The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-30 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

Romeo and Juliet was produced at this theatre lag;
evening for the purpose of introducing Miss Susan
Cushman (sister of the Miss Cushman, who acted the
part of Romeo), to an English audience. Had we
not, many a time and oft, been delighted—delighted
is not the word—carried away—by the acting of
Miss Cushman in Shaksperian characters, we should
have hailed Miss Susan Cushman as the greatest
actress of the day. True, she is as yet unformed—
true she has some of the technicalities of the stages
yet to learn—yet, her Juliet, taken as a whole, is
more true to Shakspere than any Juliet within our
remembrance. There is no conventionality about—
she takes the text of her author, and gives us her
own interpretation of it; and genius interpreting
genius can never be far wrong. Her genius is essen-
tially tragic. In the earlier scenes there was, per-
haps, a want of that abandon which tutored
actresses throw into the part, and which is,
after all, conventional ; but when the girl
becomes the woman, an impassioned, loving,
self. sacrificing woman, Miss Susan Cushman was
very great. The balcony scene was given with an
intensity which we should look for in vain in other
actresses. It was evident that she loved—loved
earnestly ; her whole soul was in love with Romeo
and this intensity was kept up throughout. Her
acting in the scene in which the nurse tells her of
the result of her interview with Romeo was very fine.
There was no trickery about it. It was evident that
her love for Romeo absorbed every other passion ;
and instead of showing herself off as a comic actress
(which is too often the case with debutante Juliets),
she made no effort to disguise her impatience. Love
was the all-absorbing passion of her soul. The scene
in which Friar Laurence gives her poison was magni-
ficently given. She hung upon him, and seemed
greedily to devour his words as though they were the
words of life and death. Horror, at the part
she was called upon to act, was depicted in her
every look, her every action, and when at last her
love absorbing and overcoming every other passion
"screws her courage to the sticking place,"
she was magnificent. The soliloquy before taking
the draught was very fine, and her look and action,
as her imagination conjures up before her the frightful
visions of the charnel-house, was thrilling. There was
a dead stillness throughout the house, which was
crowded, and there was not one of that vast assem-
blage who did not feel with her and fer her.
Taken as a whole, Miss Susan Cushman's
debut is the most deservedly successful which we
have witnessed for years. There is an impassioned
intensity about her acting which carries the spectator
along with her, and almost paralyses criticism. But
what shall we say of Miss Cushman's Romeo ? Many
a time and oft has Romeo been murdered, but never,
since the youthful days of Charles Kemble, has
Romeo been acted on the English stage until last
night. It was a bold attempt for a lady, even for
Miss Cushman, to attempt the part of Romeo, but
faint heart never yet won favour, and the bold attempt
succeeded. Would that this gifted lady could in-
fuse some of her spirit into our actors, who eschew
Romeo as an uphill part. It is theic own cold blood
that makes it an uphill part. They lack " that quick
spirit ;" that intensity, that passion, that pathos
which is required to bring out all the beauties
of the character. These did Miss Cushman
infuse into the part. Ay 1 and there was
no lack of manly bearing and daring courage ; she
was the very Romeo that Shakspere drew. So true
is it that genius is of no sex, that none
would have discovered she was a woman. Het
wooing was overpowering. Her passion, when,
condemned to banishment, she learns the doom
in Friar Laurence's cell, was irresistible ay,
as irresistible as the terrible earnestness of
attacks of the fiery Tybalt and the courtly Paris.
The Misses Cushman were called for at the conclu-
sion of the tragedy, and greeted with rapturous and.
well-deserved plaudits. The nurse of Mrs. Glover,
and the Friar Laurence of Mr. Stuart, were both
admirable. We cannot say as much for the Mer-
cutio of Mr. Moll; the Mercutio of Shaksptnra
I „ag a finished gentleman.

TILE B.ISIXTS.—We have had a great number of
equilibristes of late years, who have attempted a class of feats
which in some cases have become popular; but we are in-
debted to Professor Risley for introducing an entirely novel
style, which is
.extremely pleasing in its effect, and which
shows the true poetry of motion. Professor Risley and his
two sons made their first appearance at Drurplane Theatre
last evening to one of the most crowded houses of the season.
They were warmly greeted, and received enthusiastic ap-
plause throughout their performance, which was remarkabi?
clever. The feats were all accomplished with much ease and
grace, and reminded us of the same school of artistes to which
the xrial Taglioni belongs. Bouquets were thrown upon tl.e
stage ifrom the private boxes, and the Risleys retired arablit
deafening applause from all parts of the house.
The annual present of fruit to the Lord Mayor
from the Fruiterers' Company, was sent last T hursday.
ou It
consisted of twelve bushels of the finest apples that c 4
be selected ; one bushel was also presented to the sworle
bearer.
ActerATtcs.—During the last season there were 112
boat races, 67 sailing matches, and 54 regattas.
On Saturday last, J. D. Llewelyn, Esq., and a
party of three or four friends, in a sporting excursion on the
Penllergare estate, bagged seventy-four head of game in the
course of a few hours.—Cambrian.
BANKS AT BANEURY.—The old-established bank
ing firms of Messrs. Cobb and Messrs. Gillett and Tawney
have announced their intention of retiring in April next, the
business being merged into one chartered banking company-
The London and County Joint-Stock Banking Company have
announced their intention to open a branch at Banbury....
o.2:ti)rd Journal.
Messrs. Ditchburn and Maire, the celebrated iron
steam-boat builders of Blackwell, have just completed their
extensive improvements in their press-shops and other de-
partments of the building, the whole of which work has beets
executed by Mr. Chapman, of Lambeth, on whom it reflect*
great credit.
[ADv ERTI SEMEN T.]---The far ve of Holloway's-I)n.,
in the cure of headaches, dimness of sight, deranged stomachs,
and disordered livers, as likewise in restoring strength and
vigour in cases of debilitated constitutions, is so great, that
even in the East Indies the different castes and natives are
taking but little other medicine than these famous Pills. Oro
native agent in the Presidency of Bombay sold lately, retail,
fifty-three dozen boxes in fifteen days. The extraordinvi
cures performed by these Pills, when all other means fail, a
truly wonderful. Females will find this a most admirable
medicine.—Sold by all druggists, and at Professor Hollows/ 4
, establishment, 244, Strand, London.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Plymouth has
received a letter from Lord John Russell, acknowledging the
receipt of the memorial from the inhabitants to her Majesty,
praying for the abolition of restrictive duties on the impor-
tation of food, informing them that he h, - tansmittel
to the Secretary of State for presentation ','si -rAlaleatr,,,,, >
4S.C; --1-.V.--.<
Deronport Telegraph. ''',3' -71------,'Z, Vs
TUE QUARTER OF A MILLION L , . !!• •414.
Since cur Last—that is, during Wednesday.... .. p.
for Christmas-day was a general heliday bire:7.-.in-001 '7.- ....,
then, the subscriptions to this fund have been increase'. _ --
upwards of three thousand pounds, the total amount, -w '7'
on Tuesday evening reached 61,8951., having been Rug.
mented yesterday to upwards of 65,09q1t r-7.1114,104e*1P -4-t
Guardian. .;... '4:i t4jt+ V '‘.' i
\ 4:./
t.... hit~