The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-25 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

CO VENT- GARDEN.
Covent- Garden theatre opened last night, for the season,
with Shakspeare's tragedy of Coriolanus, brought out with all
those splendid appliances ofscenery, illustrations, and costume,
with which Mr. Macready has already wrought a glorious
change in the representation of Sbakspeare's matchless drama
—throwing into it a new vigour and fidelity—investing each'
particular play with the spirit of its time and country, and sur-
rounding it with such aids and attributes of minor detail as
give justice and effect to the intellectual grandeur of the
poet's conceptions, no less than to the manner, action, and
expression in which the careful and capable actor would fain
fulfil them to the audience, in a form of truth. As usual at the
rising of the curtain," God save the Queen" was sung by the
strength of the company, and encored, we suppose on ac-
count of the theme, for certainly the singing did not deserve
it. Miss P. Horton took the lead rather feebly, and Fraser
appeared nervous, but Miss Rainforth acquitted herself with
fair eclat. She is a pretty improving singer. Imme-
diately after the national anthem the house rang with en-
thusiastic shouts for Macready, who, on making his ap-
pearance, was loudly and heartily cheered. He made a
short speech, as nearly as possible to the following effect :
" Ladies and Gentlemen,—l really am at a loss to find words
to assure you how much I feel this very unexpected honour
and compliment. I will endeavour to deserve it by seeking to
produce the national drama in a manner worthy of it. But I
will not make professions further than to assure you that unre-
mitting zeal, good intentions, and good faith shall be my
guide during the present season." Mr. Macready, in retiring,
Igreatly cheered, and the tragedy shortly commenced. The
nner in which Coriolanus is now brought out at Covent-
garden was sufficiently indicated towards the termination of the
last season, to require any new remarks at our bands. We
have only, therefore, to notice the acting of Mr. Vandenhoff,
who has somewhat distinguished himself in the part of Marcus
Curtius. Our appreciation of his perfoi mance, however, is
not of the highest, though he certainly played it with some
sk;11 and good general effect. Perhaps, too, we should make
allowances for the disadvantage of hoarseness under which he
seemed to labour, and a want of physical power to deliver some
of his finest readings with sufficient energy. For instance,
he " measureless liar," was feebly given, though the rest of
he speech to Tullus, from

" Boy 1—
Cut me to pieces, Volscians ; men and lads,
Stain all your edges on me. Boy!
If ycu have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That, like an eagle in a dovecote, I
Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli ;
Alone I did it. Boy 1"
Was well and forcibly given. His conception of the charac-
ter of Coriolanus war, upon the whole, good, although it
wanted in some of the more delicate touches of art, which it
in one or two instances even violated. It was, for instance, great
bad taste in the scene where he is at once soliciting, yet scorn-
ing, the voices of the mob, to blow along the stage, as if op-
pressed with heat, or offended by the intrusion of some bad
odour. The idea was coarse, and not in accordance with the
classic tone of the character. We are by no means, however,
inclined to disparage the general performance of Mr. Vanden-
hoff, which was both clever anti spirited, and left upon us the
impression that be could have played his pare better, but for
(we hope temporary) physical debility and aff,ction of the
voice. Mrs. Warner deserves high praise for her acting i
Volumnia. She \performed beautifully, and fairly proved the
possession of great genius. Vandenhoff's daughter, as Vir-
gil* appeared for the first time at this theatre, and went
through her character with quiet respectability. At the con-
clusion of the tragedy Vandenhoff was called for, and made
It!s bow to the and ence. After which Mr. Phelp; announced
Cymbeline for Wetinesday, to day bring dies non. The
afterpiece was High Life Below Stairs. The pit was crowded
at first price, and altogether the house was well filled.