more, performed by Mr. Harley, whose character forms an exception to the general censure we passed upon the subordinate personages. Though not of the tragic cast it is an original and impressive portrait, and was extremely well sustained. The piece was announced for repetition with loud and unmixed applause. APRIL 30. Mr. Kean performed the part of Barabas, in The Jew of Malta, with his usual spirit this evening, but having resisted a very general encore at the conclusion of the Harper's song, the audience testified their disapprobation by opposing the further progress of the piece. Mr. Kent came forward in this juncture, and stated on the part of Mr. Kean, that he felt himself so much indisposed as to be scarcely able to go through the remainder of the character. This explanation restored the good humour which was for a moment sus pended, and the picce proceeded to its conclusion with much applause. The Play was succeeded by a new dramatic Romance, entituled The Mountain Chief. The scene is laid in Wales. Mr. Wallack sustained the principal character, which is that of an Oatlaw; but though his exertions were not sparingly distributed, the reception of the performance was so far equivocal as to leave it still a matter of doubt whether it can be repeated with any prospect of success. We shall not detail the plot. It is enough to say of it, that Rhys the Red (Mr Wallack) possesses himself by force of Anada (Miss Cubitt), the daughter of a miller: that she is also loved by Sir Hildomen (Mr. Barnard), who, together with her father, and a large body of troops pursue, overtake, and redeem the captive, put the outlaw to death, and thus prepare the way for a wedding, which concludes their adventures. The chief defect of the story was a want of incident. The events are very few, and we do not think, that even few as they are, the connection is sufficiently clear to effect that easy developement which is required in such productions. Mr. Knight had a part with which he could do but little. attempt was made to compensate for the tameness of the beginning by introdu cing a sufficient quantity of bustle and fighting at the close. The experiment, however, was not very successful. One scene had like to have been fatal to the drama. We allude to that in which the Outlaw and his antagonist fight upon a bridge, from which they fall into the water. Either some change should be made in the machinery of this accident, or the accident should be omitted altogether. A contest took place on the falling of the curtain, in which the applause prevailed, but the minority was by no means inconsiderable. It was. with difficulty announced for repetition. The music is agreeable. MAY 5. This evening O'Keeffe's Comedy of Wild Outs was performed. The wild, whimsical part of Rover fell to the lot of Mr. Elliston, who was received, after his long absence, with the enthusiasm that was to be expected on the return of an actor so popular. Rover could not have been committed to better hands. His eccentricities were exhibited in all their agreeable vivacity and variety; now stretching into farce, and again refining into the delicacy of the sentimental school. This play, first written for the performers of the day in which it was produced, has held its rank upon the boards, in consequence of a succession of performers, who, though not exactly formed upon the model, have fallen within the line of those, whose talents it was originally intended to exhibit. Nothing else would have sustained it so long. Mr. Dowton's Sir George (hunder was admira-' ble; he played up to Rover, in the technical phrase, with uncommon felicity. The scenes in which he is addressed by the lively stroller as Abrawang were excessively laughable. Mrs. Glover's Lady Amaranth was interesting; and the whole piece was so well got up, and so favourably received, that we expect it will bear many repetitions. Mr. Barnard came forward, on the falling of the curtain, to announce the performance of the next night, according to custom; but there was a general call for Elliston. The former retired accordingly, and Mr. Elliston made his appearance, after some time, at one of the stagedoors, and proceeded, bowing all the way as he crossed the stage, until he reached the other door, where he made his exit. MAY 6. This evening the tragedy of Douglas was performed. On this occasion a new actress, Miss MACAULEY, from the Theatre-royal, Dublin, made her first appearance in the character of Lady Randolph. This lady has evidently passed her noviciate, and possesses considerable talent, both natural and acquired, for her profession. Her coun tenance and figure are not remarkable, either for just expression or graceful proportion; but her voice is unusually sweet and melodious-her action easy and appropriate. Miss Macauley also exhibited much power in pourtraying violent emotion; we sometimes doubted whether the occasions for displaying that power were judiciously chosen; the adjurations or addresses to the Deity, with which this character abounds, were not given with sufficient force and solemnity; there appeared a tendency to relapse into the colloquial tone and manner, when the heart should be agitated and bursting with intense feeling; on the whole, this actress will be au acquisition to the theatre: much that is faulty may be attributed to the embarrassment of appearing for the first time before a London audience, and what is good will become better, when custom and habit have produced complete self-possession. Mr. Kean played Douglas, for the first time, and in a style which will place that performance among his happiest efforts. Its great beauty consisted in the gentleness and natural truth which pervaded each sen timent and action belonging to the character. No attempt was made to force applause by violent gesture or an unnatural elevation of the tones of the voice; none of those displays ad captandum, into which even this judicious actor sometimes falls, were exhibited. He told the story to the life-was the identical Norval, the interesting hero of this drama. The sympathy excited was pure and unmixed; and when his unfortunate destiny is fulfilled by the treachery of Glenalvon, the house seemed to feel and to mourn it as a real event-as the extinction of a noble mind. The applause at the termination was great and long continued. A slight change has been made in the catas trophe, by closing the play with the death of Douglas, which is injudicions, as the fate of Lady Randolph is thereby omitted, and what becomes of her remains doubtful. MAY 12. This evening Mr. Elliston performed Vapid, in the Dramatist, it is sufficient to say, that he made all of the character which it can bear. both appears entirely unaltered. The novelty of the play, was Miss Macauley's first performance of Imogine, in the delineation of 'which character, she not only justified, but heightened our previous opinion of her talents. The A new Farce entitled The Blackamoor's Head, was also this evening performed for the first time. The title is derived from the sign of an inn, at which Major Dushville (Penley), accompanied by his valet Martin (Harley), take refuge from the overturn of the Weymouth coach, and find, that Jessy Huntly (Miss Ivers), to whom the major is ardently attached, is in the house with her aunt Miss Delacour (Mrs. Harlowe), on her route to Hyson Hall, the seat of her guardian. Sir Oliver Meddleton (Dowton), and here arise the chief incidents that form the plot. Martin, a ci-devant actor, dresses himself as an officer, (Captain Badger) to beguile the aunt, and as a barrister, (Counsellor Bounce) to outwit the guardian. This scheme is ultimately discovered by the arrival of Admiral Aubrey (Galtie), whose son Charles (Barnard), to whom Miss Huntly was betrothed, had been also personated by the major. lovers are however made happy, and Charles Aubrey receives the hand of Ellen Meddleton (Mrs. Orger), as the result of rather a romantic attachment to him, as the unknown author of some favourite poetry. The slight materials of this plot were certainly no great stran gers to the stage, though the performers exerted all their animation and talent, to keep alive the attention and exhilirate the spirits of the audience. Harley, as the Valet, Soldier, aud Lawyer, was very impudent and very amusing, and there were several not unhappy political allusions and palpable hits which could not fail to tell. within a very few sentences of the close, the laughter and applause were loud and universal, some slight symptoms of discontent were then manifested, and though again performed on Monday evening with almost entire approval, was after a second representation withdrawn by the author. It is, we understand, a first attempt, and had that attempt been more aspiring, it would, we think, have been more successful. With the experience now gained, the next drama from the author of "The Blackamoor's Head," will, we have no doubt, do equal credit to his improve. ment and his ability. Until COVENT GARDEN. MAY 5. This evening after Rob Roy, a new Ballet Divertisement was produced under the direction of Mr. Noble. This gentleman acquitted himself much to the satisfaction of the audience. Miss Lupino also performed with much spirit and elegance, and was highly applauded; but the favourites of the evening were certainly the Misses Dennett. The performance of these ladies, aided by their beautiful sylphic figures, never fails to afford delight. Their shawl dance was inimitably executed, and was warmly encored. This little piece, on the whole, was well received, and after one or two rehearsals, when the younger nymphs have become a little more tractable, it may enjoy a good share of popularity. The selection of music had very little to entitle it to approbation. The scenery was very beautiful. MAY 6. A burlesque drama, in one act, was brought out, called the Sorrows of Werther. This piece is, we suspect, a translation from one with the same tille, now performing at the theatre Des Variétés, in Paris. The idea is a very good one; few subjects will less stand the test of ridicule, or form better materials, for the mock-heroic drama, than this extravagant and popular German story. The author has not failed to seize on its prominent absurdities, and to introduce them either in description or in action. The waltzing with Charlotte, the attachment to the threadbare blue coat he wore at their first meeting, and the incident of cutting bread and butter for the children, are Judicrously set forth; the catastrophe is got rid of by Werther's shooting his hat instead of himself, when he ap pears, and after reproaching all parties for not interfering after his ostentatious request for pistols, is packed off in the Munich diligence. The piece was uncommonly well acted, though very unfavourably received, and Liston, who Richard the Third-The Review. played Werther, gave as much efect to it as was possible. MAY 13. This evening Miss O'Neil performed Mrs. Haller, in The Stranger. In English life, no one, we presume, ever saw the like, or wishes to see it. The common and general reprobation of women, in such a situation, is, perhaps, one of the best securities of the peace of families, and order of inheritance, by insuring the strict observance of the marriage vow. It is the law of honour amongst women; and, like our own law of honour, supplies the defect of the law of the land to those cases to which the latter will not lead.-Remove this law of opinion, and women will think as little of such guiètes du cœur (as the French term it.) as too many of our own sex. In a word, the high estimation of female chastity, even among themselves, is so much the result of this opinion, that in the present state of manners, we should lament to see any thing detracted from the general execration of an adulteress. MAY 16. This evening after the Tragedy of Bellamira, a new Operatic Farce, said to be founded on a comedy of Moliere, but more likely to have been suggested by a tale of Chaucer's, entitled December and May, was produced for the first time. The plot is very simple. A rich old Plebeian, who appears the representative of Decem ber, is on the point of being married to a young daughter (representing May), of a Spanish nobleman, and this young. lady being engaged to a gallant young lover, resolves to thwart the match, by affecting the most unbounded extravagance and a proud dominering beha viour. In this she succeeds, and the lovers are made happy, though we cannot speak in very favourable terms either of the dialogue or the incidents. The music is pleasing, and the scenery very splendid." APRIL 27. The once popular borletta of "The Golden Pippin," in which the celebrated Catley attained such distinguished fame, was this evening brought out with much splendour of decoration, and with the aid of that superior talent which this Theatre now possesses, will doubtless become once more a lasting favourite. MAY 11. If Mr. DIBDIN's promises are extensive, it must be universally allowed, that his performances are excellent, and the production of two more successful pieces, to celebrate WhitMonday, is another proof that his endeavours to deserve patronage will command it.-If our memory is just now as correct as usual, the new burletta of "Rather too Bad," is an adaptation from the French. Its plot cousists in the stratagems employed to reclaim a young lady, whose temper is rather too bad," by inducing her belief that she is of lowly origin, and has been hitherto brought up by the benevolence of her supposed mother. This plan entirely succeeds, the fair Xantippe becomes at once sensible of her former errors, and of the worth of a lover whom she previously slighted. The splendid melo-drama of “ Kouli Khan, or the Terrific Signal," is not less interesting as a dramatic piece, than it is magnificent as a spectacle, and the effects of both were aided by some of the best performance we ever recollect to have witnessed at a Minor Theatre. The plot is of a serious and romantic Europ. Mag. Vol. LXXIII. May 1818. THEATRE. cast, and may be told in a few lines. Schah al Nassir, after leaving the Chinese army to preserve his daughter from Kouli Khan, takes refuge amongst the Tartars, and is about to give his Daleea's hand in marriage to Baskir, a Tartar Chieftain, when the Chinese Emperor, attended by Zamti, arrives in disguise at the encampment. At the moment of the ceremony, Kouli Khan is recognised, and daring to venture near the bride's sacred tent, is attacked by Baskir, and in a subsequent combat, the latter is supposed to fall.-By the Tartar laws, Kouli Khan is then condemned to die, and Daleea is to strike the blow. Still retaining some affection for her imperial lord, she plans his escape from the sacrificial cavern, if the attempt is successful, the signal is to be two distinct blows on a gong,-if unsuccessful-three. The sentence is protracted to the last, when three blows are heard, Daran urges the execution of the law; at this moment the supposed murdered Baskir re-enters, and relates the preservation of his life by the Chinese; Kouli Khan now discovers. himself, resigns Daleea to her Tartar lover, and on the arrival of his forces, enters into an alliance with the foes, which he brought them to subdue: will be seen even from this hurried sketch, that the interest of the piece is maintained until the last, and the attention of the audience kept fixed until the curtain falls. 3 K It MONDAY, APRIL 3. The interesting melo-drama of Kaloc, was this evening revived for a few-nights, and exhibited Mr. Grimaldi to great advantage in the character of the Pirate. His delineation of the part was just, and his execution vigorous and impressive-—it was destitute of that rant and bombast too often resorted to in serious pantomime, and established his right to a very eminent station in this department of the drama. The sailor received due justice from the hands of Mr. Campbell, who faithfully represented the intrepidity, honesty, and benevolence of a British tar. Mr. Slader, as an overseer of slaves was very effective, and paid a compliment to the British fair which they truly deserve-giving as a reason for a Turks plurality of wives, that the graces an Englishman finds in one woman, a Turk is obliged to look for in twenty. Miss Tunstali sings a pretty song, and played a trifling part very neatly this lady improves. The whole piece went off very well, and met with deserved applause. Signor Diavolo Antonio, also commenced his wonderful performance this evening. His evolutions are astonishing, and often put us in jeopardy for his safety. He appears to be all muscle-activity and elegance are his principal features, and we do 'not hesitate in affirming, that he is the best slack rope dancer that has lately appeared. * MAY 10. The pantomime of the Elements has been laid by for the in 1818. WELLS. Rather too Bad-Keuli Khan, or the Terrific Signal-Silver Swan. Rather too Bad-Kouli Khan-Don Giovanni. Love and the Lancet-Ditto-Ditte -Ditto-Ditto. troduction of a new one, entitled Salmagundi: or, the Clown's dish of all Sorts, being partly compiled from some of the author's best pantomimes.. Grimaldi is of course the comic hero, and never fails to keep our risible faculties in motion from the moment he appears. This gentleman's clown differs from that of others, as comedy does from farce-in all he does there appears, (if we may so express it) a mind-he seems to feel what he's doing, while we have seen others hop on, give an insignificant laugh, hold up one leg, and then hop off-be never resorts to these follies, but makes his most trifling actions tell in with the rest of the scene. Who can resist his whimsicality in the sport ing scene and the kitchen, where even a Stoic might deign to smile-but his masterpiece is the scene where he turns soldier—his assumption of the officer's rank, his affected gait and new method of marching, excite irresistible peals of laughter; indeed, the whole pantomime is so well got up, that we were exceed ingly amused, and hope our theatrical readers will take the opportunity of seeing him before he leaves town, which we understand will take place in the course of a month. The revival of Plants and Planets, took place this evening, and evinces a desire on the part of the manager, to please by a variety. It went off with its accustomed eclat, and has since been repeated to the satisfaction of the audi. ence. PERFORMANCES. April 26 to May 1. Elements; or, Where is Harlequin ?-Ghebers — Gathering of the Clans. May 3 to 8. Elements-Gathering of the ClansKaloc, or the Slave Pirate-II Diavolo Antonio, Slack Rope. 1818. May 10 to 16. Plants and Planets-Gathering of May 18 to 23. ROYAL COBOURG This elegant little Theatre opened on Monday, May 11, with a meio-dramatic spectacle, entitled “Trial by hat tle" The incidents were numerous and well arranged; the scenery was diversi THEATRF. fied and painted with considerable skill. Allowing for their first appearances, the performers all acquitted then selves in a satisfactory manner, and the piece was loudly applauded. The ballet of Mr. Gibbon also deligated us with his vocal efforts, which are infinitely superior to any in his line on the Minor Theatres. 1 |