Cymbeline - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

ii Luelus Junius Booth as Poethumua. March-April 1817.
Booth appeared as Posthumus at Covent G-arden Theatre
in 1817, on March 15, 20, 22 and 29 and April 7 and 30.
lachirao was played by Young and for the last five performances
Miss Poote played Imogen. On March 15 the part was
taken by a Miss Costello "from the Theatre Royal, Cheltenham",
billed as making her first appearance in that character,
The Times suggested that her friends 'had not acted judiciously
in advising her to abandon the provincial theatre".
Miss Costello was replaced by Miss Foote on March 20, at a
performances which was advertised in terms of Booth's success
in his part -
Mr. Booth in the part of Posthumus made an
impression exceeded by any actor's first
appearance in one of Shakespeare's plays and
will repeat that character this evening and
Saturday.
(Bill for Harch 20, 1817)
The well-received performance did not please the critic of
The Times;
The chief defects, or rather positive faults
of his performance, are those of manner, of
action sometimes studied and artificial, and
of gesture addressed to the eyes rather than
the understandings or feelings of his audience.
It is necessary to descend occasionally to
particulars; and we cannot but particularize
the strange habit of shuffling his feet, and,
as it were, sliding along the stage, in which
this ,y,entlemari indulges himself.
(March 17, 1817)
53.
This review seems to be part of a conspiratorially bad press
received by Booth in London. Young's performance as lachimo
is treated to some slightly sour praise:
It would be unjust to omit, that the character
of lachimo afforded scope to Mr. Youn.;; for a
display of versatility which is not discoverable
in his ordinary efforts. 2 ^