The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-26 00:00:00

THE HISTRIONIC CLUB.

Susan

The members of the " Histrionic Club" presented
their patrons w ith a very attractive performance last
evening at the St. James's Theatre, consisting of The
Printer's Devil, the first three acts of Othello, and Cap-
tain Stevens. The whole of the entertainments were
successful, and the respective performers were rewarded
by the applause of a very elegant and crowded auditory.
Mr. Kiddie, who plays a varied round of parts, appeared
for the first time as the Moor, his porformance of which
may certainly rank amongst his most successtul efforts.
He has evidently studied the character most assiduously:
many of his readings give evidence of great discern-
ment, and his delivery of the pathetic passages
was marked by the most delicate feeling. lie
had an admirable lago in Mr. B. Palmer.
The scenes in the third act, between these two gentle-
men, were carefully and truthfully conceived, and exe-
cuted with great tact and ability. The Cassio of Mr.
Ogilvie was exceedingly good, and the hilarity of the
drunken scene well kept up. The smaller characters
were all carefully acted, and the play received every as•
sistance from elegant costume, and very splendid stage
appointments. Mr. Ford sang, with much humour, " I
have lost my child." In Captain Stevens, Messrs.
Ogilvie, Peters, and Ford distinguished themselves by
their faithful representation of their respective charac-
ters, as did also Miss de Burgh. Messrs. Kiddie and
Palmer were summoned before the curtain to receive the
male! compliment. Mr. Kiddie announced that the
fourth performance of the season will take place on
Thursday, February 22, when will be presented The
Merchant of Venice, fir the purpose of introducing Miss
41,, Burgh, a very talented young lady, in the character of
Poi tie; the evening's entertainments_ to conclude with
She Stoops to Conquer.

GOSPORT, FRIDAY MORNING.—Her Mdesty's
m ship, Espiegle, 12 guns, has arrived. ()n her departure
Iro the Cape of Good Hope all was quiet in the in-

terior.
ARBROATH.-Our staple trade presents very flat-
tering appearances at present, and should they prove
sound, a rise in the wages will ere long take place.
Another large work, we hear, is about to Le erected by
the Messrs. Gordon, of Burnside, and some of our
steam-power factories are beirig enlarged. Altogether,
it 15 long since we observed such bustle at this season of
the year.—Dundee Courier.

E DRAMA AT WINDSOR.
the Chronicle.)

I.nst • s-rie:i of drarmitie pertormartes•
at Windsor t_a,tle was brought to a close. Tie
little "season," if we may so call it, has been, in
every point of view, a most successful one. No hitch
whatever has occurred in any department. The
Royal party have, on each occasion, expressed unqua-
lified satisfaction with the entertainments; while—
whether the fact be in any degree owing to Court
patronage or no—we believe we may state that at no
period, for years back, have the London theatres been
so well attended as during the few weeks of the
Windsor performances.
The exertions of Mr. Charles Kean have been thus
gratifyingly repaid. He has spared no pains in render
ing the performances committed to his care complete
and artistic in every particular, and that he has suc-
ceeded seems proved by the hope generally expressed
that a similar series of performances may take place at
Windsor next winter.

Perhaps a compact statement of the pieces lately
produced may not be out of place in this concluding
notice. There were two Shaksperian dramas—The
Merchant of Venice and Hamlet; one foreign tragic
play—The Stranger; three light comedies—Used
Up, an adaptation of L'Homme Blase--The House-
keeper, by Douglas Jerrold—and Sweethearts and
Wives, by Kenney ; with two farces—Twice Killed,
an original piece by Mr. Oxenford ; and Box and
Cox, a very clever adaptation, as we believe, of two
French vaudevilles, by Mr. M. Morton. These pieces
have exhibited the flower of the Haymarket, the Ly-
ceum, the Adelphi, and Olympic companies.
The two dramas acted last evening were Douglas
Jerrold's comedy of The Housekeeper, and Kenney's
comedy of Sweethearts and Wives.
The Housekeeper is comparatively little known.
Like most of Mr. Jerrold's plays, it was brilliantly
successful at first, but has failed to keep possession of
the stage. It was revived, we think, at the Hay-
market, in 1841 and 1842, but cannot be called a
stock piece.
The Housekeeper; or the White Rose—it had origi-
nally a second title—was produced at the Haymarket
Theatre on the 17th of July, 1833, with triumphant
success. The comedy is a good specimen both of
the character and the fate of the majority of Mr. Jer-'
rold's dramatic productions. Brilliant as it is in dia-
logue—full of caustic touches of nature and at nature
—abounding in quaint bits of character, and stuck
over, as it were, with aphorisms, full of whim and
wit, it has yet little dramatic vitality, because it has
little dramatic power. The scene is laid in London,
in the reign of the First George ; and one of the
numerous Jacobite conspiracies which signalized the
time forms the groundwork for a couple of acts full
of pungent and thoughtful wit ; but undramatically
constructed, and terminated by a somewhat common-
place denouement.
The following is the' cast" as the comedy was re-
presented last night :
_. _

Sidney Maynard
Tom Purple ...
Simon Box
Father Oliver
DaguPrre ..,
Benjamin ...
Laval ... ..,
Christopher Layer
Bin (a porter)
Officer ...
Felicia

... Mr. Charles Kean.
... Mr. A. Wigan.
... Mr. Buckstone.
. . Mr. Webster.
... Mr. Boyce.
... Mr. Cullenford.
... Mr. 0. Smith.
... Mr. Worrell.
... Mr. Muny ard.
... Mr. Lindon.
... Mrs. Charles Kean.

Sopliy Hawes ... ... Mrs. Flumby.
Widow Duckling ... Mrs. W. Clifford.
The piece went oft with great spirit. Mr. and
Mrs. Kean's impassioned scenes, and the comic
" hits" of Buckstone calling down continuous ap-
plause
and
hearty
laughter.
. .

For the amusement of those who are curious in
such matters, we give the original cast, by which it
will be seen that three of last night's artists—Mr.
Buckstone, Mr. Webster, and Mrs. Humby—retain
their original parts. The characters were allotted in
1833 as follows :
Sydney Maynard,.. ... Mr. Vining:

Tom Porpl;

Simon Box
Father Oliver
Daguerre
Btehjamin ...
Laval

Christopher Layer
Bin... ... ...
Officer ... ...
Felicia ... ...

Mr. Brinda

... Mr. Buckstone.
... Mr. Webster.
... Mr. Gallot.
... Mr. Coveney.
... Mr. W. Johnson.
... Mr. Bartlett.
... Mr. J. Cooper.
... Mr. Eaton.
Mi•s Taylor.

Sophy Hawes ... Mrs. Huinby.
Widow Duckling... ... Mrs. Tay !cure.
After the Housekeeper came Mr. Kenney's comedy.
Sweethearts and Wives is ten years older than Mr.
Jerrold's play, having been performed for the first
time, at the Haymarket, on the 7th of July, 1823.
It was then called an " operatic comedy," and con-
sisted of three acts ; but it was last night curtailed
to two. Sweethearts and Wives is well known,
having formed a regular stock-piece ever since its
production, and being very frequently played in
country theatres. The characters were last night
allotted as follows:—
Admiral Franklin
Charles Franklin
Sandford
Billy Lackaday
Curtis ...
Eugenia

... Mr. Frank Matthews.
... Mr. Boyce.
... Mr. Conway.
... Mr. Wright.
... Mr. Cullenford.
... Mrs. Gill (late Miss
Fanny Vining).
... Miss W oolgar.
... Mrs. Frank Matthews.

Laura
Mrs. Bell

... Miss Ellen Chaplin.

Nothing could have been more successful than
last night's representation. Mr. Frank Matthews
and Mr. Wright were greeted with the heartiest
merriment and applause, while the artistic acting of
Miss Woolgar seemed to be fully appreciated.
The cast which we have given above does not
include a single original representative of the play,
which was first performed by the following actors :
Admiral Franklin ... Mr. Terry.

Charles Franklin
Sandford ... ...
Billy Lackaday ...
Curtis ... ...

... Mr. Vining.
... Mr. Davis.
... Mr. Liston.
... Mr. Williams.

Eugenia ...
Laura ...
Mrs. Bell ...
Susan

Miss Chester.
Madame Vestris.
Mrs. C. Jones.
Avliss Love.

It will be seen that last night's entertainments
were supported by the Haymarket and Adelphi com-
panies, the only exception of note being that of Mrs.
Gill, who, if we mistake not, is a member of the
Marylebone troupe. The Adtlphi was the only house
shut upon the occasion. At the conclusion of the
performance a message from her Majesty conveyed to
Mr. Charles Kean a warm expression of the pleasure
which the performances had given.
It is understood that Mr. Grieve has received
instructions to superintend the removal of the
theatre, and to restore the Reubens' Room to its
original condition.
(From the Times.)
For the last month the plays acted in the " Reubens'
Room" at Windsor Castle have afforded a fertile topic
of conversation to those who take an interest in the
proceedings of the Court, and those who discuss the
fluctuating fortunes of the British drama. The fact
that the Sovereign bespoke a series of English
theatrical performances as a recreation in her own
palace has had at least the charm of novelty to re-
commend it to the attention of the curious. Fancy
has wandered back to the days of Elizabeth and the
first James, when such means of amusement were not
uncommon, and perhaps wandering forward has
argued that a new stock of dramatists, worthy to
compete with those of the Elizabethan era may
spring into existence from the effect of the Windsor
theatricals.

With respect to the series of performances just
concluded, it seems to have been conducted in the
very best taste, and to have given unequivocal satis-
faction to the distinguished auditors. Mr. Charles
Keen, under whose direction the whole has taken

Mace, Mr. Grieve, the head of the decorative depart-
ment, and the principal performers, have all received
the special approbation of Royalty, and there is no
doubt that an entertainment adequate to the Royal
wishes has been provided on every occasion. The
courtly assembly seems to have laid aside that frigidity
which is usually the characteristic of private theatri-
cals, and to have applauded with the zeal of a money-
paying public thoroughly pleased with the return for
its outlay. It is a fallacy to suppose that a theatrical
exhibition can go on briskly without applause. Ap-
probation is the meat, drink, and spirit of the his-
trionic artist, and his professional life without this
aliment constantly bestowed is a dreary waste with-
out an oasis.

With the large .public—the public outsidd the
Castle, the question a propos of these theatricals is,
whether or not they will confer a benefit on the
English drama. That the benefit will not be of that
immediate palpable nature which would result from
half a dozen royal visits in state, and the
crowds consequent thereupon, must, we think,
be conceded by any impartial person.
But, at the same time, we are inclined to
think that an indirect benefit to the English theatres
is far from improbable. When the highest personage
in the land considers that an English dramatic per-
formance is such an entertainment as to merit the
construction of a stage in her own drawing-room,
with all the appurtenances of a regular theatre, the
opinion that the native drama is unfashionable re-
ceives an authoritative rebuke. The plays that are
acted at Windsor Castle are the same that may be
seen at the Haymarket and the Lyceum—the actors
in the Reubens' Room are precisely the same indivi•
duals as those who appear on the public boards—and
it would be absurd to say that an entertainment which
occupies a high rank at Windsor, loses that rank
when it comes to the metropolis.
The very circumstance that theatricals are now
generally talked about is in itself likely to be of
advantage to the English drama. A certain elevated
class of the public, by shunning English theatres, and
:dapping English critiques, might soon lose sight of
the native drama altogether. But now the plays and

the actors are forced upon the attention of the higher
orders fr(An a!;,,tl,er.
.point. He who studies the pro-
ceedings of the Court has an English theatrical pro-
gramme thrust into his view; and the same course of
reading which tells him that her Majesty took an
airing also informs him that Mr. and Mrs. Kt an
play Hamlet and Ophelia. The crowded state of the
principal theatres would seem to indicate that an
awakened interest for theatricals is already taking
effect.

That many private controversies have arisen re-
specting the formation of the theatrical company at
Windsor Castle, we are perfectly aware. Some have
considered themselves unjustly excluded; others, al-
though admitted, have thought themselves diasadvan-
tageously placed. These controversies, which are al-
most infinite in number, each involving its own
distinct point, are not within our province. That
every one of a class should be satisfied when a selec-
tion was to be made was mathematically impossible.
The right and wrong of each individual case is a
matter of separate discussion, and much more
concerns the parties themselves than the public before
the lamp.
In conclusion, if the Royal theatricals at Windsor
give an impulse to the drama which proves advanta-
geous to its professors, we only hope that the ex-
ertions of Mr. Charles Kean may not be entirely
forgotten.
(From the Post.)
The last of the series of dramatic performances at
Windsor Castle took place last night. The pieces
selected were Douglas Jerrold's drama, The House-
keeper, and Kenney's comedy, Sweethearts and Wives.
the Queen has, upon each occasion, signified her
gracious approbation of the excellence with which
the several pieces have been acted, and has especially
complimented Mr. Charles Kean on the admirably
artistic manner in which all the arrangements have
been completed. ' The patronage which has been
thus bestowed by Royalty
will give an impetus to the
drama, and place its professors at a higher status than
heretofore ; for already has the efficacy of the illus-
trious example been tested by the full and fashionable
audiences that have flocked during the last month to
the theatres. That there exist persons who view the
plays at the palace with jaundiced eyes, we know—
that inordinate self-love has been bruised, and vault.
ing ambition disappointed, is equally probable; but
this was to be expected, for the vanity of histrions,
like
itthe
mustirribteabbiolirtnye i
ofn poets,mind that is as old as Horace.
But

" Eery log of wood maketh not a Mercury."

The selection of Mr. Charles Kean as director en-
sured the wished-for consummation. With scholastic
attainments, polished manner, honourable conduct,
dramatic knowledge, and theatrical eminence, there
was no gentleman connected with the stage so well
fitted for the appointment conferred upon him by. ber
Majesty, and the result has proven the wisdom of the
royal choice. We believe it is the intention of the
Court that similar performances shall take place next
year at Windsor Castle, and that Mr. Charles Kean
ypar
will be retained in his present distinguished position.
Nothing could have gone off better than the pieces
last night; Buckstone, as Simon Box in The Mouse-
keeper, andivWiver
Wives, kept
pats in Sweet-
laughter. The usual gracious message from her Ma-
jesty, expressive of ber entire satisfaction, was deli-
vered to Mr. Charles Kean. Nearly every seat was
occupied. The Royal Children sat on the steps of the
thßeillryo Lalackadtayy, in roars of
dais, and retired at nine o'clock.