The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-10-02 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN TIMATRE.

The Tragedy of Macbeth, from the mariner in
which it was performed last season at this Theatre,
was the churns that attracted every amateur of the
drama. At no time in the history of the stage was it
performed with more histrionic effect—for not mere-
ly was the character of Lady Macbeth executed by
Mrs. sitonoNs with unequalled art, but Mr. KEMBLI6
had exerted all his skill in the preparation of every
part of the play, as well as Studied,• with the mdst
painful attention, the important part which he
had hiniself to sustain. Take it all in ill, it was a
sublime performance. It was, therefore, a most
unexpected thintou the part of the public to see it
advertised so suddenly after the recollection of this
excellence; with the very feeble substitutes which
the Theatre has to present in the room of the great
artists who are withdrawn from the service. With
every wish to forget what we have seen, ,aud the
most liberal feeling towards Miss Mseetor, we can-
not help expressing our regret, that her rising pro-
gress in public estimation should be checked by an at.
tempt so much beyond her ability to fulfil. If it was
tier own seeking—=it would indicate It blameable pre-
sumption—if imposed upon her, it was imprudent
cruelty, sittee it is equally hurtfdl to her and to the
house, in the present scarcity of female talent. We
by no means wish to be more severe than the occa-
sion requires. Miss M. speaks sensibly, anti not* ith-
standing some defect in the organs, her articulation is
clear—but the talent is wanting of conveying to the
spectator the image of the beings she represents—of
giving identity to the character—of making each
movement of the limbs—each gesture of the body
—each glance of the eye express before she utters the
sentiment or the passion by which she is agitated.—
Accordingly in the banquet scene, which is 'the
touchstone of the mind of a Performer—we lead
none of that profound skill which her predecessor dis-
!played; in distracting the attention of her guests
from the disordered spirit of her husband. But, c n
the contrary, when s;te descended from her chair of
state—her showy attitudes—her lavish use of her
arms—her throwing herself *broad, were a lament-
able degeneracy, from the acute and intellectual soli.
dity of Mrs. St onoNs.
Mr. YOUNG is so perfectly known to our readers.
that we need not dwell on the peculiarities of his
performance. Mr. YOUNG never offends. There Is
the evidence cif a sound judgment in all that he does,
which so far satisfies the mind, as to reconcile the
Auditor to the Actor, and in level speaking he is
eloquent. It is in the moment of strong convulsive
passion thtd the tones are wanting which make the
soul sympathize in the emotion. Ile does not always
take the time that the workings of the heart require,
to delineate the picture of the scene.—For instance,
immediately after the banquet scene, when Lady
Macbeth has hastily dismissed the guests to prevent
the exposure of her consort, the illusion requires
that the royal pair, when left alone, should preserve
the agitation of his alarmed conscience and of her
disdain—that he should still express his horror—and
she testify her superior constancy of mind. But in-
stead of this they instantly return to the most midis-
, turbed calm, and proceed to that (which critics have
blamed in the great Author) to talk of his further
designs. It is evident, however, that a pause of
dumb shew should supply the want of dialogue in
this most interesting part of the play.
The character of ilfacdur is one of the most per-
fect performances of Mr. CliAeLra KEssin.a. There
are few bursts of passion on the stage--indeed we
scarcely know one left, so - harrowing to the best
feelings of our nature, as his exclamation of iL Ile
am no children !"—lt is impossible for the heart to
vesist the influence of his expression. We cannot
conclude without paying a compliment to the per-
formance of the music in this piece; the orchestra is
mach more distinctly heard by the alteration of the
house than it was last season, and is consequently
much improved.

The Honourable G. fiemsomer left loin rester-
aV for Irelead,