The National Register. — 1816-04-22 (London, England)

COVENT-GARDEN. Monday night, Mr. COBHAM, welt known at the Minor Theatres, and in several provincial towns, where he has for some time past been performing with considerable success, made his first appearance at this Theatre in the character of Richard. The attempt was by no means a successful one ; not that the performance was entirely devoid of merit, but its defects very far indeed outweighed its beauties. Mr. COBHAM posts-melt a good stage face and figure, his voice is also powerful ; but in general he seemed entirely to have misconceived the character he had undertaken to support. Instead of the deep, dissimulating, political, and aspiring Duke if (Mister drawn by our immortal Poet, we were presented with the picture of a ferocious villain, and bare-laced murderous ruffian; and in the place of kingly dignity, we were in general amused with starts, and attitudes of Melo-drama and Pantomime, The curtain ultimately dropped amidst a mixture of applause and disapprobation. It is impossible that this actor, in- his present condition, can succeed with a respectable London audience ; but he is not destitute of talent, and therefore not hopeless of improvement. Among the novelties of this Theatre, on Tuesday evening, the first in point of importance was the debut of a Mr. HMV, in the character of Sir Pertinas Mae Sycophant. His entree was very warmly greeted; but indications of party feeling scented to embarrass hint in his progress, until, in the fourth act, the tumult became so violent as to excite the indignation of the better judging portion of the audience, who, with one accord rose, waved their hats, and uttered shouts of encouragement for hint to proceed. The order restored by this interposition enabled us to hear distinctly, and to discover the ' most encouraging indications of the debutant's powers. His performance was certainly cold and stiff; but a little more discipline may warm him into considerable excellence. lie retired amid loud demonstrations of applause. A new melo-dramatic Arabian Romance, called Who Wants a Wife? or, The Law of Ike Land, created laughter, and charmed the eye, without leaving any decided impression on the mind. The humour of it turns on a sort of nondescript Cockney, from Beatbinder-lane (Les roe), who, on his voyage to Bombay, has been shipwrecked on some part of the Arabian coast It seems, a stranger had once saved the life of the Ruler over that part of the country where the Cockney finds himself; who, in gratitude, had proclaimed u law, that on every anniversary of that day, whatever stranger might chance to be in the kingdom should have the privilege of claiming, as a bride, the first of the train of females resorting to pay their court on the occasion, at the palace. who might chance to be unmarried. The Cockney avails himself of the privilege, and his good luck gives him a Princess, who, Mier putting his fidelity to vanous at length decides in his favour. Though the plot is flimsy anti extravagant, yet, by the aid of scenery most gorgeously magnificent, and the dresses and dancing, worthy ()fa better vehicle, it was received well, and will probably be many times repeated to good houses. Mr. PococK is said to be the author of it.—The music, by litstior, was excellent.  The Tragedy forthcoming at Drury Lane Theatre, on Mr. Kea* return tsrom Scotland, is, we understand from the pen of Mr. Mathurin, an Irish Gentleman, the author of a Novel, The Family of Montorio, and a friend of Mr. Mnlier Scutt, to whom he has dedicated it in the following few butt emphatic words—" To Walter Scott, the .Reetsman—the only friend of the Irish Author."--Mr. Bartley, of Drury-lane Theatre, has relinquished his engagement at that 'theatre, to he Stage M.ina• ger to Mr. Arnold.—Fawcett is reported to have resigned the management of Covent-garden Theatre to Farley.—Mr. Raymond is about the porchuse,-it is said, of Vanikliall Gai dom.