The National Register. — 1818-10-18 (London, England)

OCT 13  THE  DRURY LANE THE.ATRE.  Novelty seems to be the order of the day—and if we arc not gratified by old faces, the present Management seems determined to supply their delicieney by w succession of variety. On Monday, The Proroked Ilusbaad, one of the best comedies in the old range of the drama, was produced for the purpose of introducing Ai r. Fisher in the character of Lord l'ownhy, and Mrs. West in that of My Lady. The comic humour is ctiquisite ; the characters true to nattlre , and the pathetic scenes touching and affecting. I'hc dandies of the pr.:sent day have almost superseded the polished air and deportment of well-bred gentlemen—though we may still boast of many in the higher circles who preserve the chareetecistic of true dignity. Few actors, fudged, can succeed in giving due effect to I.nrd Tarnlca--therefore, in stating our opinion that Mr. Fisher was not eminently successful, may, perhaps, not derogate much from his general merits. The comedy itself is not so attractive as it deserves Of Mrs. West, we are gratified to say she acquitted herself with considerable ability—her comic scenes were marked by ease and polished gaiety—and although allured by the pleasures of fashionable life, she gave hopes of future reformation; and in the reconciliation scene, she oompietely took possession of the feelings of the audience. On the whole, she displayed much versatility of talent, and was frequently interrupted by testimonies of approbation. Mrs. Orger, in Lady Grace, looked captivating ; and Mrs. Alsop rendered the part of Jenny very amusing. trednesday.—Cumberland's comedy of' 77:e Fashionable Gorer was revived this evenin4. It is one of those pieces which may produce some interest in the closet on account of the banevolent sentiments and sensible observations upon life and character which occasionally occur : but there are very few revivals that replenish the treasury ;—and, in this instance, it requires talents of the highest order to render it even tolerable. We do not wish to discourage the Manager in his selection, but certainly the comedy " went off" very lan7trid. Mr. H. Johnstone spoke the Scotch dialect with great fluency in Colin M'Leod. Mrs. West, in Augusta Aubrey, was interesting; and Mrs. Orger exerted herself to overcome the odious and repulsive aspect of Miss Bridgemore. Dibtl in's farce of My Spouse and I followed; in which a Mr. Yarnoid made his first bow to a London audience in the character of Ned. We regret he had not a fuller hotel: to witness his debut, as lie certainly possesses talent, which, though not of the first order, may, by practice in a metropolitan theatre, produce ‘• good fruit." He met with a favourable reception, and was deservedly encored in one of the songs. The tragedy of Macbeth was performed on Thursday night. Mr. Kean was, of course, the hero of the scene, bat there was a new heroine. Mrs. West, who had already acquired no small degree of reputation in characters of a very different cast, appeared for the first time as Lady Macbeth. l'he consequence was such as might 'hive been easily anticipated An actress, whose chief distinction was feminine tenderness, afforded a very imperfect sketch of the aspiring worm whom ambition had unsexed. We do nut, however, insinuate that the attempt was altogether a failure. It contained some goad points, and displayed', upon the whole, so much intellect, that it may be said to have lost the necessary impression rather from physical than mental disability. It is to be considered in extenuation of any deficiency with which it might be fairly charged, that among the host of aspirants to the same part since the time of Mrs. Siddons, not one can be said to have succeeded. It will be collected from what we have thready stated, that in working up her husband's mind to murder—in reproaching him for his visitations of conscience—and in wresting the daggers from him with indignation, to visit the scene of death herself—the recollection of that awful energy of which the stage is now deprived, prevented her from taking a strong hold of the feelings; her best scenes were, probably, that of the banquet, and that in which he displayed the horrors of a guilty sleep. Mr. H. Kemble was the Macduji, and acquitted himself respectably.