The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-02 00:00:00

E THEATRES

TH.

COVENT-GARDEN.
son last night in the character of Hamlet. He was welcomed
by the most enthusiastic plaudits. It seems to us that Mr.
Macready has given his last and finest touch to this character
by throwing into it more of that elastic lightness of manner
which, on some previous occasions, we have desiderated. With
deep feelings, ample reflectiveness, and the consciousness of a
preternatural destiny, Hamlet is anything but ponderous or
r9Paose. He is of a buoyant spirit. There is a levity that
deli He
to play around the grandeur of the greatest minds.
Infinite nature itself i 3 often spertive amid its majestic works;
%inlet is impressible to the last; and we believe that the
churchyard rhymes about " Imperial Caesar dead and turned
to clay" rather smack of a mock heroic revulsion than continue
the ingenious speculation which introduces them. Hamlet
_loses none of his dignity by the quiet smile on the lip and the
humorous comment in the eye by which the actor makes
him confide the mental sarcasm to his college companion
zand chosen friend Horatio. Mr. Warde played the Ghost
ost impressively. His clear, deep, monotonous enunciation,
varied by any tone of passion, and only diversified by just
emphasis enough to mark the meaning, sounded like a voice
from the grave. The words " Remember me," after his
form had sunk from sight, were as if an unembodied spirit bed.
made the air articulate. The reverent earnestness of the ap-
peal to the Ghost, as given by Mr. Macready, its freedom
from all weak fears or Unnaturally alternating emotions, and
the subdued manner of Horatio and Marcellus (Mr. Serge and
I‘lr- nerve) in the few words they exchange with him before
they become alarmed for his safety, imparted an extraordinary
reality to this scene, making as palpable as can be imagined
the influence of a supernatural presence. In the celebrated
Thiecitl3', the abstracted and inward tone at the commence-
-at; the irregular step, as of a frame whose movements
trtsre undirected by conscious volition ; the upturned face, and
'e.3'e that would read in the heavens the secret of futurity,
calamities, and the self-accusing emotion that is veiled in the
terms of a general reflection ; as these again melted into
the• loving confidence of the greeting to " the fair Ophelia."
,When that innocent but ductile tool of others offers Hamlet his
letters and love-tokens, Mr. Macready's look of surprise is im-
Inediately followed by one of suspicion ; his keen glance
round intimates the suspected presence of concealed listeners ;
and the question, " Are you honest ?" the forlorn exclamation,
I did love you once !" and the fixed, searching look after the
demand, ,‘ Where is your father ?" reveal to us the bitterness
91 wronged affection, tampered with where it trusted, foiled
dl,ll attempting to touch the heart it prized, and almost mad-
ened by finding that not only friendship but love could be
'isted into the web of guile and guilt, wherein power sought
tor entangle him. It was reserved for Mr. Macread) 's per-
'3rMance to vindicate Shakspeare in this scene which critics
/lad actors have so often given up as inexplicable. Aggra-
yated by the falsehood of all except Horatio ; teased by
Incessant attempts to pluck out the heart of his mystery ;
Perplexed with doubts of the supernatural appearance; and
ll.houlated by the opportunity which the players afforded
14no, the actor rises with not less truth than feat ful effect
Into a state in which real excitement beyond all rational con-
pPtrol blends with the affectation of „antic disposition," and he
aces the stage with hurried and triumphant gesture, as one
abstain at present from any more of these.
The Part of Gertrude has been restored to its rightful im-
portance and interest in the play by the acting of Mrs. War-
, She invests it with dignity and appropriate feeling
Cr9tlghout ; and gives powerful expression in the closet scene
„°, Its assumed boldness, wild alarm, reflected terror, and ago-
r.izing humiliation. The Ophelia of Miss Rainforth is an un-
etending performance, but cold, and in part feeble. The
„imPle bewilderment of her distraction is touchine-, and the
a°l,latches of songs were sweetly sung. The wild rush out,
her her last song, is very effective. Mr. Serge (Horatio),
e-.11,rt Diddear (Claudius), and Mr. Anderson (1 aortas), ex-
sctF.d themselves very creditably ; as did Mr. Tilbury, whose
trebel senility gave, in characteristic propriety, precedence to
second over the first Gravedigger.

ADELPHL
The appearance amongst us of a party of Bayaderes is not
the least remarkable of the wonders of this our age. As mere
objects of curiosity they are in the highest degree interesting ;
!s a class they are described to be perfectly distinct from the
INa.utch girls of Northern India or the Alme of Egypt, the
equivocal character of whose evolutions has excited
so much
horror in the mind of virtuous Europe. The authentic Baya-
otiere apear to form quite a separate class amon the
°es s ; they live under the peculiar protection of theirrulers,
and are attached, for the most part,
i to the service of the Pa-
godas, taking a prominent share n all the religious cere-
monies. When not devoted from their birth to this pro
fession they are commonly selected for their great persona
beauty, their sparkling vivacity of temper, the elegant con-
tour of their limbs, the lightness of their form, and the ease
and gracefulness of their movements. Of all these quail&
teations the Bayaderes now !before the public appear to us
by-0 be possessed in a high degree. These nymphs are
e •
ri in number, and are accompanied by three musi_
ti-:-lacabse.rry:rhey come front Tironvendi, a small town a(
Pon-
saptii .• The eldest of the ladies is Tille- Amal (Amal
ovrt,o
country, Her
who is understood to be a rich woman in her
Her age is stated at thirty. The second lady,
irnbhdoojuatptioelsesses the euphonious appellation of Amany- Amal, is
thauteteyn. years of age, and is a charming specimen of
Saound iroun- Amal and Ramgoun - Amal are
between fourteen and fifteen years of age ; and the dancing
sees?' is completed by Veydoun, a little girl six years old. The
.0e clans
. are severally entitled Ramalingani, Savaranim, and
;PPea.,., v-neYagoroun. One of these, an old man, of a very imposing
rance, who acts as poet and chorus-master, beats the mea-
„u4 °ll a pair of diminutive cymbals, and chants a sort of wild
Poem, the argument of the dance. One of the other musicians
plays on a tom-tom ; and the third blows a kind of pipe. The
orchestral accompaniment is certainly of a very primitive and
butdescription, each instrument giving utterance
tout to one single note. The dress of these females is most
rgeous and picturesque. They are loaded with jewels from
::41ad to foot, having not only "rings on their fingers but rings
stntheir toes ;" their necks are adorned with carcanets, their
jees with bracelets, and their ancles with chains of gold and
r,els enriched with precious stones. They also wear nose-
hi that have, it must be admitted, but an odd appearance
E '
it,. . uropear eyes. They wear a sort of stays made of very
4cllble materials, which are covered with thin plates of gold
Ltd silver, and studded with jewels. Around their eyelids
t4lll/Pears a black circle, formed by drawing a bodkin between
thent While closed, in order that both lids may receive the tint of
C Powder of antimony which is placed on the bodkin. This
oWe •
sts hir is said to have the effect of refreshing the eye and exciting
ker:s.re ;whatever the cause, certain it is that we never beheld,,
4. 10.7 ustrous orbs. By way of petticoat 'Lley. wear the "lungee, tea an Piece of silk or cotton stuff, which is girded round the ' Aar and comes down to the middle of the leg. The upper.
im 'fitting closely, marks with great accuracy the roundness
Swell of the figure ; and, tapering away to the legs,. gives
Gr,„Le°se flow to the lower part of the " Lungee," which thef
the`‘ statuaries were so fond of expressing in the drapery of their2Ytophs. Loose silk or cotton trousers are attached. to
lekvst by a rich girdle • they also wear an open Test, whirls
hillfewBthe arms exposed nearly to the shoulder, and descends
thethe b.aY down the breast. The space between the girdle and
order of the vest is uncovered. A scarf of flue muslin,
rall.ilented with flowers and gold embroidery, surrounds the
slioilie,' and falls gracefully before and behind over the left
the fare These scarfs are of various colours, according to
frorn.‘tley of the wearer. Their dances require great attention,
act iii`me Performer's ankles being hung with small bells, which
or go beaneert with the music. Their steps are not so many
hattheb°lluding as those to which we have been accustomed ;
kost ti„lre exceedingly graceful and interesting, and give the
Ivhich the"net expression to all the various emotions of the sou tight ;y are intended to exhibit. Their representations last
4tbrag--„ere :----" The Robing of Vishnu," by Saoundiroun and
4. incr:,-11„; " The Salute to the Rajah," by Veydoun ; " The
4,1tutte°,;28,..1-iatnent " by Aman • " The Carrier Doves," by
k4,b.tare-'untlii:oun, and ‘R. Yan'ig.oun ;
." The Maloupou, or
‘'`u, e pie Dane by Amany, Tille, saoundiroun, and. Ramdgo.unn.
`oese ee which has been got up as °a
vehicle for intro uc, g
bl,s,v eastern charmers to a British audience is entitled, ~, The
elow°l raviaah, or the Hindoo Widow," wherein a Hindoo
tffintense from the funeral pyre of her husband by
air -`ervention of the British troops. It is a tiresome
41e re 4"
Nir• Yates will do well to abridge it materially.
Eger au in.troductrysketeh, in which the enterprizing
13' e 1,,, sets forth his negotiations for the possession.
dottee, $a sets
and his triumph over the rival candi-
ft 11 4:l°ngst whom he represents, whether accurately
411aitteltti'0 Porte andilacready to be, and of them. he gives
ill„tltliee 11,,5' Ia the latter case a considerable portion of the
h,l'ilrehe.-,,Were at first disposed to take umbrage at what they
-mueh f,i-tlmed to be an ill-natured hit at one who has done so
l;.lttes (II tbe British stage • but matters were made up on Mr.
ais
4•4stinctly disavOwir ' any such intention, and expressing
Ilighesrt4l ichniration of N'lgr. Macready's great talent, and the
wc:irti4teilfie.esprieocrt for his character. We must not omit to notice
s its hintg.the recess the Adelphi has been greatly improved
aPpearance, and in its accommodation.. Its
1N44 Possible •lessees have done everythina• in this way which it
p,,lslele for them to do. A new° roof has been made,
tittareat additional facilities have. been added behind the
e- Ili h
th" the
ex ehouse was crammed in every part •. and such
5 Ca. citement created by the eastern novelty, that
Oh„ Qat,.
er4lse of" Were completely blockaded long before the
safe).the doors. The Bayaderes were entirely suc-

tatty seeped
, OLYMPIC
4 pia nor city was produced here last even)
/ It has
the t• °` Haynes By 1 ''s from Scribe's Manuals CE;? • .
n.i_m___an aclap-
pite:le
of MischilvOus' Eyes, and was played as the second
traps The story is veryjmeagre, and the equivoque more
e
rah ~_rent than laughable. The music, notwithstanding the
orde;°_?. Mademoiselle Puget, did not rise above the com
t_
4 few of French melodies—and we all know what th.ee, wi h
to itideleePtions, are. Mr. Manvers sang parts of it in a way
Agate lice the audience to moderate their transports, and hiss
tottld-shAYlor the rest, well enough to assure us that she
/tith ate sun
better music a great deal better. She played
tettinBrtlart confidence, and promises fairly for the house. The
tite tps! up of the affair did great credit to the management.
Ittis,"eerY being well Painted and the appointments good.
O fete . everything tends to show us that there will be no want
theatper.ti°rl in this department to maintain the reputation of the
The teny ....a.----
lt . k-aed

_
'Me,. :lien_
Journal yesterday gravely tells its
4elkvi 8 that Mr. Wyse Was brought to Cheltenham to en-
itto °III' by sin
I. y the
.to :t.i..;-
_ kit :4 ant faiLli and (.•:;tablisli I.3c,rory on it, ruins 1
to, 1010'84re/illy toes rich. Its absurdity, we should think, is
even for No-Popery swallows, ample as they are.