Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Most Celebated Actors and Actresses
This was the first time their Majesties had visited a theatre since the attempt of Margaret Nicholson to stab the king. The choice of such a part as Flutter for a metropolitan debut was the subject of some Observation, though the prudence of Mr. Macready's appearing in that character was Obvious. In Ireland, by ingrafting his own peculiarities into the part, he had made it almost his own; and Richard Daly, as manager Of Smock-alley Theatre, in Opposition to Mr. Ryder, Of Crow-street, displayed considerable spirit and judgment. He not only had the best company Ireland could then produce, but engaged the principle London stars, got up the most celebrated pieces as soon as they were established in London, and particularly the Belle's Stratagem, which, at Dublin, had a considerable run, and was represented with magnificence not at all inferior to Covent Garden. During the next and succeeding seasons, Mr. Macready played some of the walking gentlemen, and had now become famous, from his being able to double many of the Irish characters of the celebrated John J Ohnstone. Before the latter made the attempt, Irishmen were badly supported at all the London Theatres. Moody lacked the spirit; Rock wanted more refinement; and Robert Palmer, to fill up the vacuum, made some laudable attempts, but was deficient in the great principle, nature. J Ohnstone's humour was genuine and characteristic. Macready was his countryman, with experience on the Irish boards; and though not townsmen, were intimately acquainted with each other in Dublin. When in London, they played, season after season, on the same stage, with success, Macready still profiting by the existing friendship. Moody and Palmer were both Englishmen, and talented they were; but Rock was an Irishman, a jewel wanting the lapidary's skill; he had spirit and humour too; rough, but natural. Macready, as will be seen, turned manager. Johnstone in a few years retired, and Rock was recalled (september, 1808) to succeed. Churchill speaks of the noble-spirited Moody, as an actor, in high terms; but then Churchill knew nothing of Rock or Johnstone. The mantle of the former evidently fell upon that Hibernian satellite, Charles Connor; and that of the latter served to shroud in eternal ui ht poor Connor's worthy successor, the unfortunate Tyrone Powe Kilkenny pro duced the former two, and Dublin and Waterford the two latter.
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