The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-15 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY l5, 18 5 6

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.

Professor Anderson in "Rob Roy."

Last night one of the greatest audiences we ever saw
within the walls of a theatre assembled for the purpose
of witnessing the first appearance of Professor Anderson
i❑ a dramatic character. Within a few minutes after
the opening of the doors every available spot from which
a glimpse could be obtained became occupied, and the
general appearance of the theatre at a few moments pre-
vious to the rising of the curtain was one of the greatest
magnificence. The character selected by Mr. Anderson
was that of Rob Roy—a part, by the bye, that he
has performed with great success in America, and, above
all other places, E linbnrgh and Glasgow. Having
created a deep impression by his vivid impersonation of
the bold outlaw in the northern capital, it was not to be
expected that he would be less fortunate in London,
where byhis wonderfully entertaining powers he has made
himself—and deservedly so—a great public favourite.
With a fine commanding presence, and frank, fearless
bearing, he acted with a rough energy and a hearty dash
excellently adapted to the character. To add to the
perfection of his physique, Mr. Anderson possesses a
voice of potentiality, and this contributes in no small
degree to complete so capital a portrait of the mountain
outlaw. Mr. Anderson's Rob Roy is, in a word, a
sound, earnest, effective piece of acting, and one that
pro►es that he would have taken a high his-
trionic position before now had he not devoted
himself to the sedulous cultivation of " Magic and
Mystery," wherein he has achieved an unapproachable
renown. The audience were delighted with him, and
gave him the honours of a vociferous recall at the end of
the second act. The Professor was most satisfactorily
supported. Helen Macgregor was rendered by Mrs. J.
W. Wallack with much dignity, power, and truthful-
ness. Mr. Gourley pleased us exceedingly. He plays the
Bailie of Scott and Mackay, of the latter of whom he is
the legitimate successor in this famous r6le, not making
of it the low comic part it is generally degraded to,
but with just and natural humour ; and for a like
reason a weed of special praise must be given to
Mr. Harry Pearson, for his artistic impersonation of the
Dougal, of whom we ham been generally annoyed by a
repulsive caricature. These two gentlemen showed
themselves thoroughly competent to fill two very (In-
colt parts ; indeed Mr. Gourley's Baillie is the truest
representation of our familiar friend of the Saltrnarket
that any metropolitan playgoer, at least, of the present
generation, has witnessed. When Mr. Sam Cowell was
descried as the groggy Galbraith, a boisterous greeting
was accorded to him, and he might boast of being the
only vocalist encored throughout the night. We were
in dreadful apprehension lest some untimely voice might
be heard thundering from the recesses of the shilling
Olympus, and demanding the favour of " The Rat
Catcher's Daughter," but the deities were decorous, and
satisfied with the repetition of "A famous man was
Robin Hood." Miss Harriet Gordon sang spiritedly, and
Mr. George Perren very pleasingly, although nervous aid
a novice in the business of the stage. Mr. Stuart, as
Rashleigh, looked a villain of the deepest dye, with a
heart still blacker than his boots. The mist en scene Wa I
most praiseworthy. The groupings were formed with
great skill from dense masses of supernumeraries, so well
drilled as must have satisfied the most exigennt con nois
sear in stage effect. Mr. Loder's orchestra did full justice
to the music of the piece, and the choruses were very
creditably given. There is not the slightest doubt that
the revival of " Rob Roy " will prove a great hit for
Mr. Anderson's management. The approbation last
evening was showered with unauimoue fervour at the fall
of the curtain, and not only was the Professor summoned
to enjoy a crowning ovation, but all the leading per•
formers were similarly favoured.
Although the last act was not over until an advanced
hour, few seats were vacated before the close of Flex-
mere's grotesque career in the pantomime, which now,
in a more condensed form, runs to the unqualified delight
of the lovers of rollicking fun. The demeanour and pro-
ceedings of Henry VIII. in the opening, and the ex-
ploits of the Clown in the harlequinade, are irresistible.