The Sun.
London, England, 1818-10-23 00:00:00

THE THEAITES.

.. •
DHURY-L62NH.—The .1 stressed Mother, a trans
latiou front the zindromaque of Racine, was re-
vived .at this Theatre las' night. Mr. KEAN, for
the firsi time in a 'new part, was, of course, a
powerful attraction to his adritirers. Allowing
for the k,aric of that heroic &One which such a
character hs Orestes, renowned in the poetical
and draniatic works of ancient times; demands,
he styported it with prominent effect. Many
of the pas,kkes were, however, given ii) that
familiar style., eh iias tendered him popu-
lar among the Maitility wf visitors, but was cer-
tainly no; suitable to the dignity of the heroic
drama. To that faiinliar stile, however, Le is
indebted in no slight degree for the popularity
which attends hint, and therefore it vottlti be
a want of policy in hint to forsake it. lie was as
usual applauded with enthitshisin, whatever he did,
but We leave to the reflect ion of our Readers 'Wife-
ther aorniti and sober Critics would have risen in
the Pit and Waved their hats in applause, and have
instated IIAttNAHD, a respectable Performer, when
lie came to announce the play for Saturday, by
obliging him to withdraw, demanding KEAN to
perform that office, who of course then 'came on
lor the purpose. This is worse than folly.
FISHER performed Pyrrhus with feelitrg,
and dignity. He was warmly greeted on his
entrance and throughout the character. The
great 'charm of the night was Mrs. WEST,
in Hermione. We had no conception that she
was capable of such energy. Her whole per-
formance was admirable in point of conception;
sensibility, truth, and expression. It was one
of the best efforts since the days of Mrs. SWOONS.
The part of Andromache is described as united
with so much beauty, that the imagination can-
not be satisfied without an adequate representa-
tive, Mrs. MAcKENzte certainly does not boast
of external pretensions sufficient to justify the
high admiration of Pyrrhus, and therefore she
came forward in Andromache under gi eat disad-
vantage, compared with the interesting person
of Mrs. WEST, in Ilermiune. Mrs. MAcKtiNZia,
however, supported the part with obvious feel-
ing and judgment, yet for want of those ex-
terior charms which the character demands,
sonic brutal marks of disapprobation issued
front a part of the audience. After Orestes had
finally sorted the stage, the admirers of Mr.
KLAN,- foaming the majority of the audience,
would not suffer the play to proceed any farther,
and the curtain dropped. The afterpiece was
The Innkeeper's Daughter. H. KHNIHLE followed
WALLACK with success in Richard, and Miss
SMITHSON, a very pretty gill, was nor less suc-
cessful in assummg the part of the Innkeeper's
Daughter, so well performed by Miss KELLY.—
The piece was well received.

COVENT-GAHDIIN.—The Tragedy of Fazio,
which WaS so attractive last season, was repre-
sented last night for the purpose of introducing
Miss SoMERVILLE to this Theatre in the charac-
ter of Bianca. in %vhich it appears that she has
aquifer' considerable reptile on proviticial hoards,
particularly at With. She has certainly improved
by practice, and she supported the part with
im-
pressive emotion. From her performance alto-
gether, she sufficiently asserted her preiensions to
a high station in the London Theatre. Her re-
ception was most liberal and flattering.

FOR TUE SUN..