Star.
London, England, 1823-11-19 00:00:00

TILE

DRURY-LANE.
The long promised new Tragedy, from the pen of
Ir. Kaowtes, the Author of Flrginius, was last night
produced at this Theatre, under the title of Celia:
Gracshus. It is founded on the well,known incidents of
the Roman History, in which the Gracchi took so
onspicuous a part, and which were fully sufficient to
have formed materials for the construction of a Tragedy,
es peci Ai 1 y when aided, as they have been in this case,
h., the introduction of the domestic history of the hero.
But although the piece is dignified with the name of a
Tragedy, and introduced with the sanction of all the
credit which attaches to the name of the Author of
yirgiainr, we cannot consent to recognize it by that de-
scription. rirgiuius cannot be considered as a Tragedy,
if judged by strict drama'ic rules, but Caius Gracchus
ranks much below it. A Melo•drame would have been
a much more appropriate title than Tragedy for this
Ilast production of the Author's muse. The incidents and
arrangements of the Piece are decidedl y Melodramatic.
The style is far below the dignity of Tragedy ; it is, in
general, common-place prattle, and where it attempts
to soar, it becomes turgid bombast, whilst the constant
istroductidn of noisy mobs, shouting and huzzaing,
/makes it nothing else than a " right mark Tragedie,
ely toasters.
Mr.MACREADY played Caius Cracchms, and, as might
hare been anticipated, the Author hasbeen most liberal
of his endeavours to render his hero a prominent fra-
me of the piece. There was no lack of exertion on
the part of the Actor to do full justice to the Author,
and in several of the scenes he was deservedly ap-
plauded. Mr. Alice= was respectable in q2intius,
and Thrum gave an excellent picture of the rough citi-
zen and republican, Titus. If there was a fault, it was
that he sometimes threw rather too great a portion of
7udeness into the character. Cornelia, the mother of
raschus, found a representative in Mrs. Burro; but
she shined somewhat of the dignity of the Roman
Matron. Mrs. W. Warr, as Livinia, the wife of
Gracchits, was high interesting in the earlier scenes of
the play, and espec ally in drawing the picture of her
•1
domestic happiness previous to her husband's taking
part in public questions or measures of State ; but, in
she latter scenes of the play, her expressions of grief
were too boisterous to be touching.
The Prologue was spoken by Mr. TERRY; it con-
tained some good points and happy allusions to Roman
history, and was well received. The Epilogue was
spoken by Mrs. °actin, Miss L. KELLY, and Miss
Boon. It will surely be spoken no more; and being
of that opinion, we would now pass it over with but
one remai lc, which will at once speak its character. Not
all the efforts of the three Ladies, on whom was imposed
the unpleasant task of presenting themselves on the
stage on this occasion, could save it, or prevent the''
audience from expressing their sentiments of its merits
by universal hisses and cries of " Off!" which-resounded
from every part of the house, which was crowded to'
excess. Mr. MACREADY announced the Piece (we can-
not call it Trageoy) for repetition this,evening, and on
his coming forward was greeted by a round of ap-
plause, and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs from
every part of the Theatre.
SURREY THEATRE.—The new Piece called The Gana-
llers, which we noticed'yesterday, was withdrawn last
right. Some time after its commencement a short ad-
.dress was delivered • from the stage, announcing that,
is obedience to legal authority, the performance of the
3lelo-drama would be postponed.—We doubt not that
this measure will meet with universal approbation.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH-THIS DAY..