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THEATRICALS AND MUSIC.
THEATRE ItOVAti,
Mr. Brooko being under engagement to per orm for
twelvo nights for the benefit tf Mr. J. Rainer, tho lessee
of the Casttomaino and Bondigo theatres, in satisfaction
of the claim which the latter preferred against the
'eminent' f»r infringement of a previous contract,
' Louis XI.' was performed for tho lait lime, on Fri
day evening. Tho interregnum cjused by this tempo
rary abdication has been inado significant by tho
acnearanco of Mr. John Drew, who 'dobutted' at this
establishment on Saturday evening in his well known
ussumption of JIandy AnOy. Thero was an excellent
house on tho occasion, and Mr. Drdw's performance, as
usual, maintained the nudienco in an unfailing supply
of risible material. There is no question that in. such
Sarts as Handy Andy, this gentltman excels, his forte
qlng ovidently broad comcay. llis caricature of tho
stupid and obstina'.o phases of Irish peasant character
is inimitablv crotcjque, and would provoko laughter
'from tlie' most rigid ascetic. The pieco itself is con
temptibly bid; it is destitute of plot, 'and equally
meagre in point of dialogue. Mr. Rogers being
ill, Mr. Gardiner was his substitute as the
representative of Mr. Egan, who occupies tho
samo relationship to, tho lion of the pieco astho jack
all is said to fill to tho 'mnned monarch.' Mr. B.
Jackson as Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Harwpod as Squire
O'Orady, complied with the feoblo demands made by tho
author upon them, and Mrs. A. Phillips made as much
as possible of the very disagreeable part of Mw.l Nance.
The afierpicco was the old rarco of ' Tho Spectre Uriilo
Rroom,' in which Mr. Jackson, tho Diygory, went in for
fun, and partially succeeded in extracting some from
the rather obsolete humour which characterises the in
gredients of this piece. - Monday's programmo was a
repetition of that of Saturday. On Tuonday, 'The
White Horse of tbo Peppers ' was performed, Mr. Drew
appearing as Gerald Pepper. . Wo candidly admit that
we ore no admirers df. this gentleman's light comedy.
Far easier is it, wo conceive, for thaeamo individual to
illustrate with a similar degreo of perfection peculiarities
pertaining to tho extremes of human character, than. to
be equally successful in tho delineation of those condi
tions of lifu which are not separated by so broad a band
of demarcation. ' More frequently do we' -find
an actor who is great in tragedy or comedy, capable of
illustrating not only tho particular features of that de
partment of his art which is assumed to bo his forte, but
of developing the characteristics of both — the most ro
flncd pathos, and tho most pungent humour — than odo
who can identify himself at the snmi time with ono or
other of these extremes, and -nith tho3o' medial shades,
which,.wbilo they graduate into both, inako both dis
tinctive. Garrick and Robson woro brilliant examples
of tlie possession of the dual faculty, and Mr. Brooko
undoubtedly has it, although to a, more limited extent.
Mr. Drew is all abroad when ho emerges from those
'corduroys,' which, in. Australia at least, aro destined
Io havo au historical significance. In tho part of Gerald
Pepper, he even appears to revcrao the intention- of
tho author with respect to the character assuntod by the
hero in order to deceive Major Mans/eldt. It is O'Saf
ferty attired as Gerald, and not, as Lover undoubtedly
meant, Gerald Pepper in the feigned character of on
Irish = bog-trotter. That clunny-looking 'f party,'
in red surtout.and impossible boots, with hat mush-,
room shaped, edged with a feathery fringe,
in nn advanced csndition of moult, and worn nt an
ungle of seventy degrees with tho basoof the chin— that
possessor of the twinkling eye, for only one is .visible,
and of that ' nose in tho air,' and of that mouth with
its pleasantly humorous outline' and upward curved
extremities,— surely he cannot bq tho representative of
the high-souled and chivalrous partisan of the unfortu
nate Stuart. It is far less difficult to imagino Gerald
disguised from tho very moment be makes acquaintance
with Mansfeldt, than that so astute a pcrsonago should
deem it necessary to attire himself in a more ridiculous
costumo than what he originally appears in to bo, safe
against any suspicions which otherwise Iho Major might
entertain of his being an Irish gentleman. In tho as
sumed character, of O'Rafferly Mr. Drew is ofcoursoin'
complete rapport with his audience, his rollicking vi
vacity, uncontrollable humour, manifested by a never
ceasing play ?[' eccentric gesticulation and posture, and,
ready nativu wit, in which respect the actor is often far
in advance of the author, clear tho way for him to the
sympathy and admiration of the witnesses. The incidents
of the drnma are by no means overwrought so far as
rcspcctB their comic character, and tho interest of tho
story is most minuto. It is merely an anecdote drama
tised, and one that, like many works of fiction of the
present day, and tho entertainments provided by tho
Richardson of our youth, is raoro attractive by reason of
external than internal merits. Tho fact i', the title of
the piece is the best part of it, for assurodly as tho re
mainder dots not realise the hopes and anticipations
which are raised by the advertised 'hit.' Wo must
not omit to praise Mr. Harwood for his admirable por
traituro of the mystified Dutcu veteran Mansjtlat, or
Miss Julia Matthews for her unaffected impersona
tion of Agatha, in which character sho sang ' Native
Music,' and 'Barney O'llea,' »o well as to completely
justify tho encore sho obtained in both instances. ' The
farce of tho ' Illustrious Stranger ' was played as the
afterpiece on Tuesday-ami Wednesday evenings; Mr.
Jackson, who was the Hcniamin BowbtlU succeeds in di
vesting the part of fun, hi* conception of the character
being a thorough mistake. Bowbell, although a carica
tured representation of cockney vulgarity, is not sup
posed to be a model of mental Imbecility, more allied to
the baboon thau to the human race. Air. Jackson ap
pears to consider that tho part was merely intended to
afford the actor an opportunity for displacing the flexi
bility of his muscular and spinal processes, and for the
introduction of such quasi fun as may be found in the
occasional mention of phrases liko ' soup and bouilli,'
'lifle corps,' etc. We havo been present at some twenty
representations of this farce, and never knew it to 'go''
so tamely. Mr. Harwood and Miss Julia Matthews, as
Gimbo and Fatima respectively, were moro than re
spectable. We would advise tho young lady to identify
herself more with her assumed character than she docs at
present. Entertaining as we do a high appreciation of
her abilities, it in with regret that wa have to remind
her tnat lecturing the audience is not acting, and that
however gratifying the applause which she may gain' by
this familiarity, it -s assuredly of the most spuriou*
nature. Mrs. Winterbottom was the youthful prince
AzUn, whose misfortunes, we suppose, had brought on
premature old age, otherwise it is hard to account for
the silvery whiteness of his moustache and- beard.
'Rory O'Moro' was performed on Thursday evoning,
Mr. Drew, of course, impersonating the principal cha
racter, llis performance of this is a groat improvement
upon his Gerald Pepper, but atill in point of merit is a
long way behind the Handy? Andy, . One great fault,'
perhaps the greatest, to which Mr. Drew is liable is a
tendency to protract his part of tho dialogue by repeat
ing, sometimes- a*', nauseam, points which 'when first
made, tho audience recognised as amusing. Miss Julia'
Matthews was »a engaging Mary, and sang ' Erin, my
Country ',' nith exquisite taste. Mrs. Alfred Pliillipi
made a naturally questionable situation in the pi»ce —
that where Rory, having beep smuggled'into Col. Thun
der's house by the servant; is indulged with a tcte-u-ttte
by the latter, under the suppositioi that he is her hus
band— unnececessarily broad. Miss F. Morgan was an
interesting Ka-.hhcu, and Mr. Edwards as Shan Dhu
did llis devoir. We did not admire Mr. Jackson as
Scrubbs, the humour being too forced and artificial. -
? , Mt I PTC JESS'S THEATJIE.' , '
Mr. Clarance Holt, being the horo of the muscular
drama, has been indulging the taste of his audienco this
week with a spice of his quality. .In. the spectacular
drama of 'Tho Egyptian,' written, if we.iomember
rightly, by Mr. Wilkins, there ii abundance of oppor
tunity for tlie display of those special gifts- and, acquire
ments of which Mr. Holt is tho possessor.; It offers wide
scopo for display; the scenic artist, the .'costumier, and
man of property are each appealed to for contributions to
the general effect. The titlo is mysterious and sugges
tive, the dialogue sonorous and unfettered' by the obli
gations of rhythm or other restrictions, and the audience
are for the first timi placed in possession of important
incidents in ancient history, which Oicnpea tbo researches
of Uibbon, Rolltn, and others. Surely such advantages, to
be obtained by tho production of a singlo dramatic piece,
ought to insure a succession of crowded Houses. Doubt
less so Mr. Holt thought, au.:, ? 'linking, produced
' The Egyptiau ' for 'ho first.tim., Monday evening
This is not a novelty to tlie Melbourne Btag.,, aifdUuefb'
is no need to recite tho details of the pint. It will bo
sufficient to say that tho territoiies of ZtnoYia, queen of
Palmyra, being in danger of aunoxation by
tho Romans, that potentate endeavours, to
strengthen herself against hur p v rful enemy
by en'ering into allianco3 with tho neighbouring
I- r Persia, the king of which is quito agreeable, on
ju that ho receives tho hand of the princess Julii
Huge. This young lady has three other lovets,
Zuodas, a renowned Egyptian general in tho service of
Zenoliia, Antiochus, a 1'urthian coadjutor ri'M\ Zaltlas,
In the command of tho Queen's armlet, and Uracchus, a
young Roman, but tho lasf named U tho favoured in
dividual, Antiochui, jealous of Zibdas, who is his
rival in fanio and love, and being' in fact a villain
in grain, betrays the city to tho Romans, who, wilder tho
command of thoir Emperor Aurclidn, cuter it and; take
possession of it. Zabdas and Anliochus are killed in tho
melee, but the fate of Zenohia, Qracchu, and Julia Is
not indicated. Mr. Holt, as tho Egyptian genera!,*
lookod remarkably woll. He wore a handtumc costume,
and comported himself as tho vcrilablo representative
of an ancient horo. His enorgy was terrible, tho threat
tospifllcate tho traitor ^(r.fioc/tils, was delivered with a
kind of ferocious jocularity which electrified tlie hnuso,
whilo tho passlonato but rospoctful lovo which Zubdis
entertains fur tho princosj, was cleverly discriminated.
On Monday evening the closo of tho third act was
markoil by tho occurrence of a remarkable incident,
which we will endeavou.- to describe. Zi'idus, in an in
terview with the princes? prior to tho solemnization of
her nuptials with O'racchus, has disclosed his love. She
endeavours to console him, aud then, having sufficient
huaineaa of her own to^ attend to, sho leaves
him for tho purpose, as is supposed, of keep
ing her appointment with Gracchus at tho nltur.
Ziibdai, being now solas, frets considerably, and do
claims in imlilftirent poetry upon blighted cnn'litions of
things in general, and then tunu his attention to his
own state of mind. Tho great popularity of tho work
having caused its disappearance from tho bookshops of
tlio colony, we are unable to quote letter aad vene, but
as we remember sufficient of the sceno that f0'10*'^.^
will endeavour to describe It as faithfully aa po^Ie
..S1oPiwhatareyou^n&^t--?
The audience applauded .vociferously, and »'«-«£«£
Holt. Tho drop'scono wai ogam raised, and tho rcpro
soutativo of Zabdas recommenced :—
'and motlvelcss
Ko, not motiveless, for there's rfvenge
«^U^wl^Mr%,»»^
^Cr»o^^ntr^S^£
Kiving sutisfactioA to any rational audience, tho pieco
boo mils with themostabsurd anachrouisms; foMnatance,
K'cfci« Selves his intention to pursue Zablas to pur
ea toryl Tl.e«cenle»rtisthasbionroorollber»llh«ne»ct,
S ns to Mr. Tannett the P.lmyrcncs revelled in , an
e\dle's variety of architectural sKleMhe Greek, I ahon,
'gyp Inn, Saracenic, and Gothio being all employ d
riw Egyptian fphvnx and obelisk are also very freely
patronTsVd. .The costumes of the , }?*'«» «''5'i ^
and their accoutrements are singularly diversified, and
the antiqunrian will no doubt be glad to learn that Ihero
ir grounds for supposing that the coRnijanco of the
Palmvrenes was merely the ruverso of the Roman, n
stendof the eagle gr.upir,g.the thunderbolt. ?m««»«l««
of the Olympian Jove, the shields of Z.nobias »nl-lect
'present Iho ' fowl » standing on its head and baton
cingtho thUtrderbnlt on the soles of his caws, llie
drama of 'Jessie V.re,' in which Mr*. ''^-M-thB
hcroino appoared to great advantage concluded the per
formance Tho performances on Thursday evening were
for the benefit of Mr. EIIK the orfg nator of Crcmorne
Gardens in England and Tirtori., who is about to make
« trip to tho old country. No caterer for the pub ho t n-
..rtn'lnmnnl has innro industriously and intelligently
wooed tho fickle goddoss. fortune, .ban this gentleman,
but hitherto the cny object of his adoration lias done
little else than jilt her constant devotco. Determined,
owevcr.to provo his fidelity to tho utmost, the illused
,«4?n starts ?n search of fresh offering , May Mr con
stancy bo rewarded on his return by his elevation to the
position of first favourite! Mr*. Lovcll's version of.
'Ingomar,' fupported by Mr. and Mrs Holt; a vocal
and instrumental concert, in which Miss King and tno
band of tho ?iOih Reghmnt took parti »nd tho burlesque
of '.'Lord Lovel,' constituted the er.tertiinment of the
oveninc. Every part of the houso was well filled, tho
dress circle In particular, being moro numerously and
fashionably attended than it has been for many months,
past. ...
XMlOVXXCXAIi. .
? BAIXAAHAT.-On Saturday, iho lloval vras well ot
tcniiedi ' Victorino, or I'll Sleep on it,' being produced,
and Miss Rosa Dunn sustaining the part. of tho heroiuo
with naivete and gr.ee. Tho performances terminated
with tho comic ballet, 'The Boatman of the Ohio,' in
which Frauleiu Fannie and the Brothers Leopold inn0«
their re-appearanco. Tho same pro-rainme was repented
on Monday. On Tuesday, ' Tho ltnke's. P^grcsb was
performed, followed liv the Brothers Leopold's Scotch
ballet ' Halloween.' Chnrlcs Dance's excellent comedy,
11 Naval Engagements,' was well played on Wednesday,
after which Miss Dunn jlellplited the audience by her
rendering of Gertrude In ' The Little Treasure.' The
excellent company now engaged at this house, and the
finished manner in which the pieces aremountcd.dcserve
tverv encouragement. We learn with regret Hint Miss
Julii Ilarlnnd is about to leave for a time to fulfil pro
fes3ion«I operatic engagements In Sydney and elsewhere.
Wo can ill spare ono whoso talent appc.ir.i to embrace
characters of every varjety.fro n prima donna tns'mginp
-chambermaid, and who bus, perhaps, proved herself as
useful and popular an actress ai the Bnllaarat s'age has
ever known. Mr. Llnlj Norimin, whoto ability as a
conductor and pianist needs no eulogy, alst makes his
adieu for a season. ? ;
BBNDiao.— On Saturdav l»«t XIiss Avonia Jnnts tnado
her last appearanco at tlib Hnymarkct ns Medea, ind
ou Monday Mrs. Heir made her fust at tho same theatre
as Rosalind ia ' As You Like It.' A local journal thus
alludes to-Mra. Heir's performance of Shnkspero'smost
charming creation! ''As Yon Like It* was pro
duced at this theatre last night, mid afforded a crowded
house tho pleasure of welcoming Mrs. lleir ns the arch
and fascinating Itosalind. Mrs. lleir never nppenred
*_ i..ii»_ K.tifnnfnna 1'kn on I ft ii slpatn fif (lift nnitipnftf*
know no bounds, and Mrs. Heir was almost over
whelmed by applauso and by tho bouquets which wero
showcrod at her feet from boxes and sttills. Mr. Heir's
Jacques was a verv clever performance, and tho rest of
tho company supported the two stars very creditably
indeed. On Thursday tho Sandhurst Amateur Dramatic
Ciub performed the;' Honeymoon' and tho '.'Serious
Familv,'. for the benefit of the fun is of tho Benevolent
Asylum.Miss Jones playing tho heroine of tho .foruier,
and Mrs. Heir, Mis.O mtby Dilmainc in tho latter.
Abbott's Lyceum U still open under ihuiriyi'me of Messrs.
F. and R. lounge, and is rtolnsgnod business, tragedy or
drama, and burlesque, having. bssn t he order of the
eveuing, during the week. .
Castw.siai.nk.— Tho visit of Mr. G. V.. Brooke, with
whom nro Mr. Fawcctt, Mrs. J'oolc, and a company from
Melbourno, has somewhat startled the population of this
locality. Tho engngemont commenced ou Monday last,
with the 'Honeymoon ' and ' t'vo Written to Bruwn;'
and although many of the virtuously indignant people
joyfully anticipated that the great tragedian would be
received with disapprobation, becuuse he disappointed
them on a past occasion, lie wan mnro warmly welcomed,
than over, by n tolerably well filled houso. A lame at
tempt ct the 'gooso ' wns started, but was strangled in
the nest. All the principals wero warmly received,
especially Mr. Fawcett, -who is nn old campaigner in the
quarter, und who knows and is knuwir in ovcry show
shop for fifty miles round. A correspondent who has
lately taken up his quarters at Cnstlcmulno sends us the
following:— 'Tho Theatro Roynl, -Castlemaine, Is not
remarkable for internal elegance; the architectural om
bellishments consisting of four walls and a ceiling, 'With
a lugubrious sunllower in the centre, which threatens
every moment to full down and crush iho people in the
stalls. Oil furnishes tho Might' portion of the enter
tainments, tho proprietor refusing to pay forty shillings
a thousand for ilia mysterious gum-lvafcompound which
the company at Ci)tlcmaino denomina-cs gas. But tho'
scenic arrangements are the worst features in tho whole
concern ) and it is lucky that tho actors nre good, for
they can n'trcrbopc to gain any iixsistuiicq from tho bril
liant creations of thc.tceno-paiiiter and decorator of the
eitabtisbment. Like the .ecl-,.lho Cmtlemaino folks aro
U3ed to it, so«hat, notwithstanding the drawbacks, tho
performances have attracted full houses during ttie week,
and the said audiences dcclaro that whe'her for tragical,
comical, or comedy-tragical, these aro (be only men and
women they have seen in the digging districts of Mount
Alexander. . It is only fair to tin population to say that
they.ippreciatc the acting of the ladies, especially of
Mrs; Poole and Miss Green, whilst Miss Holroyd appears
to havo turned tho heads of tho 'yoiing youth*1 iu the
township;*' Mr, G- V. Brooko and Mr. Fawcctt aro very
probably going to Ing'.qwoiKt for a', 'few -nights, where
they hope to find another big n'u^gpt ; after which they
return-to the-Theatre Royil, Melbourne. '
, CurtTBRN l-j$Hm Chalkeiy and Messrs. John Grogg
arid. J.'SmaUi* are still engaged at the Star.
GinxoNO.— Ue!otlram.i3 r.u\ farces have occupied the.
attention of the stock company at ,t.Lo Royal during the'1
MArtYOOtto'uoH. — On Friday and Saturday, Mr. War
ner and a small company appeared at Iho Golden Age,
but we' regret to' say that on buth occasions they had
very iniall audiences.
' '?': ?' ' COlOXIAli.^ ' -' '?? , - :
AnEWtoE. — Tho Oiserrer ul Saturday week has, the
following :— There was' n large mid ?eleut'atlend&nca at
the Victoria on Thursday eve'iilnjr when the San Fran
cisco Minstrels appeared in n variety of novelties, which
created as much merriment und --x ractcd a- much
ppplouje as over. Tho slngii|g,flf .' Haley, a lid Grower,
tWJdncIng oOGblUoudl«n.---Cnrl)inki'nfjd.Dcmcre3t;antr
the comicalities of Carson and Itfn bank,' afforded- abun
dant amuscmout arid evident .delight toall proscnt. The
entertainment concluded with an amusing afterpiece
entitled ' Pnngo, or tbo Urazillin Ape,' i.i which Deme
i o- t, who took the character nf (lie'iipo, convu'sed the
audience witU,laus;Mef hy liUinlkrouj antics.
HouAnT- Towji,— iProm iho, Me.cu'ri/ we learn that.
' tho farewell concert! givjn to Madame, Curandinl on
the evening of tlto' Ot'i of May. w*s a triumphunt success.
Tlie house was crowJed'hii. every part almoU to sulFoea
tiou, and wo need setrcely say, that, the whole of tlie
performances were fully eqsnlto What m'eht havo been
oxpected froth tho'coloiirlty'of Miidamb Oirandinl, nud
ot thou who took a p'arl in tlio uvenin'K'* ontertiiinment.'
On Wednesday last,; the O.UIfello»V Society. w»i an
nounced to play 'Thi Rovor^j' Bride' and ','Tlio
Christening,' at the Royal. ?;'.'? ;i' ?? i
Lausobston' — iIes-is.'FiirqVihi-rson and Vinterbot
tm, and Madame Cnr,iu-lli|i,vava their vocul and
instrumental cntcrtiiumout lit- th» Tncatre lltyaf lsst
Monday oroningr to n trood and enc.o. 1 ii -y nre to1 rIvo .
nn cntert;.ia:i.ei-t at Ev^uilnlu nn Friday,' n d opou at
thoThiintri) noy.il, Ilutivt Tuvvn.'nii Ifontlsy next.
Sydnkv.— Last Saturday's Life iiiforint it« readers
that 'giving some littlu.irodit la tho trtitkftilneM and
Impartiality of the theatrical crltlq i«s which havo re
cently appearod in tho dally pa|wrj, we took it for
granted that we should not ho far wr^nt; in endorsing
their publlshod culojlurns n on what was described in
tho bill of iho I'rinco of Wain* us the -irc.it drama of
1 Highland Jfsslo j or tho Relief of Liiukn'ow.' Under
this impression, nnd not htvlng ourselves witnessed tho
representation, we penned ? tho tiri.f niticeof its sueccsa
in ourlut. On Moniir ov.nin^, h.inov.'r, wo resolved
to participate in Iho Mreit' nijtitly ollered to 'crowded
audiences ;' nnd our opinion of iho piece may bo con
veyed in very fow wnr.ls. Wo iiuheiitatiii«ly deaiguato
it as a brutal, If not blaiphonmiH, burlesque up\-n one of
tho bloodii'it butcheries morcli-il mi iho |)iigc4 of modern
history. Tho mind that conceive.! it, thu ni.vnag-ir who
accepted it, and Llint portion of tho public who approvo
it, may uliare betweea tliein all tha crciii lb.»t may at
«ch to its Induction. WeiegMd it »» a libel,
not only on the glory of British' arms In , the .nci
ent which ii purportu to represent (but which it so
harthnlv and ignorantly caricatures), but upon religion
self an'd we must confess our siirpnso that nn actor
no, eJs?d of bo high a prestige as Mr. W. H. Stephens
JbouW I havo forgotten himself ,o f»r as to. descend to a
combined impersonation of the clergyman nnd tho
c'own These remarks are intended in no way to im
..each tho faithful portraiture of tho Highland maiden
iv Miss Marv Provost, hut tho sublimity of tbo clmrnc
tcr wn» lost in tho bulTooncrlcs of Messrf. Stephen?,
ritzsrernld, and Morton Tlio heaviest censure that
could bo motcd out to such a diama was found in the
iroad erins and irrepressible laughter of tlm audience,
who appeared to havo forgotten all iilcn of tho tragedy
hov had come to witness, in Iho disgusting fane in
reality enacted. Wo sincerely trust, for the credit of
humanity, that., the. pioco .will nt onco bo withdrawn.
How it could havo boon tolerated so long is an enigma
wo aro puzzled to solve, unless it bo nscribahlo to ex
travagant and unscrupulous puffery. Wo have much
pleasure in Inviting -tho ; attention of our readers
o the unusually, attractive and varied programme,
of entortalnments. ? on .the , occasion .of Mr.
tank Uowson'a 'benefit' on Tuesday. evening next.
The mammoth troupe of the Britlsk and American Circus
Company, at tbo. Victoria, havo continued thoir'. nightly
interesting performances during the week, to the dcliglit
of vory respectablo, though not overcrowded audiences.
Wo percelvo by advertisement that Pi'ofessor Risley nnd
son; with their talented troupe ot artistes, commenco a
series of their celebratod .drawing room entertainments;
this evening, in tho Temporarico Hall.'
' iiMB illEATIlffCATi WOMD ATP
? .. ? !---M«MK.
' (From the English Mail) ? , .
A new plav in three ncta'was produced at tho Now
Adelphioii tlib'2'th of Fobruarj-, wrlttenby Mr/Watts
Phillips, and cntltlod ' Paper TVings.' ' This is a piece
of the conversational kind, but net so felicitous ir. its
execution as the Hayninrket drama. Thero is much wit
and ambition in the general tone of lh» compisitioti,
which- was. frequently applauded s and the curtain de
scended on an efficient tableau. '? .
A fnrco under tho titloof ' A Frightful Accident,' pro
duced on tho Sth March, at the Strand Theatre, depends
for its succpss on a series of practical jokes, which tho
nudUnco accepted in theplnceof.wit or hum -ur. What
it has of story only f erves for tho production of the situa
tions, which consist of a succession of mischances, and
a number of suflerera aro brought together in a stato of
ridiculous alarm.* All the various accidents nro ncceptcd
by the audience as motives for mirth, and . responded to
with shrieks of laughter! . ,
The ' Loves of Arcadia,' a now piece producod on
tho 12th March at the same theatre, is not inaptly
named. It is simplicity itself,' in plot, incident, and
'character; but it is prettily written, aud very well acted
by the twoprincipal characters.
The scenery, ns usual at this houso, deserves all com
mendation.
??' An English opera, under tho direction, of Dr. James
Peril, -will be given at tho Princess's Theatre, com-,
mencing in May next. The soason will extend over a
period of fifteen woekj. ' ''.
Piccolomini is said to be married. Tho happy pos
sessor of the fas:inating tinging bird Is an Italian prince,
a Roman by birth, and a relative of ono of tho Car
Wo hear that the ominent musiclnri,. M. JuUion, in
whose behalf a subscription was being collected, Is no
more. Ho died in a lunatic asylum in Paris.
It is stated that Jenny Lind is positively to Bing nt
Exeter Hall this spring. .??....-
M. Sainton and Madame Saiiitnn (Into 'Hiss Dolby)'
are at presont in Paris on a wedding trip.
Mr. Charles Young's benefit . will lake place at tho
St. James's Theatre, on Thursday next, when a variety
of atlractivo en'.ertsinmonts will be found included in
th» programme. The performances will consist of -the
comedietta of 'Livng too Fast,'.' ' Black Eyed Susan'
(in which tho benejlciaire will play William and dance a
doublobornpipcwithMissLydia'fhnmpiinnVthointerlude
of 'A Lady and Gentleman in a Peculiarly Perplexing
Predicament,' and tho burlesque of ' Dido,' in which
the. classical heroino will bo personated by tho bine
ficiaire. Such a display of versatility on tho part of tho
performer, nnd such n plentiful supply of amusing
pieces for the public, will bo euro to command a good
attendance.
A new little drama of touching interest was produced
at tho St. James's on the 18th February, entitled ' First
Afflictions,' which are shown, to be somotimes evan
escent. Tho little piece is very nicely played, and bos
proved deservedly successful. .
$