The Sun. — 1852-02-10 (London, England)

PRINCESS'S THEATRE. 'O4 As manager and actor—in production and performance—. = II Mr. Charles Kean achieved last evening a twofold and tran--4i scendant triumph. The representation ot Shakspere's Lisle, /L\ , Nr, rical play of King John on the boards of the Princess's N Theatre affords, we make bold to say, the most magnificent combination ot splendour, correctness, and artistic skin that the theatrical public have ever yet had the opportunity of beholding. It is really difficult, after witnessing such a masterpiece, histrionic and managerial, to avoid the use of terms which might appear extravagantly eulogistic, however just; suffice it to say, that the fruits of evident enormous pains and outlay have been—perfection and commensurate success. As regards the mise en scene we have never seen it equalled. The kingly chivalry of France and England six centuries ago lives and moves before our eyes in vivid reality, a resurrection of the contemporaries of the Great Charter. Where such authorities have been scrupulouslyconsulted for the selection of the costumes, arms, banners, and decorations, as Meyrick's " Ancient Armour," C. H. Smith's " Ancient Costume of Great Britain," Planchd's " Costume of King John," Shaw's at uheman wet 2 sane Edi " Strutt's " Dresses and Habits (1 the People of England," Fairholt's "Costume in England," Fosbroke's " Encyclopmdia of Affivnigytesioieqssiuueii,trpieeusA:gi"i:Diegi:delyasle's " Monasticon Anglicanum.” Dresses and Decorations," Stothard's " MonumentalO el dro Herald-office da iraoyffio nf eE MonarchiccLcel ce ima Ecclesiastical na a rie:toe,aa-; formedW onfletnaheininste "reUstig Montfaucon's " Monarchie Franeaiae," Herbe's " Costumes may F ran go be i 8 nn an, uinends Franceasicisu,'e' some natureideaof the effect produced. The .pictnr scenery is likewise so beautifully executed as to render the ill ' limn complete. But it is not merely as an extraordinary spectacle that King John was received with such most merited enthusiasm ; the actinwas first-rate throughout. Mr. Kean's was a thoroughly noble performance. In the famous scene with Hubert, where he prompts his adherent to undertake the removal of "the serpent from his path, and in the ghastly awfulness of the death-scene in the moonlit orchard of Swinstead Abbey; in the defiance of Papal tyranny, and the self-abasement and remorse pourtrayed, when lee believes that Arthur has been murdered, he was the very embodiment of the fitful and unscrupulous King, as drawn by the mighty dramatist. There was exquisite beauty in the Constance of Mrs. Kean. Grief, rage, pathos, thrillingly depicted, with not a vestige of the viragoism displayed by ordinary personators of the character. In the final agony of heart-broken despair, Mrs. Kean was so surpassingly great, that the house literally shook with the outburst of applause evoked by such a rare effort of genius. Falconbridge was pourtrayed by Mr. Alfred Wigan in a manner most creditable to that clever aetor. Considering his usual line of business, it could not be expected that he could make the part what we remember it in the hands of Charles Kemble or James Wallack ; but he played it with admirable spirit and appropriate humour. As a good sound actor, Mr. Ryder has long held a favourable position, but his Hubert last night was a gem. In the affecting scene with Arthur in the prison, and the subsequent passion of grief over the dead body of the young prince, he took the audience by storm. Miss Kate Terry, as Prince Arthur, exhibited much cleverness and excellent training. All the subordinate parts were most satisfactorily filled; Queen Eleanor by Miss Phillips, Blanche by Miss Murray, Prince Henry by Miss Robertson, the French King by Mr. Fisher, the Duke of Austria by Mr. Cooke, the Cardinal by Mr. raham, not forgetting Mr. Addison as the Governor of Angiers, and Mr. Cathcart as the Viscomte de Alelan. At the conclusion of the performance Mr. and Mrs. Kean were vehemently called for, and saluted with fervent acclamations. Mr. Wigan had to appear, and was most warmly greeted. Mr. Ryder then came in for a similar mark of approval most deservedly bestowed; and finally Miss Kate Terry was promoted by the audience to a place in this honourable ovation, Mr. Kean himself leading the clever little girl before the curtain. Of the long and sustained success of such a tremendous hit as the production of last evening there cannot be a shadow of doubt. There is not a metropolitan inhabitant or visitor of the smallest taste but ought to take an opportunity of visiting this' theatre on some one at least of the King John nights. Se ssperb a treat has never before been offered to the playgoer.  [