Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, CompleteVarious
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, Complete
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
The qualifications demanded of an actor by the usual run of Surrey
audiences are lungs of undeniable efficiency, limbs which will admit of
every variety of contortion, and a talent for broad-sword combats. How,
then, could the new Macbetha Mr. Grahamthink of choosing this theatre
for his first appearance? His deportment is quiet, and his voice weak.
It has, for instance, been usually thought, by most actors, that after a
gentleman has murdered his sovereign, and caused a similar peccadillo to
be committed upon his dearest friend, he would be, in some degree,
agitated, and put out of the even tenor of his way, when the ghost of
Banquo appears at the banquet. On such an occasion, John Kemble and
Edmund Kean used to think it advisable to start with an expression of
terror or horror; but Mr. Graham indulges us with a new reading. He
carefully places one foot somewhat in advance of the other, and puts his
hands together with the utmost deliberation. Again, he says mildly
Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!
in a tone which would well befit the situation, if the text ran thus:
Dear me, how singular! Pray go!
When he does attempt to vociferate, the asthmatic complaint under which
he evidently labours prevents him from delivering the sentences in more
copious instalments than the following:
Ill fighttillfrom my bonesmy fleshbe hacked!
We may be told that Mr. Graham cannot help his physical defects; but he
can help being an actor, and, above all, choosing a part which requires
great prowess of voice. In less trying characters, he may prove an
acquisition; for he showed no lack of judgment nor of acquaintance with
the conventional rules of the stage. At the Surrey, and in Macbeth, he
is entirely out of his element. Above all, let him never play with Mr.
Hicks, whose energy in the combat scene, and ranting all through
Macduff, brought down Brayvo, Hicks! in showers. The contrast is
really too disadvantageous.
But the choruses! Never were they more bewitchingly performed. Leffler
sings the part of Hecate better than his best friends could have
anticipated; and, apart from the singing, Miss Romers acting in the
soprano witch, is picturesque in the extreme.
HOP INTELLIGENCE Fanny Elsler has made an enormous fortune by her trips
in America. Few pockets are so crammed by hops as hers.
Oscar Byrne, professor of the College Hornpipe to the London University,
had a long interview yesterday with Lord Palmerston to give his lordship
lessons in the new waltz step. The master complains that, despite a long
political lifes practice, the pupil does not turn quick enough. A
change was, however, apparent at the last lesson, and his lordship is
expected soon to be able to effect a complete rota-tory motion.
Mademoiselle Taglioni has left London for Germany, her fatherland, the
country of her pas.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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