Page images
PDF
EPUB

Cooke proceeds from Birmingham to Worcester, and from thence to the north of Ireland. Incledon, with a new melange called The Wandering Melodist, is exchanging his notes for guineas, in various towns on the coast, &c.— Mrs. Mountain, with a similar entertainment, and with similar success, is proceeding northward. Fawcett makes a short stay at Liverpool; Mr. and Mrs. H. Siddons at Hull, &c. Dowton in his native city Exeter; Miss Mellon at Cheltenham; and Miss De Camp, at Newcastle. Mrs. Siddons is at Southampton, for the sea air; Mr. Charles Kemble on an excursion to St. Petersburg; and Mr. John Kemble gone to make another last appearance in Dublin and ́ Cork. Liverpool is rich in London strength; Messrs. Lewis, Knight, Barrymore, Cooper, Emery, Simmons, and Mrs. Glover. Such, in addition to what will appear from our provincial reports, are or have been the destinations of some of the Thespian train, during the London vacation.

Madame Banti, reported to have died in Italy, is alive and merry, and anxious to make a re-appearance on the opera stage. Laborie, one of our most favourite dancers, we regret to record, broke the tendon Achillis very lately, during his performance in a grand ballet.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA, &c.

Theatre BIRMINGHAM.-THE prospect which was but dull at the com→ mencement of the season, bas since assumed a brighter appearance. At the close of Covent Garden, Cooke and Mrs. Litchfield arrived, and performed their principal characters together with great effect and attraction. Mr. Cooke performed Richard, (three times) Iago, Falstaff, Sir Pertinax, (twice) Peregrine, Shylock, Kitely, Rolla; Mrs. Litchfield the Queen, Emilia, Lady Rodolpha, Portia, Dame Kitely, and Elvira. The bills were further strengthened by the names of Messrs. Hill, Blanchard, Suett, and Mrs. Atkyns. We are happy to be able to contradict a malicious report which obtained circulation in the London prints, respecting Mr. C.'s conduct in this town. It is sufficient to assert there was not the slightest ground for any such rumour, and that he gave so much satisfaction to the inhabitants by his performances on, and by his deportment off the stage, that his benefit yielded near £.170. Mrs. Litchfield takes leave of the audience on Wednesday the 8th of August, in Lady Macbeth. Besides the names we have already mentioned, the company presents the following; Messrs. Macready, (the manager) Harley, Carles, Smith, Holmes, Chatterley, Ratchford, Mason, Cooke (of Drury Lane) Dwyer, Lancaster, Waring, Mrs. Barre, Mrs. Smith, Miss Smith, Miss Davies, Miss Chapman, Mrs. Mason, (sister to Mrs. Siddons) Mrs. Blanchard, and Mrs. Frederick. Miss Smith is a very clever and interesting actress, and Miss Davies (who performed last season at the Haymarket) is much admired in the vocal department. The English Fleet and Cinderella, got up with great care and expence, have been performed to good houses, and we have no doubt that the spirit, liberality, and indefatigable exertions of Mr. Macready will meet with the ample remuneration they so well entitle him to.

Theatre Royal BRIGHTON.-The season has commenced under the most brilliant auspices. On the first night an address was spoken by Mr. J. Brunton, which was received with the loudest applause, particularly that part of it which alluded to the illustrious patronage under the sanction of which, Mr. Brunton, the highly respected manager, has been permitted to open the theatre. A most excellent company has been provided, and the entertainments are conducted with as much propriety and regularity, as in the theatres of London. Miss Brunton, from Covent Garden, has given abundant satisfaction in Lady Townley, Lady Teazle, the Widow Cheerly, and various other principal characters in elegant comedy. The other performers are of the first rank: among them we noticed Mr. J. Brunton, Miss Marriot, Mr. and Mrs. Beverley from Covent Garden; Mr. Holland, Mr. Powell, and Mrs. Sparkes, from Drury Lane; Mr. Bennett from Bath; Mrs. J. Brunton, an agreeable actress, and a very pleasing singer, with other performers of much respectability. Wandering Melodist, performed one night to a crowded house. plays are bespoke by the nobility and fashion in the town, and promises a successful and highly profitable season.

Incledon, the Most of the every thing

MANCHESTER THEATRICALS.-Letter from the Author of the

TOWNSMAN,

Motto.

"Miller.---You lie, I believe.

[ocr errors][merged small]

King.---Lie! Lie! How strange it seems to me, to be talked to in this
DODSLEY.

« SIR,

To the Editor of the Monthly Mirror.

"When I first perused in the Monthly Mirror for April last, Mr. White's attack (in every respect contemptible) upon my paper, I could not be prevailed upon to notice it in any other way, than by sending you as many numbers of the Townsman, as could be easily collected. I was surprised you did not even acknowledge the receipt of my packet, but I have been still more surprised at the appearance of another hastily inserted, and scurrilous specimen of GREENRooм ribaldry and misrepresentation in your Magazine, which, if you should neglect my present application, as you did the other, must hereafter be set down as devoted to one party only in this dispute. Previous threats, subsequent boastings, or internal evidence, generally appear to identify even the persons of your Manchester correspondents, when of the theatrical profession:

"True, some are open, and to all men known,
Others, so very close, they're hid from none.

POPE.

"My belief of Mr. White's authorship is too well founded, to be shaken by the simple assertion of so incorrect and inveterate a person, as your last correspondent, whose own letter betrays its origin, in almost every sentence, to your readers here. Its author, I assure you, Mr. Editor, is one, from whom some moderation of temper, and some delicacy of abuse might naturally have been expected; Let the galled jade wince,'

"We have of late been pretty well instructed, by example, in the artifices of the stage, and are no longer to be duped, half so easily as managers may ima gine; the ever ready contradiction might once have passed current with us, but the reign of credulity seldom long survives that of truth.

"It is really astonishing that, with so many newspapers, &c. at their command, they cannot keep their anger, at the occasional appearance of one poor two-penny publication, within some reasonable bounds. Even in London, where players, at least as good as ours, are to be met with, such things as impartial critiques can now and then be permitted to see the light, without raising any violent disturbance; but I fear, the liberty of the press is as hateful to the Manchester Thespians, whenever it presumes to touch the very hem of their garments, as to the most despotic monarch under the sun. They appear unable to exist without torrents of adulation, unadulterated by a single particle of truth: how poor a compliment are they thus unintentionally paying to their own merits and the public discrimination! What! can nothing but flattery, excessive, perpetual, and undistinguishing flattery, preserve them from sinking in the town's estimation? Where then are their boasted abilities?

"I will not condescend to answer this additional proof of their presumptuous intolerance and falshood, except by making the numbers of my paper already sent you complete, up to the present period; being well satisfied, that the slightest comparison of its contents, with the accusations against it, will clearly discover, to any disinterested person, the kind of opposition it has hitherto encountered in the Monthly Mirror:

Well might they rage, I gave them but their due,'

You, Sir, certainly have a right to disgrace your pages with such productions, aş often as you please; for my part, silent contempt, in future, will be the only weapon I shall employ against them.

"I have claims upon your justice, and I call upon you, as you do not chuse to review my paper, in a free and impartial manner, to admit this letter, entire, or with the exception of such passages as are inclosed in crotchets, and the addition of such comments as you may think proper. The town has been long dissatisfied with the present management of our theatre, and my endeavours have been solely directed to produce such a reform therein, as is necessary to make it popular; and it is for he managers to consider, what must be the final consequences of their resisting the call. I will not flatter myself as your Correspondent has unwittingly flattered me: I have not led the public, but have been led by its voice, repeatedly and unequivocally expressed, to support its cause; being fully convinced of the justice of its claims, and the necessity of every exertion to enforce them.

"Such, Sir, has been, and will be my purpose; nor am I to be driven from it by the most refined tricks, or the most brutal violence. Neither personal reflection, which is always vulgar and despicable, and when misplaced, most ridiculous also; nor Bobadil menaces, of which my letter-box, last season, afforded me a plentiful supply; nor corruption, however indirectly, or insidiously proposed, will ever infringe, for a moment, upon my independence. On the contrary, by such proceedings, my enemies will only raise in me a more deter

mined spirit, and exalt me to a more invincible perseverance; and what is more important, they will effectually revive the ardour of my old friends, and increase the number of my future supporters.

"If you continue to refuse me a little of your attention, I must insist upon your returning the papers I have sent you, to Messrs. Vernor and Hood, directed for me, at Messrs. Clarkes, booksellers, of this place: upon receiving them, I shall explain the transaction through some other channel.-The thing will speak for itself; and, as a sample of the methods taken by our managers to maintain themselves in a conduct offensive to the public, it will be particularly useful.

Manchester, July 8, 1804.

THE TOWNSMAN."

[The Editor has published this letter without alteration or abridgment, and without any comment on the high strain in which it is written. He has only to observe, that none of the numbers of the Townsman (No. 18 and its Appendix excepted) have fallen into his possession. Mr. White, who is here accused as the writer of the articles to which the Townsınan refers, shall certainly have the liberty to vindicate himself, if he so think fit.]

Theatre GLASGOW---Sir,---Our theatre closed for the summer season, on the 13th instant, and, owing to the extra-exertions of the managers, it has been much better attended than formerly. Several new pieces were brought forward, viz. The Soldier's Daughter, Raising the Wind, Love Laughs at Locksmiths, which, upon the whole, were tolerably well performed by the company; but as their merits and demerits have been often criticised in your valuable Mirror, it will be unnecessary to make any observations on their performances at present. The benefits were, in general, tolerably attended. The young Roscius (Master Beatty) had 1071. Miss Duncan 1021. Mrs. Brereton 601. Turpin 901. Rock 1051. This gentleman took his leave of the Scotch stage at his benefit, and no actor ever left it whose loss will be so much felt; he was a very great favourite, and much respected by the inhabitants of this city; he has been performing here and at Edinburgh every season for upwards of twelve years; he delivered the following farewel address, during which he appeared very much affected.

When urg'd by duty's mandate---call severe,

I tear myself from those I hold so dear,
Some solace 'tis to proffer (leaving you,)
A grateful, warm, affectionate adieu.
To Caledonia---dear, respected name,
A stranger, friendless and unknown I came;
What little grain of talent I possess,
Becomes not me to judge, to speak it less;
Whate'er the germ, your favour made it blow,
It found a hot-house midst your hills of snow.
Your kind applause, enlivening smiles express'd,
Spoke to my heart, and bade me do my best.
Wherever fate my future course may lead,
Mem'ry will waft that heart across the Tweed;
I-VOL. XVIII.

1

That heart, to Silver Clyde, and winding Forth
Magnetically drawn, will seek the North,
Whether in other parts of this fam'd isle,
Fortune may on my poor exertions smile,
Or adverse storms my luckless fate attend,
My gratitude to you with life shall end.-

After the benefits were over, we were gratified for eight nights with Mr. Munden from Covent Garden, whose acting is too well known to need any comment; during his short stay with us, he performed several of his principal characters, both in play and farce, greatly to the amusement of the inhabitants, and for his exertions, was rewarded with a bumper benefit, viz. 1101. and I believe he might have had a hundred pounds more, but, owing to the smallness of the house, numbers could not get admittance: he performed the parts of Sir Robert Bramble in the Poor Gentleman, and Nipperkin in the Rival Soldiers, for his benefit, and on Thursday the theatre closed, with the Beaux Stratagem and Who's the Dupe, in which he performed Scrub and Old Doyley. The company are now gone to Edinburgh, where Mr. M. plays during the race week,

July 16, 1804.

JOHN BLUNT.

Theatre Royal RICHMOND.---This elegant little theatre is now open, under the able and judicious management of Mr. Cherry of the Drury-lane house. The interior of the theatre is ornamented with taste, and well-illuminated. The company is uncommonly respectable, and the several pieces are got up with great liberality and judgment. In the bill of the 2d of July, which announced the Mountaineers and Two Strings to your Bow, we observed the part of Floranthe by Mrs. Dormer, by mistake, we presume, for in the representation we recognized a favourite on the boards of Covent Garden theatre. This character. was, of course, well sustained. Agnes by Miss Tyrer, Zorayda by Mrs. Cherry, and Sadi by Mr. Cherry, were supported with excellent effect. In the farce, Mr. Cherry's Lazarillo was irresistibly droll, and we were most agrecably surprised by the acting of Miss Cherry in Donna Clara. This young actress, to a graceful person and a pleasing countenance, adds the great advantages of an easy and elegant possession of her action, and a pronunciation clear, correct, and impressive. We were delighted with her performance, and augur, with a little more study and practice, a brilliant success to her professional exertions.

The company, at present, play by subscription. The subscription tickets, for twenty-one nights, to the boxes, two guineas, to the pit, one guinea. We think this regulation wise, and doubt not, that, under the existing manager, the theatre will prove both satisfactory and profitable.

The com

New Theatre Royal PLYMOUTH.---Since our last account of this handsome little theatre, several new pieces have been produced, viz. Soldier's Daughter, Love Laughs at Locksmiths, Raising the Wind, Paragraph, and the Will for the Deed. Pizarro has also been revived with considerable success. pany consist of Messrs. Campbell, Chambers, Smith, Barnes, Atkinson, Gore. Sinnett, Wheatley, Nicol, O'Leary, Browne, Coombs, and Winston; Mesdames Smith, Chambers, Sinuett, Campbell, Nicol, O'Leary, Jefferson, and Winston.

Mr. Campbell was in the Plymouth company about twelve years ago, and

« PreviousContinue »