The Sun.
London, England, 1827-10-02 00:00:00

THEATRES.

DRURY LANE.

For several days past the
_public curiosity had
been much excited to witness'the promised appear-
ance of a star in the dramatic world, and last night
the promise was fulfilled at this theatre in the person
of Mr. Kean, jun., second son of the great tragic
actor. It was his first appearance on any stage,
and the interest was accordingly the more intense.
The house, iwhich bad been retouched in some slight
particulars during the recess, 11,'es crowded to the
ceiling long before the curtain rose—indeed, we
never remember to have witnessed it: so crowded
before. It was certainly a novel sight to be-
hold the first appearance of the son of
the first actor of the day, ambitious to tread in the
footsteps of his father, and the enthusiasm of the
public was commensurate to the occasion. When
the curtain rose, " God save the King" was sung
with peculiar effect. •
The tragedy of Douglas was very judiciously se-
lected for. introducing the young debutant to the
•publie. Such was the anxiety or curiosity' to
witness the hero of the night, that although
it was well known he could not appear till
the second act, yet every now and, then, a" busy
Whisper spread—" here he comes," .and the appear-
ance of each perforiner was greeted with a prelude
of the happy welcome, but half reserved for young
Kean. The first act went off with less expedition than
the audience could desire, but the opening of the
second presented the young stranger to their sight.
His reception was most flattering. He stepped fur,
ward, .and then stood palpitating under the excess of
tumultuous feelings, and scarcely able to make's
second return to.the overwhelming heartiness of the
welcome which rung from all parts of the house.
Indeed, so. deep; 'were his emotions, that the
heave and swell of his bosom were apparent,
for some minutes, as he stood in breathless gratitude
before' the immense concourse of living joy. It
was a moment of touching sensibility, deeply cal-
culated to elevate the mind, while it transported the
imagination. The young actor owned its force by
his trepidation, and he 'leant for support on his
sword.

The first, few lines which Norval had to utter
produced little effect, till he came We fought
and conquered," which were given with a
modest confidence, that told well, but the effect
of the whole, Speech was rather tame.--When
he came to thank Lord 'Randolph for his
courtesy, the confidence which he; felt that Nor Val
never would shame his favour, was well delivered,
and as well received ; but immediately afterwards,
when informed how the chosen warriors of
his native land, were languishing for the fight, lie
uttered, " let us begone, my lord," with an abrupt-
ness too unexpected, and not in keeping with the
rest of the scene. His appearance is pleasing,
perfectly gentlemanly,—slender form,—rather taller
than his father, and altogether like him at a distance :
but the similarity fades on closer inspection. He
possesses the voice,. but not the powerful eye of his
father. He wants the animation, the pathos,—and
natural bursts Of' feeling for which Mr. Kean is so
eminently conspicuous, that he may be said •

!‘ To ride the whirlwind and direct the storm".

of dramatic passion.. But it is not fair to measure
the young sapling by the gigantic dimensions of the
monarch oak. His resemblance to his father was
rendered more palpable by the studied imitation of
his manner, which struck us repeatedly both, in his
enunciation and his action. The delivery of
hew he learned the art of war was passable—" the
lengthen'd line" was artfully prolonged, and had a
good effect. But he was not equally happy in
the recognition scene ; he seemed to' want the deep
feeling and mysterious wonderment breaking on his
mind, as he doubts and believes for the first time
that his mother addresses him in a station so far
above his lowly rank.—" Lady, who am I then ?"
—was too hurried-7k wanted 'pathos, without
which, the sympathy of the audience is destroyed.
—His interview with Glenalvon was more happy, as
was also, " The blood of Douglas will protect it-
self." His port and demeanor were not sufficiently
haughty for the. " scorn" which Norval feels
for Glenalvon, but the conclusion of his threat
was happily given, and " I know thee well"
produced very great applause, as forcibly imi-
tative of his father's manner. :The fifth acts .opens
with the wood scene, which he delivered in a
very easy and graceful manner, as if he felt the in-
fluence of the " fanning" breath of applause, which
cheered him on. The death-scene was rather
too long ; when he rushes in wounded to de-
fend his mother, the position was exquisitely
beautiful, but he had rather far to go across the
stage. His dying speech was too Monotonous—in
fact lie had too much to say in such a trying situa-
tion; but he fell " like Douglas," and was much
plauded. His voice was occasionally too harsh, and
the transition from one tone to another more abrupt
than judicious. But be is young. It is too much to
expect, excellence all at once. He must go
circuit before he can hope to be quite at honte
•on a London stage. AbOve all, he must feel-
more, and act less, to awaken the strong sympathy
which keeps up the illusion of the scene. Mrs. West
played Lady Randolph well; and Mr. Cooper did
justice to Old Norval, but forgot the old man had tra-
' veiled too far to be so strong on his legs. He was
rather loud. Wallack, as Glenalvon, was spirited—
and a Mr. Mnde made his debut as Randolph with
good effect. When the curtain fell, young Kean
was loudly called for, and appeared. The play was
announced again for Thursday amidst loud applause.