THE THEATRES.
DRURY LANE has not held so numerous or so delighted an audience this season as overflowed it last night ; when one of those hearty de- monstrations of enthusiastic good-will with which the public rejoice to greet their favourites rewarded Mr. Macarse.nr's exertions for their entertainment on the occasion of his benefit. The play was Much Ado about Nothing, and Comes for the afterpiece ; MACREADY'S Benedick being the chief attraction of the comedy. The announcement of his intention to essay a part that has been generally considered to be a test for the powers of a comedian, made quite a stir in what are called " theatrical circles "; and the experiment was regarded as hazardous. Whatever MACREADY attempts has mettle in it, and therefore we anti- cipated a sensible and forcible reading of the part ; but we were taken by surprise, in common with the audience, by the spirit and gayety of his performance : if not a complete personation of the character, it was so gallant a triumph over difficulties, that it raised the actor in friendly estimation higher than a greater success might have done another more fitted by nature for the part. The distinguishing characteristics of Mao- READY'S Benedick are manly earnestness, grave, dry humour, and caustic wit. His animation partakes more of wilfulness and energetic excitement than vivacity of temperament ; and his levity and gayety are dashed with sardonic :bitterness and melancholy. The defect of his performance lay in the overdoing of the comic parts, which occasionally degenerated into farcical excess : the assumption was too evident. The whole repre- sentation of this comedy was distinguished by that completeness which Is the crowning merit of the Shaksperian revivals at Drury Lane. Mrs. NisnErr's Beatrice is jocund, arch, and sprightly, though wanting in depth of sentiment : and all the other performers became their parts well. The stage-picture was magnificent ; an air of Italian grandeur and elegance pervaded every scene. Of Comus we are unable to speak—we did not see it : next week we shall attend, and report what we see and bear.
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