The Sun.
London, England, 1814-01-27 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DRURY-LANE.—,-Mr. KEAN, who has long been
distinguished as an actor on provincial boards,
though but a young loan, made his first appi.ar-
ance last night at this Theatre, in the part of
Shylocic. As he was preceded by a high report
of_ Fame, he was received on his entrance with
marked and reiterated applause. After this cheer-
ing welcome bud ended, and he had fully testi-
fied, by ..his deportment, a sense of so flattering
a reception, he entered upon the character, and no
subsequent applause which be excited induced
hint to desert the- part which he had assumed.—
Mr. KEAN. is below the middle stature. O his
figure in general We could not judge, as it was
covered by the lewish attire ; but be 'has a very
expressive countenance, and a marking eve. His
voice is clear and powerful in the middle tones,
but is not so in, the upper notes. He has the
merit of playing from his own conceptions, and
there was no trace, of a copyist from any •liv-
ing- performer. His deportment was easy, but
was rather too theatrical and redundant fur
" Old Shylork," yet if he was rather too
agile for a man dark, gloomy, avaricious, and of
rooted malice ; lie seemed to be fully possessed of
the text and qualities of the part. In several pas-
sage,s,.. without affected refinement, he either.
threw out- new lights, or gave peculiar exnres-
siva to what -had not been so emphatically
marked by his predecessors. •He was, per-
hap, dot quite -so successful •in the scene
after the flight of his daughter, as • in the
other parts of the character, owing to his voice
becoming thick When he speak's rapidly ; but still
be displayed in that great energy and is
address to the Duke vas forcible and impressive,
and his exultation at the apparent success which
awaited him was well contrasted with the dejection
which followed his disappointment. We did not
well understand the manner of his final departure,
which was a stern and steady gaze at Gratiano,
for having been baffled in his hope ofrevenge, de-
prived of half his property, and doomed-to forsake
his " sac.-ed nation,". his mind might be supposed
to be too much occupied by conflicting emotions
to admit an expressitin of' so long condoned and
intense resentment, or contempt, for a character
chiefly distinguished-for Upon the whole,
M.r.'KEAN is likely to become a very valuable ac-
quisition to the,Theaare, and the Manager de.
serves much approbation for having produced so
able a Performer to the metropolitan stage. The
applause of the audience was frequent and fervent
till the conclusion of his performance, when long
continued plaudits rewarded one of the most sue.
cessful debuts in the higher line, of acting we have
ever witnessed. We should not -omit noticing
that the Whole of Mr. IcEmst's bye-play was ad!!
mirable. •

COVENT-OARDEN.---A crowded audience as-
sembled here last night, iii expectation of the new
Opera, entitled The Rirmer's Lrife; W. which a very
favOurable report was generally prevalent ; but
printed bills were iosted up at all the- avenues,
impOrting, that on account of the alarming illness
of a principal Performer, Miss MATHEWS, ALIO
new Opera Was unavoidably postponed, and the
substitute .was Love in a Village: This explana,
tion was by no means satisfactory to the au-
dience, and therefore, on this rising of the cur.
Lain, a a violent opposition took- place, 'chiefly in
the Pit ;at length-it was deemed necessary to
drop the Curtain, and Mr. FAWCETT made his ap.
pearance in thedress ofJustice Woodcock The tumult
'increased on his entrance, and it was some time be-
fore be could be heard. He Stated, that Miss MA,
THEWS had -for some days been indisposed, 'inso-
much that he boll requested her to ler the Opera •
he pOstponed ;- but her zeal to discharge her ditty
to the theatre and the. public hat: induced her to
resolve on performing her -part. But her fever
had increased. to much this day, that her medical
adviser (Mr. JOHNSTON, of Mortimer-street), had
absolutely prohibited her appeal-a-nee. He con-
chided with saying, -that every effort 'had Inert
made that the time allowed, to apprize the public
of the intended change in the periormacee, and'
that no money was to be taken withontinfOrm-.
ing the visitor of the circumstance which had so
unhappily occurred. Mr. FAWCETT then' with*
drew, amidst mingled approbation and disgust,
though the former was obviously predominant
The play then recommenced, but. there was still
so much opposition as to, throw Mist Si.ErftExti
into evident agitation. At- letigth all hostility
.sulisided; and', the Opera went off with its usual
success. Mrs. ORG an, from the other theatre,
acquitted herself respectably in Lucinda..

The Earl of ilAnnowtiy, the Lord President, is
es ccteLl 173 town on Suturally-, from Staffoectsito,