DOI issue:
January to June, 1853
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16611#0021
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
THEATRE ROYAL, WESTMINSTER.
BY OUR slashing critic.
TELE new manager has advertised his
list of engagements for
the approaching season,
and they appear to ns
to have been dictated
by good sense. At all
events there is an avoid-
ance of some of the
errors of his predeces-
sors. We find no pro-
vincial sticks, whose
sole claim to assume
leading characters in the
metropolis lay in the
fact that these rustic
stars had been too in-
significant for criticism,
and, therefore, that no-
thing had been said
against them. The new
company is composed of
artists who know their
business. Nor is the
public likely again to be
insulted by the assign-
ing Foreign parts—we
mean parts requiring a
knowledge of conti-
nental phraseology—to
a personage actually in-
capable of deahng gram-
matically with his native language. Nor will the principal characters
in the Domestic drama., or what we beheve the actors, borrowing the
unworthy slang of another theatre, call the Home Department, be
allotted to a merely -espectable performer, estimable in private life, but
without the slightest humour or appreciation of a joke, as was signally
manifested in his absurd performance in the farce of the Militia-man's
Vote. The new list is so far satisfactory; and the manager states that
his company has unanimously agreed to waive all questions of rank and
choice of parts, and to co-operate cordially for the good of the esta-
blishment.
We are glad to see that accomplished artist, Mb. Molesworth,_ en-
gaged by Me. Aberdeen. We have watched his career for some time,
and with great gratification. He has been often engaged in the Borough,
and has had to appear before an audience much too fond of coarse
effect and clap-trap. But Mr. Molesworth, while retaining his
popularity by that genuine mode of acting which always tells upon
a British audience—no matter how uncultivated—has resisted all
temptations to extravagance or bombast, and has adhered to what
was strictly intellectual and legitimate. He has thus lost, no
doubt, many a gallery shout, but he has gained in the estimation
of real judges. We trust that the " works " which he will be called on to
illustrate will be worthy of his talent. We have never seen anything
more admirable than his representation of Lycurgus, in The Colony, in
which he was not only letter-perfect, but thoroughly informed with the
time conception of the part. His make-up was very remarkable. Mr.
Osborne is also added to the company, having been engaged for naval
parts. How he will play them we can oidy guess—we never yet saw
him at a " hitch," and though we know how he can deal with returns,
we cannot fancy him with a pig-tail -. however, we shall see. He has,
we believe, been a captain in his time, and we have frequently seen him
knock his antagonists into a cocked hat, so that he is not without
nautical knowledge. And we anticipate a bold effect in any drama in
which he may have to denounce the friends of " peace at any price."
Mr. Cardwell (formerly of the Liverpool theatre, where he lost his
engagement owing to the superior attractions of the Scotch saltimbanque,
Forbes McTeetotum, whose gyrations were certainly wonderful) is in
Mr. Aberdeen's list ; he is a good artist, of the Peel school,
and, though somewhat too solemn in his delivery, can be effective. A
young Irish actor, named Keogh, has also been secured, and his
vigorous manner and agreeable intonation will, we think, make him
popular. He has been spoken of as the Pope's Legate {King John),
but we trust his good sense will prevent his appearing in such a
character, while he may make a golden reputation in such parts as the
Irish Lawyer ; Makepeace, in Oranges and Ribbons ; Fixity, hi Landlord
and Tenant, and similar personations.
Among the veterans who rally round the new manager, we are glad
to see Mr. Palmerston, who is announced for a new line of parts
—the Domestic. We have no doubt that he will be as cheerful and
genial here, as he was airy, defiant, and dashing in the Wildairs
and Mirabels, especially when they got upon the continent, and
fluttered the Alennese Volscians. The indomitable Russell takes
Foreign parts, and we trust that he will imitate neither " Maniac "
Russell, nor "Jerry Sneak" Russell, but act at once with vigour
and polish—apropos of which (and of King John) we should like to see
Russell polish off Austria at his early convenience. It would be a
most popular commencement of his career. Mr. Newcastle joins,
and we trust will not be deterred by any foolish stage jokes about
carrying coals to himself, "coaling it," and the like, from acting ener-
getically, and as he used to act in Lionel Lincoln. Mr. Graham is
engaged, and, we beheve, makes his first appearance in the Wooden
Walls of Old England. This accomplished actor may be trusted with
anything on the stage, except perhaps the delivery of a letter. Of the
rest of the actors we shall speak when they come before us. The
female part of the corps is as yet incomplete, but there are excellent
old women within the manager's reach, and the Pension List will direct
him to some very neat figures. He will do well to look to his chorus,
as that of the late manager shouted awfully, but in dismal fashion,
being dreadfully flat throughout. We do not observe any information
as to the orchestra, but we trust that Mr. Aberdeen will eschew a
most undignified and inartistic habit, largely adopted by Ms predecessor,
of coming into the front and blowing his own trumpet.
We have little to add this week, except that Mr. Aberdeen has
made a becomingly contemptuous answer to Mr. Dilly's ridiculous
charge of conspiracy, which has placed the latter lower, if possible,
than before in the opinion of the public. We do not care to give
currency to rumours, but we hear that a new adaptation, with exten-
sions and alterations, of that popular affair, The Franchise, is to be
among the novelties of the season. If boldly done, this will be a
safe card.__
Caution to Tradesmen.
We have lately discontinued dealing with our baker, in consequence
of his having perpetrated an atrocity in the shape of a pun, for we are
quite convinced that the man who could make such a pun as will be
found below is capable of picking even our pocket. We happened to
be passing his shop a few days ago, and having but recently paid our
bill, we were looking boldly into tne. window, where we saw the following
notice:
"Wanted immediately an industrious crumpet boy, to supply the
place of an idle rag-a-muffin ! "
A Promising Title.
We see a law book advertised, called Broom's Practice of the Comfy
Courts. Judging from its title merely, we are sure this must be a most
useful work, and we only regret it should be so restricted in its scope.
The Superior Courts, we think, stand equally in need of it. For,
although the late enactments have certainly done much to reform
their jurisdiction, still with Samlet we would ciy, " 0 ! Reform it
altogether." And we should, therefore, hail with pleasure the intro-
duction of those sweeping measures which the words, Broom's
Practice, may be fairly held to indicate.
rabbits v. donkeys.
It seems that the prizes at the Grand Metropolitan Rabbit Show are
principally chosen for their " length of ears." This has fired the
emulation of Sibthorp and several Protectionist Members of Parlia-
ment, who have declared their intention of competing for the prizes
next year.
A Coalition Pudding.
Mr. Disraeli lately said that " The country does not love coalitions."
But there is a coalition—one of which we have lately, most of us, had
experience; a coalition of flour with sugar, with spice, with brandy,
with candied citron and lemon-peel, with eggs and with raisins and
currants—which the country does love. We only hope that the love
entertained by the country for the coalition that contains the candied
peel will be deserved by that of the Whigs and the Peelites.
fast colours.
The pictures at the National Gallery can scarcely have been painted
in Fast Colours, for the more they are sent to be cleaned, the more
then colours disappear in the wash. However, no matter what the
colours may originally have been, it is now very clear that they are
rapidly going fast.
the point op all the pantomimes.
Not all allusion to the French Emperor has been cut out of the
Pantomimes. The Clown tumbles ! Is there not a sly insinuation in
that ? Oh—oh, what an oversight, my Lord Chamberlain !
Motto For a Vintner.—"Keep up your spirits
THEATRE ROYAL, WESTMINSTER.
BY OUR slashing critic.
TELE new manager has advertised his
list of engagements for
the approaching season,
and they appear to ns
to have been dictated
by good sense. At all
events there is an avoid-
ance of some of the
errors of his predeces-
sors. We find no pro-
vincial sticks, whose
sole claim to assume
leading characters in the
metropolis lay in the
fact that these rustic
stars had been too in-
significant for criticism,
and, therefore, that no-
thing had been said
against them. The new
company is composed of
artists who know their
business. Nor is the
public likely again to be
insulted by the assign-
ing Foreign parts—we
mean parts requiring a
knowledge of conti-
nental phraseology—to
a personage actually in-
capable of deahng gram-
matically with his native language. Nor will the principal characters
in the Domestic drama., or what we beheve the actors, borrowing the
unworthy slang of another theatre, call the Home Department, be
allotted to a merely -espectable performer, estimable in private life, but
without the slightest humour or appreciation of a joke, as was signally
manifested in his absurd performance in the farce of the Militia-man's
Vote. The new list is so far satisfactory; and the manager states that
his company has unanimously agreed to waive all questions of rank and
choice of parts, and to co-operate cordially for the good of the esta-
blishment.
We are glad to see that accomplished artist, Mb. Molesworth,_ en-
gaged by Me. Aberdeen. We have watched his career for some time,
and with great gratification. He has been often engaged in the Borough,
and has had to appear before an audience much too fond of coarse
effect and clap-trap. But Mr. Molesworth, while retaining his
popularity by that genuine mode of acting which always tells upon
a British audience—no matter how uncultivated—has resisted all
temptations to extravagance or bombast, and has adhered to what
was strictly intellectual and legitimate. He has thus lost, no
doubt, many a gallery shout, but he has gained in the estimation
of real judges. We trust that the " works " which he will be called on to
illustrate will be worthy of his talent. We have never seen anything
more admirable than his representation of Lycurgus, in The Colony, in
which he was not only letter-perfect, but thoroughly informed with the
time conception of the part. His make-up was very remarkable. Mr.
Osborne is also added to the company, having been engaged for naval
parts. How he will play them we can oidy guess—we never yet saw
him at a " hitch," and though we know how he can deal with returns,
we cannot fancy him with a pig-tail -. however, we shall see. He has,
we believe, been a captain in his time, and we have frequently seen him
knock his antagonists into a cocked hat, so that he is not without
nautical knowledge. And we anticipate a bold effect in any drama in
which he may have to denounce the friends of " peace at any price."
Mr. Cardwell (formerly of the Liverpool theatre, where he lost his
engagement owing to the superior attractions of the Scotch saltimbanque,
Forbes McTeetotum, whose gyrations were certainly wonderful) is in
Mr. Aberdeen's list ; he is a good artist, of the Peel school,
and, though somewhat too solemn in his delivery, can be effective. A
young Irish actor, named Keogh, has also been secured, and his
vigorous manner and agreeable intonation will, we think, make him
popular. He has been spoken of as the Pope's Legate {King John),
but we trust his good sense will prevent his appearing in such a
character, while he may make a golden reputation in such parts as the
Irish Lawyer ; Makepeace, in Oranges and Ribbons ; Fixity, hi Landlord
and Tenant, and similar personations.
Among the veterans who rally round the new manager, we are glad
to see Mr. Palmerston, who is announced for a new line of parts
—the Domestic. We have no doubt that he will be as cheerful and
genial here, as he was airy, defiant, and dashing in the Wildairs
and Mirabels, especially when they got upon the continent, and
fluttered the Alennese Volscians. The indomitable Russell takes
Foreign parts, and we trust that he will imitate neither " Maniac "
Russell, nor "Jerry Sneak" Russell, but act at once with vigour
and polish—apropos of which (and of King John) we should like to see
Russell polish off Austria at his early convenience. It would be a
most popular commencement of his career. Mr. Newcastle joins,
and we trust will not be deterred by any foolish stage jokes about
carrying coals to himself, "coaling it," and the like, from acting ener-
getically, and as he used to act in Lionel Lincoln. Mr. Graham is
engaged, and, we beheve, makes his first appearance in the Wooden
Walls of Old England. This accomplished actor may be trusted with
anything on the stage, except perhaps the delivery of a letter. Of the
rest of the actors we shall speak when they come before us. The
female part of the corps is as yet incomplete, but there are excellent
old women within the manager's reach, and the Pension List will direct
him to some very neat figures. He will do well to look to his chorus,
as that of the late manager shouted awfully, but in dismal fashion,
being dreadfully flat throughout. We do not observe any information
as to the orchestra, but we trust that Mr. Aberdeen will eschew a
most undignified and inartistic habit, largely adopted by Ms predecessor,
of coming into the front and blowing his own trumpet.
We have little to add this week, except that Mr. Aberdeen has
made a becomingly contemptuous answer to Mr. Dilly's ridiculous
charge of conspiracy, which has placed the latter lower, if possible,
than before in the opinion of the public. We do not care to give
currency to rumours, but we hear that a new adaptation, with exten-
sions and alterations, of that popular affair, The Franchise, is to be
among the novelties of the season. If boldly done, this will be a
safe card.__
Caution to Tradesmen.
We have lately discontinued dealing with our baker, in consequence
of his having perpetrated an atrocity in the shape of a pun, for we are
quite convinced that the man who could make such a pun as will be
found below is capable of picking even our pocket. We happened to
be passing his shop a few days ago, and having but recently paid our
bill, we were looking boldly into tne. window, where we saw the following
notice:
"Wanted immediately an industrious crumpet boy, to supply the
place of an idle rag-a-muffin ! "
A Promising Title.
We see a law book advertised, called Broom's Practice of the Comfy
Courts. Judging from its title merely, we are sure this must be a most
useful work, and we only regret it should be so restricted in its scope.
The Superior Courts, we think, stand equally in need of it. For,
although the late enactments have certainly done much to reform
their jurisdiction, still with Samlet we would ciy, " 0 ! Reform it
altogether." And we should, therefore, hail with pleasure the intro-
duction of those sweeping measures which the words, Broom's
Practice, may be fairly held to indicate.
rabbits v. donkeys.
It seems that the prizes at the Grand Metropolitan Rabbit Show are
principally chosen for their " length of ears." This has fired the
emulation of Sibthorp and several Protectionist Members of Parlia-
ment, who have declared their intention of competing for the prizes
next year.
A Coalition Pudding.
Mr. Disraeli lately said that " The country does not love coalitions."
But there is a coalition—one of which we have lately, most of us, had
experience; a coalition of flour with sugar, with spice, with brandy,
with candied citron and lemon-peel, with eggs and with raisins and
currants—which the country does love. We only hope that the love
entertained by the country for the coalition that contains the candied
peel will be deserved by that of the Whigs and the Peelites.
fast colours.
The pictures at the National Gallery can scarcely have been painted
in Fast Colours, for the more they are sent to be cleaned, the more
then colours disappear in the wash. However, no matter what the
colours may originally have been, it is now very clear that they are
rapidly going fast.
the point op all the pantomimes.
Not all allusion to the French Emperor has been cut out of the
Pantomimes. The Clown tumbles ! Is there not a sly insinuation in
that ? Oh—oh, what an oversight, my Lord Chamberlain !
Motto For a Vintner.—"Keep up your spirits