THE THEATRES.
Richard the Third as represented at Drury Lane is an imposing spec- tacle : the picturesque scenery and the splendid costumes and accessc-
ries are not only effective to the eye, but have a general stage-correct- ness, that assists in carrying the mind back to the age in which the events took place. The funeral procession of King Henry, decked with the pomp of heraldry and Romish rites, passing along the cloisters of the Abbey, is really impressive ; the partial concealment of the array by the screen of Gothic architecture enhancing its grandeur. The troops are well equipped, and marshalled so as to appear in masses, and as portions of more numerous hosts ; and the battle of Bosworth pre- sents a good stage-version of the melee of a fight,—though the dead lie in attitudes of repose, like men sleeping. Here, however, our praise must terminate. The melodramatic concoction of CIBBER is still pre- ferred to the tragedy written by &ERE : and truly it is better suited to Mr. CHARLES Kx.sx's style of acting. Nor is the present Richard more blameable than preceding tragedians ; no one of whom— not even &ERE'S text-restorer, MAcaxenv—has ventured to rely on his ability to develop the intellectual character of Glo'ster for reinstating the true tragedy on the stage. The performance on this occasion was not so much disfigured as before by the trickery to which Mr. C. Kw; habitually resorts in order to produce his effects ; but it was only in a less degree objectionable, being equally bad in kind. If the art of acting consisted only in making a number of telling points without regard to character or circumstance—if a monotonous delivery, varied only by misplaced and undue emphasis and explosions of rant, constituted fine declamation— if a certain number of convulsive starts and set attitudes were appro- priate action—then indeed Mr. C. KEAN would be a consummate tra- gedian : as it is, we can only regard his performance as the nearest approach to that of an automaton, possible to a mortal mimic. Mr. C. KEAN is magnificently and even tastefully dressed : his first appear- ance as King, crowned and in royal robes, seated on the throne, em- bodies a picture in some illuminated manuscript ; but this spell is broken by speech and movement. He was vehemently applauded by a crowded house ; with whom the worst " points " told most effectively.
The other parts were respectably filled ; though Mr. COOPRR was a very " shallow Buckingham." Mr. HUDSON as Richmond, and Mr. DIDDEAR as King Henry, acted discreetly ; bIrs. WARNER as the Queen, made the parting from her children pathetic; and Mrs. SELBY looked` the Dutchess of York welL Mrs. STIRLING was out of her element in Lady Anne. The only other novelty at the English theatres this week has been a laughable extravaganza at the New Strand, called Dissolving Views; the most noticeable feature of which is the introduction of two large windows lighted so as to throw the shadows of the persons in the rooms upon the blinds—ombres Chinoises on a large scale. The idea is inge- nious, but the use made of it is any thing but effective : however, the audience enjoyed heartily what was to us too absurd to be amusing.
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