20 MAY 1876, Page 3

Mr. Brandram's recitation, or rather presentation, of " Macbeth "

at Willis's Rooms, on Wednesday, was a very singular feat of,— of course, purely vocal,—acting. The effort of memory was itself somewhat remarkable, for, without prompter or the slightest references of any kind, Mr. Brandram never hesitated from the beginning of the play to the end. But the marvellous thing about it was the evenness and refinement with which every part,—from the common ruffians who are hired to murder Banquo, to Lady Macbeth herself,—is placed before the ear of the audience. Even the two confederated ruffians are made quits different in char- acter, and the three witches are as distinct as they are admirably given. The courtly and loveable old king appears the very model of kingly trust and confidence towards Macbeth, and of chivalr:c courtesy to his wife ; while, later, Lady Macbeth's efforts to keep things together in the banquet scene, and cover, as far as may be, the scandal caused by her husband's hallucinations, are far more vividly presented to us than we have ever seen them on the stage. To those who do not miss costume, scenery, and spectacle, so much as evenness of power and refinement in the presentation of the whole play, Mr. Brandram's Macbeth must have been a rare and high enjoyment.