Star.
London, England, 1818-10-29 00:00:00

PEADING SCROD:.

~:

We had last week the pleastue of announcing the 1
performance of the Hercuks Parent and the Critic,
by the Young Gentlemen of Reading School. We
wish we could do justice tb the talent displayed in
this interesting representation, but far higher powers
might fail in such an attempt. The story of the
I lereaks Furens is short and simple: like most of
the. Greek Tragedies. it is an ineffectual struggle of
the will td man against the decrees of destiny. Her-
oaks, always pursued by the hatred of Juno, at
length falls a prey to the Goddess of Madness, who
takes possession of his soul. In this state, he uncon-
sciously murders his wife and children, whom he
had just before rescued from the power of Lycus,
the usurping King of Thebes. nit simple plot con-
tains much striking situation, much contrast of fate
and feeling, much of the fitness for representation,
which distinguishes Euripides from his great rival,
and much of the tender pathos, for which he is so
justly celebrated. The young Gentlemen made the
best use of these fine materials. We scarcely know
where to begin our praise. Indeed, the universal
eicellence was the most striking part of the perfor-
mance. Mr. SADLER'S Art,hitryo, with all its varie-
ties of joy and grief, resignation and despair: the
vehemen..energy of Mr. PRATER'S Lycus ; the grace
fpl declamation of Mr. PAI.AIItItT'S Messenger; Mr.
Bustaa's Iris so beautiful and so inexorable ; Mr..
Wsmtses frank and friendly Theseus; Mr. Tostuna'.
powerless but sympathising Theban, were all ad-
mirable. The Lyssa of Mr. C. HARINGTON was in
the purest style of acting. The remorse by which
the Poet has contrived to bring this terrifit being
within the pale of mortality, and the sternness to
which she afterwards works herself were painted to
the life ; Mr. LAMOTTE's Megara was also excellent.
Age and sex were forgotten in his touching pathos
and womanly grace. The Hercules was worthy of
'such a Megara. From the triumphant return of the
hero and demi-god to the last affecting picture of
strength subdued by sorrow, Mr. HARRINGTON was
equally impressive. His powers rose with the pas-
sion of the scene. He was greatest where Euripides
was greatest. The recovery from his trance ; the
agony which seized him at the sight of the dead bo-
dies ; his long silence when first accosted by Theseus,
and the deep yet bitter tenderness with which he :af-
terwards addressed him, were amongst his most
splendid passages. Nothing was wanting to com-
plete the illusion of this Classical Spectacle. The
costume was exact even in the minutest details. Iris
had her rainbow, Lyssa her snakes, and Theseus his
Athenian grasshoppers. The dress of -'Megara in
particular was magnificent.
The Critic followed with equal success. ,Mr.
QUAYLE. as Mrs. Dangle, sat in most enviable cosi•
fort at the breakfast table, as many of our fair Readers
may be doing even now. Mr. WILLAN, as Mr.
DanlTle, Mr. HARINGTO.N, as Sir 11.11fisl Plagiary,
Mr. Ttiostas, as Sneer, and Mr. PRATER, as Alit;
walked about the .stage more like the real persons
than their mimic representatives. There was an in•
tensity of eirjayment, an overflow of animal spirits
about these voung Actors, which was irresistibly
contagious : Mr. PRATER'S Pidf would have dons
honour to either of our Theatres.
The Prologue was written by Mr.Wornerwitaor,
and the Epilogue by Mr. TALPOVRD, both of whom
were educated at Reading School.
The House was Flied every night with a brilliant
and admiring audience. On !Mollay evening the
Triennial Visnors of the School, Vice-Chancellor,
the liishop of Orford, and the M ester of fit. John's,
were present, and, we understand, they expressed in
the strongest terms their 614;1n and astonishment at
this performance, and the proficiency it evinced.—
The profits are devoted to the beneF.t of the Reading
Dispensary.
PROLOGUE
TO THE HERCULES WRENS OF EURIPIDES.
Once more the Classic Muse in tragic strain,
Inspires our hopes your envied smiles to gain.
She, who test brought from Latium 's purer age
The wit of Plautus to a British stage,
Now bidain gorgeous pall come sweeping by
The Attie step of chasm Melpomene.
The Bard, to whom soft Pity's hand consiged
The key that opts the sympathetic mind,
Those tender strains once bade your tears to flow
. At the sad story of Alcestis' woe ;
Now brings to view Amphitryo's godlike sor,
By Juno's persecuting rage undone.
The hero, who with unremitting toil
Unscath'd, could triumph o'er each mortal coil;
Who sear'd the ever-sprouting Hydra's h:ad,
And dragg'd grim Cerh'rus from his gloo-:•y bi.l;
The Lion's rage, and furious Bulls o'ercari:,
Their glowing eye-balls and their breath o: fLinc ;
Descending fearless to the realms beneath,
Tabard unhurt an atmosphere of death;
Could steel those nerves where fear had E.t.a her seat,
And " bind each corp'ral agent" to the fe....t ;
Alas! how charg'd! the worLl's great prs.-IJro more,
His hands all reeking with his children's ;17; ;
See, where he hes :—subda'd by rage alone,
All prostrate at the shamed column's stop : ;
While his swoll'n eyes and agitated frame
The inward horrors of his soul proclaim!
Ye Fair, whose pleasure is our highest praise,
Whose favour cheers us, and whose frown dismays ;
Say, shall our claims your placid ear engage,
Urfd in the accents of the Grecian stage?
Where language fails, shall Nature not prevail,
And moving gestures tell the tragic tale ;
Each varied bee el Wing taught to speak,
That lights the eye, or fires the glowing cheek ;
Phteat with mimic energy to prove
The t; rob of Pity, of the pangs of Love?
You, who s'er Learning's hallow'd seats preside,
Where silver Isis rolls her classic tide ;
Who here again in awful judgment sit,
At once the boast and terror of our pit!
As. to your ranks, I met my anxious view,
Pala would I court your approbation too;
'ln lineal, hope that our exertions here,
May tend to fit us for a higher sphere,
And win the bays, that, in your halls decreed,
Twine for the victor's brow his fairest :need ;
Direct the steps. of Academic youth
To Fancy's how'rs, or walks of sterner Troth;
And give to OloOm, at in their kindred home,
Each native grace of Athens sad of Rome!