The Sun.
London, England, 1819-06-09 00:00:00

ti.IE THEATRE.

Drury-Labe Theatre closed for the season last
night, with the historical drama, entitled The
First Part of King Henry IV. The character of
Falstaff was supported by Mr. S. KEMBLE, with
plain good sense and unaffected humour through-
out, as well as with firmness and spirit. Mr.
RAE succeeded Mr. KEAt4 in the part of Hotspur,
and was well received. At the end of the play Mr.
S. KEMBLE came forward before he had thrown
off his Falstars attire, and addressed the audience
in the following terms :

ADIES AND GENTLEMEN—I am requested by the Proprie-
tors and the Performers to, offer yon their sincere ;tallow_
ledgments,for the patronageconferred upon this Theatre, and
they beg me to assure you, that it will stimulate them to fur-
ther and greater exertions for your amusement, when they
have next the honour of appearing before you. During the
vacation, it is intended thoroughly to repair the Theatre,
and to embellish and beautify it in a manner worthy of your
reception, and to strengthen the company with all the talent
that can he procured. For myself, in my official capacity, I
have been received with such indulgence as puts it out of my
power to thank you as I ought, and I wish to take this oppor-
tunity of publicly returning my thanks to my brother actors,
by whose assistance I have been enabled to perform the du-
ties of my arduous situation. They have conducted them-
selves towards me like friends and brethren, and my thanks
are due to every individual.• I mention this, because I know
an opiniOn prevails that there is always a schism behind the
.curtain ; but so much the contrary has been the case in the
present season, that the harmony which has subsisted has
been like that of a private family. As this is probably the
last time I shall ever have the honour of addressing you, I
find my feelings deeply affected in pronouncing the word
Farewell. May health, happiness, and prosperity attend you
all.

The energy and feeling with which he delivered
this extempore Address, particularly towards the
conclusion,- made a strong impression on the au-
dience, who returned it with shouts of applause,
waging of handkerchiefs in all parts, and every
testi►uony of respect and approbation. These
warm, repeated, and universal tokens of ap-
probation, are honourable to the Public, to the
Pet son who "received them, and to the whole of
the theatrical Company ; inasmuch as it sl►ews
that Mr. KEMBLE had so judiciously condoeted
himself as Manager, that the Performers had
widely testified their conviction of his having
acted with a full sense of duty to the concern,
and with kindness. to theinselves.—Mr. KEMBLE
was evidently much affected, and we under-
stand that his feelings were still more agitated
as the whole of the Performers, male and fe-
male, assembled round him in the Green•-room
to take a friendly and affectionate leave of hint,
and to express their hopes, that whatever might be
the future arrangements of this Theatre, lie would
be retained in that Post which he had so generously
resigned,rthough he had been engaged toltold it for
5 years. The entertainment of Syluester Daggerwoud
followed, and the hero of which displayed with
great spirit the eccentricities of the character, and
gave some close and exact imitations of several
of the London Actors. His name is said to be
REEVES. He was much applauded. The whole
concluded with the Farce of Modern Antiques.—
The house was full;