The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-04 00:00:00

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

THE THEATRE ROYAL has, during the past week,
afforded a rich banquet to the votaries of Thalia ;—comedy
in her liveliest mood, decked in not a few of her most
attractive lures, and attended by some of her broader and
more fantastic features, having ruled the hour and graced
the stage. Even the sparkle of wit and the blandishments
of mirth have not, however, been sufficient to hold undi-
vided sway in this her temple, nor have the emotions of
pleasure been unalloyed by the intrusion of painful
thoughts, suggested by the leave-taking of a veteran and
favourite artist. Who, in even the slightest degree ac-
quainted, with the high character which English comedy
has attained, is not aware how much it owes to the correct
taste of William Farren ? Who, of all the play-goers, is
not familiar with the endearingly-remembered name of " Old
Farren," a soubriquet the actor had earned and honour-
ably worn, ere the present race of his admirers could dis-
tinctly articulate—even lisp his name ? This artist, whose
history and fame are indissolubly linked with the best
performances of " genteel comedy" which the past and
present heroes of the " sock and buskin" can recal to
memory, still treads our boards, but only to take leave
of us in his public character for ever ; and in parting with
the veteran we feel deeply penetrated with the impression
that we " shall not look upon his like again." Ere retir-
ing from the mimic scene to, we trust, a long enjoyment of
those laurels he has achieved, he has come to take a
kindly farewell of the friends and admirers whose affec-
tion he has won, and whose esteem he has secured in
Liverpool. In thus parting from one with whom we have
been long familiar, and whose presence has, at all times,
been associated with pleasurable emotions, we cannot but
feel that another link of life's mysterious chain has been
cut off, and we are forcibly, however reluctantly, reminded,
" That Time, who steals our years away,
" Shall steal our pleasures too."
Fully appreciating those painful truths, we have witnessed
the performances of Mr. Farren during the past week with
emotions of pleasure, mingled with regret, he having
within that period repeated, for the last time on our boards,
several of his best characters. To offer a criticism on his
delineations of character, would be now a work of superero-
gation, if not deserving of a harsher name ; his impersona-
tions have stood the test of time, and have been honoured
by applauses from the highest and most cultivated intel-
lects of his time, including the fastidious plaudits of the
aristocracy of birth,—the not more easily acquired, or less
highly-prized approval of those, whose 'right to judge has
been founded and reared on intellectual supremacy ; nor
has the hearty sympathy of unsophisticated nature been
wanting to swell the chorus of his triumphal song. The
pathos of his Grandfather Whitehead has struck a chord
of kindred melody in every breast, from prince to peasant,
while the irascible fire which gleamed through the " fitful
fancies" of his Sir Anthony Absolute has formed a theme
for learned disquisition, and been stamped as true by the
hard hands of the unlettered sons of toil. To volunteer
praises now in favour of such varied and so generally ad-
mired exertions, would be indeed "to gild refined gold ; "
I but, even •at the hazard of incurring the charge of
'seeming officiousness, we cannot allow the opportunity
to pass, without recording—as briefly as needlessly and
inadequately,—our admiration of that quiet, graceful, un-
obtrusive, yet polished, elegance of manner, combined with
delicacy, tact, and earnest sensibility, which he infuses into
his representation of that magic character—a gentleman.
In this class of delightfuls, we must include his representa-
tion of Sir Peter Teazle and Squire Broadlands, in both
of which characters the touches of genuine good feeling and
high-toned sentiment, the latter the result of social position,
are beautifully and artistically put in ; while the confiding
simplicity and native goodness of heart of Dr. Primrose,
"in the Vicar of Wakefield," were also delineated with
masterly skill. His Lord Ogleby, "in the Clandestine
Marriage," is a character of different stamp, depending
more upon external grace than on moral quality, and, as
such, more calculated to take the eye than to enlist the
sympathies. Its personation fixes itself less deeply in the
memory, but even there the grace of polished 'manners,
as delineated by Farren will not be speedily forgotten by
those who have beheld him. Of Mrs. Phillips, the lady
who accompanies Mr. Farren in his farewell tour, it
would be difficult to speak in terms too highly to be
unjustified by her performances. Her Lady Teazle, a
trying character, was distinguished by a fine display of
natural talent, made the most of by judicious culture. Her
demeanour is winning, arch, refined ; her acting combines
lady-like dignity, united to perfect ease. The sallies of wit
and repartee flow from her tongue, untinctured by malignity ;
and in the trying scene in the library of Joseph Surface,
where her own humiliation is most complete, her confes-
sion was marked by a deep sense of moral rectitude, un-
contaminated by the slightest grossness. In Mrs. H.
Wallis, Mrs. Candour found 'an able representative.
The pertinacity of her attacks on character of every kind
was characteristic and telling, while her vivacity and em-
pressement in following up the wildest sallies of a vindic-
tive imagination, made the character in her hands stand
out in all its individuality and force. As Maria, Miss F.
Baker was pleasing and unobtrusive. Among the male
performers, it would be wrong to pass over in silent appro-
bation the very pleasing and gentleman-like performance
of Charles Surface by Mr. F. L. Villers • the Joseph
Surface of Mr. Loraine, and the Crabtree Of Mr. Baker,-
were also very creditable displays of acting. A burlesque
on Shakspeare's " Merchant of Venice," introduced to the
notice of a Liverpool audience Mr. Robson, a comedian of
brief experience, but, to all appearance, of very diversified,
as well as extensive, capability. By no means partial to
that portion of ' the drama which is generally known as
"the burlesque," we are constrained to make very favour-
able allowance for it in the hands of such an actor as Mr.
Robson, and, aided chiefly by the excellence of his acting,
the piece above referred to met with a highly flattering
reception. It has been repeated several times, and each
time seems making its way still further in popular estima-
tion, Mr. Robson has also appeared with equally marked
success in what may be called the walk of regular farce.
He has been well supported by the talent of the resident
company, and promises fairly to become an established
favourite in our theatrical circle.
THE ROYAL. AMPIIITIIEA.THE has, during the past
week, been the scene of Mrs. Stirling's histrionic triumphs,
that lady having appeared in several characters, and in
each displayed her varied talents. On Thursday she took
her benefit, and on that occasion repeated her favourite
part of Peg Woffington. The play was, as it has usually
been, received with loud and frequently repeated applause.
The preceding night had been devoted to the benefit of
Miss F. Baker. This young lady, who is rapidly rising in
popular estimation, was countenanced by a numerous
assemblage of her friends and admirers. The pieces
selected were " My Wife's Daughter," the " Midnight
Watch," and an afterpiece ; the characters of Clara and
Pauline being sustained by Miss Baker with her custo-
mary good taste. She was supported by Mrs. Stirling,
and the pieces afforded scope for displaying the talent of
the resident company.
LIVERPOOL AMATEUR GLEE AND MADRIGAL UNION.—
On Friday evening, the members of this society gave their
fifth public concert, which, we were glad to see, was well
attended. The concert took place in the Clayton-hall,
Clayton-square, being the first:, public performance there.
As we stated last week, the hall is tastefully fitted up ; it
is well lighted, and in most respects is very convenient, so
far as the audience department is concerned, with _pro-
bably only one exception—the ventilation—which appears
scarcely up to the requirements of a large audience. On
the occasion alluded to, the hall was by no means over
crowded, yet even in the reserved seats the heat was
marked and unpleasant. The concert commenced ap-
propriately with the " National Anthem," which was
sung effectively, and in good taste. In Mendelssohn's
fine glee " On ;the Sea," the powers and training
of the members, were well and favourably displayed
under the judicious conducting of Mr. Lidel. The
telling counter-point of this composition was well
marked, and the general execution of the piece was
such as richly to merit the applause it received. Hatton's
song, of " The Sky Lark," was given in a simple yet
effective style by Miss Stanley. This young lady has a
voice of much sweetness ; it is of good compass, and her
denieanour and enunciation are both pleasing. At the
conclusion of the song, she was loudly applauded, and
enthusiastically encored ; in complying with the call for
her re-appearance, she sang another piece which she also
gave with much effect. On the piano, Miss E. George
performed a difficult solo, a capriccio by Liszt, from
" Lucia di Lammermoor." This lady, who is a youth-
ful performer of much grace and promise, is possessed
of many personal and professional attractions; and her
style of instrumentation was at once pleasing and
effective. Her touch is delicate, and she infuses
no small amount of expression into her play. The
audience attested their own judgment, and the excellence
of her performance, by a unanimous and hearty encore.
In the second part of the concert Mr. Lidel gave an "Irish
Fantasia" on the violoncello, in capital style, and was de-
servedly greeted with loud applause. The madrigals and
glees were generally given in, a style of excellence which
reflects much credit on the exertions of the performers,
and in such a manner as to afford good ground for con-
gratulating Liverpool in being able to number so well or-
ganised a body of resident musicians among its intellectual
institutions. Before closing it would'be invidious not to
mention that the piano-forte accompaniments were very
skilfully given.

ITHE TATLEUR, new ship, which has been built at
Warrington, will be launched Ibis slay (Tuesday).