Drury-Lane Theatre.
The Times, 1824-06-28T00:00:00

On Saturday evening the comedy of Tlc Road to Rtrin was per- formed, On this occasion, Mlr. Dowton appeared as Old Dornton. It would, perhaps, have been as wyell if he had suffered the beautiful personation of tihis character by Air. M1lunden to lIavc been in some degree forgotten, before he volunteered his services as the representa- tive ofthe good, the generous-hearted old banker. iVIr. Dawtoni's per. fbrmance had too muic of the sturdiness and steTnILess of Job Thorn. berry about it,ard too little of the kindnessand auieniTyofelldDorntout. We have never read this character, still less have we ever seen Mlr. AMunden perform it, that we were not strongly reminded of Sterne's Unicle Toby-a man to whom passion was a stranger-a man, in whom the elements of good nature were so predominant, that even the poor fly shared in his humanc aympathies. Air. Dowton viewed the character in a different light: he played it as if Old Dorntonr were a mere man of the world-a being of an irascible nature, occasionally betrayed by circu1itatnces into kind and gentle feeling. 51r. Mlander, took the proper path; he described Old I)orntool as he is drawn-a man who is tbe very cream of the milk of human kindness, to whom hatredl, malie, and all uncharitableness are utter strangers- " Who carries anger as the flint brars fire, " Vhich, muchi enforced, shows a hasty spark, "And straight is cool again." It will he inferred from these observations, that Alir. Dowton succeeded better in those parts of the character where Old Dornton chides and admonishes, than where he relaxes and re- lents. In neither instance can we award him any very, extensive praise. His passion, anlike that of Munlden, was not subduted and softened by those occasional tremblings of voice, bv that piteousness of look whicil distinguished the performince of that great actor; nor was his tendernems of that netural and affrcting kind winch marked the performance of the excellent otiginal. The for- mer was stern and harshi thiroughiout, the latter was forced and aftect. ed. XVe have seen M\r. Elliston perform the part of Moarry Doruto,l much better. Through the five acts, he was " or wlhis.pering or ranting." lfe appeared to be in very high spirits; which, foraught we know, might be thc reason of his having played so badlv. Harley was amusing in Goldfinch, and Knight excellent in Silkky. Anv artist, wishing to introduce Avarice into an allegory, would to well to get limiglit, in his costume as Silky, to sit for the picture. No. lhing can be imagined more transcendently miserable. Alisq S. Booth played the character of Sophia, like one long used to the boards, with a great deal of art and very little nature. In the course of the evening Aladame Catalani dIelighted the audience with her admirable powers. She sang the recitative and air " Comfort ye, my people," most exquisitely. We must, however, object to the introduction of this sacred and noble strain, between the second and third acts of an indifferent comedy, or during the progress of any comedy at all. The music-lesson duet from JU Fantico per la Mu. sica, was also enchantingly sung. At the conclusion of tie play she gave in character agrani SCena ed Aria, from the opera of Semira- mnidc. As soon as the applause which succeeted thislast effort had sub- sided, a pretty general call for " Rule Britannia" arose from the pit. Madame Catalani immediately cane forward, and with the greatest readiness complied with the demand of tilc au(lience, by singing their favouritc air,with all that energyand enthusiasm which have render- ed her so popular with the Enghgli public. The powerful effect which her execution of this air produced was evinced by the applause which was bestowedI upOt it. The pit rose to a man, anrd cheered her for several minutes. The object of this enthusiasm was moved to tears, and was led from the itage, after having endeavoured to express her feelings, by placing her hand OR her bosom, and curtsey- ing repeatedly. 3rlr Elliston, who appears recently to have acquired a taste for speeehiifying, then came forward and addnlrcssed the audi. ence. He directed their attention to two benefits, which would af- opportunity for the exercise of tic hilanthropy of the pub. lic-he atiuded to the benefit of AMrs. Bisd, wio has been for up- wardsof 40yearsafavourite on th- stae, which takes place on Thursday next; and to that for the benefit of the widow and chil- dren of thelate Mr. Oxberry, which will shortly follow the former. The lessee then alluded to the prolongation of the season, which, lie said, had been brought about by no measures of his ; but he hinted that he had a.right to keep his theatre open all the year round, declared that he cextainly would do so for some time longer, and concluded by statingthat he had re-engaged Aladame Catalani to sing after the 7th of July. DRURY-LANv THEATRE.