THE THEATRES.
After witnessing the performance of Mr. Macready as Othello, on Mon- day, one cannot but be struck with the little effect which he produces on his audience, compared with that which he produces in any other part. The public witnessing Mr, Macready's Lear is kept in a state of excitement; the same public witnessing the Othello is not roused to an expression of feeling till many of the great opportunities of the character have passed by. And yet on the English stage there is not a role inure popular with every class of the community, or one by which spectators are more easily moved, than that of Othello. It is, indeed, generally reckoned by the theatrical profession an easy though an important part, because it has with it the Sympathies of the audience throughout. It seems to us that Mr. Macready never trusts himself thoroughly to the cOarser passions of the Moor. The growth of jealousy is elaborated to a high degree of refinement; the delivery of every line proves the most careful study and reflection; but the boldness of nature seems never to be exactly int—the appearance of artificial contrivance never to be entirely dispelled. With an actor of the ideal school this elevation above the ordinary exhibi- tions of emotion would only be a consequence of a general system; but with Mr. Macready, whose usual aim is "naturalness," and who does not shrink from portraying the fretfulness of Lear, the peculiar smoothness of Othello seems the result of an especial conviction, so as not to be traceable to. an universal plan. The dignity of the Moor appears to have been with hun a more important element than his passionate irritability: and here, perhaps, may be found the key to his version. .The general and we may add the deserved popularity of Mr. Wallet*, will always assure him a large amount of applause, whatever part he acts; but logo is not really congenial to him. Miss Reynolds, a charming act- ress in the comedy of prose or poetry, does not give sufficient pathos to Cordelia or Desdenzona to render them striking. On the other hand, the Emilia of Mrs. Warner, played with immense force, stands out as one of the most interesting personages of the performance.
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