KEAN'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN LONDON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 163, 19 July 1879, Page 3

KEAN'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN LONDON.

As the church clocks were striking six he sallied forth from his lodgings in Cecil Street. His parting words to his wife were, ' I wish I was going to be shot ! ' In his hand he carried a small bundle, containing shoes, stocknigs, wig, and oth'T trifles of costume. The night is very cold and foggy ; there had 'been heavy snow, and a thaw had set in ; the streets were almost impassable with slush, which penetrated through worn boots and chilled him to the bone. He darted quickly through the stage door, wishing to escape all notice, and lepaired to his dressing-room. There the feelings of the actor were shocked by another innovation ; he was actually going to play Shylock in a black wig instead of the traditional reel one ! They smiled among themselves, shrugged their shoulders, but made no remark; such a man was beyond remonstrance—besides, what did it matter ? he would not be allowed to appear a second time JacK Bannister and Oxbnrry wore the only ones who offered him a friendly word. When the curtain rose the house was miserably bad, but by-and-by the overflow of Covent Garden, which was doing well at that time, began to drop in and make up a. tolerable audience. His reception was encouraging. At ]n's first words, Cl Three thousands ducats, well !' Dr. Drury, who was in front, pronounced him ' safe.' At ' I tcill be assured I may,' there was a burst of applause, and at the great speech ending with ' And for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much moneys,' the sounds of approbation were very strong. Even as the curtain fell upon the first act success was almost ensured, and already the actors who had treated him so superciliously began, to gather round with congratulations. But he shrank from them, and wandered about in the darkness at the back of the stage. The promise of the first act was well sustained in the second. But his great triumph was reserved for the scene with Salanio and Salarino in the third, where he is told of the flight of his daughter Jessica with a Christian ; there so terrible was his energy, so magnificent his acting, that a whirlwind of applause shook the house. Then came the trial scene, grander still in its complex emotions and its large scope for great powers ; and all was so novel, so strange, so opposed to old traditions. When the curtain finally fell upon the wild enthusiasm of the audience the stage manager, Raymond, who had snubbed him, offered him oranges ; Arnold who hul bullied him and : young man'd' him, brought him negus. Drunk with delight he rushed home, and with half-frenzied incoherency poured forth the story of his triumph. ' Mary,' hecried, ' you shall ride in youi carriage yet ! Charles,' lifting the child from his bed, ( shall you go to Eton.' Then his voice { If Howard had but lived to see it !'— ( Our Old Actors.' bv G. B. Baker.