The Sun.
London, England, 1835-10-21 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Last night the admirable corm.dy of Much. Ado about
Nothing was produced to a house not, of course, so crowded
as that which thronged to the opening-, but still sufficient
to tell that the speculation of low prices is likely to suc-
ceed. Of Mr. Kemble's Benedict it is unnecessary to
speak.. There is not at present on the British stage a
more finished performance, and last night he was particu-
larly happy. Why will he mar a thing so exquisite by oc-
sional over-acting, or speaking, "more than is set down for
him ?" Shakspeare went to the very limit of probability
in drawing this character, and a single step beyond that line
will make the gullibility of Benedict more than doubtful.
Miss Taylor's Beatrice was an admirable attempt at that
most difficult character. It wanted ease, hut this is a de-
fect which time will cure ; we also hope it will cure her of
a disagreeable stoop, which is very ungraceful. She treads
the stage as if she were looking for something on the
ground. Still she played the part with great spirit and
archness, and contrived to throw into it a great deal of that
quaint humour which forms its principal feature. We have
to quarrel with her also for adding to the text. In what
edition does she find the words " Kill him, Benedict,"
when inciting her lover to quarrel with Claudio? Mr.
Bennett, in Don Pedro, looked the Prince and the Gen-
tleman, and did as much for the character as it is suscep-
tible of. The Leonato of Mr. Haines was a chaste and
clever performance, and Miss Kenneth, as Hero, was de-
servedly applauded .through the trying scene of her rejec-
tion by Claudio. She is a very sweet and unaffected ac-
tress. Dowton's Dogherry was the essence of pragmatical
self-conceit, prankt out in brief authority. As for Don
John, Claudio, and the rest, we should by far prefer to
have that portion of the plot which they eke out told by
a chorus, after the fashion of the ancients, inasmuch as it
would be a shorter and less tedious way of coming to the
conclusion. We must, however, make an exception in
favour of Mr. ?Tian (Borachio), who played a very minor
part in a very masterly manner. The burietta of the Ren-
dezvous followed, and the entertainment concluded with
Robert illereaire, in which Mr. Wallack sustained the prin-
cipal part with his usual excellence.

ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.

This theatre re-opened on Monday night, in consequence
of the extension of the licence till the 15th of January
next, and with a reduction of the prices of admission. The
company is not now competent to the performance of au
opera, most of the singers who formerly belonged to it
having gone elsewhere. In consequence of this, it would
appear, that the title of " The English Opera-house" is
for the present abandoned ; to be resumed, we hope, under
more favourable auspices. The present company contains
some good performers ; and, by a judicious production of
novelties suited to its strength, this " after season" may pass,
over pleasantly and profitably. The new melodrama, The
Muleteer's Vow, is a mixture of good and bad. It ha.;
pathos and humour, striking situations, and a dialogue nruch
superior to what is generally met with in pieces
,of this
kind ; but then the plot is so improbable, that the peasure
derived from the good parts of the drama,- and 'loom the ex-
cellent acting throughout, was, if not neut.-alized, at least
stilly impaired. We cannot pretend
to tell the story.
Serle plays (and plays it admirably,, the part of a true melo-
dramatic brigand—a being p(r..sessed of every virtue, but
driven out of the pale of .ociety by cruel and undeserved
wrongs, inflicted on 1.:;on by a powerful and wicked noble-
man, his vow to -.avenge himself of which, forms the subject
of the piect;, Miss P. Horton is the brigand's wife ; and
this very clever young actress made tLe part one of the
sareete-st representations of feminine tenderness and heroic
self-devotion that we have ever witnessed. There is an
English Alderman on a tour, with his daughter, and au
English groom. The fun of the piece consists in the r-1-
derman and his groom (Romer and Oxberry), and a fop of
a French Count, a lover of the young lady (Mr. Wiodes)
falling into the hands of the banditti, and being 'kept in
.aortal terror of their lives during the captivity. Miss No-
vella, as Sophonisha, the young Englishwoman, introduced
two songs, which she sang beautifully. Alin; I'Lichardson,
prom the Glasgow Theatre, made her first appearance in an 4
)11 Gipsy woman of the Meg Merrilies cast, and spoke V
ter grandiloquent souteoces with good emphasis and erect.
h, the whole, the rtorformance was exceedingly gor
•ernaining orkereamments consisted of My
tut' 71/4e Dice qf Death. The house was wail

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