R530605A. Colombe’s Birthday.
The Era, 5 June 1853, p. 11.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 19, 397.
On Tuesday the curtain rose [at the Theatre Royal, Manchester] on Colomb[e]’s Birthday, when Miss Faucit looked superb in all the glories of a ducal coronet and magnificent dress, and Mr. Swinbourne declaimed to some purpose before her upon the wrongs of Cleves. The only other part worthy of notice was that of the bold and ambitious Prince Bertholde, whom the personator, Mr. C.A. Clarke, mistook for an exquisite in the last stage of ennui. Whatever claims this production may have to be studied in the closet, everybody admits that, with its lack of incidents, individuality of character, and its single scene to each act, it is wholly unfitted for stage representation. The audience, however, were very indulgent, and demanded the re-appearance of Miss Faucit and Mr. Swinbourne after the fall of the curtain, in order to give them a round of applause, and the lady a bouquet as well.
Reviewed:
Colombe’s Birthday (RB), performance, London, 25 April 1853.
___________________
