88 



THE THEATRE. 



Jan. 1., Oihelloy and The Poor Soldier. 



The character of Othello, the ardent, impetuous, misled Moor, in 

 allowed to be one of the most difficult undertaken by an actor; 

 and, though Mr. Kean displayed talent of the highest order 

 in his performance, and was really excellent in numerous 

 instances, yet it must be admitted that he stood much higher in 

 the enactment of Richard, and infinitely more so in his personifi- 

 cation of Hamlet. Mr. Hield, as lago, and Miss M^sou^^^ 

 Desderaona, rendered very able support. , .- 



In the afterpiece, Vivash burlesqued tlie boozing priest with 

 much humour, and Wilton was respectable as the gasconading 

 barber. 



Jan. 2., Merchant of Venice^ and Rosina, 

 Mr. Kean as Shy lock. Shylock has little to do, but that little 

 was done "excellent well i' fiiith." Hield made the most of 

 Gratiano. Why did he nut take the part of Anthonio ? Miss 

 Mason's Portia was highly creditable, and— we speak it not pro- 

 fanely — she made " an excellent young man," a most " upright 

 judge." 



Jan. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10., Sardanupulus. 

 At a great expence, and evidently after much and incessant care 

 and preparation, Mr. Sandford brought out Lord Byron's cele- 

 brated tragedy of Sardanapalus. The new and splendid scenery, 

 dresses, decorations, &c., rendered it magnificent as a spectacle. 

 As a drama, it depends on three characters, whicli were ably 

 sustained by Mr. Kean, Mr. Hield, and Miss Mason. Mr. 

 Kean availed himself of whatever scope for acting the princi- 

 pal personage of the tragedy affords. The part of Salamenes — 

 noble, loyal, and heroic — was adequately sustained by Mr. Hield. 

 Miss Mason, entering fully into the character of Myrrha — a cre- 

 ation of devoted love and noble heroism, — displayed taste, judg- 

 ment, and pathos. She dressed the character chastely and 

 gracefully. O ! that our fair countrywomen would extirpate 

 balloon sleeves and prodigious bustles, and not so disguise the 

 most lovely of God's works, that it appears the veriest monster 

 which walks upon the earth. 



Jan. 12., Hainletjixud The Hunter of the Alps. 

 Mr Keen's benefit. Hamlet has been recognised as Mr. Kean's 

 chef d' oeuvre. He was particularly excellent in the scenes with 

 Horatio and Marcellus — that in which he catches the conscience 



