28 JANUARY 1843, Page 9

Cymbeline, as revived at Drury Lane, though not so complete

a restoration of the text of SHAKSPERE as could be desired, and less elaborate and finished in costume and scenery than some others of Mr. Mscamtpv's Shakeperian revivals, is marked by general propriety and elegance. The most striking feature in the representation is the triclinium, with the revellers crowned with garlands reclining at table ; which if not strictly correct, is sufficiently suggestive of Roman luxury and magnificence to contrast with the ruder state of the Britons. The introduction of this scene of classic festivity also serves to throw a veil of voluptuous wantonness over the repulsive incident of a man wager- ing on the virtue of his wife ; and tends to make Posthunms appear merely a rash boaster, and Iachimo a licentious profligate inflamed with wine, both acting on a hasty impulse and piqued into making the vile compact. MACREADY is not the "yellow Iachimo," but a rosy, luxu- rious gallant, with an air of gayety and bonhommie, and a frank look and bearing, beneath which deceit and villany do not seem to lurk : no one would suspect him of treachery or base intent when he tempts Imogen with the false tale of her husband's infidelity. This is departing from the spirit of the character—not simply soften- ing down its coarse aspect. Miss Ire.r.r.ri FAtrcrr does not realize our ideas of Imogen : she expresses the various emotions of the character with too much vehemence : her indignation at Iachimo's insulting overtures is too much like scolding, for the gentle Imogen ; her despairing entreaty of Pisanio to slay her is the best point of her performance. PHELPS is excellent as Bellarius : he looks like a dweller in a cave. ALLEN and HUDSON, as Guiderius and Arviragus, though not showing sylvan breeding, sang the lament over Fidele with genuine pathos. COMPTON makes Cloten too much of the zany, and not enough of the coxcomb. ANDERSON as Posthumus, and ELTON as Pisanio, are respectable. Mrs. WARNER should have played the Queen, instead of Miss Ews, though the part is cut down to insignificance.