Star.
London, England, 1823-10-29 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DRURY-LANK,
The splendid Spectacle of The Cataract of tke Ganges;
or, the Rajah's Daughter, was repeated last night, with,
if possible, increased success, and amidst the warm and
plaudits
COVENT-GARDEN. of another crowded audience.
reiterated
The Inconstant was revived at this Theatre last night.
Upward.s of one.hundred and twenty years have elapsed
'meths Comedy was first performed ; but the dialogue
is still fresh, and full of that buoyancy, smartness, and
imagination we should be so happy to find a living
dramatist capable of imitating. On the present occa-
sion the principal characters were thus disposed of:—
Old Mirabel, Mr. W. FARREN ; Young Mirabel, Mr.
Kessatz; Darutete, Mr. JONES; Asgard, Mr. BAKER;
Bizarre, Mrs. CHATTERLEY ; Oriatia, Miss FOOTS.
With Mr. FARREN'S peculiar style of acting the Pub.
lic are familiar ; he seldom varies in his action, manner,
or delivery, and in this instance we remarked no novelty.
In Durutete, JONES had many difficulties to contend
with, but he fought boldly and with much popularity.
A titer piece of acting in high comedy than CHARLES
KIMBLE'S Young Mirabel we have never witnessed. It
was throughout perfection. His appearance was manly,
fashionable, and prepossessing. His action in the out-
set was elegant and free, and his delivery graceful, and
calculated to soften the allusions bordering on indeli-
cacy which occur in his first scent:. The dialogue with
Oriana respecting the contract was admirably deli-
vered, both with respect to point and passion, and ccm•
mantled great applause. The cool indifference with
which he treated the presumption of Bizarre was highly
diverting; the ahand spirit with which he triumphed
over her assumed indifference most gentlemanlike, but
-effective; and rift utter confusion into which he threw
her by his reading and ridicule, an exquisite specimen
of vivacity and witty rebuke. In every interview with
his father and Oriana there were touches of genuine,
manly feeling, which displayed the consummate skill of
the actor, end rescueckbe character.from that impute-
tion of teattless depravity, which is too likely to be at-
tached tout when represented by a less masterly artist.
Nothing could be wiser or in better taste than the avi-
dity with which he seized on every opportunity to prove
that though his'irregularities might give pain, the injury
was 'Unpremeditated, and was no sooner committed
than it was repented of. The scene with Lantorcc and
the Bravos was perhaps his greatest, and was received
with the most enthusiastic applause. The acclamations
with which the whole house rung, reminded us of the
'triumphs of JOHN Kuntz, and the days when KEAN
in his zenith attracted thunders of applause. It is ex-
traordinary that CHARLES KIMBLE should never before
have performed this character. His conception is so ad-
mirable, and his execution of it so perfect, that it is per-
haps the happiest specimen he ever offered of his genius
and accomplishments. Miss FOOTE exhibits improvement
with each fresh character of importance that sheassumes.
Nothing could be more elegant than her performance
last night; a greater portion of strength and power
would have rendered it more effective, but as it was it
was delightful. The minor parts were respectably filled,
and the conclusion of the play was marked by great and
universal applause.
After the Play a most extraordinary medley was pro-
duced, under the title of a new Ballet of Action, called
Barold the- Renegade; or, The Red Cross Knights. The
object of it was to introduce a certain Senhor VENAFRA
to the English stage. SenhorVetravaa comes from-Lis-
bon; an., his peifOrmance has at least the merit of no-
velty. He dances in a very extraordinary way : a gro-
tesque species of movement, exhibiting great force and
agility, and flexibility of limb—midway between the
styles of rAULO and GRIMALDI. He fences; too,
with great dexterity, and runs the round of the pas-
sions in serious pantomime ; something in the way, as
we have heard, of old DELPHINI, but like nothing we
have had in England of late. The Ballet constructed
for this Gentleman is a very bad one. It is tastefully
ai ranged in parts (though too long); and the music,
grouping, and dressing, of it are all commendable; but
it wants the aid of a " first serious dancer;" and still
more, an intelligible plot or story. There is a ghost in
it, who excites great disappointment. Mr. VENAIRA
was not so well received as he might have been by the
audience ; but he has great energy, and some origina-
lity of manner.