevated the Princess's to
the summit of theatrical celebrity. Great as was the
sensation created by King John, it was outstripped by
that which followed on the marvellous min em scene of
Macbeth ; but Sardanapalus completely transcends all
that has yet been attempted on these boards ; nor is it
too much to say, that never has a drama been put upon
the modern stage with such unique and impressive splen-
dour and effect. The objects to which Mr. Kean has
devoted his energies have been successfully accomplished
—the pomp of the ancient Orient—the rich and vivid
magnificence of the children of Baal is rendered palp-
able to sight. "To render visible to the eye," declares
the manager, "in connection with Lord Byron's
drama, the costumes, architecture, and customs of
the ancient Assyrian people, verified by the bas-
reliefs, which, after having been buried for nearly three
thousand years, have in our own day been brought
to light, was an object that might well inspire the
enthusiasm of one who has learnt that scenic illustra-
tion, if it have the weight of authority, may adorn and
add dignity to the noble works of genius. I have
humbly endeavoured to convey to the stage an accurate
portraiture and a living pictve of an age long since pased.
away,. but once as famous as our
.own country - for its
civilisation and power ; and more intimately associated
with the destructive wars of the Jewish race than any
other people. No pains have been spared to present.
to the eye the gorgeous and striking scenery that has'
been so unexpectedly dug from the very bowels of the
earth. The sculptures now in the British Museum have
been rigidly followed ; and where recent discovery has
failed to give authority for minor detail, I have, where-
ever it has been possible, borrowed designs from sur-
rounding nations, flourishing at the same epoch. In
decoration of every kind, whether scenic or otherwise,
I have diligently sought for truth ; and it is with some
pride and satisfaction I am enabled to announce that a
verdict of approval has been received from the judge most
competent to speak with authority upon the surpassingly
interesting subject with which I have had to deal."
These desires and professions have been accurately ful-
filled, and the discoveries of Layard in the remote ca-
pital of the " blood of Ninus and Semiramis" have been
doubly popularised amongst us through the zeal, taste,
and liberality of Charles Kean.
The drama has, of necessity, been considerably
abridged, the paramount object being to impress the
mind through the medium of the eye. For instance,
the scene between the conspiring Satraps is so cur-
tailed, that Mr. Graham, in whose hands the part
of the arch-traitor Beleses would have been highly
impressive in its original proportions, was chiefly
conspicuous for the gorgeousness of his attire.
Indeed, as regards the costumes and appointments
of the piece, it were difficult to speak in terms
commensurate with the grandeur of their effect. The
most prominent features—and they severally worked
up the spectators to an uncontrollable enthusiasm—
were the regal entry, in the first act, when the grandson
of Sennacherib appears in barbaric pomp, preceded by the
guards, musicians, and dancers of the palace ; the ban-
quet scene in the hall ofNimrod, in which a beautifully-
arranged and executed dance was rapturously
encored ; and the catastrophe, the conflagration and
destruction of the city. In point of stage effect
these ' are utterly unparalleled, nor must we
omit to mention the prostrate group startled in ther
blasphemous adoration of the king by the ominous thun-
der. The general impression produced has been described
with ,equal naivete and truth by the critic of a morning
contemporary, when he says, "In fact, we were in a
state of bewildered excitement, unfit for the sober duties
of criticism, and carried away, in common with the
thousands present, by one overpowering sentiment of
admiration and delight." The curtain descended
amidst an absolute hurricane of applause, which
attained an indescribable intensity on the re-ap-
pearance of Mr. and Mrs. Kean, in obedience to the
universal recal. Showers of bouquets fell thickly round
theni, and the frenzied cheering only subsided after Mr.
Ryder, vehemently called for, gallantly led Miss Heath
across the stage, and retired to doff his resplendent and
massive armour.

Mr. Kean personated the royal voluptuary with care,
discrimination, and intensity : he caused an immense
sensation by the narration of the fearful dream that vexed
the last and troubled slumber of the doomed Sardana-
palus. The high-toned character of the lonian Myrrha,
tender and regretful, yet impassioned aiid intrepid, had
in Mrs. Kean so exquisite a representative that we trust
she will not be induced to depute the part to any other
hands during the long run which awaits this eminently
fortunate venture. Unqualified praise must be accorded
to Mr. Ryder as the brave, austere, and loyal Salamenes,
for the solidity and vigour of his acting—and a more
nobly warlike presence could never have trod the halls
of Nineveh. Miss Heath, as the Queen Zarina, acted
with judgment and feeling • and the minor parts were
all filled with propriety. dr. Oscar Byrne is deserving
of the utmost credit for his arrangement of the dances,
in which Miss Desborough was a most graceful leader,
and the scene painters have wrought most worthily
under the direction of Mr. Grieve. The music; by Mr.
Hatton, is singular and pleasing, and was executed in
the most satisfactory manner by the orchestra.. In
short, we can conscientiously pronounce Sardanapalus,
as now given to the public, to be the most wonderful
effort of managerial ingenuity and skill hitherto dis-
played—unapproachable as a spectacle, delightful as an
acting play, and, in a word, the most felicitous " hit"
that has probably been ever made on the' London stage.
The vast expenditure incurred cannot fail to be Ade-
quately remunerated.
The house was crowded to suffocation. The enter-
tainments commenced with the sparkling farce of Per-
fection, which went off so much to the delight of the
audience, that Miss Le Clercq, Mr. Addison, and Mr.
Walter Lacy received a cordial recal.

APPROACHING MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—A matri-
monial alliance is arranged between the Lady Albreda
Fitzwilham, youngest daughter of the Earl Fitzwilliam,
and Mr. Fitzpatrick Vernon, eldest son of the Right
Hon. R. Vernon Smith, M.P. The marriage will take
place on the 21st inst.
FUNERAL OF EARL DUCIE.—The remains of the
lamented earl were interred yesterday at Tortworth
Church, in a strictly private manner, and without the
slightest display. A arge concourse assembled, and
testified, by their prek ,co and appearance' the regret
which his death has oc. isioned. The press has already
exhibited the general opinion entertained of his cha-
racter, and we can add nothing to the panegyrics which
have been justly passed on it.—Moucester Journal.
THE WRECKED SHIP WILLIAM AND MARY.—RESCUE
OF ALL THE PASSENGERS BUT I'I,I4I—SAVANNAH, MAY
30.—We learn from the officers of the British mail
steamer Conway, from Jamaica, &c., that all but two
of the passengers on board the ship William and Mary,
recently wrecked off the Great Isaacs, have been saved.
They were saved by a wrecking schooner, while the
ship was drifting, just before she sank,.--New York.
Ovule, June 1.