The Sun.
London, England, 1832-10-05 00:00:00

DRAMATIC LITERATURE.

(Evidence before the Committee.)
Mr. WILLIAM DOWTON called in and examined.

At what theatre are you performing now?-1 am not
playing at any theatre at present.
Is that fiorn your own wish ?—No ; after liking 36
years at Drury-lane, I have no theatre where I can act at
present, unless occasionally by breaking the law, and
acting at a miner theatre.
You have been in the room during Mr. Kean's evi-
dence ?--I have.

Do you coincide with the greater part of it ?—I am asto-
nished at Mr. Kean's opinion, because when I am told
that actors can be as well seen inDrury-lane theatre as in a
smaller theatre, I can as well believe you can bang a cabinet
picture on the top of that tower and say, "Do you ob-
serve those beautiful touches, do you observe its lights aed
shadows ?" " No, I cannot see it all." That is my
opinion as to the stage. Give me a theatre of a moderate
size, where you can be natural.
Flow many years have you been on the stage ?—I think
I have been upon the stage somewhere about 40 years.
You consider, therefore, you have had great experience
as to the merits of an actor ?—I think I have.

Have you ever seen Mr. Kean perform at the Hay-
market?—No, I have not.
Have ou ever seen him perform in a small theatre ?.
Yes, in the country.
Do you think be performs as effectively Clete as at
Drury-lane or Covent-garden ?—Much snore so to my sa-
tisfaction.

How great a proportion of the audience at Drury-lane
do you think eaa see and hear well ?—I think it was said
by Mr. Kemble about two-thirds at Covent-garden ; I am
mush of his opinion with regard to that; they may hear,
because the actor knows he must be heard ; he must
bawl if he cannot be heard by speaking naturally.
Do you conceive in a theatre moderately large, a theatre
cf the size of the Haymarket, a play like Julius Cesar
could be as well performed as it could be at a large
theatre ?—Much better.

Not mil} as regards the merit of one actor, but as re-
gards the whole body ?—Yes, the whole body, I should
think, if they have any pretensions to acting.
What effect do you conceive it would have on the art
of acting if the monopoly of the two great theatres was
broken up. and the legitimate drama was allowed to be
played at the minor theatres ?—I cannot exactly say; I
think a number of theatres would be injured ; but I dM
inclined m believe if the theatres were le,s, and there was
another theatre, a fourth theatre licensed, it would be
beneficial ; but I think to throw it generally open would
be ruinous to the greater part of those who embark in
theatrical speculations, for the consequence would be, as
so many adventurers embark in theatres that in the course
of two or three years one half of them would he in gaol ;
because it is very extraordinary, that though one man
takes a theatre for a few years, and leses a great deal of
money while he has it, yet others will take it, and they
will also become bankrupt.
Do you not think that that exists at this moment ?
Yes; such is the rage, that notwithstanding that, you
will find another and another who will embark in theatricals.

Do you not think that the circumstince of so many ad-
venturers and speculators without fortune embarking in
theatres, arises in some measure from the anomalous state
of the law, which renders them all in fact out of the pale
of the law ?—Yes.

It it was not against the law to be the proprietor of a
small theatre, do you not think a more respectable class of
persons would be willing to embark their property in
them ?—I do, most decidedly.

Then you think to break up the monopoly would be to
cure the evil with respect to the number of bankrupts and
speculators embarking in the minor theatres ?—I am not
prepared to answer that question exactly, because I can•
not judge. Ido not know that breaking of the monopoly
would do that; I have already said I think since the great
increase of London, another theatre or two would be ab-
solutely necessary for the entertainment of the public ;
and, indeed, with respect to the monopoly, it was always
considered a monopoly by Mr. Sheridan. I have heard
him adroit a thousand times—" It is a monopoly, we do
not deny it ; but if it is broken in upon, we think we are
entitled to compensation." That it is not a question for
me to answer, but it is perhaps a natural thing they should
look to it after having been encouu aged for so vast a num-
ber of years in having this monopoly; and it would be a
hard thing to be broken in upon wi bout some remunera-
tion.

How do you think that remuneration could be obtain-
ed ; should it come from the minor theatres ?-1 think
the question was asked Mr. Davidge whether such a
plan could not he hit upon. I am unable to give any
opinion upon it. I remember a very few years after
snare
the
elld size dea
olf
Drury-lane was built, Mr. Whitbread did me the honour
of on
I r Dunn and
ome othersl consulting
about me
a
atliolengthweiath Atre, and always
said—" Your house is too large ; you are laying out too
much money in building the theatre ; it can never
answer ; you can never ate a return for it ; 250,0001.
or 270,0001. is too much." The theatre went on, and
became excessively involved in consequence, and the last
time I saw him, a few days before his death, he said—
" Dowton, I always considered you a good-hearted fellow,
but a wrong-headed fellow. You said the theatre would
never answer ; you are a true prophet, and my golden
dreams are over ; you have been right in your advice ;
c in you tell us what to do?" I said—" I think the only
thing you can do is to apply to Parliament to dispose of
your theatre, and that they should do so by Covent-garden ;
get rid of it, and let it be thrown open, and get a theaire
on a smaller scale, for this theatre can never answer."
The encumbrance is so great a burden, the immense sums
laid out in building. I think a theatre, to answer all the
purposes of the drama, might be built for one-fourth of the
sum they laid out in those immense buildings. I am at a
loss to imagine how they came to lay out so much money
when they saw that the former theatre, Sheridan's theatre,
as it was called, failed from the immense sums that were
laid out. I remember Mr. Sheridan saying the day after
the fire, " There is one consolation ; as the theatre is burnt
down, and we must build another, we must build a theatre

where we can be seen and heard, and not p to such a
monstrous expense in future."

I think you say you are not of opinion the 'monopoly
should not be broken up ?--I.);) you ask me as to the jus-
tice of the ctse?

In any point of vew ?—I think if there is another the-
atre, perL•aps I speak selfishly, perhaps I could get engaged
in it, and therefore I should like to see another theatre,
for althou4h I have a great respect for the managers of
the theatres, I think they have used me excessively ill.
You think it would be to the advantage of the theatres.
that now exist ?—I think if a theatre of the proper size
was built in addition to these, it would run them down, it
would he a frigate that would run down and destroy these
men-of war : for I firmly believe if the drama were repre-
sented there, people would go where they could see and
hear.

There are some theatres now existing where they can
see and hear 2—None that are authorized, I believe, ex-
cept the Haymarket.

Tiiere is the Coburg ?—Tnat is net An authorised
theatre ; though it is licensed by t!e magi,trates, I do not
believe it is of any effect. Ido not believe the magistrates
have any power to licenfie a theatre.

I thiiik you arid it would be h3rd upon the patent
theatres if the monopoly were broken up without some in-
demnification ?—I shotni think so, without some indoat-
nifie:ition.

But you were at Drury-lane for Sti years acting, gml
not then complain of tie site of the theetre?—Always.
rem.-mber first coming into the theatre. I played with Mrs.
Sisdons in the country, at Weymouth particularly; she
was oceessively kin I to me when she came to the theatre
the first night I played.
Whilst you were acting at Drury-lane, did you complain
of the siz of the theatre ?—Yea ; I was going to state,
Mrs. Si:dons said " I am glad to see you at Drury lane,
but you are come to act in a wilderness of a place ;" and
God knows, if I had not made my reputation in a small
theatre, I never shquld have done it hire ; but the public
gave me credit for what they saw the do and heard me say
at a small theatre. All the actors of that day, Mr. Charles
Keinble, who wag a young min as I will at that time, can
remember that Mr. K'ng never went on the stave, without
cursing it, and saying it was not like a theatre, and if
G trick was alive he would not act in it.

Did you find the public complain of the siz-: of the
theatre at that time ?—Yes ; that they could neither see
ner hear. Tee Eke was always a great complaint, and is
ow. I am astonished actors do not hear it wherever
hey go.
Were the theatres well filled at that t'me?-Yes; at,cl
I believe they woul4l now if they were conducted as they
were at that time.

II there were four theatres ?..—Yes ; and I differ from
Mr. Kean upon the subjmt. If there were 24 Mr. Keane,
I would en4-ge them all; for I never knew a theatre to go
to any expense in actors that they were not repaid, and the
only rime chat Drury-lane hte succeeded has been when .
they could pick up all the talent throughout the kingdom.
If they were equally well conducted, they would equally
well succeed, in spite of their size think they would
succeed in some degree, because they do so at present,
ti.ough not so well as formerly.

At former periods they have succeeded in spite of their
size ?—No ; they have been !ailing. off these last 30 years.
Before they bega❑ to fall off, they were filled in spite of
their t‘z. ?—lt was after the destruction of what was called
Garrick's theatre. From that moment the drama began
to decline at Drury-lane. What was the reason pieces
succeeded so well at Covent-garden ? It was because the
theatre was less and Drury-lane was large ; they ran
down Drury-lane completely.

. _
Do you fiappt.n to reeolle:A what the size of G irriek's
eieatre teas?—No, 1 do not ; I think it was about the
s'ze of the Haymarket, from all I have heard of it. Mout'
300/. or 350/. would fill it a: that

How much will the present Drury-lane hold ?—I be-
lieve 6001. or 7001., or upwards.
In sort, double ?—Yes, it is double. How any man
can play better where he neither can be seen nor heard I
d not know, for no man can be seen or heard naturally at
these theatres.

If the monopoly were done away, do you consider that
in the minor theatres the legitimate drama would be sub-
stituted for those smaller pieces, interludes, and such as
are performed there now ?—That I cannot pos,ihly say ;_
there perhaps will be a descliption of people who will
follow that species of entertainment which is performed
at the minor theatres. The fact is, that some of the
minor theatres just now do perform the legitimate drama
in hfiance of the law. •

If it were legal, they might perform it much
.more;
would that be the case ?.—Yes, if they had actors, I think
the legitimate drama would always be attractive; but the
persons who used to attend the theatres 20 or 30 years ago
do not come now. I know many of the highest cha-
racters, who say, " We do not come to the theaties now."
His late Majesty, George the Fourth, said to me, when I
had once the honour of seeing him at Brighton, " I do •
not go to those theatres because they are so large; I am
not couifot table." .. •

Is not the objection, that at the large theatres they
cannot twe or heir, and at the s:pall theatres they cannot
get the description of amusement they admire ?—Yes,
that description of persons.

Da yciti not ;hint; the general performance of the legiti-
mate drama would improve the public tas.e?—No doubt
of it ; and that is the reason of the falling off, for at the
time I mention there were eight or ten actors of the first
class. I do not speak it frstn any unkindness to my
brethren, but there are no such actors now ; theatres
have been managed by persons who are perfectly strangers
to dramatic affairs.

At what theatre did you first appear?—Du you mean
as a novice?

Yes.—l placed in a barn at Ashburton, in Devonshire,
or a cow-house; I believe it was not so good as a barn.
And from thence you have gained the reputation you
now enjoy?—lf you are pleased to allow me any.
Has not the greater part of your theatrical career been
pamsed on th•e boards of the major theatres?—Yes; 36
years at Drury-lane ; never at Covent-garden.
And therefore you are indebted for your reputation to
the boards of a large theatre?—l played, I think, for two
or three seasons at the Lyceum theatre, which is navy
burnt down, and I got more into reputation with the
public during those three years than I have done during
the whole of ti e time besides.

If you were to study your own feelings of what is best
for your reputation, you would prefer a small theatre to
a large theatre 7—Most undoubtedly. I have heard the
contrary from Mr. Kean, who ought to know as well
myself, but I never heard it before.

ENORMOUS STURGEON.—Among the latest
novelties at Toulouse, it is mentioned that a fish of ail
species was caught on the 7th inst. in the Garonne, the
weight of which was 96 French pounds, fully 104 pound'
En.;l sh. The utmost strength of five men was tequired'W
master the resistance which this fresh-water monster made
o his ciption.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—On Friday a shock' .
ing accident uccurred at the Arthurlie Mill, Barhead.
mae who was cleaning one of the windows of the mill 00S'
side, standing upon the sill, was speaking to sorncafueroso4,,,
inside over the top of the window, when having ti
heat/ to far in, his neckcloth came in contact with one 0.1,
the revolving shafts of the machinery dose to the
ind he was drawn inwar,iialblw,witthhhielesho much rapidity thatbi:
head was in a moment severed from his body, and rolled
in
tolii.reidtrupnrokeefseslloofudtween::::
slight
the idnetgerreioersicdrattl:ehernd
upon the ground. The head and face were not in the
.
tation.— Glasgcw Cowrie .

BIRTH.

On th,

te Ist inst. at the Bishop's Palace, Rochester, the it
the Rev. Robert W. Shaw, Rector of Cuxton, of a son.

iy 0.

MARRIED. 'of
On the 3d inst. at Woburn Sands, C. S. Crowley Esttohn
Croydon, Surrey, to Mary Anna_ daughter of the fate e''
Morris, Esq., of Ampthill, Beds. .
On the 4th inst. at St. Pancras New Church, George S. ILlh
burn, M.D., of Duke-street, Portland-place, to Caroline, food
daughter of the late Anthony Cardon, Esq.
On the 3d inst. at St. John's, Hackney, VY. J. Lancaster, 94.1:
of Walthamstow, to Judith, youngest daughter of the late Josef'
Lancaster, Esq., of Great Yarmouth.
On the 4th inst. at St. Giles's, Camberwell, G. A. HerkintS'
Esq , 'M.D., Surgeon in the Hon. East India Company's servi,e.:
Madras Establishment, to Mary Ann, eldest daughter of in
Williams, of Grove-lane, Camberwell. go.
On the 4th inst. at St. Margaret's, Westminster, Lewis
bert, youngest son of John Bellamy, Esq., of the House of C?1'170
irons, to Harriette Jane, second daughter of the late Willl3
Gunnell, Esq., of Margate.
DIED.
On the 28th ult. near Bedford, after an illness of two days, of
72, Joseph Foster Barham, of Trecwm, in the county of KC e,
broke, Esq. He retired from public life about ten years sinem,
having been previously, for nearly 40 years, a most efticie-
Member of the oof Commons.
On the 2d inst at Mudiford, Christchurch, Hants, Jane, the
wife of Sir George Shee, Bart. • rd
On, the 4th inst. Mrs. Mary Flower, the wife of EcNa
Flower, Esq., of Upper-strret, Islington. the
On the 2.1 inst at Newland, Glocestershire, Mary Ann,
d
wife of the Rev. George Hidout, LL.B., Lecturer of NewlarD:,,s,
On the Ist inst. at Barkway, Herts, after a protracted
William Cor Esq.
aier-
On the 4thnwell inst,, in Hanover-terrace, Regent's-park. - ers,
General Sir Alexander Bryce, K.C.8., of the Royal Engine
alter a few hours' illness.
On the 29th ult. at Kennington, in the 73d year oilier. "Bo!after a long and painful'illness, Mrs. Margaret
.Feake, relict
Edward Thomas Peake Esq. Joh°
On the at 'Cambridge-lodge, Hackney, Mr.
Turtle, in the 83d year of his age. .40
00
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