Hide Article Text (OCR)
MR O. V. BROOKE AM) MISS AVONIA JONES AT DRURY LANE.The appearance of Mia* Avonia Jones at Drury lane Theatre in the character of Medea may be chronicled aa an event of m:»re th*n ordinary importance in our current theatrical history. The English stage, owing to many causes, has of late year* shown an unexampled alacrity in sinking. The poverty of our theatre* ia the great leading rths of tragedy and comedy is so manifest, that, except iu particular instances, wh**n a shooting “sur” light* up the horiion for a short engagement, tragedy and comedy hare, in fact, no place on the boards. The appearance, therefore, of an artist who promises to rede”m from oblivion some of the nublost errations of our dramatio poetry, and to invest the stag* with a lustre which we have long watched for in vain. possesses a hiplt «nd exceptional interest. The part chosen by Mi** Jone* V t ightened the curiosity and increased the perils ot her Ixmdon debut. It ia an English transcript of the character originslly designed by M. fogouve for Mdlle Rachel, but destined to* be given to the world in the Italian lsngunge by Madame Kistori. It wae one of Ristori s grandest efforts. They who hare seen her in it are not likely to forget her entrance down the rocks with her children, the overwhelming misery of her scene with Cre.usa, leading up t' th at terrible burs* of passion in whiuh the spring of the leopard finds expression in the fearful er.ergy of tho flushing eyes and strained limbs, the thrilling fluctuation* of her interne-* *ith Jason, and the last ap^al-lint; act by which she becomes the avenging £i«m«*i* of the scene. Against these recollections the d*h%tnnt» had to contend. The kind of drama, too,—with its long fpeeches, ita single, concentrated action, and it* classical i»overi‘y—was in itself an experiment upon our Fnclish »tage; and her; wns a ri^k of another, wnd nardly leas dangerous nature to be ct.countered. The result was soeh as most have satisfied the loftiest ambition of the aspirant herself. In person Miss Jonea i* delicately formed, with flowing outline, and exquisite symmetry. Her voice is melodious and ' b sympathetic, and of to fine a quality of resonant ' * fulness that a whisper is audible over the house. ' Her face, extremely beautiful in repose, ia capable of the greatest variety, depth, and intensity of expression. Sometime*, at the height of one of those passages of auvago vehemence which mvk the blood of the race from whence Medea comes, the features kindle up into a sudden resemblance to Rachel;—but it is the general resemblance of | p genius to genius in the instant of inspiration, «lt; rather than of any likeness that can be caught rlt; and fixed in the details. Iler eye takes in the whole compass of expression, from the oppo-aito extreme's of joy and wretchedness. Ft.Il of aoftnem and sweetnosy in its tranquil depth, it strikes with the quickness and decision of tho lightning, when spnm, er hate, or reverse is to have utterance. Nor is it the eye alone that interpret* these vari»ui phases of tendrrupss and passion; tho entire person contributes to the pio-ture, »o nuturally do»*s ihu physical sc’ion obey the impulses of the mental emotion. In this we have one of thesocrou of true genius—the unconscious occupation of the whole piwors of the artist in giving effect to the conception. There is no premeditated effort in tho production of this harmonious result. The movements are calm, collected, easy, and alwaye graceful. There is no redundant notion. The artiste ia never carried fcway by the violence or temnes*. of the dialogue.She represents the moral whirlwind, which is rendered all the more terriblr real and impressive bv the total absence of melodramatic rage and pnysical display. Her wrongs are too deep for stage fustian and tragic Bdlingsgate. We will not attempt to particularise any special merits of • perfotmauce, everv articulation of which left a distinct image on the mind. The greatest merit of all was, that while the impersonation abounded in line things, each of whirh, taken separately, dcturves acknowledgment, the portaiture was massive, distinct, and complet** as a whole, and not frittered away by elaboration. The Medea of Miss Jones his one superiority over the Medea of Ristori, that it brings out the tears of the atorv, and the womanly side «»f the character, more fully and touchingly. Her M-dua is a wovne.n in her sorrows. She is not a.'l of thut barbaric mould that has not a corner in ita nature for human weakness. Nor is her vengeance lets terrible becausc her love and tenderness sometimes molt the heart of the spectator a. When »h: drags Creusa across the htsge, and holds her gleaming dagger o*-er her,theatdience shudder intheirseats —so forcible, so real, is the revenge of the outraged woman, made relentless to the last et-tfemity by the very earneMneaa and devotion of her love. And nothing could exceed tha emotion »he inspired by the manner of her death, in which the terrible and the pictutesque were combined with singular power and artistic skill. Mists Jones haa won a position by this undoubtedly great performance upon whish the English itage m iy be congratulated no less than herself. That vast theatre, crowded to the roof, testified by extraordinary applause the public sense of her talents. Her tuccess waa unequivocal. She was coiled before the eurtain at thr close of each act, and twico at the termination.For the rest, we are sorry we have nothing very agreeable to say. The play was spouted in the worst and most vulgar taste ; and that Miss Jones should have achieved such a resalt under auch inauspicious circumstances, is by bo means the lesst part of her triumph over difficulties.The re-appearanoe of Mr O. V. Brooke, at Drury lane, alter an absence from London of eightJears, drew a crowded and eager nudkmce, which as followed him without abatemeat through all his subsequent appearances. He took the part of OtfaUo for hi* opening, perhaps because it ia generally considered his best, or because it afforded a good opportunity of enabling the publio to contrast the traditional OiAstlo of the Bngiish stage with the new rendering of the character by Mr Fletcher. If popular enthusiasm be any teat of auocess, Mr Brooke haa abundant reason to be satisfied with his reoeption. There never was a mote complete ovction than that which greeted him the momeut h-j appeared, and it ia doe to his effort* to add that tne excitement increased wiih the progress of the play. The worst of it was that he waa surrounded by efroupe thst would reflect discredit on m provincial theatre. Shskspcare at Drury-lane under the present management ia a deplorable spectacle, and to uubody can it he mote distressing than to the actor who is doomed to play the solitary star in such a firmament. Mr Brooke geta over the difficulty with a resolution which is quite hemic, and the public appreciate his triumph accordingly. He ia well entitled to hie laurels. He rendered good service in Australia to the cause of the Dramatic College, now building at Woking; and to him, wa believe, we are indebted for the Introduction of Miss Avonia Jonea to the London *•**, by which he hs* laid *11 lover* of the drama und*r sn obligation. Mr Brooke haa also pJsvcd Sir (Ides Overreach, and haa appeared, with Miss Jone*, in /Wi Haor^fiot. I* this last play, Min J ones amply justified the verdict pro-Bounced upon her Medea, and displayed high qualities in a different direction.—Bom* AV«*i.Tn Paine* or Wax*.—We believe It ia intended that tho Prince of Wales shall visit thof«01bwuaUatlCJho:tlsioslt;A0 C' 81 k o; tl li n w at blt; « at«Fitb’01 m in siqdH■fe tn w or blt; nt Hi P« 9* to f It H b« di m th nc anMwithAiTlofRiAfe*itbeth-wisi*ISsisburoi
Newspaper Details
Melbourne Age
Melbourne, Victoria, AU
Tue, Jan 14, 1862
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
MA, USA 28 Jan 2020
Other Publications Near Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne Record
Melbourne Punch Thu
Melbourne Public Opinion
Melbourne Norden
Melbourne Herald
