The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-03 00:00:00

oVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.
ezel to a certain extent, a successful expe-
rimeetewres made last night at this theatre, in the
production of the Antigone of Sophocles—the last of
• thee •agedies connected with the history of Edipus
141", i; :he august genius of the Greek dramatist has
fiee:lierised to every classical scholar. When we
first read the announcement of this play we were not
without serious apprehensions that it would prove an
arrant failure, for we did not deem it at all probable
that an English audience habituated to the rapid,
irregular action, and continual stir of Shakapeare's
tragedies, with the fierce and tumultuous passions de-
veloped in their progress, would sympathise with the
slow and stately march of a Greek play, wherein
the feelings of the human heart are roused
but not probed to the quick ; and where
more is said than done, the character of
the piece being narrative rather than dramatic. But
we have been agreeably disappointed. The Antigone,
oti the whole, has been successful, but its success has
not been so much owing to the interest taken by
the awlience in the conduct of the plot, whose severe
7implici7 and somewhat languid progress are ill-
adapted to the melodramatic taste of the day, as
to the music of Bartholdy, which is full of expres-
sion, varying in happy accordance with the sentiments
enunciated by the dramatist. It is a striking proof of
the undying character of true genius, to see a play
which, upwards of two thousand years ago, delighted
an Athenian audience received with applause by an
English one, the majority of whom can know nothing
of the incomparable grace and majesty of its style,
and can be effeeted only by the truth and earnestness
of the feelings it depicts. The Antigone of Sophocles
is remarkable for the strict unity of its action, for the
absence of all irrelevant characters and incidents, and
more especially for the pure and lofty moral it incul-
cates, and which is never for an instant lost sight of.
The aim of the dramatist is obvious throughout. It
is to show the remorse that waits on injustice :—in a
word, to illustrate the wholesome truth which Shake
speare has so well expressed, that
" The great gods are just ; and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us."
The plot may be summed up in a few words. On the
death of Eteocles and Polynices, sons of CEdipus, who
fell in battle by each other's hand, Creon, their nearest
male relative, ascends the throne of Thebes, and forbids
the rites of sepulture to the body of Polynices.
Antigone, animated by piety and sisterly
affection, nobly braves the despot's command,
but being detected in the attempt to inter her
brother, she is condemned to be buried alive in
the cavern of a rock. Fully to appreciate the strong
impelling motives under which Antigone acts, our
readers should bear in mind that the rites of sepulture
wore deemed absolutely necessary to ensure the tran-
quillity of the spirit after death—a circumstance to
which Virgil has alluded in his sixth book of the
.Eneid, where he represents Palinurus supplicating
iEneas TO give his body, which lies naked " in ignota
wren.;," the sacred rites of burial, so that his restless,
wandering spirit may at length know repose. But to
resume. Soon after Antigone has been conveyed to
her rocky tomb, Tiresias, the soothsayer—so well
known in Greek fable—enters into Creon's presence,
and by solemnly predicting the evils that will flow
from the tyrant's unjust decree, induces him to bury
Polynice., and issue an order for the release of
Antigone,. But the order is issued too late.
Antigone has already strangled herself, and her
lover, Htemon, Creon's son, commits suicide in the
agony of hie grief for her fate. His mother, also,
distracted by this double loss, destroys herself, and
the tragedy concludes with the unavailing self-re-
proaclice of the King, and the exhibition of his intense
remorse. The chorus, who, as in all Greek
dramas, takes a conspicuous share in the piece, is
composed of the nobles and councillors of Thebes,
who are supposed to be assembled before the palace
in order to hear the decree which has so promptly
proved fatal to Creon. Nothing can well be simpler
than this plot, or less complex than the emotions
sought to be conveyed by the dramatist. The in-
terest of the piece is confined exclusively to Anti-
gone, and rises and falls as she appears and disappears
from the scene. Her character is conceived in a
noble spirit, in which there is loftiness without
exaggeration ; and the execution is not less mas-
terly. The glowing, majestic, heartfelt sentiments
put into her mouth, are just such as might be ex-
pected irons a nature of her heroic stamp; but which,
however essentially elevated it may be in its
prevailing tone of thought and feeling, is yet
imbued with a keen sense of the more
homely, familiar, and domestic affections. Like the
Alcestis of Euripides—one of the most delightful
female portraits ever drawn by the magic pen of
genius—Antigone merits the highest praise for the
completeness and harmony of the conception. The
touches are carefully laid on one by one, and the
course of emotion proceeds in exact accordance with
—what philosopher Square would call—" the fitness
of things." In artful contrast to this fine portrait
ennuis out the character of Isenene—a trne woman
such as may be met with in the every-day walk of
life—gentle—affectionate—timid—but when fully
roused, capable for the time of sacrificing every
thought of Self, and rising to the loftiest height of
moral dignity. In reverting once again to the plot, we
cannot forbear from commenting on the exquisite
skill with which Sophocles has introduced the spirited
hymn to Bacchus. This has evidently been done with a
view to relieve the more tragic portions
of the play, and so give variety .toaits• other-
wise somewhat monotonous character. The chorus
sings the hymn—and a noble piece of music it is—
under, the impression that Antigone will be released
and all end happily ; but the catastrophe has already
beenterought,and the tragic tone of the subsequentscenes
acquires tenfold force from the brief, sunny gleam of
cheerfulness by which they have been preceded. Of
the performers, all played their parts creditably, and
one or two with superior feeling and judgment. Mr,
Vandenhoff, as Creme declaimed with emphasis and
propriety though occasionally his manner was
somewhat too cold and formal and Miss
Vandenhoff exhibited more feeling in Antigone,
than in any character in which she has yet appeared
on the stage.. The numerous choruses were admi-
rably managed, and every possible effect was given
to the delightful music of Bartholdy. The hazardous
experiment of the performance of a Greek play having
now been made, and with comparative success, we
are not without hopes that it will, ere long, be re-
peated. There is more of incident, variety, and
briskness of uction in the CEdipus Tyrannus than in
the Anti; one of Sophocles ; and, judging from last
night's performance, we cannot but think that the
closing scenes of the Coloneus, where the awful
voices of the unseen Nemesis is heard summoning (Fedipus
to judgment in the gloomy depths of the grove con-
yeceatea to the Furies, kwould—if aided by im-
pressive and appropriate music such as Bartholdy
has shown himself capable of composing—
produce a very striking effect. It is highly
creditable to the taste of an Bnglish audience that
they paid the most marked attention throughout the
entire performance of Antigone. One or . two of its
snore impassioned sentiments—the genuine utterances
of humanity as it existed two thousand years ago,
and will exist through all time—were received with
loud applause; and at the fall of the curtain Mr.
Vandenhoff and his daughter were called on to re-
iesive the congratulations of the audience.

• .
A4TLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.
Tho success of the day exhibitions at this elegant place
of amusement must hare surpassed the most sanguine
expectations of the enterprising proprietor. The house
hm.s been crowded on each occasion. It is really quite
sexbilirating to see the delight of the children at these
iday initertssinuients. Parents are certainly under great
iribli4ations to Mr. Batty for thus enabling them to atfurd
the little people the treat of a visit to the theatre Without
interfering with their proper hours of rest.

THE FREE CHURCH COLLEGE.—Lord Jeffrey has
addressed the following letter to the editor of the Scots-
man :-oSir,—My attention having been called (for the
first time this morning) to a statement in your paper of
last Weda,esday, with reference to a report of my haring
been one of ;:he munificent contributors to the projected
college of the Free Church, I am bound to disclaim the
credit of any such splendid liberality, and to state that I
hare not subscribed anything to that undertaking. It
will be obliging in yov, therefore, to mention the fact in
your next publication. I am, Sir, F. JEFFItET.-
14, Morray-place, Dec. 17,
We have great pleasure in announcing that her
Mojesty and . Prince Albert, with their accustomed
liberality, have lately subscribed to the fund raising for
the erection of the Marylebone and Paddington Hospital
----her Majesty having made a donation of 100 guineas,
and the Prince 50 guineas.
FAIL GRET.—We are glad to announce that the
health of this venerable nobleman Continues to imprpvf.t

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMA.BLET.
Lessee, Mr, B. WEBSTER.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed a New and Original Comedy, in Five Acts,
!ailed OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS. Colonel Rocket
dr. S. rickland ; Littleton Coke, Mr. Charles Math°. s ; Tom Coke
dr. Webster; Bob, Mr Buckstone; Jesse Rural, Mr. W. Farren;
(The Countess of Mrs. W. Clifford ; Lady Allce Hawthori,
Madame Vestris; Miss Racket. Miss Julia .;ennett.
After which, a New Grand Musical Fairy Extravaganza,
entitled GRACIOSA AND PERCIN}T. King Uxorlous, Mr. J.
Bland ; Princess Gra:iosa, Miss Jul:a Bennett ; Percinet, Miss P.
Horton ; Duchess Grognon, Mrs. Stanley.
To conclude wi.h a Grand MOVING DIORAMA; or, PIC.
ORIAL TOUR IN S WITZERLAND.
Private Boxes, Two Guineas and On: Guinea and a.Half each.
11ckets and Places to be had of Mr. I. T. Ar cher, at the Box.otlice,
it 1m Tin till Five o•Clock,

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHL
Under the Direction of Madame CELESTE.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated (by special permission of Charles Dickens, Esq.)
a New Drama, entitled THE CHI?dES. A Goblin Story if Some
Bell that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Tear In,
Toby Veck,
Nlr. 0. Smith; Alderman Cute, Mr. Wright ; Tugby. Mr. Wilkin-
ioa ; Sir Joseph Bowley, Bart Mr. Paul Redford ; Will Fern, Mr.
Hudson ; Richard, Mr. Selby' Meggy Veck, Miss Fortescue ; Mrs.
Chickenstalker, Mrs. Frank Matthews.
To be followed by a New Comic Operetta, called the FOX
AND THE GOOSE. Principal Characters by Meese. Hudson,
Paul Bedford, and Mrs Fitzwilliam.
To conclude with a New Grand Military and Comic Christmas
Pantomime, called CAT'S CASTLE; or, Harlequin and the Ki,,g
of the Rats. Harlequin, Mr. T. Ireland; Columbine, Miss Lon,-
dale ; Clown, Mr. C. J. Smith ; Pantaloon, Mr. San secs.
Prompter, Mr. Gallot ; Principal Paintor, Hr Pitt ; Leader of the
Band, Mr. Mellon.—Box-otlice open from Eleven till Four. Private
Hazes to be had at the Theatre, and at all the principal Libraries.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
LESSF.E. Mr. J. if. MADDOX.
EVE
Will be repeated theTHIS New DramaNlNG, called DON C.ESA R DE
HAZAN Don Carter, Mr. Wallack ; Charles the Seconi , Mr.
Walton ; Maritana, Mrs. Stirling ; Countesi Rotondo. Mrs.
Fosbroke.
To be followed by a New Grand Orients! Ballet, called THE
ENCHANTED BELL. Asolio (an Hindee Peasant). M. Rousse- ;
Palraira (the Sultan's Daughter), Mille. Caroline Rousset ; Naire,
iher Friend), .Mlle. Teresine; Ding Doug (the Genii of the Be!]),
Miss Marshall.
After which will he repeated a New Grand Romantic, and rattler
Operatic Burlesque Extravaginsa, called JOE MILLER AND HIS
MEN. Grindorr. Mr. Compton ; Lothair, Mr. Walton; ; Kelmar,
Mr. tiranby Riber, Mr. C,orri , Goiots, Mr.
Miss E. Stanley; Kftrina, Mrs. Fosbroke.
Stage Manager, Mr. H. I. Wallack. Stage Director, Mr. Emden,
Machinist Mr. Edmund Bradwell.
Dress Circle, ss. ; Boxes, 4a. ; Pit, 25.; Gallo Is. Half-price at
Nine o'clock—Dress Circle,2s. 6d.; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is.; Gallery, fit
Private Boxes, Two Guineas and One Guinea and a.Half ; Proses.
slum Boxes, 'Two Guineas and a-HalE Doors to be opened at Half-
gist Six, and the Performances to commence at Seven o'clock.
The ox-ollice, under the direction of Mr. W. Massingharn.
Private Boxes and Free Admissions far the Season to be bad at the
theatre.