Star.
London, England, 1810-09-13 00:00:00

6O 1N?

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1 It tes again toour lot to pourtray a scene of tu-
mult and uproar at this I heave. Those who insist
drill the strict performance of the Tteaty or Con-
tract entered into last season with the 0. P. Cbrn-
urittie, appear to increase in numbers, its they certain-
ly do in noise. The Pit was last night tolerably well
filled at the first account ; the company to the Boxes
came in rather slowly. " God save the King" was
called for, and the call was obeyed by the orchestra,
the audience standing and uncovered. The rising of
the curtain' appeared to be die signal for uproar. No ,
sooner had the performance on the stage commenced
than the voices of the actors were completely over-
whelmed by the roar before the curtain. 44 No pri.
vete Boxes," and " Contract," were frequently voci-
ferated, and a 'placard was hoisted in the Pit with an
inscription, " Contract, or 0. P." which was loudly
cheered at first, but ultimately beaten down by the
adverse party. In the mean time, the Wised of Fortune
was revolving upon the stage. The actors were as-
sailed by one party with hisses, groans, and cries of
"Off, off !" and greeted by another with consider-
able applause; both, however, had the effect ofTedu-
cing all _their efforts to mere dumb shew.
At this period, the Pit were all seated, with their
hats off, and there was not the slightest appearance
of any bustle, but the noise continued with scarcely
any intermission. - When Kemble appeared in Pen-
ruddoth, he silos assailed by a loud roar of disapproba-
tion, and by cries of "Contract, Contract !" He was
alio hailed by the opposite party with considerable ap-
plause, which he acEnowledged by bowing.
The first act closed amidst the din of war, and the
Second and third passed off nearly in the same man-
ner, a sentence or two. being now and then by acci-
dent heard. The Pit in general kept their seats.—
Charles Kemble met with a reception similar to that
of his brother, and the noise was most furiously in-
creased whenever either of them re-appeared on the
tage. About the end .of the third Act, a few young
gentlemen, in Naval uniforms, m tde their appearance
in the centre of the middle tier of Boxes, and were
very clamourous to have the Discontents turned out
of the Pit. At last they discovered a person hissing
in one of the boxes on the same tier where they were ;
and, after a short consultation, they went round to the
box, seized him in no very complacent manner, and
soon ejected him into the lobby.
The fourth Act, notwithstanding the admission of
the half-price, commenced "rather quietly, and a few
passages of the Play were heard. It was soon, how-
ever, found to be a very deceitful calm, for the storm
recommenced with redoubled fury. Another pla-
card was elevated in the Pit, containing the follow-
ing offer for a compromise : " Give up the Private
Boxes, or reduce the admission to the ll'ises to Gs."
This was also cheered. The remainder of the fourth
Act, like its predecessors, was doomed to be unheard,
and the fifth commenced under auspices equally un-
favourable.

During this last act, when Kemble was on the stage
in his character, and whilst the theatrical tempest was
raging on all sides, he seemed-to Wish to address the
House, and silence was called. Some time of course
elapsed before the requisite attention could be procur-
ed. He advanced to the frontof the stage, an let length
began—" Ladies and Gentlemen, I assure you I have
a great deal Of unaffected apprehension that my ad-
dressing you so often will be-cleetreed an intrusion."
Cries of " NONE) I" and some interruption. " Since
I came to the Theatre, and whilst preparing for the
character in which I am now appearing, I have been
informed that a report has been circulated that it eras
intended to convert two of the upper Boxes (pigeon-
holes), which have been shut up, into private Boxes."
After some interruption be again proceeded. " Ladies
and Gentlemen, 1 assure you, that the only reason
they were shut up was, for the purpose of more effec-
tually ventilating the house." This was received with
a good deal of laughter and hissing, and seemed to
increase the indignation which had before prevailed.
He at length was again allowed to proceed—" Ladies
land Gentlemen, I assure you there is no truth in the
report that there was any intention to convert those
'boxes into private boxes, and they shall be again
opened to the public ; and, if you please, directly."
di 'Directly, Directly," was called, and " Contract,
Contract," and " No private boxes," were loudly vo-
ciferated. He again obtained an interval of tranquil-
Ety, and proceeded, " I have also been informed,
Ladies and Gentlemen, that there are some persons
who cannot believe that it is not the intention of the
Proprietors to increase the number of private boxes,
but I assure you, and I pledge my word, that the
Proprietors have no intention of increasing the num-
ber of private boxes, and the public will never—"
Here the noise became so great, intermingled with
shouts of " No Jesuits—Contract—ContrAct," that
it.became impossible to hear him. lie bowed, and
tilt play went on, or rather appeared to go on, for
IthiS address of Mr. Kemble's hid an effect directly
sopposite to that of tranquillising the audience; it im-
snediately increased the storm. It was considered by
'Many as a nick and an evasion, nothing having been
said about the point actually in dispute, and the plea
-of ventilation was ridiculed as a hoax. Discord was
thus again triumphant ; a strong party in the pit un-
fettled the banner of open hostility by mounting the
benches and putting on their hats. " Contract—Con-
tract," was sounded instead of 0. P. with a sort of
dance or beating time, and all was chaos. Kemble,
whenever he re-appeared during the remainder
of the act, was assailed with groans and hisses, and
almost every description of noise, and the curtain
dropped amidst a most formidable roar.
It is not in our power to give a critique on the per-
t formance, for it was scarcely possible to hear a line
of the entire ; but the decorations, the finish, and skill
which were exhibited in the " getting up," deserved
every praise. A staircase and vestibule was one
of the finest pieces of perspective that we have seen ;
and the banqaetting-room, a grand saloon furnished
la Grec, with all its adjuncts of tripods and candela-
bra, its busts and bas reliefs, and antique sofas, evin.-
ced a taste and classical accuracy of the first rank in
the able artist by whom they were designed.
Brunton came on to announce the play for Friday,
but was nqt suffered to be heard.
The afterpicce, The Ercapcs, complete)), escaped
from the ears of the audience. Hostilities were car-
lied on with redoubled violence. The party who had .
mounted the benches in die,pit;olstained possession of
the centre, formed
_e teir ring in the old 0. P. style,
suedd
occasionally lhOld Or Ipea; Akfie w*SAVA of

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