The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-07 00:00:00

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.

Sheridan's most laughable of comedies (if comedy
it cin be called) The Critic, was produced at this
Theatre last night, for the first time these nine
years. Many thanks to the fair lessee there, for
we have not enjoyed such a treat for many a long
day. There has been a great outcry of late of the
dearth of new pieces ; but, for our own pall, we
would infinitely prefer seeing The Critic, cast as it
wag last night, to a host of new pieces of the ap-
roved modern fashion ; and the audience seemed
to be of our opinion, for the laughter was loud,
continued, and hearty, and the piece was given out
for repetition on Wednesday, amidst loud applause.
Mr. C. Mathews was the Puff, and, with the full
recollection of Jones in that' character, we must
say we give the preference to Mr. C. Mathews.
Jones's Puff, brilliant, bustling, and humorous as
it was, was wanting in reality. It was an Exqui-
site acting, Puff—there was a want of earnestness
about it. This want is not felt in the Puff of Mr.
C. Mathews. In the rehearsal scene you perceive
at once that he is the author. It is not a gentle-
man acting author—it is the very author himself,
fidgety, nervous, vexed ; by turns irascible and
courteous ; whose bread for the next six months de-
pends upon the success of his tragedy—which
success depends in a great measure on his keep-
ing the actors in good humour. His energetic
corrections of bad readings, and his humble yet
earnest remonstrance against the too free use of the
pruning knife, must, we should imagine from their
vraisemblance, have been studies from nature. In
the earlier scenes, instead of rattling through his
description of his puffs in the careless manner
hitherto practised, he delivered his lecture on his
art as one thoroughly convinced of its importance
to society, and with the enthusiasm which alone
could have enabled him to attain that eminence in

the puffing department on which Sneer compliments
him. In this part of his performance he introduced
one or two excellent hits which told admirably, such
for instance, as a project for making the Thames Tun-
nel useful by turning it into a place of shelter for fish
in rainy weather, and another for inoculating the law-
yers with a spirit of harmony, by letting out West-
minster Hall for promenade concerts. Farren was
the Sir Fretful Plagiary, and a capsicum pickled in
verjuice could not have been more pungent. He
seemed an incarnate spirit of vinegar. The gradual
rise of his choler, notwithstanding his abortive at-
tempts to suppress it, as Sneer repeats to him the
criticism on himself and his writings, was one of
the most richly-ludicrous exhibitions we have ever
witnessed. It was literally getting up the steam.
His exit was superb. Sneer found an able represen-
tative in Cooper ; not a point was suffered to be lost.
Harley was a very laughable Whiskerandos, and
Mrs. Orger an admirable Tilburina. We cannot
close this notice withou t expressing our admiration
of the way in which Mrs. C. Jones acted the con-
fidante. Her idea of making the confidante lame
is admirable, and adds vastly to the humour of the
part. The getting up of the piece is excellent, and
all who admire genuine wit, and would enjoy a
hearty laugh, should see The Critic at Covent-
garden.