The Life and Theatrical Times of Charles Kean, F.S.A. (V. 1)

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232

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345 g

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Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Kurzbeschreibung

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II. COVENT GARDEN AND DRURY LANE BURNT DOWN IN 1808 AND 1809? APPLICATION FOR A THIRD PATENT REJECTED?O. P. RIOTS AT COVENT GARDEN?INJUDICIOUS PROCEEDINGS AND ULTIMATE SUBMISSION OF THE MANAGERS?STRENGTH OF THE COVENT GARDEN COMPANY?LIMITED ATTRACTION OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS?RETIREMENT OF MRS. SIDDONS ?HER SUPPLEMENTAL RE-APPEARANCES?SUMMARY OF HER CAREER? HER OPINION AND JOHN KEMBLE'S OF THE DIFFICULTY OF ACTING? ANECDOTE FROM DOw's HISTORY OF HINDOSTAN ? IMPORTANCE OF SOUND CRITICISM?LUDICROUS MISTAKES AND MIS-STATEMENTS ? CONVENTIONAL PHRASEOLOGY?EDMUND KEAN AND MRS. GARRICK?LEIGH HUNT AND HAZLITT AS THEATRICAL CRITICS?EXTRAVACANT PREJUDICES OF THE LATTER?INSTANCES QUOTED?CONSOLATION FOR SUFFERERS. About two years before the birth of Charles Kean, both the great theatres were burnt to the ground within five months of each other, ?Covent-garden on the 19th of November, 1808; Drury-lane on the 24th of February, 1809. The close proximity of these lamentable events gave rise to many suspicions of foul play, but nothing ever transpired beyond surmise. The received opinion now is, that the first arose from accident, the second from shameful neglect. Covent Garden sprang again from its ashes in renovated splendour within twelve months. Drury Lane, being beset by heavier incum- brances, remained in abeyance for more than three years and a-half, until the 12th of December, 1812, during the greater part of which interval the company set up their standard at the Lyceum. It is surprising that theatres are not burnt down more frequently than they are, considering the increaseddanger arising from gas, if not properly tended (when is it so ?), the indigenous facility of combustion, and the difficulty of watching the watchmen. A fire in a theatre may be prevented, but is not ea...

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Mehr von:  John William Cole, Cambridge Scholars Publishing