Page images
PDF
EPUB

was settled that he should repair to Bath, upon a speculative engagement of being rated according to the degree of talents his appearance should disclose.

That city, which has been long termed the dramatic hot-bed of our winter theatres, has had the merit of nurturing the rising talents of the first actress in the world, Mrs. Siddons; to the names of Henderson, Edwin, and a long list of favourite performers, may also be added that of Mr. Elliston. On his return there in the year 1793, he made his appearance in the character of Romeo, and found his former efforts had not been forgotten. A number of trifling circumstances, such as the indisposition of performers, &c. soon rendered him a distinguished favourite, and afforded a lucky opportunity of calling into action a versatility of powers which was before unknown even to himself.

While in the plenitude of his great, and almost unprecedented success, the majestic doors of the new theatre were opened. Now, therefore, was the time to realize his expectations. Professor Martyn accordingly applied for information as to the terms his nephew was likely to procure if he came to town, and was given to understand that forty, fifty, and sixty shillings per week, on a three-years engagement, were as much as could be hazarded on the untried abilities of a mere novice.

This offer was prudently rejected, and Elliston immediately closed with the proposals of the Bath managers, who were anxious to engage him for a certain term.

Here,

Here, then, we find him for a considerable time bustling through all the varied scenes of the drama, although still in an inferior walk to that he was soon destined to assume; for the manager and proprietor was, in the technical phrase of the stage, in possession of the first walk, and to disposses such a rival was as impossible, from his situation, as it was unnecessary, from the respectability of his opponent.

Among the most successful efforts of the subject of this memoir, may be reckoned his obtaining, about this time, the hand and heart of a most respectable public character at Bath, (Miss Rundall,) who was as celebrated for her beauty as for her skill in unravelling the mysteries of the mazy dance. Mrs. Elliston, now the mother of five children, is elegant in her manners, enjoys the patronage of persons of the first distinction, and at present takes the lead of all competitors in the school of Terpsichore.

Thus fortunate in his choice, and happy in domestic life, it is more than probable that he would have remained content with the laurels the inhabitants of Bath were daily entwining round his brow, had not a promise been given to Mr. Colman to perform at his theatre; and before the expiration of his honeymoon, he accordingly ventured to tread the London boards, in the arduous character of Octavian in the "Mountaineers," and Vapour in the Farce of "My Grandmother."

The many times he has personified the former of these, since his first appearance, renders it almost unnecessary

unnecessary to dwell upon the subject; but it may not be amiss to add here, that it is still a contested point with the town, whether Mr. Kemble or Mr. Elliston gives the most perfect and correct delineation of this romantic and insane lover. His performance of Vapour, on the other hand, evinced that power of contrasted talents, which did not fail of impressing the public with a proper estimation of his serio-comic capability.

Having thus fulfilled the promise he had made, he was obliged to return to Bath to close the theatrical campaign of 1796, according to the letter of his article, with Mr. Dimond. But Mr Colman being aware of the value of Mr. Elliston's youthful energies, secured him for the remainder of the season. A powerful reason soon after evinced itself for the manager's attachment to this dramatic stripling. The failure of the "Iron Chest," on its original representation at Drury-lane Theatre, and the singular circumstances attending it, are fresh in the minds of the amateurs. Mr. Colman, doubtless, eager to preserve his literary fame, and holding the powers of our young actor in no inconsiderable estimation, determined on risking the representation of that play at his own theatre. When a performer like Mr. Kemble had failed in producing the intended effect, from a character written expressly for the display of his powers, it was not the most casy and pleasant task for a young actor to come after him; but he redeemed the fame of the play, and conducted himself in such

such a way as to experience the entire satisfaction of the public and the author.*

In the course of this season, the subject of the present article was announced for the character of Sheva, in the Comedy of "The Jew;" and his representation of the philanthropic Israelite completely established his fame as an excellent and valuable performer.

The growing reputation of this gentleman at length induced Mr. Harris, the manager of Covent Garden Theatre, to engage him to play at stated intervals, an indulgence kindly granted by Messrs. Palmer and Dimond, with whom he had now renewed his articles for three years.

The novelty of this undertaking, united with the rising popularity of the Bath actor, occasioned considerable jealousy in the Green-room, and obtained for him the facetious appellation of the "Telegraph, or Fortnight Actor."

His exertions in this way, however, did not answer the expectations of either party; and at his own earnest solicitation Mr. Harris was induced to cancel the articles.

During the following summer he resumed his situation at the Haymarket with the same success as before, and then returned to Bath. On the secession of Mr. Dimond, Mr. Elliston obtained a large addition of characters, and from this period to the

That Mr. Colman was not only pleased but delighted on this ccasion, will be seen from the second edition of the Iron Chest.

time

time of his leaving that city, he may be literally considered as the prop of its theatre.

The emoluments and fame of a provincial playhouse, cannot, however, keep pace with a mind burning with ambition; and although it would appear that the remuneration allotted to him was commensurate with the means of the establishment, yet his views were constantly directed towards a permanent situation in the metropolis.

At this period Mr. Colman determined on a measure new and extraordinary; for he found the encroachment on his short-lived season so alarming, that, incited by the spur of the occasion, he resolved to be no longer fettered with the performers of either house; in short, all were discharged who could not appear at the Haymarket on the 15th of May, and their places were to be supplied by provincial adventurers. "The world was ali before him," for his discerning eye to select the best actors time and circumstances would allow him to engage, and the first individual of his election was Mr. Elliston. The proposals, which from the first were liberal, at length ended in an engagement for three years, as principal actor and stage-manager; but being wanted to join Mr. Colman so early as the 15th of May, and the Bath theatre not closing till July or August, he was obliged to purchase the indulgence by a renewal of articles at Bath.

Although in the course of the season no particular novelty offered itself, with the exception of "Love laughsat Locksmiths," yet it concluded successfully;

the

« PreviousContinue »