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market, abundant as to quantity, but extremely deficient as to quality. Johnson told Garrick, that he and his profession were mutually indebted to each other. "Your profession," said the doctor, "has made you rich, and you have made your profession respectable." Such men as Smith, Garrick, Kemble, and Young, might do honour to any profession; and would, perhaps, have succeeded in any; but their attempting success in this department, is much more extraordinary than their attaining it; for, in general, those who possess the necessary qualifications for an actor, also think they deserve to be something better; and this feeling dictates a more respectable arena. Neither is the title to talent, bestowed by the suffrages of a metropolitan audience, always unequivocal. Such an audience is, indeed, a tribunal from which an actor has no appeal; but there are many audiences who conspire to warp and to bias its judgment; and it often happens, that it is more difficult to please a country audience than a London one. In a country theatre, there is nothing to bribe our decisions: the principal actor is badly supported, and must depend solely on himself. In a London theatre, the blaze of light and beauty, the splendour of the scenery, the skill of the orchestra, are all adscititious attractions, acting as avant couriers for the performer, and predisposing us to be pleased. Add to this, the extended magnificence of a metropolitan stage defends the actor from that microscopic scrutiny to which he must submit in the country. We should also remember, that, at times, it requires more courage to praise than to censure; and the metropolitan actor will always have this advantage over the provincialif we are pleased, our taste is flattered in the one instance, but suspected in the other.

DRAMATIC CRITICISMS.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Aladdin.

THE long-expected operatic romance has at length been produced; and produced, at length, it was; inasmuch as the very first act occupied two hours and a quarter. The piece was produced in a hurry, and represented in so imperfect a state, as to be an insult to the public, and a disgrace to the theatre. This is not the first instance, of late, of Elliston's cupidity getting the better of his prudence, or duty to the public. Oberon was rehearsing here on the very night of its production. The consequence of all this is, that the pieces have not a fair chance of success, and that the manager's avarice defeats itself. Aladdin hung heavily; and, perhaps, national feeling alone prevented its utter condemnation. It was considered that Messrs. Weber and Bishop had fairly entered the ring together; and John Bull was too good a second to say enough, after the first round. Weber's presence, (for he appeared in the boxes,) perhaps, aided the success of the piece on this very principle. Mr. Sinclair, it seems, by a letter he has addressed to the journals, had one of his songs sent him only twenty-four hours before the performance of the piece; and this song he very wisely omitted. Had he omitted the songs he did attempt, it would have been better for his reputation. Horu really astonished us: his voice has improved wonderfully, and he acted with great spirit. Miss Stephens brought all her faults to bear we loved her for the very errors of her personation. Her Aladdin is one of the most feminine performances we ever beheld: it is no more like a wild truaut boy, than we are like Belvidera: but it is the more beautiful, the more delightful, from that very circumstance. Mrs. Davison, out of her element, made us regret the prostitution of first-rate talent, to the delivery of ruobish below even derision or contempt. Mr. Harley and Mr. Browne laboured very assiduously to extract some humour from the dullest passages: their assiduity was thrown away-the thing being impossible. And now for the great performer of the night, BISHop. In the first place, never was composer shackled by such utter nonsense, as

the villainous lines to which he was condemned to put music. Secondly, he has evidently been the victim to managerial impatience. To do himself and the public justice, he should have taken more time. The circumstance of the overture being encored, is no proof of its excellence-that sort of thing is the rage now. This opera is decidedly inferior to his Maniac; and we are sorry to observe that he has gone out of his way, to imitate the peculiarities of Weber. This opera seems to have been composed with Der Frieschütz ringing in his ears. This is one of Mr. Bishop's weaknesses. We remember when Rossini was "up," he did the same thing with regard to that composer. We regret that Bishop, who, in the real essential of opera composition, melody-making, is superior to either Weber or Rossini, should, by a servile imitation, fall below both. Shield never did this; and Shield would be a much better model for Mr. Bishop, than any German or Italian now in existence.

Aladdin was advertised for the 6th, but withdrawn from the bills, and William Tell announced by special desire. It is fitting this despicable trick should be exposed. Miss Stephens was, on the Friday night, exceedingly unwell; and her indisposition increasing, made it necessary to substitute another piece on the following evening. The special desire was, of course, Elliston's.

WHITSUN EVE.

A Concert will take place this evening, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, for the benefit of a Mr. Randall, whom our readers may remember as a favourite vocalist at Sadler's Wells. He is suffering under extreme ill health, and his professional friends have come forward gratuitously in his behalf. Pearman, Isaacs, Yarnold, Fitzwilliam, G. Smith, Tinney, Mears, and Hudson; and Misses Cubitt, Goward, Helme, Healey, and Tunstull, promise a delightful treat; and as tickets, at the moderate charge of 4s. 6d, may be obtained at the room, we trust the claim of this deserving gentleman will not be forgotten.

ERRATA.

In our last, by a strange inadvertency, the name of Braham stands instead of Bland, (page 54, line 2.) We have also made Mr. Macready four years older than he really isthat gentleman being only now in his thirty-third year.

BOD

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London Pub May 20. 1826 by G.Virtue 26. Ivy Lane

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