Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-06-03
THEATRICAL.

Our Theatre opened on Monday night last with
Homes Play ofDouglas or the Noble Shepherd; the part
of Young Norval by Mr.. FIELD, a young aspirant for
Dramatic fame, and it is nothing more than justice to
say to him, that he sustained the part with much abli-
ty, and displayed talents Of, no or iinary cast for the
Drama. He was well received by a respectable au-
dicnce, who gave hir. ample assurance that his efforts to
please were properly appreciated. Glenalvon, by Mr..
Brown, from the Haymarket Theatre, was ~respecta-
bly, supported. He has some faults, however, which
ought to be corrected. Mrs. POWELL, as Lady RAN
dolph, was unusually chaste and pathetic in her perform
ances. This lady has not visited us for several Of the
last years, and on this occasion was received with all
those evidences of regard which in other and earlier
days, we were in the habit Of extending to her. The
afterpiece Of the Bee Hive, was run off with c~onsidera-
BILE spirit by the corps and in the character of Captain
Merton, appeared for the first time on our boards, Mr..
WILLIAMsoS, OF the Boston Theatre. This gentle
man, as an actor, gets through with his performances
very ~credltably to himself, and to the satisfaction OF the
audience. Ills forte is Meio Drama, and pastoral Come
dy and in light and gentecl drama, he is quite happy. As
a vocalist, he deservedly sustains a more than ordinary
reputation. Miss M'BRIDE, a young lady originally
from the Boston Theatre. made her first appearance
this evening IN the play an %aitcrpiece. : She is quite
interesting, and with a little pracpce and experience,
will undoubtedly do honor to the proe sson she has cho-
sen. There is, however, a native dlfidence in her man
ner, which, whilst it cannot fail to elicit an interesting
feeling in her favor, detracts much from her efforts, and
OF which 1t is necessary she should dvest herself. This
however, has its origin in maiden modesty, and cannot
in a moment be overcome. But lie, her, endeayor TO
entirely. free herself from embarrassment, and de-
pend upon the protection and support of liberal au.
dlence. Her reception must have been very fatterine
to her pride, and grateful to her feelings, and ought to
assure her that it is not impossible for her to become
a decided favorite with the Providence play-eoine
public. Ofthe regular members ofthe corps dramatique,
among whom we shall only notice Messrs. kILEiR.
CLARKE and BROWN, IT IS only necessary to say that
they were received as friends of o Lang Syne,," and
were told in the most hearty terms OF welcome, that our
citizens were happy orce more to behold them, and To
extend to them the support Of a liberal and feeling com.
munity.
Wednesday Evening, a full and fashionable audienc.
was called IN to witness Mr.. HAMBLIN's Virpinius.-
This gentleman, who is generally advantagoousIy known
as a Tragedian, certainly deserves a higher rank in the
Drama, than has been assigned him by the caprice of the
times; and but for certain when
he first landed in this country, he would undoubtedly
have been, at this day, esteemed as second to no TRACE
dean in America. His manner is graceful, his concep-
ton is just, rarely varying from the meaning Of the au-
thor, added to which, he possesses the most pleasing and
fascinating person we ever witnessed. He has evident
ly made the dramatic art his whole business and study,
and as he is abundantIy endowed with the embellish-
ments ofa rich and original mind, which have been nur-
tured with a shot house culture" he cannot fail to sue
eeed in becoming first among the favorite actors ofthe
country. We thought, however, we could discover
some few defects, but as they probably originated in the
embarrassment OF the moment, when presenting himself
before an audience to which he was a perfect stranger, it
would be uGkind if not unjust to mark them. We shall
say to this gentleman, that five were delighted with his
Hamlet last winter whilst in Boston, we were on We'd
neSday night enrapturcd with his NlrglnluS lie has our
best wishes for his happiness and success, and we do not
think We commit a "brcach Of privilege" { we avow he is
a decided tavorite with our citizens. On Monday even
ing he performs the part of William Tell, and as the cr-
tics have said that he Is superior to COOPER or CONWAY
in this arduous and interesting character, we bespeak for
him, and the management a crowded house on that occa-
sion. The part Of Virginia was sustained with consider
able credit by Mrs. HAMBLIN, and we are glad to say
that she was received with every testimonial Of regard by
the audience. Her talents, however, seem better calcu-
lated for light comedy than for the arduous duties of the
weeping muse. In the a~itcrpicce of "Is He Jealous"
she represented the part ofHarriet to life-to admiration,
and to the delight the audience. Her figure is good,
her voice is full and harmonious, and she has the happy
faculty ofcommanding its fluctuations and intonations.-
Gay and volatile IN her presentations of roHps, hoydens
and coquettes, she seems peculiarly calculated for the
Priscilla Tomboyis and Letitia Hardy's; and if with
these powers to please, she can so we'll succeed in light
comedy, we know not why she should be anxious 10
wear the mourning weeds of Calista, the care worn coun-
tenance OF Belvidera, the Responding aspect ofPortia,
the deep and settled gloom of Mrs. Haller, or the SCREEN
and yellow melancholy" Of Mrs. Beverly. 1t is not our
intention, however, to say that Mrs. HAMBLIN does not
possess talents. for tragedy-on the contrary, we remark
that her talents in that line, are far above mediocrity.-
Mr.. FIELD sustained the part Of Icilius, very respectfully
but his voice failed in som scenes. The part Of APP
JUS Claudius was not so well sustained by Mr.. J.
BROWN, rs was generally expected; but it ought to be
recollccted that he had never played or studied the part
before; and 1t was not until Tuesday forenoon, that he
was informed he had been cast for that chararter. The
part of Bclmour, in the Farce, was filled BY Mr.. WILL
LAMsoN-we were not much pleased with this per-
Torrance. Miss POWELL, who has much improved
since last with us, was kindly received, by the audience,
among whom she had many warm and disinterested
friends. Miss CLARKE, for the first time this season
made her appearance to the audience, and had assuran-
ces that she has not been forgotten.
Last evening, Shakspearcs' Play GAS you like it" was
performed. The part of Jaques, by Mr.. HAMBLIN:
Rosalind, Mrs. HAMBLIN. Both parts were well sustain.
ed, and in Some scenes they exhibited fine specimens of
acting. The Pas Seui, by Miss G. M'BRID did her
much credit, and was highly applauded by the au-
dience.
Having thus taken n blrd's-eye view of the perform
ances tins week-it only remains for US to whisper a
word In the ear Of MIR. KILNER, and in doing this, we
shall proceed to say to him, that the public have been
sadly disappointed IN the appearance Of the interior of
the Theatre, and arc not well pleased that the promises
made at the annunciation Of its opening, have not been
fulfilled. We were led to believe that the artist, Mr..
HADDocK, had with his chaste pencil ornamented and
embellished 1t, but on entering, we found little or no.
thing had been done, and that we we're entering the
same solitary and rude concern that received US the last
season. by way OF an apology for this neglect il has
been urged that the paints did not arrive in time from
boston to admit OF the artists commencing operations,
This excuse is fimsy in itself, aud it will not do to
say that our town cannot afford a sufficient quantity Of
paints to ornament the inside ofthe Theatre. The Or
chestra, on Monday evening was quite respectable,
though nothing to boast Of, but on Wednesday night
il was deserted, and during the intervals between
lowed no other music than that afforded by Mr.. GRAM
GERS violin (Which, by the way is an excellent instru-
ment performed upon by a mastery and one clarionct.-
Last evening it was very fair indeed.
The green curtain, which has hung in its present place
since the management Of Mr.. HARPER, thirty FIVE wears