Haymarket Theatre.

Summary

Review about the return of the actress Miss Ellen Tree, now Mrs. Ellen Kean, in the roles of Viola (Twelfth Night) and of Pauline (The Ransom). "In costume the character of Viola has greatly changed since Mrs. Charles Kean performed it at the Haymarket. Then there was the page's dress, with blue and silver tunic, white tights, and hat and feather, voted the representatives of pages in general, without reference to epoch or country.  Now, thanks to a reformation by Madame Vestris (during the Covent-garden management, when Miss E. Tree also played the character), Viola appears in the costume of a Greek, which is remarkably picturesque, and indicates the nominal scene of the play.  But though the dress is changed, the Viola is the same Viola that charmed her audience in former times."  "The interviews with Olivia were marked by a graceful courteousness, which rose into a fine enthusiasm as the disguised maiden pleaded the cause of [Olivia's] lover.  The favourite exclamation, 'I am the man!' [II.ii] was uttered with that burst of comic triumph with which Mrs. Kean has always distinguished it, and drew its accustomed round of applause."

Full Title

13 Nov 1848. Haymarket Theatre. Times p. 4 c. E.

Publication

Full Record

Date

13 November 1848

Provisional Category

Breeches Actor

Cross-dressing occupation

Actor