An Essay on the Science of Acting by a Veteran Stager

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... twenty-eight. When Sir William Davenant opened the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields he engaged eight women to join his standard, so often repeated, before the audience permitted them to speak, that the combatants seemed to be disconcerted. It was observed that Quin changed colour, and Garrick seemed to be embarrassed; and, it must be owned, that these actors were never less masters of themselves, than on the first night of the contest for pre-eminence. Notwithstanding the evident disparity arising from one actor's pleading the cause of truth and virtue, and the other being engaged on the side of licentiousness and profligacy, Mr. Quin was, in the opinion of the best judges, fairly defeated; by striving to do too much, he missed the mark at which he aimed. The character of Horatio is compounded of deliberate courage, warm friendship, and cool contempt of vice. Tne last Quin had, in a superior degree, but could not rise to an equal expression of the other two. The strong emphasis which he stamped on almost every word in a line, robbed the whole of that ease and graceful familiarity which should have accompanied the elocution and action of a man who is calmly chastising a vain and audacions boaster. When Lothario gave Horatio the challenge, Quin, instead of accepting it instantaneously, with the determined and unembarrassed brow of superior bravery, made a long pause, and dragged out the words, 'I'll meet thee there'.' in such a manner as to make it appear absolutely ludicrous. He paused so long before he spoke, that somebody, it is said, called out from the gallery. ' Why don't you tell the gentleman whether you will meet him or not?' and boarded four of the principal actresses Itf his own house, at the enormous charge of seven shillings weekly. Now-a-days t...