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.