The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-01 00:00:00

DRURY LANE TH

,A,TRE.

We had the pleasure of again witnessing Mr. Charles
peekmance of Richard. 111., at this theatre last
evening, and certainly, in the present day, the stage
does not pospess his equal. His conception of the cha-
racter isliperfect. Richard is a fated being, and towards
the close of his career he becomes more than ever sensi-
ble that destiny is more powerful than he; but, unlike
Macbeth who is weighed down to the earth by the
Weight of-his destiny, and loses all decision of character
or firmness of purpose, Richard wrestles boldly with
his fate to the last, strives to be the master of circum-
stances instead of their slave, and thus, although feared
and hated; is respected for his. indomitable courage even
by his enemies. Mr. Charles Kean, it is evident,- thus
conceives the character of Richard, and his delineation
of it is masterly. Admirably did he act the scene with
the young Princes. The sense of his deformity hung
nPnnliim like an incubus, it was evident that he was
Monised by the sneers of his little nephewi Richard of
York, (ind.most truthfully did he delineate by tone, by
gesture, Old by look, the morbid sensitiveness of one
touched to the quick;yet striving to hide the wound which
is rankling in his heart's core. As he proceeds he warms
in the part. His destiny, at first darkly shadowed forth,
becomes more horribly destinct to his mental vision
after he has attained the throne. He remembers Henry
the sixth's prophecies, and feels that his star is fated
to succe.Mb to that of Richmond; but, unlike Macbeth, he
gives not way to despair, waits not to be baited in his den,
he is- up and stirring; and although for an instant Richard
May give way to misgivings, he is speedily himself againt
Nothing could be finer than Charles Kean's manner of
fiving the tent scene. It was perfect—equal to his
ather's,, and that is the highest praise that can be
bestowd upon any actor, for the world never saw
Edmund Kean's superior. His dying scene was also
magnificently given. It was full of genius throughout.
After he has been twice thrust through by Richmond,
he still xushes on _to the fight ; he, raises his sword to
Cut his adversary down—the weight of the sword is
too great for his palsied arm—it drags the arm back,
but still he retains his grasp. Never was the struggle
between mental energy and physical weakness more
heautifully'exemplified. He concentrates his whole re-
Maining foree—the arm obeys the mind—the sword is
again his servant—he aims a blow, at his adversary,
and, 'exhausted by the effort, falls dead. He was ad-
mirably supported by Hudson, as Richmond. Mr.
Hudson is incomparably the best Richmond that we
ever remember to haye seen. His elocution wasbeau-
tiful—his action graceful—and there was a soldier-like
freedom, a gallant bearing in his manner that spoke of one
Whose lire had been passed in courts and camps, a
brave and open-hearted soldier, the soul of honour and
of courtesy, .a chevalier sans peur, sans reproche. No ex-
pense has been spared in putting the play upon the
stage ; the costumes are gorgeous, yet most critically
cerrect ; the arms are those of the period ; and, look-
ing at the groups of bilimen and archers, the banners
and standards, the nobles and the retainers, we can al-
Most fancy-ye see the figures in some richly-illuminated
°ld manuscript, walking from off the vellum, and strut-
ting and• fretting their hour upon the stage. The
Marching Hof Richmond's troops across the bridge.
and , their subsequent deploying, was managed with
great military skill, and the battle of Bosworth Field
was admirably delineated. The appearance of the field
after the fight, covered with the dying and the dead,
With fragments of armour, and broken blades, was pic-
turesque in the extreme, and conveyed a more correct
Ines .of what we imagine a battle-field mast be " when
the tight is o'er" than anything. we have ever seen.
The house, as might be expected, was crowded to excess
in every part. 'Not only has Mr. Bunn commaitded'
success 'during his present theatrical campaign, bat he
has done more—he has richly deserved it.