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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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260 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mr. Kemble resolved on opening a new theatre. With this view, he took the Circus (now the Adelphi Theatre) and at great expense had it altered and fitted up in a neat and commodious manner. The house was accordingly opened on the day announced-the 18th of January 1793-with the comedy of “The Rivals ;” the part of Sir Anthony Ahsolule by Mr. Lee Lewes. “Every part of the New Theatre,” says a paragraph in the Courunt, “ was filled soon after the opening of the doors ; and in few instances do we recollect where the expectations of the public were more amply gratified. The house is fitted up in a style of neatness and simplicity, and possesses a sufficiency of decoration, without approaching to tawdriness, The scenery is by Mr. Naesmith, and it is sufficient to say his reputation (so deservedly high) will not be $minished by the work; the subjects are well chosen, and tastefully executed. The frontispiece is a spirited representation of Apollo in his car, preceded by Aurora. Sheridan’s admired comedy of ‘ The Rivals ’ was got up with considerable strength. Mr. Lee Lewes and Mr, Woods, in Old and Young Absolute, were excellent; and Mrs. Kemble, in Julia, displayed that plaintive and affecting simplicity which ever marks her performance.” Jackson’s trustees insisting on the monopoly granted by the patent-royal, the question was carried before the’court of Session, and defended by Kemble, on the ground that the patent not having passed the great seal of Scotland, it was therefore invalid. In the course of the process, an interdict having been obtained from the Lord Ordinary, Lee Lewes created much merriment amongst the audience the following night, when a pantomime was about to be performed, by appearing on the stage with a padlock attached to his mouth, in allusion to the attempt to prevent them from acting the regular drama. The contest betwixt the rival houses ultimately terminating in favour of the patentees, the New Theatre was closed, and Mr. Kemble consequently involved in very considerable pecuniary loss. An account of this process was given in a very unsatisfactory work published by Jackson in 1793, entitled “A History of the Scottish Stage,” in which, as might be expected, he was by no means sparing of his accusations against Kemble. From Memoirs 1 written by himself, we learn that CHARLELS EE LEWESw as a native of London, but of Cambrian extraction. His father, who was a classical scholar, was intimate with Dr. Young, author of ‘‘ Night Thoughts ; ” and so greatly in favour was the future Comedian with the worthy Doctor, that when only fivo years of age he was often taken to reside with him a few weeks at Mr. Kemble was not long permitted to enjoy his success unmolested. Memoirs of Charlea Lee Lewes, containing Anecdotes, Historical and Biographical, of the English and Scottish Stages, during a period of forty years. Written by himself. 4 vols. 12mo. London, 1805. A short time prior appeared a work, attributed to Lee Lewes, entitled “Comic Sketches, or the Comedian his own Manager. Written and Selected for the Benefit of Actors in England, Ireland, Scotland, and America With a Portrait.” London, 1805. 4s. These were the substance of his “Comic Sketches, or Nature’s Looking-Glass,” delivered in Edinburgh. The volume was accompanied by a spurious biographical account of Lee Lewes, contradicted and denied by his son, the editor of the Memoirs.
Volume 9 Page 346
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