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PROVINCIAL DRAMA, Sc..

Theatre-Royal MANCHESTER.-Messrs. Ward and Bellamy commenced their winter campaign here on the 1st of Dec. with the following forces, viz. Messrs. Huddart, Penson, Gordon, Swendall, (late acting commandant at the Weymouth theatre) Sims, Richardson, (late of Covent Garden, but last from Bath) Bengough, Grist, Benwell, Hattiwell, Healy, and last, not least, Scriven and Mills. The ladies are Mesdames Ward, Bellamy, Tayleure, Penson, Bengough, Mills, and our old favourite Mrs. Hatton, the Misses Ward, Jackson, and Daniels. Thus supported with a numerous and respectable corps, chiefly veterans, our managers commenced the campaign with spirit and confidence. Bella horrida bella! who can answer for the event of battles? Huddart, as Lieutenant Worthington, commenced the attack, but the enemy, conscious of his abilities, received him with open arms and a general feu de joie. After this, corporal Foss, and the volunteers Ollapod and Harrowby, &c. &c. easily established themselves upon the field. But when general Bellamy bimself appeared, then came the tug of war.' He was instantly saluted by a general discharge of swan, or rather goose shot. For some time, he kept his ground unhurt amidst the din of arms,' though not without the most imminent danger, as the discharge from the enemy's pieces came hissing round him on every side. In the greatest agitation he traversed the field, the discharge of goose shot still continuing, when he demanded a parly. It was alledged that the last winterly campaign, he had, in a cowardly manner, run away from and deserted his troops in the utmost need, and given his support to a foreign regiment stationed at Dublin; and that, when they expected to reap the benefits of their toils through five long winter months, they had no leader to continue harmony in the corps: for with General Bellamy, and the fair syren Addison, poor Opera had entirely deserted the regiment, convinced that if she attempted to keep the field, she would soon have been so wounded, mangled, and mutilated, as to be obliged to lay by in the regimental hospital. The general was now obliged to submit to the superior force of the enemy's artillery, and to come to terms by promising that if he might be suffered to remain upon the field of battle that night, and march out with all the honours of war, he would give his parole of honour never more to appear in propriâ personâ upon that scene of action, as he would renounce them and that stage for ever. But, metaphor apart, the company is an excellent one. Mr. Richardson was here about eight years ago, since which he is, indeed, much improved. In Cross, in No Song no Supper, and Steady, the Quaker, he was equally happy. Mills, I think, is one of the most promising actors on the English stage. He is very young indeed, and has much improvement in him. Mr. Hatton is very clever in comedy. As also Mr. Scriven, who played Tony Lumpkin in a very superior style. MANCUNIENSIS.

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Theatre Royal DUBLIN,-The trustees of the Dublin Lying-in-Hospital, have publicly contradicted the report of Mrs. Siddons having refused to perform for that charity, declaring, also, that no application or request of such a nature was made to her.

Relative to this affair, which has occupied the public conversation for some time past, Mrs. Siddons thought it incumbent on her to address the proprietor of the theatre. The following is a copy of the letter, and we do not think a more effectual method can be taken to contradict the report alluded to than the publica

tion of it:

"Sir,

"TO FREDERICK EDWARD JONES, ESQ.

"I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject which has caused me much uneasiness. Public concern is, under any circumstances, well calculated to wound our feelings, but it is peculiarly distressing when it is heightened by injustice. That reports most injurious to me have been circulated, can no longer be doubted, when I assure you that I understand it is generally believed I refused to play for the Lying-in Hospital. On this subject you will, I am sure, be as anxious to do me justice, as I am solicitous to vindicate myself in the eyes of the public. I therefore beg leave to bring to your recollection, that you did me the honour of calling on me at my house in Park-street last summer, when it was liberally proposed, on your part, as it was cheerfully accepted on mine, that I should perform for some charity: you also recollect that it was considered by us both as a compliment justly due to Lady Hardwicke, that she should have the choice of the particular charity for which I was to perform-and you thought it likely that her Excellency would give her preference to the Lying-in-Hospital. You also, Sir, must remember, that I was not only willing but desirous of exerting myself for the benefit of so laudable an institution. Why so amiable a purpose was not immediately promoted, I cannot even guess--but sure I am that its postponement cannot be attributed to any backwardness on my part. The same motives which actuated me then, are no less powerful now, and it will give me infinite pleasure, if, by the exertion of any powers I possess, I can be able to promote an important object of public utility.

"And now, Sir, if I may be permitted to speak of myself as a private individual, I have only to regret the sad necessity imposed upon me of vindicating my character from the imputation of a failing as unamiable as (I trust) it is foreign to my nature. I regret that I should be constrained from unfortunate circumstances to endeavour to rescue myself from an obloquy which I hope 1 have never incurred by my conduct; I regret that the country in which I am obliged to do so should be Ireland.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,

Dublin, Dec. 8, 1802.

"Your obedient servant,

**S. SIDDONS."

The affairs of this theatre are in a very flourishing condition. Holman is still the popular actor, and, with the aid of Talbot and Hargrave, the tragedies are got up in a style of uncommon excellence. The latter gentleman performed some seasons back at Covent-Garden; he afterwards quitted the stage for a situation in the army, and has but lately resumed his former profession. Miss Walstein from the Liverpool company, has appeared in Calista, with considerable applause.

Theatre Royal CHESTER.Our theatre having been newly painted, wears a gayer appearance than it has presented within my recollection. As I imagined that poetry would form a variety in your provincial Memoranda Dramatica, I have hastily attempted to give my opinion of the merits and demerits of our com pany in verse.

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Unwarp'd by fondness, and unsway'd by spite,
I'll judge with freedom, and with boldness write.
MEN.

1

Huddart, whose talents merit all applause,
From Nature's page his tragic lessons draws;
And, bless'd with manly form and striking face,
Conceives with genius, and performs with grace.
Gordon, rewarded both by great and small,
With genuine acting captivates us all,
Where ease and humour their joint force combine,
And youth and figure in full vigour shine ;-
While Ward, although *neglected, knows the art
To raise our laughter, or to reach the heart.

Penson has worth, but honey, sweet to taste,

The stomach sickens when it forms the feast;

No suited efforts in his acting strike,
In king or cobler Penson's still alike.
Grist's sun is setting, yet its parting rays
Sadly remind us of its noontide blaze.
In song let Bellamy display true taste,
Full-ton'd, though soft; mellifluous, though chaste.
Poor Richardson, who triest in vain to please,
E'er sings with judgment, and e'er acts with ease.
In time may Mills do credit to a stage,

And Bengough learn to know mad rant from rage
His limbs to manage, and to scorn low tricks,

His voice to vary, and his eyes to fix.

Healy with credit fills his hobbling posts,

Then enter servants, shifters, mutes, and ghosts.

WOMEN.

Come Ward, and let thy praise enrich my song,
Thou graceful heroine of our Thespian throng;

With rapture do I hear thy tragic flights,

And yet thy airy comedy delights;

Grave without dulness, without folly smart,

In dress consistent, and correct in part.

* Mr. Ward was particularly unsuccessful in his benefit.

Richardson and Hatton scarcely cleared themselves in a joint benefit.
He performs the characters of old men.

§ Mrs. Ward.

3 GVOL. XIV.

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3ee Bellamy advance with form so neat,
And happiest turn to give each varied treat;
Her Portia's pleadings, and her Pickle's wiles,
Nobly demand, and nobly win our smiles.
In blooming youth next sprightly +Ward appears,
Whose sweetness charms us, and whose humour cheers.
Tayleure with decency performs her lot;
And let not lively Hatton be forgot.
Whatever else the ear with discord fills,
Is harmony divine to squeaking Mills.
Jackson wants parts to shine in opera scene,
For poor's her voice, and languid is her mien.
And then appears a vile, uncomely race,
Tinsult an audience, and a stage disgrace.
Thus have I aim'd, to honest candour true,
To give to each the praise or censure due.
Chester, December 18.

CASATOR.

Theatre Royal LIVERPOOL.-Our theatre closed on Wednesday, 24th Nov. being the last performance, previous to the alterations that are to take place for our new managers, Messrs. Lewis and Knight.

We contemplate the change with pleasure, and have no doubt, from the spirit and liberality which have been conspicuous in their conduct, we shall never have reason to alter the opinion we have already formed. The benefits taken collectively amount to more than any former season, and when I state that 28 benefits at this theatre amount to £.4500, every candid person must be convinced how much managers have it in their power to gratify the town, without injuring themselves, by proper appointments, good scenery, dresses and orchestra:

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This night closed what we call the London season; immediately after we were gratified with Mrs. Jordan's performance, in most of her favourite characters. She was, of course, a very powerful magnet, and filled the manager's coffers. Her benefit, when she took Child of Nature, Wedding Day, and Three Weeks after

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223

This gentleman performed but three nights, -99957, 9,

Mrs. Mattocks performed on this evening in the Word of Honour

Mr. H. brought out a tragedy called " Idela," written by Mr. A. Simeon, Junr. of this town. We cannot speak very highly of its merits; however, the purpose was answered, by bringing the old man, who is in a bad state of health, a very good house.

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Mr. Young presented his audience with the Voice of Nature, for the first time. After the play, Mr. Y. came forward, in the name of the manager, (who, he said, was prevented from making his bow, in consquence of a sudden domestic calamity, which had called him to London) to return thanks to the inhabitants of Liverpool, for the great support he had experienced during his management, &c. The address was sufficiently neat and appropriate, and Mr. Y. concluded with expressing the gratitude of the performers in general, and of himself in particular, for the liberal encouragement which they had received at their respective benefits.

Theatre Royal PLYMOUTH.-MR. EDITOR,-In answer to the erroneous and malicious remarks made by a correspondent, subscribing himself" Lounger," on the Plymouth theatre, its performers, &c. &c. I beg you will have the goodness to insert the following simple statement of facts; the admission of which into the Mirror I am entitled to expect, from the public declaration made in your number for September, 1801, and from the laudable custom you have adopted, agreeably to the spirit of British justice, of hearing counsel on both sides.

Raising the prices to the separate performances of Mrs. Siddons and Mr. Kemble, when in this part of the country, was never considered imposition.— Is it, then, reasonable to suppose that it should on account of Mr. Cooke, a character as high in theatrical fame as any on the stage? Believe me, Sir, the inhabitants are too liberally inclined to reward merit, such as they witnessed in this gentleman, to feel dissatisfaction at the advance of one shilling on the boxes, which were, in a great degree, taken before he arrived, and crowded almost every night during his stay; consequently several, from neglect of early application for places, were obliged to go to other parts of the theatre, anxious to behold his excellence, in every character he represented,

I will now speak of Mr. Lovegrove and Mrs. Forbes, to whom every person here attributes the article inserted in your last. They joined the company about the middle of the season. From their own report, we were led to suppose that they possessed talents of the first order, consequently, previous to their arrival, several plays were cast, in which their names were inserted for principal characters, but it was soon found that their merit was of a very inferior kind, so much so, that not only the proprietor, but even the inhabitants (who are extremely good natured on these occasions) were greatly dissatisfied with their› performances, and of course it was but seldom that their names were announced

in the bills.

Miss Grant, however, merits all the praise which Mrs. Forbes has lavished on herself; she is, indeed, not only a pleasing actress and a good figure, but an amiable character, and an exemplary daughter.

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