The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-12-09 00:00:00

I TBEATRICALS.

Mott. LANE.—Mr. KEAN appeared in Richard last nig`ni
On his entrance. it was easy to perceive that the accounts o-
lds recent illness were no •• invention of the enemy." He
ii
much thinner, both in countenance and person; and there was
a bodily Languor about him, that no exertion of the mind could
entirely throw them rut. The house was crowded; and his re-
ception was what it ought to be, from a public which he halo.
often delighted. Tile hearty and friendly welcome Ultra I
gleam of joy into his countimance; but nothing could remove
the weight that sat heavy orrahts heart. The first act des
played with sufficient attention to all the mechanism of the pro.
fession : but it wanted that " stirring spirit," which vas ie.
cuatomed to effect such wonders. The second passed off A.
heavily; notwithstanding the occasional britliancy of CstC!!:
Lion that flashed a.ross the scene, with the transient spier.
dour of the lightning. The simile may be curio
fitrther,for the occasional brilliance encreased the glao:u of
the recurring shad,. The scene with Lady Antic avai
performei as a good imitator of Li eAN might have 'dived it
—n ilia all his manner ; in all Isis personal anearince ;
and with some effect ; but waning the soul that erjoyag
while it delineated the conreptions of the authGr. The
third act afforded no improvement ; and the actor felt the
andieGce was not with him. An apology was m.de torus
evitien I infirmity, and the indulgence of the house .Lira-4
for him in the arduous business of the ensuing scent, It
was readily granted : the aator was evidently inspired to
greater exertion by the justice of the audience; and be
carefully husbanding Isis resources, came through the
ordeal of the remaining acts, much more trium:oliantly than
we had dsred to bore. Still it was not the Richard of
KEAN ; :and we take leave to tell those who saw bias
fur the first time that they are totally unacquainted
with 'the brilliance of his abilities. when nature wall allow
him to des-elope them in all their force. Mr. WALLACK
a good Riehniondthe best, we think, who has recentiv
performed the part. Mrs. %VEST played the Queen witii
great effect—the wafting with the children was, whips,
the most rfr-ctive scene of the evening. Mrs. 'ism:aft:has
the &where of York ; and rich a duchess I She did core
remember that it was her part to seem in sorrow ; and, with
a laudable earnestness to redeem ber inattention, she stare!.
el for her handkerchief, and put it to her eyes. Miss
SAILTHSON wee the Lady Aline ; of which we shall merely oh.
serve that it might have been possible to have found &letter.
Miss Ca we has grown too tall for Priace Edward; and the
little substitute fur Richard has been very coarsely drilled
into his prince ship. The representative of the Mayor of
London, as we were informed, was Ma. Beam's, the very
excellent Pantaloon! and no greater burksqoe of a
mayor could have been found. Why does not some C
Magistrate invite Mr. ELLISTON to a city feast, that he
might have an opportunity of seeing a fore real aldermen,
all alive," and be enabled to mend his 'rage memorials
lof them. The play was by no means well cast; anti the
clumsy expedient of having men to held the tent curtains
apart, or together, as the stage business required, would
have disgraced the Royalty. The appearance of lit
K ear in Othello was announced for Friday neat.
•

Km's TIIZATRZ.--AVID understand that Signor Rossini cad
Madame Colbroin are expected in town this day. Medic*
COIJIIIR is engaged as prima Donna at the King's Theatre.
(FROM 01.711 PARIS CaRRESPORDENV.)
On Saturday last, the :19th ult, the benefit of M. Garda
took place at the 7 kealre Italie* at Paris. The entliusilha
excited io the public mind on account of the promised presence
of the celebrated Rossini, was so great, that althoi sh the
prices of adon:ssiou were doubled, it was crowded to exc'ss.
The performance was Otlllo, which ass rdmir ably sit a,
and at the conclusion of every act, ihe whole audience ruse,
and soluted the greet composer with the most enthusiastic
plaudits ever heard. Never was a greater homage paid to
musical geniu•. The amateurs of music in London may daily
expect his arrival, as lie will quit Paris on Wednesday, Wig
engaged to preside at the King's Theatre.