1809. understood. It is one which every tyro on the Stage attempts, but which is seldom or never conceived even by the most skilful veterans. COLMAN went out of nature's way in search of his Octavian. In real life he could not find him, but he is one of the most beautiful fictions of fancy, the most bewitching Floranthe in the world, might wish for such a Lover; but poor human nature could not afford him, and she must be satisfied with his merely platonic existence in the Poet's imagination. We understand that Mr. ROTHE never saw Octavian acted by any Performer, and we rejoice at it, because he could then be no imitator, and his manner of representing it was left to his own refined taste, and original conception. But he did depart from the usual routine of Players in this Character; and though we saw Elliston, Young, and Johnston, in Octavian, yet we are of opinion, that even those respectable Performers made him a downright madman-a frothy raver of phrenetic sentiment, instead of the distracted, worn-out, melancholy-despairing lover; whose madness was only the agency of the heart, and who always mingled a recollection of the past, with the highest flights of his extravagance. Mr. ROTHE did not substitute the absence and vacancy of the lunatic, for the lethargy of despair; his starts of anguish, particularly after viewing the picture of Floranthe, shewed that he awoke more from the reverie of feeling, than from the abstraction of intellectual weakness. Before we saw Mr. ROTHE in this Character, we thought Othello and Lear his master-pieces; but if he knows his own excellence, he will value himself more on his representation of Octavian, than on that of any other Character in the whole range of the Drama. In this Play we had an opportunity of seeing Mr. LANGRISHE in Lopez Tocho, and in witnessing the comic exertions of so great a favorite of the laughing muse; his classical correctness never suffers his delineation of humorous character to degenerate into vulgar grimace, nor permits him (if the expression will be permitted us) to Farcify his part. We have too often seen MUNDEN offer up his judgment as a sacrifice to the Upper Gallery, and prefer a gaping distortion of feature, to the simple and unrestrained expression of his own countenance. But as some of our readers may not have had an opportunity of seeing Mr. LANGRISHE, let them imagine a figure of the middle size, with an easy deportment, and every grace of motion; a face with small, intelligent and (what the Irish call) scheming eyes, and a cast of features irresistibly laughable, a various stage of chin, mocking at affected dignity; a sharp voice, well suited to the expression of bitter sarcasın; and a small French gesticulation, admirably calculated to mark the point of colloquial humour. If fancy can paint, and animate this picture, we think its original is Mr. LANGRISHE. Of Mr. CORRY, we must say that, whoever has seen the various kinds of character he is able to sustain, the Mayor in PEEPING TOм, Pedrillo, Eumenes, and others equally opposite, must surely acknowledge, that he is the most general, and one of the most useful Performers in the Kilkenny Company. [Leinster Journal, Kilkenny, Saturday, October 14th, 1809.-Mr. POWER shines more in genteel Comedy than in any other walk of the Drama; particularly in the N persuasive, insinuating lover; and, therefore, his Belcour was an excellent performance; he looked it well, too, which is half the battle. Mr. ROTHE gave that interest to Stockwell, with which he has the power of investing any character he undertakes. He often lends a spirit, not his own, to the representation of a minor part, and where the Poet seems to have flagged, the vivida vis animi of the Actor supplies the deficiency. Mr. CRAMPTON appeared in Major O'Flaherty, and kept the upper gallery in a roar the whole night. CUMBERLAND has endeavoured to rescue the character of the Irishman from the vulgarity with which all the English play-wrights had loaded it, and, generally speaking, he has been successful. The Major, though blundering sometimes through the impetuosity of his ideas, is an accomplished soldier, who learned his politeness amongst the military gentlemen of the Continent, obtained a ribbon at the Court of France, and had the honor of kissing the Empress Queen's fair hand. Mr. CORRY gave to the character of Captain Dudley, a sombre, melancholy, yet clear colouring; he appeared in all the serious, yet manly sorrow, of distress, and the scene with Fulmer shewed how strong are the workings of an honorable mind, though under the pressure of misfor tune, when assaulted by insult. We think, in general, that Mr. CORRY is the most even Actor on our boardsWe are grave and we roar when he pleases, for he is the master of our passions and emotions, whose conception of character, is only to be surpassed by the execution of it. Mr. GORE went very respectably through the part of Charles Dudley; he was modest as Charles should be. Though rather tall for our Stage, and with a manner somewhat stiff, he is not devoid of grace, and ever looks, and moves, and speaks like a gentleman. Mrs. HITCHCOCK, "Victorious o'er the frost of years," still continues to delight us; and Miss WALSTEIN seems to be gathering new laurels before our judicious, and refined audience. Although it is not our intention to go into any critical detail of the merits of any of the female performers, yet we cannot help observing, that Miss LockE has gained a confidence on the Stage, since she came to Kilkenny, which has much improved her; we never saw her in Crowstreet to half the advantage, in which she has appeared amongst us. Since the establishment of the Kilkenny Theatricals, there never was such an assemblage of rank and fashion as our City can boast this season. How delightful thus to behold the genius of Pleasure walking hand in hand with Charity to see the Loves and Graces dancing in the train of humanity! to view the "Crew of Mirth" laying their offerings at the Temple of Distress! wiping the tear of the Orphan, and pouring sympathy into the broken heart! As our sweet Poet expresses it, "May the moments during this, our solstice of the year, lingeringly 1809. move, and slowly sink to level life again."-Kilkenny may exclaim, with L'Allegro, Hence loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sighs unholy, And in the narrow, selfish, sullen bosom dwell. We present our readers with a list of some of the distinguished Personages with whose presence our City has been honored. MARQUIS OF SLIGO, and party; EARL and COUNTESS OF MAYO; COUNTESSES OF CARRICK and ALDBOROUGH, Earl of BELMORE, Earl of DESART, Viscount and Viscountess LISMORE, Viscount IKERRIN, Lady SARAH BUTLER, Bishop of MEATH, and Family, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. JAMES BUTLER, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. BUTLER COOPER, Hon. Mr. O'CALLAGHAN, Mr. and Mrs. P. BUTLER, Mr. and Lady ELIZABETH KAVANAGH, General and Lady MATILDA WYNARD, Sir WILLIAM and Lady MORRES and Family, Sir WHEELER CUFFE, Sir JOHN BLUNDEN, The High Sheriff of the County Tipperary, and Family, Mr. and Mrs. PALLISER and Family, Mr. and Mrs. DAWSON and Family, Mr. and Mrs. TRENCH, of Haywood, and Family, Mrs. STEWART, of Killymoon, and Family, Mr. and Mrs. GOOLD and Family, Mr. and Mrs. ST.GEORGE and Family, Lieutenant Colonel LA TOUCHE, Colonel and Mrs. FALKNER, Mr. and Mrs. STAPLES, of Lissen, and Family, Mrs. POWER, of Snowhill, and Mr. NEWTON and Family. Besides the Families of the County, consisting of the POWER'S, DOYNE'S, BUSHE'S, ROTHE'S, GORE'S, KEARNEY'S, BURKE'S, LANGRISHE'S, BRYAN'S, FLOOD'S, ELWOOD'S, ELLIOTT'S, MEARA'S, BROWNE'S, SMYTH'S, TRENCH'S, MORRISS'S, WHEELER'S, JACOB'S, WEMYS'S, BALL'S, DENN's, and others too numerous to mention. [Leinster Journal, Kilkenny, Wednesday, October 18th, 1809.]-On Friday Night the 15th instant, the Play of the MOUNTAINEERS was repeated, with the Musical Afterpiece of the CASTLE OF ANDALUSIA; the Characters were filled as before, with the exception of Kilmallock, which was resigned to Mr. CRAMPTON, and of Lopez Tocho, undertaken by Mr. CORRY, in consequence of the sudden indisposition of Mr. LANGRISHE. We have already expressed our opinion of Mr. ROTHE'S Octavian, and have only now to add that, relieved from the anxiety which a first appearance in a difficult character must naturally excite, he exerted with more confidence his extraordinary powers, and, consequently, displayed new beauties. Mr. CORRY'S Lopez Tocho was very successful, and Kilmallock was a true Irishman in the person of Mr. CRAMPTON. At length we have seen Mr. BECHER in Shylock, and though our expectation of a high dramatic treat was sanguine, we can say, with truth, we were not disappointed. This Gentleman possesses a character of countenance, and a quality of voice which were great natural aids to him in the personation of this Character; and he has by nature too, a sedateness of manner that becomes the cool and calculating Jew. He seemed to aim at originality in his performance, for he laid aside the peculiar dialect which others have assumed in it. We will not decide whether Mr. BECHER deserves praise or not, for thus departing from great examples; and we cannot help admitting that the scattered descendants of Abraham are not so tenacious of their national distinctions as to remain isolated from the rest of mankind in language, as well as in dress and religion. They have ceased to speak their ancient tongue, and having adopted the language and pronunciation of whatever country they live in, we see no reason why Shylock should not speak the English language, on the English stage, but let this remain sub judice. It is, however, the daring of talent only that could embolden Mr. BECHER to differ so essentially from the great masters of the dramatic art. Even the errors of originality are sometimes splendid; whilst servile imitation never dares to stir from its allotted path, but is contented to toil on, in safe obscurity. Abstracted from this point, Mr. BECHER'S Shylock demands our unqualified praise. The keen and deadly hatred of the Jew, was depicted on his countenance; and all the impassioned transitions in the scene with Tubal, were strongly and successfully given. It was, on the whole, a highly finished representation of a Character, which the most experienced Actor cannot attempt without trembling. Mr. ROTHE went through the part of Antonio with his usual pathos; and Bassanio was sustained with equal feeling by Mr. RICHARD POWER. Mr. DALTON, in Lorenzo, introduced a Song from the Melodies of Mr. MOORE, which he sung in his own sweet and unaffected manner, and was rapturously encored. From this Play we may deduce one grand moral lesson, which is, to be merciful, and, therefore, we shall say nothing of Rugantino, that followed it. And now let us be permitted to digress from Criticism, to that Poet of the heart, who has done more by his poetic effusions, for the revival of our national spirit, than all the political writers whom Ireland has seen for a century. His melancholy strains have got amongst the people, and the "Harp that hung in Tara's hall," now breathes through the Land,-Oh! Moore ! "When time shall make the lasting brass decay, Turning that monument wherein men trust [Leinster Journal, Kilkenny, Saturday, October 21st, 1809.]-The Entertainments on Wednesday, were HAMLET, and LOVE LAUGHS AT LOCKSMITHS. HAMLET has been so often performed, and must be so familiar to every one's knowledge that it would be idle to dwell on the various requisites necessary for its just representation. Mr. POWER's appearance and manner are well suited to it, and he possesses a knowledge of the Stage that renders his action always effective. His Soliloquies were delivered with impressive solemnity, or hurried passion, according as occasion required; but he was particularly successful in that speech at the end of the second Act, beginning with “Oh what a wretch, and peasant slave am I—” 1809. a passage of the author, which we were rejoiced to find he had the good taste to preserve. His acting in the Playscene was also entitled to high praise; but he seemed to reserve his best efforts for the Closet scene with his Mother. The performance displayed in it a cultivated taste, combined with that accurate judgment, which distinguishes Mr. POWER in the study of his characters. Mr. BECHER maintained, in Horatio, his well known reputation; and the Polonius of Mr. Coney, and the Laertes of Mr. GORE were both very creditable performances. The Ghost did not give great scope to Mr. ROTHE's abilities; he was, however, impressive and pathetic, though not sufficiently audible. The After-piece went off with great eclat. Mr. MOORE'S Risk was as happy as any other of his performances. His presence always animates the Stage. The melody of his voice, the easy, yet modest self-possession of his manner, and his peculiar enjouement, make him one of the most interesting actors on the Stage. His Songs were, as usual, all encored.-The House was uncommonly crowded. [Leinster Journal, Kilkenny, Wednesday, October 25th, 1809.]-On Friday night, the 20th, was performed the Tragedy of the REVENGE. We beg leave to call the attention of our readers to Mr. ROTHE'S Zanga, and Mr. PowER's Alonzo. On this occasion we had the pleasure to behold our two best Tragedians pitted against each other; and we were much gratified with the excellence elicited by their fair contention for dramatic fame. Mr. POWER rose superior to himself, he seemed to have caught a new fire every time that he appeared on the stage with Mr. ROTHE-he well expressed the tenderness, agony and rage, which Leonora's presence, his own love, and her supposed defection, were calculated to excite; but in the love-scene, where Alonzo enters, with intent to murder Leonora, and finds her sleeping, nothing could be more softly tender than his expression of the words, "Oh, what a sight is here," &c. His passionate start at the idea that she is dreaming of Carlos, when she smiled on his advancing to take the parting kiss, shewed his knowledge of the human heart, and evinced how well, and how justly, he could pourtray its emotions. Mr. ROTHE had to support one of the most difficult, but, at the same time, one of the most splendid characters on the Stage. Zanga was indeed well calculated to display the combined powers of conception and delivery, which we have always witnessed in the tragic exertions of this gentleman. After his Octavian, we like him best in Zanga, where he was obliged to be apparently what he was not really, the seeming friend, whilst the sworn enemy, of Alonzo, and where, therefore, the talents of the great Actor were more necessary to feign what he could not feel, than in Octavian, whose sentiments flow with the generous current of the soul. In Mr. ROTHE's eye alone had we to look for the determined vengeance that fired the breast of Zanga, for his tongue was obliged to speak the language of friendship to Alonzo, even while he meditated his ruin. In the fourth act particularly, we were struck with this extraordinary contrast, when Zanga works up his friend to the murder of Leonora; and when he had accomplished his purpose, by gaining Alonzo to this terrible "And tread upon the Greek, and Roman Glory," was delivered with a feigned enthusiasm, which drew the loudest applause from the house; but when he disabused Alonzo of the errors into which he himself had seduced him, when he appeared in all the fire of his own wrongs, and in what, according to the Moon's morality, was the virtue of REVENGE, then did he reach the climax of his success, and attain our most unqualified admiration. On Saturday Night we took a reluctant farewell of the Theatre, and, for this Season, we have ceased "to run at the Ring of pleasure." Our Season closed with JULIUS CAESAR, and the Farce of RAISING THE WIND. Between the Play and Farce Mr. LANGRISHE, who was greeted on his entrance by the loudest cheers from every part of the House, delivered an Epilogue, composed for the occasion by himself, full of point, and humour. In a former paper we gave our remarks on the repre sentation of JULIUS CÆSAR, which was performed in the early part of the Season, and we think it unnecessary to repeat them here. The novelty of Saturday Night, was Mr. CORRY in Jeremy Didler, through which Character he went with an archness, and vivacity, that raised him still higher in our estimation, as an useful, and general performer. ADDRESS 1809. Of the Committee of the Charitable Institutions of Kilkenny, to MR. R. POWER, and the GENTLEMEN of the Kilkenny Theatre. GENTLEMEN, "Though it falls not within the compass of our power to appreciate those meritorious Exertions, which, for so many years, have reflected credit upon our County, and by attracting personages of the first rank, character and consequence to our City, have produced an influx of wealth, beneficially diffused through every part of the community; yet as Delegates of the Poor, whose Tears you have dried, and whose Sorrows you have contributed to assuage, we dare to add our humble tribute of Gratitude to that applause, which the general Voice of an admiring Country has so justly bestowed. "While the Wealthy look forward with delight to the Anniversary which brings a return of such refined Pleasure, and rational Entertainment, the Poor, with equal earnestness, regard it as the Jubilee Season of Comfort and Consolation, and mingle, with their pious Thanks to Heaven, blessings upon their Benefactors' heads. "In communicating their feelings, we are happy to do equal justice to their Gratitude, and your Bounty, whereby no less a Sum than ONE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED and SEVENTY-EIGHT POUNDS, ELEVEN SHILLINGS and SIX PENCE HALFPENNY has been received within a few years. -That you may long live to continue a career so creditable to yourselves, and so beneficial to the cause of Humanity, sowing Bounty, and reapirg Blessings, is the ardent wish of, Gentlemen, "Your faithful and obedient Servants, (By Order) www KILKENNY THEATRICALS. General View of the Establishment of the Kilkenny Theatre, taken from the DUBLIN EVENING POST.-Tuesday, November 28th, 1809. "We have not hitherto been in the habit of noticing private theatricals; they do not generally deserve to come under the serious consideration of a public Print; but those instituted and performed at the Theatre of Kilkenny present at once a pleasing and striking exception to most of this species of entertainment." "The Theatre of Kilkenny,-whether we consider its judicious arrangement in general, or the excellence and weight of the individual performers, or whether, extending our views beyond the scenes, we contemplate the purposes to which the surplus of the receipts is invariably applied,-while it gratifies the taste of the admirers of the Drama, tends also in a proportionate degree to satisfy the wishes of the philanthropist, and enables those who desire to contribute to the wants of their fellow creatures, to render their amusements subservient to that salutary purpose." "The Athenians were censured, that in their passions for theatrical entertainments, they converted the funds intended for the public service, into a channel to administer to their private gratification. The gentlemen of the County of Kilkenny, to their honor be it proclaimed, have contrived to reduce the agent of their private gratification, to be the servant of general utility; and while the Dramatic Amateur is regaled with a display of theatrical ability, his sensations are enhanced by the grateful reflection of the uses to which the proceeds are to be applied. While we are delighted with the Mimic scenes of woe so powerfully represented by Messrs. Rothe, Power, &c. it is no trivial increase of gratification, that such powers are exerted to finally relieve real scenes of distress; and during the many combinations of the sprightly laughing Thalia, we receive an augmentation of our mirthful sensations, in the anticipation of those heart-rejoicing acts, which may restore the wretch to comparative affluence and comfort." "But exclusive of the local advantages to be derived from the influence of this institution, a more general and national benefit accrues to this kingdom, from the patriotic results of this useful establishment. In the present situation of Ireland, whatever can tend, even in the most remote degree, to arrest the attention of the resident Proprietors, and endear their stay upon their native soil, cannot fail to produce the happiest effects, and such as deserve to be cherished by ALL. lovers of their country. In England, where residence and commerce continually impel a vast influx of wealth, and where the poor are supported by public contributions, the operation of a mere local establishment is so overwhelmed by comparison, as not to merit much attention-but in Ireland the case is essentially different." "From various and concurrent causes, too numerous to recapitulate, and too obvious to escape detection, until some more radical system can be safely adopted, the expedient of local and temporary relief is all that can be administered to its suffering inhabitants-Totally independent of Faction or Party, we never publicly commend what we do not privately approve- and considering the Theatre of Kilkenny under all the circumstances of the times, we have never recognised an establishment, wherein innocent amusement, and general utility, are more highly combined, or more strongly associated." "The Drama, we conceive, of all other recreations, alone the most rational, the most elegant and refined, and it wanted but this felicitous application of its proceeds, to render it unexceptionable in all its departments. We presume that a young man of fashion may be as usefully and honorably employed in reciting the fine passages of Shakespeare and Otway, as in driving a dog-cart, or attending a fete champetre. If the mind is to govern the body, we must readily agree in the indulgence of mental above corporeal pursuits. Scipio was not less formidable to the enemies of his country, for having communed with the Dramatic writers of Rome; and Cicero was not less instrumental in rescuing the state from Cataline's conspiracy, by having delivered an eulogium on the merits of Roscius." "Without therefore pretending to decide upon the minutiae of this Establishment,-in the name of our Country, we thank the Gentlemen of the County of Kilkenny, for this appropriate application of their talents and their means -and while we avoid the particularity of individual criticism, unbiassed by party, and unswayed by partiality, we sincerely wish success to the amusements and objects of the THEATRE OF KILKENNY." 1810. The Orchestra principally filled from that of the Theatre Royal, Dublin. Leader, Mr. T. Cooke. PROLOGUE, Written by Mr. Langrishe, and spoken by Mr. R. Power, When first, obedient to your call, I came, Which taste can't teach, nor critic laws control,- 'Tis-when to those we love, our ills we tell, 'Tis-when friends meet-to bid those friends farewell. Yet the sad hour must come, the Fates decree, For tho' you cannot change the laws of Fate, Its last dread Horrors you can mitigate : Since we must die---whatever you decree, Help us to meet our doom with decency; Aid our last labours---cheer our parting breath, That real joys may spring from mimic death. When some fair critic to her Couch retreats, Pond'ring on plays, and our transcendent feats, When she recalls these scenes with kind delight, She'll say, "well, Richard was himself to-night "What pity 'tis such pleasures cannot last! "Too sure, the sweetest transport's soonest past; "And yet, perhaps, 'tis wise to part in time, "Assuming virtue, or evading crime: "Ere they grow cold, e'en Lovers should retire, "And Friends should sep'rate, long before they tire: "I fear 'tis right---'tis pity---but 'tis reason, "Then, truly I'll not miss one play this season." Thanks, gentle critic-generous and just, You plead our cause, and to that plea we trust.- To commune longer with the Classic muse :- Or for good deeds we want, or means, or will; Nor is it that your warm reception fails, No, with redoubled ardour it prevails,- But 'tis of praise that jealous avarice, That hoards our gains---nor hazards their decrease, Rememb'ring, with delight how oft we've met, Of sorrow, that such pleasures e'er must die. One kind word more---while yet the muse conveys The faithful tribute of our warmest praise.-- I come, deputed by my friends, to tell, With what fond sentiments their bosoms swell, We all are grateful---but the debt I feel, I came a casual Stranger to your town, I can repay it but by Gratitude, And while this heart can feel, or joy, or pain, Nor kindly leave the when, or how, to me, That hour is near-yet, ere our doom you seal, Hear us once more-it is our last appeal, Before your awful judgment-seat we sue, BRUTUS Mr. Waller. OFFICER CITIZENS Our hopes-our fame-our feelings, rest with you, Mr. Rothe. Mr. Archbold. Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Hutchinson. |