The Statesman. — 1823-10-16 (London, England)

THEATRICALS.  Mune Lt se.--The Romantic Melo-drama, of Five Acts, called Pizarro, was performed here last night, to present the town with an opportunity of judging of the posers of Mr. Mat:Benue, in the character of Rolla! We are not inclined to thick the experitnent will be repeated ; notwithstanding the display of some exquisite beauties in various parts of the performance. Rolla is now exclusively in the bands of Mr. )(outgo. It was the legacy to him, of Mr. KtraeLe, and all pretensions to take it out of his hands bare failed to be substantiated. In the address to the Peruvian Soldiers, Mr. MACREADT seas languid, and unimpressive. Instead of the vigorous and manly eloquence necessary to rouse common feelings into action, it was delivered with the frigid precision of a cool calculator upon the emphasis of phrases. The spirit was not In them. I nstrad of that bold impetuosity, that glowing ardour, by which YUCNG makes the address a tissue of "thoughts that breathe, and words that bern;"--Blame* Dv gave us a good reading of the oration. In truth, he has but little of the warrior about him ; though In the delineation of the common feelings of humanity, be is so exquisi•ely faithful to his mistress nature. In the battle scenes, his speech on the capture of the King, was better given, and produced considerable applause; bat it was gives in the style of one more agonized by the loss of the King, as a friend, and as a man, than in the manner of a hero, who saw in the event an additional opportunity of writ; nghis fame as a warrior in the hearts of his countrymen. There was too much of woman in the swelling boaom,the chocking grief and the half articulated words. Nothing but intlisietion could rise in liontes breast against his flying troaps. 'f lie intensity of his grief almost indicated a reluctance to go alone. With Cora, Mr. MacaeaDv was admirable. l'he melancholy of his countenance, the pathos of his tones, the bitterness 'of his sorrow, and his devotion to else fate of the two beings for wh.,se happiness be had sacrificed so much, affected us deeply. In the prison scene, his appeal to the soldier was equal to his finest efforts in other characters ; the manner of his rushing into the arms of Alonzo was excellent ; and his subsequent entreaties.of Alonzo to leave the prison, characterised by an intensity of feeling. In the interview with Eiriret, lie did not play up to himself.lt seemed as if the attainment of his object. the liberation of his friend, had satisfied his soul ; and that a degree of indifference, far too philosophically cool for the ardour of a tropical constitution, hail succeeded to the tun:Anions pas.ions before raging in hii bosom. Yet the refus II to d. str,.ty the guard was given with true feeling. The interview with Pizarro went off but coldly, Rolla seemed more of the Roman than the Peruvian. Coto could not have lecture'! with more impressive solemnity of speech. This philosophic indifference was maintained also in the scene, where be is brought back in chains ; but the discovery of the child roused all the feelings of the ardent sou of nature. Ills failing on his knees before Pizarro, and then throwing himself at his feet, to implore him to restore the child, were exquisitely conceived and executed. The snatching of the child was but auk wardly managed: and the escape lost much of its effect by the care with which the fall of the bridge was effected. In the dying scene, there was a painful reality which chilled the very soul. His looks were terrific.— The triumph of the grim tyrant wes too faithfully depicted.— The Alinezo of Mr. WALLACK was good. Without any brilliance of effect, for which the part affords no scope, it was uniformly pleasing. Pizarro was most hardly dealt by; being murdered in every scene, instead of being killed, as usual, only in the last. it is beyond the scope of the performer. ElTiro did not escape much better, though Valverde spares her lifeat last; but Mrs. GLovas had a severe cold, and we must excuse her.  HA