The Sun.
London, England, 1824-11-17 00:00:00

TIIE DRAIIIA.-(LETTER III.)

Ma. Eamon—lt may be right for me here, on
account of what I have already written, at well
as for what I hereafter may write, on the sub-
ject of modern Theatrical Management, to en-
gross and enter upon record, which I hereby do,
my solemn protestation against all intention of
personality, or individuality whatsoever. It is
to the existence of the fact, not to the particular
practice—to the system, not to the accidental
discharge of duties and functions, I speak to ;
to the anal-administration of the Managerial
Chair, not to the installed Principal that I ob-
ject. The spirited Manager of Drury Lane, and,
Committee three of Covent Garden, wills less
partiality, are probably as diligent and efficient
in the discharge of their duties as their prede-
cessors for the last twenty years have been, or
their successors, for the next twenty, are likely
to prove.

With this caveat, and that admisson upon re-
cord, I proceed to observe, that the different
classes of performances now in exhibition before
the public, though censured by many, ought not
in fairness to be liable to blame. Variety seems
necessary to, nay, is the very life-blood of thea-
tric enjoyment. hamlet, Venice Preserved, and
Othello, however excellent in their kind, cannot
be for ever before the eyes of an audience. The
pit will yawn at the perpetual embodying, even
Sir Peter Teazle, old Dornton, Don Jerome, or
Sir Anthony Absolute.--Like the homilies of the
Lecturer, the draiiiatis personae of the Stage
must be varied and contrasted. The occasional
show, therefore, of Scenery and Spectacle, the
muineries of pantomime, the sound of sentiment :
even the vagaries of Mother Goose, a Cataract
from the Ganges, the tricks of a Chinese Sorcerer,
the exhibition of real horses, or the display of
roof walking, let us not too fastidiously criticise
—provided, legitimate drama, upon the whole,
preponderate. It is only with the latter we are
at present engaged ; and here, it must he con-
fessed, Managers might do much in leading or
chastening public taste, as well as in awakening
the genius of British Tragedy from the slumber
which bath so long oppressed her. But in prefer..
ence to this, they seem far more anxious to cater
for whatever will gust the palate of the audience—
in indulging the whims, than correcting the ab-
surd eccentricities of Mr. Bull. That personage
(however variously designated) must, at all
hazards, he coaxed and kept in good humour.—
indeed, it must be owned, he is at times a way-
ward wight, not over-patient of controul or reproof
even from his friends and well-wishers ; but
often apt (as Mrs. Malaprop would say) to be
extremely abstrepolus in his conduct, and whim-
sical in his desires.

It may be argued, in vindication of this
charge, that the Theatre is but the mirror of
public opinion *in matters of taste ; that if the
general voice were loud and decisive in -its .con-
demnation of this or that class of Plays,
or vice
versa vehemently and audibly expresSive of par-
tiality for any other given class, that Managers
would succumb, cheerfully
obey the mandate,
and dismiss or Introduce accordingly.
.Were the
public voice, ,indeed, audibly expressive of dis-
like or approbation, it would unquestionably be
listened to and obeyed ; but ItS still small"
whispers remain unheeded, if not vociferated from
the lungs'of a Siemer, hn their search after no.
velty, it is safer and 'easier for Managers to
keep 111 the beaten track, than to hazard experi-
ments in a path unexplored ; to ,have recourse
rather to those pieces, Tragic; or Comic, which
have been popular in their day, than' to encourage
attempts at originality which may terminate in
failure. With 'certain curtailthents and alters.
Lions, a modern audience will not dare to hiss that
Which, Ichas :been recorded, that their fathers
applauded Sixty years -ago. They will at least
listen to it attentively as o picture of the old
school of manners or of wit though perhaps they
repetition.biti 0 i the But
elde
May not be desirous to witness its 'too frequent
sr cayo,mfoerd instance, i s
owrare; thathet
h aetxohui

1 manners, conversation, fashions, modes, and ideas,'
have been revolutionized since the plays of Dry-
den Congreve, Vauburgh, Farquhar, fcc. had
possession of the Stage : that, independent of the
new channels into which ridicule and wit are
turned, grossness, indecency, and immorality so
pervaded their scenes, as to render their repre-
sentation before a modern audience unwise—
impracticable. Impressed with these facts, let
an author, in his zeal to produce something
original, try his powers on a Comedy, in which
the follies and vices of our own time shall,
in another vein of humour, be sketched and
reflected : he will find it difficult, if not
impossible, to present it to the public through
the medium• of the Stage. Managers will not
assist him in this, unless to them it is apparent
that a fair chance of remuneration for the ex-
peaces they are likely to disburse awaits them.
This is a trade (profession, Sir, if you will), and
trades and professions must, by consequence,
be attended to. Attend to it, then, I say, as
business ought to be attended to, for one de-
partment of the concern at least is not con-
ducted with regularity and attention. Let a
register be kept by a clerk of the house of
those pieces offered for representation, in which
shall be engrossed the name, description, dra-
matis persons, date of presentation and of ex-
amination, together with remarks on the merits
and fitness of the composition for the Stage ;
and let a duplicate of this be delivered to
the Author, in reasonable time, accompanying
the returned MS. And this, Sir, would be no
more than a mark of their attention (fully due)
to those writers who favour them with their cor-
respondence.
" What," say Managers, " all this trouble and
fuss about a new piece, which, ten to one, after
all, is good for nothing ? We have matter of more
consequence to attend to ; our time is too valua-
ble to be thus occupied, day after day, in criticiz-
ing new works. The mass of manuscripts in our
house, have already accumulated to a sufficient
height—when we shall be able to get through them,
God knows !" Yes, Messieurs Managers of
both houses, I believe you there ! the mass of
unlooked at. manuscripts in your possession await-
ing your highnesses' leisure, have indeed accu-
mulated to an•unreasonable height. And, Gen-
tlemen, when you and your authorized assistants
find time to examine into these said manuscripts,
pray, what degree of attention do you think it
necessary to pay to their contents ? If any spark
of genius appear—if one half of a piece be ex-
cellent, and the rest of it only partaking of the
error of haste or inexperience, will you commu-
nicate your opinion to the Author ? Will you
afford him the satisfaction of stating your reasons
why the Play he has offered to you has not been
accepted ? or say, that, after certain alterations
have been made, you will again be ready to take
the work into consideration ? You will do none
of these things. Were it really a production of
merit, if it did not suit your immediate purpose,
or came not recommended by one of your fa-
vourite Actors, with a character ready made for
him, to draw on like a glove, a prime fit, you
would give yourselves no trouble in the world
about the matter, but return it with the
usual laconic answer—" We are sorry your
Play does not appear calculated for representa-
tion."

Nor will writers, though high in promise or
established reputation, be exempt from this evil.
Mr. Lacy, speaking of the author of the Bride's
Trugedy,Mr. Beddoes, expresses a hope, from the
early ability he has already displayed, that " he
will devote himself to the Stage. For," con-
tinues Mr. Lacy, 44 no tragic writer declines this
ordeal, but he who is inwardly conscious he
should burn his fingers in the trial."* No writer
of Mr. Beddoes' promise will devote himself to
the Stage for any length of time, constituted as
its management now is. Mr. Beddoes will not
consent to enter the Green Room, as a habit-
maker, to take measures of Mr. C., Mr. D., or
Mrs. F. (not for cloths, but) for characters !
But Mr. Beddoes must do this ; and Mr. Bed-
does, moreover, must manage to convince the
Manager that his (Mr. Beddoes') plays will draw
—not a waggon, but a house, or the dramatic
effusions of Mr. Beddoes' Muse, though backed
by the commendations of John Lacy, %%ill not
often make their appearance on the boards of a
patent theatre.
" When will Authors abandon the folly of
writing for the Player instead of for the Public?"
is a question that has been frequently asked.
Why, Sir, they will begin to think about it,
when Managers will consent to receive their
writings and embody them on the Stage ; till
then, they may as well keep their ideas in their
scrutoirs ; or, if that is considered insecure, in a
much safet repository—their own heads. And
this many of them have done, and will continue
to do, until a reformation (" devoutly to be wish-
ed ") of Theatrical Managetnent is brought
about.

Nor, Sir, let it be urged in contradiCtion to
this, that4nediocrity. and tameness characterize
the productions of the day ; that the hands of
Managers are .filled with works of this descrip-
tion, and that, to select from such a mass, much
that is lit for the Stage becomes imPossible.
Granting this in part to be true ; who, or
what is the cause that mediocrity and tameness
characterize the domeitic writings of the day ?"
Managers, Sir, themselves ,(i. e. the system of
management, I have already abjured person.
ality), must place-to their own account the
heaviest. share of responsibility on this head.
For, by refusing to communicate, cooperate with,
or assist writers of genius who have honoured
them by an offer of their works for representa--
tion, they have succeeded at last, pretty effec.
tually, in banishing talent from the service of the
Theatre, and substituting mediocrity in its stead :
and I prove the charge by reference to the sick.
ly diseased banilings of Melpomene and Thalia
they long have been forced to adopt ; and by
daring them to produce at this, moment froth
amongst their supporters—With bu rprizi og 1 y few
exceptions -t--a leisitithate drama worthy of the

•,oth Letter to the Dramatists of the day. London Map.
line, Dcc. 1023.
tVirginius ; and, in the walk of Comedy, one or iwo of minor
note is all I am disposed to allow.

name, tragic or comic—be the choice in their on
arbitration.
Neither, Sir, let it be said in extenuation I wish
Managers to drag forward on the boards all the
maudlin, sentimental, declamatory, monotonous
unimpassioned stuff that modern gentlemen (and
ladies), in their anxiety to serve the public, may
think fit to scribble as an amusement for their
leisure mornings. I demand not that. Let all
such be returned in quick time, with due civility,
and with a refusal couched in as peremptory
terms as they chuse. lam not the advocate of
this dramatic Della-crusca school, but hold, oit
the contrary, that much care, great attention, and
nice discrimination are necessary on the part of
Managers, to enable them to form a right judg-
ment on those pieces presented to them for re-
presentation. I am also convinced, that the
multifarious duties and avocations of Alanagers,
put it out of their power (were they indeed so
inclined) to bestow that care, attention, and dig-
criminating exercise of their judgment on the of-
ferings of Authors, which the employment de-
mands. In truth, I rather wonder they havenot
sooner invited assistance and co-operation in the
difficult and delicate discharge of this official
function. The cash department—the cert,i!ia,
nightly expense—the salaries—the engagemenVi
various Performers (themselves one)—the assign'
ment of parts—the balancing and adjusting the
f
rival claims—the choice of performancesth
o‘lvafiiiioatues taste
osteroacstrohittei
lc%fiivslimtlismasunapdt: ds
le)icreaectpttriyoi co;
usual studying of adulation, servility, and sacrifice
gether with an acting tour or two in the heat of *
the spare hours
of our industrious and indefatigable hlanagers•
Occupied incessantly with so maul Pursuit':
and existing in the constant heat and fever et
such a bustle, can the prosperity and improve-
tnent, Sir, of our national Drama be safely trus.t.
of Mr. Bull, to-
et] to such hands ? Bow long ill: wilYteil°tllatintel,e
stand still and look on, till all that is nob fice?le anc!
national in our Dramatic Literature be sacri
to the interest or vitiated taste of an elective a.naas
,
temporary management." We know,, Sirr 11
tare
tlly
1,
Garrick, yet green in talent, was prema
0
driven from his direction of Drury-lane by
weight and pressure of the charge. Have his sae
cessors acquired the secret of lessening 11,1(..
burthen, or, have we learned the patience to sou
mit to their trials and experiments for effectsug
so laudable an end ?
proof not easily to be refuted, First, That ,
sole criognhctlusoiofnj,udSgirii,
Ohfoldthiet established)
tbble
Authors, in the higher walks of
pecially, and selectina therefrom, entirely on
la heir
own responsibility, what appears to them.
_a
calculated and fitted for public representairc:vvo.
the stage, is a task above the capacity of 100
gers. Second, That they (Managers) are a reff.,
the task. And, lastly, That this practice's P
oPa
:tent with the worst consequences ; injurinuLosi
derogatory to the high character of oer Orli of
production
the
p roabevesir..,
Drama ; and, that a remedy for, or nalli,s,lld°oc,
the evil is now loudly and imperiously ce"s s
*Wt
the
havepres
pressure
eapologize
temporary
thery inaa t)ti
b:
Agta-
for being obliged to postpone this letter -
le
count of f
Boston Journal mentions-the 00'
a feet 13
a truly noble green turtle, about 50ve,,,„0,1.:
length, and which weighed upwards ofP'. the
It was taken off Cape Ann, and sold 01
Boston market.

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13th inst ,
ohofileooti h,Teesdale,
nr:giitl::lictetooini Epejdi
..................on
the '...—""'"".''..--.---
John
of a. son.
_ MARRIED. „,10I,0.1'_,,cre
pool" by the Rev. Joseph Clay, Henry CloYl E,,Sti;:t4P o,„lsa„,i'
oscs'aeroly,ye.::nothtlftycepobllclyLititei:laEfinrnsacFsgasetent,l,tßecc itroafT.tu:HrpNiuciVilsiatorle.3mntreei.unaryix;:rtelroL:ll,lolll4l:!;‘)ftj'f:sj;:.hi
beth, second daughter of the late John Le-4N o''''' °
h S''
On Saturday last., at Pontefract, by the Bev. v• only cissg".
ter of 31r. John Fox, of the same lac
beth,On daughter of
Moore: Esq., M.D._, of Lincoln's: inn-fields, !Ando:I:1:0e, in
~
the above county. Pel'
At St. Ann's church
fth
jeohllntiltvinasit.itun, ats-G,
Ewseqnnaopf,sCcoor:iwei to fps,
, Westminster, Ss el \Volta , dge,
MU ikehl4o i
Esq:, eldest son of Liutenant-Colonel .LacY, of Se' of 14r'
Cumberland, to Miss Emily Shade, second daughter ,
Shade, of Sobo-square. ell tb'
At Gretna Green, Mr: Joseph Clarke,
of Aslcbaui, 3g flight
to :Mica Hall, aged 22. This is the old entleman whhiro,Quse-
to Gretna we recorded in our last. Miss Hall was e.loav
keeper. On Thursday last the ~ loving couple" Ifell r ~ on
sled at Askham; near Lowther, by the Rev. R. --rrubg°:ilisge
which occasion a large portion of the inhabitant* of t
__owl
assembled, and accornptuned the bride and bridegroom raj of
home, with most obstreperous expression.; of joy.—a I"
music; ringing of bells, ite. &c.--( Carlishl Patriot. i
slco:riaoeetfleden:dath:LnetrEedinello:q4;:thiihn‘i,?ni.nsunistdt..l,oac,nakat,
rtißrnibeahilseeriroiliBlloa,Esudtetih ysaestaexri:eclikl7l3.n.A.):ceyer:::c°::::
Richard Hoo I)%4"
Yesterday morning, the 16th hist ,at his re is 31r.
e.iiSrtri)eetfil:l:, t 1:g .2-1:10°)::
Yesterday. morning, at Hackney-mills, Lez_briagv,
Shepherd hillick, Esq.
Per. olltes-ifitettelfird.rshm'ouoinsfell;thooeo:pdtarirtarhoontlY Coley, O' jibe -
the Stilt
Printed and Published for the PROPRIETORS, at
ln _,
•..
Outer, No. 112, Strand, by J. B. RS,