| Title: | The Aesthetic Monkey |
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| Description: | The Aesthetic Monkey / engraved, by permission, from the picture by W.H. Beard, in the possession of Mr. Hugh Auchinclos. |
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| 1st Performance: | Mar 4, 1839 |
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| Theatre: | Non-specific |
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| Source: | Harper's Weekly dated Jan 28, 1882, p. 49, obtained from US Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/96513741/, Jan 28, 1882, p. 49 |
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| Review: | The Times, March 5, 1839, p. 7, Jan 28, 1882, p. 49 |
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ADELPHI THEATRE.
A set of very diverting, if not very legitimate, performers made
their first appearance last night on the stage of this
theatre—to wit, the celebrated Parisian monkeys. Since
quadrupeds of all sorts have, for some time, more than divided the
plaudits of the town with biped players, it may perhaps be no
intrusion for animals which sometimes walk on four legs and sometimes
on two, to put in their claim for the support and approbation of the
lovers of the drama; and since many "walking gentlemen" and
"low" comedians ape the characteristics of the monkey tribe
in a manner occasionally so perfectly natural that the copies can
hardly be distinguished from the originals, and receive for their
grimaces the encomiums of the spectators, neither they or their
admirers can complain that the monkeys should return the obligation,
and mimic their eccentricities for their own objects and ends.
The performance of these miniature comedians commenced last night with
the entrance of a little gentleman, who, after bowing to the audience,
advanced with a very dignified step to the foot lights and reaching
out his hand presented the leader of the orchestra with a scroll of
music. There was something so very funny in the way in which
this was done that all disapprobation was merged in laughter.
The house was taken by surprise, and rang with peals of merriment and
applause. This little gentleman, Il Signor Ambrogini, having
retired, the celebrated Mimi went through the various evolutions of
dancing, broad-sword fighting, playing the tambourine, &c. he produced
his passport, made love to very little lady, &c. and conducted himself
with great dignity and elegance. Signor Brazilini accompanied
him in a variety of his movements, and played a solo on a very minute
pair of castanets. Mademoiselle Chieni, a lady of rather larger
dimensions, was then announced, and made her debut in the character of
Madame Pompadour; she was attended by her valet, Monsieur Jacko, a
pretty little specimen of the natives of an Indian forest. What
was called a "Cabinet dinner" succeeded, at which the
company sat as heavy and stupid as most persona do at Cabinet dinners
of the present day, whilst the servant performed some comical antics
behind the backs of his betters. No sooner was the drama over,
than Mr. Yates himself came forward, and announced that a "Jim
Crow," (neither of the celebrated Mr. Rices) was taken suddenly
ill, and begged the company to excuse his appearance. The
request was granted amidst loud cheering. The curtain then fell,
and Mr. Yates again came forward, and assured the audience that his
monkeys were the "celebrated" monkeys; that other managers
had advertised monkeys, and that other monkeys might possibly appear
in other places, but, knowing the passion of the town for novelty and
for animal actors, he had resolved to be first in the field, and had
accordingly presented them with a set of performer for whose efforts
he solicited their kindness. The announcement was followed by an
uproar of applause, and the successors of Garrick, Kemble, and Kean
may be considered installed in their present situations.
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