The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-21 00:00:00

DitURY-LANE THEATRE.

Last night the glorious tragedy of Macbeth was pro-
duced at this theatre in far better style than has charac-
terised any of the former displa3s of the presznt Manage-
ment ; and we believe we are intlebted for the improvement
to thu superintendence of Mr. Macready, who made his
appearance as Macbeth (the first time these three years
at Drury .lake), and was supported by Phelps as %e-
-clat, and Mrs. Warner as Lady Matbeth. The house
was crowded to the slims, to 'much so as to become
oppressive from heat. The first reception of Mr.
Phe Phelps way
s
71
r°esadt wencouraging,arm,
g us,enearioidthat of Mrs War-
nerand enthusiastic.
After the fine overture by Spohr, the tragedy com-
menced, and, as it proceeded, developed some very good
scenery, the utmost 'richness and elegance of costume, and
a perfection its the musical illustration
such as we have
seldom before found in conjunction with the impressive
grandeur of the more absorbing passages of the tragedy.
The wild, superstitious, and imaginary were never more
powerfully and beautifully blended with the tragic and the
grand. The first chorus of the singing witches, which in-
cluded. among many others, the voce of Leffler, Morley,
Peuset, and Frazer, Mrs. A. Croft, Miss Betts, &c. was
admirably got up, and elicited an almost unanimous
encore. The scene with the spirits was also well
managed both as to dramatic effect, scenery, and song, H.
Phillips taking the part of Hei.ate. We can, indeed, cor
dially praise all the musical illustration of Shakspear's
romantic imaginings in this wonderful play. Macready
sustained the character of Macbeth to the evident gratifica-
tion of the majority of the audience, who called for him
loudly at its conclusion, and cheered him to the echo. For
ourselves we do not think him great in the part; but criti-
cism is unnecessary, as his performance is familiar to the
public. Towards the climax of his fate he displayed the
utmost energy, and was in some of his readings finely effec-
tive. The passages in the earlier part of the tragedy
which he gave best was—
" One cried God bless us,' and Amen' the other,"
and Macbeth found himself alike mentally paralysed by the
prayer and the response. Much of the fine moralising of
the tragedy was tamely given; but the death-scene of the
murder-haunted soldier—with its contrast of innate bravery
with the fear of superstition was acted with animated
vigour, and trod upon the heels of genius. Mrs. Warner
as Lady Macbeth, deserves high praise far much of her per-
formance. A portion of the scene in which she confirms
her husband into crime was magnificently given. Her
voice is against her, but in passages of scorn she is finely
expressive, and often bursts grandly into passion. Phelps,
as Macduff, rather over-ranted the scenes in which he
rouses the guards of the murdered Duncan. He was,
however, very good in demeanour and delivery at the fol-
lowing point

31Acn. He has no children.--.All.m3:pretty ones !

Did you say all ?—Oh, hell-kite !—All'?
What, all my pretty chickens, and their dam,
At one fell swoop?
DIAL. Dispute it like a man.
Mien. I shall do so;
But I must also feel it as a man.
lie was greatly cheered, and it was altogether his best
hit. Both be and Mrs. Warner were called for after the
performance. The subordinate character; were respect-
ably sustained. Mr. liaynes's new play of Mary Stuart
was announced for Wednesday evening, and Macbeth for
repetition on Monday next.