plays "Prospero," in the former, with much taste and feeling. The new artiste, Mr. Bruce Norton is a capital Caliban, it has been acknowledged, by the "Manchester Guardian," to be the finest ever witnessed. Miss Vining, who performs the part of the Ariel, has much improved since the first night of its revival here. Trunculo and Stephano have found able representatives in Mr. Baker and Mr. Nye. The lover, Ferdinand, was personated in fine style by a new member, Mr. H. Bland. Of the music we ought to speak very favourably, it is under the direction of Mr. Seymour. On Monday evening "Romeo and Juliet," was performed, with Mr. Sullivan as the hero; this gentleman is taking rapid strides in the profession, announced "Macbeth," and "A Cure for the Heart Ache," on Tuesday, that being the night set apart for his benefit. An Amateur performance was to take place on Wednesday, for the benefit of the funds of the Manchester Royal School of Medicine and Surgery. The School for Scandal," Lady Teazle by Mrs. Butler (who has kindly given her services on this occasion), and "Love, Law, and Physic," were the entertainments provided. We understand the Kean's shortly appear in the "Wife's Secret." QUEEN'S THEATRE. (Lessee Mr. J. Sloan.)-This is the last week of the vocalists, Mr. Allen, Miss Julia Harland, and Mr. Henry Percy. They have appeared in an English version of Bellini's opera "I Puritani;" the singing and acting of Mr. Allen is of the highest order. Miss Harland with a little more practice and tuition will be an acquisition to the boards; we cannot say so much for Mr. Percy. Mr. Hoskins, and Mr. and Mrs. Sloan are very amusing in "Naval Engagements." CITY THEATRE. (Lessee Mr. Egerton.)-Melo; drama is the order of the day here," Mary Graham," "King of Clubs," and " Snsan Hopley" are the pieces played. The theatre has been but thinly attend ed, and unless the manager has a better company, and better pieces, it will be a certain failure. NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL.-The latest enter tainments here have been "Money," "The Floating Beacon," ," "Therese,” “ George Barnwell," and " "The Wife's Secret." Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean were warmly received by a crowded house, the enterprising manager having reduced the prices of admission to all parts of the theatre. -- PRESTON THEATRE ROYAL. Lessee Mr. Cockrill. -Reopened on Easter Monday for the summer season. A variety of novelties in the shape of melodrama and farce has been played, and good houses have resulted. The lessee announces the appearance of Macready and Miss Cushman. ROCHESTER THEATRE ROYAL. [Lessee, Mr. Thornton]-The new Oomic pantomime "The Magic_Pancake" ran the whole of the Easter week, and the Clown Mr. A. Abel took his benefit on Monday, May 1st. The pieces were "Wonga," "Quite at Home," and "Don Juan." Mr. Melville displayed his usual ability in "Wonga" the other members of the Corps Dramatique call for no particular notice. "Quite at Home" was well played, Easy, Mr. Thornton; Amos, Mr. Hambleton; Jeffery, Mr. Warren; who has succeeded Mr. Ware as low Comedian here; Dinah, Mrs. Bartlett. Of" Don Juan" we can also report favour ably, Don Juan, Mr. Melville; Scaramouch, Mr. Abel. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have joined Messrs. Rignold and Munro at the Adelphi Theatre, Glasgow. SUNDERLAND THEATRE ROYAL. (Lessees Mrs. Beverly and Mr. Roxby.)-The new local drama The Lambton Worm," was produced here for the first time, on Easter Monday, with very great success. he scenery by Messrs. Sin ms and Calcott was beautiful, more especially that portion of it representing fairy land, and the dresses were superb. Miss Edward's performance of the heroine was as usual, excellent, Mr. Pauncefort as Sir John of Lambton and Mr. Branson as the old Baron were worthy of all praise, and Mr. Bellair as Olroc the 'serpeut King was exceedingly effective, whilst Mr. Roxby, Mrs. Simms and Miss Newton were irresistably laughable in their particular characters. Miss Henriette Simms a young lady of 13 years of age sustained the part of Petilla the Genius of Virtue with great ability. The picce has been played every evening with great eclat and promises to have a lengthened run. A farce has concluded the entertainments each night. ¡PALLADIUM. During the present week various novelties have been produced here, all reflecting infinite credit upon the taste and judgment of the talented proprietress. Among the most effective tableaux we may mention "Diana reposing after the Chace," "The First Whisper of Love," "The Pet Dove," and "Ruth in the Corn Field." We were exceedingly struck with the extraordinary talent displayed by Master Winter, a most intelligent boy of four years of age, who, as the representative of "The Infant Moses in the Bulrushes," "Moses trampling on the Crown of Pharoah" distinguished a more experienced artiste. His extent and Cupid," manifested powers that would have of physique is enormous, our only wonder was that so young a child could be trained to execute the difficult He is a valuable adjunct to this highly talented tasks imposed upon him with such elegance and grace. troupe. GOSSIP OF THE WEEK. Forrest the celebrated American tragedian has sig. nified his intention of quitting the stage. He has already taken farewell of the New Orleans people. A new five act piece is in preparation at the Olympic. The principal characters will be sustained by Mr. G. V. Brooke, Mr. G. Bennett, Miss May, and Mrs. Mowatt. Mr. Henry Betty appears at the Surrey immediately. prior to his departure for America, and Mr. Brooke Macready performs for one night at Bath, on the 10th succeeds him. Beale, and Co., the eminent music publishers, has beRumour says that Mr. Beale of the firm of Cramer, come the lessee of Drury Lane. Messrs. Greenwood and Phelps have just renewed their lease of Sadler's Wells for a long term of years. The current report is that the house will re-open with Rainforth, towards the close of May. Messrs. Frazer, an operatic company, under the direction of Miss Leffler, Borrani, S. Jones, and Homcastle, and Miss Isaacs are engaged. RIVAL SINGERS.-Dr. Arne was once asked by two vocalists of Covent Garden Theatre, to decide which of them sung the best. The day being appointed, both parties exerted themselves to the utmost, and when they had finished, the Doctor, addressing the first, said, "As for you, sir, you are the worst singer I ever heard in my life." "Ah, ah! sir," said the other, with an air of triumph, "I knew I should win my wager. Stay sir, says the Doctor, I have a word to say to you before you go,-as for you, sir, you cannot sing at all. 154 MEMOIR OF MR. RIGNOLD. The subject of the present biographical sketch, is the son of Mr. James Rignold, late surveyor of the Customs. He made his entree into this breathing world, in the far East, on the 13th of December, 1813; and commenced his professional career at twelve years of age; indeed it seems from his earliest infancy he must have imbibed a passion for the stage, for on turning over the mystic play bills of provincial theatres, we find him at Bristol, playing Shakspeare Delawang, in the farce of "The Life of an Actor," with the immortal Jack Reeve, who was so pleased with his performance that he made him a present of a crown-piece, which has been reverently preserved ever since. We next trace him to Birmingham, enacting the Prince of Wales to Edmund Kean's Richard; when after undergoing all those little vicissitudes and chances of fortune incidental to the apprenticeship of a country actor, he speedily rose into estimation in Manchester, Liverpool, and most other provincial towns. Mr. Rignold's metropolitan debut was made at the Garrick, and the East claiming him as her own, he became an especial favourite in nautical characters. He then attached himself to the Standard, enjoying all the popularity that belongs to talent and respectability. He is at present performing at his old establishment, the Pavilion. Mr. Rignold married the celebrated Miss Longley of the Olympic and Sadler's Wells theatres, by whom he has six children. As a delineator of nautical character, since the retirement of T, P. Cooke, he stands unrivalled; he is a credit to his profession in every respect, and in private lite is highly and deservedly respected. t MUST BX AD NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. WARDING OBLIGE US BY FOR- COMMUNICATIONS R. A. We do not give actresses addresses, how many more times are C. G.-We can give you no further information than that contained in our notice of the report, which we believe to be correct. W. W. (Huddersfield.)-We shall be happy to receive the communications as proposed. A CALL TO THE PROFESSION. Most of our readers have no doubt read the late notification issued by her Majesty, through the Lord Chamberlain, that in consequence of the great commercial depression felt throughout the kingdom, and in order to give an impetus to a particular branch of trade, the ladies attending the Drawing Rooms, are to appear in dresses of British manufacture. This expressed wish on the part of the Queen, is we take it, significant of a return to something like a consideration of the wants and necessities of a large portion of her subjects, who have too long suffered by foreign competition, and the patronage bestowed on Parisian and German artistes, and we are there upon the minds of actors that "union is strength," some pretty excuse for disapproving "in toto” and thus such an act and deed on their part on the 2nd of May of that which he pronounced would not derogate from the eminent position to be perfectly "selon le regle' on the 26th of they deservedly occupy as the illustrators of the April. What a precious farce, and at the same manners of the age. How strange it is, that time what a gross insult on the common sense of whilst every profession becomes united when the nation is this office of censor, or licenser of attacked, and energetic when enfeebled from ex-plays ;-here, are the interests of lessee and draterior circumstances, the children of Thespis are matist, and the feelings of the public set at utter yet in leading-strings; helpless and disorganised defiance, in the most despotic manner, without in everything relating to their welfare and im- the hope of redress, or chance of appeal against provement! The pulpit when it seeks an en- a judgment, which is as final, as it is unjust largement of its sphere of action, or an advance Then the pocketting the two guineas, and aderment of its interests, calls meeting after meeting ing to them, though the purpose for which they -sends forth petition after petition, until its were paid is not effected, appears to us to be ends and aims are accomplished; and the bar, simply nothing but a plain robbery-that in fact, and the disciples of Esculapis do likewise, and which between man and man, in every day life, yet the actor, who is in nothing inferior to priest, is called obtaining money under false pretences. advocate, or leech, virtually does nothing! Surely Altogether, the whole system of the censorship the exponents of virtue and vice-the delineators imperatively calls for revision, as it is based upon of all the passions and feelings common to our injustice, oppression, and extortion; and it is to nature are entitled to take rank with the members be hoped that this, the latest and the grossest of learned professions and scholastic callings, instance on record of abitrary conduct in connecand as the latter disdain not to seek protection tion with its management, will not be without the from the state by the means we have alluded to, wholesome effect of inducing lessees to urge upon the former may safely imitate their example. It the government the hardship of their present may not be, and we believe, is not with her condition, and the necessity that exists for an Majesty as it was with her grandfather, that her immediate and total change of the law, which predilections run in favour of the national stage; has vested in the bands of one official so great her education, training, and habits have all more and unlimited an extent of power. Nothing can or less received their colour and toue from be more monstrous, more opposed to the notions foreign influence, yet the "pressure from with- entertained of right government by Englishmen, out" of calm remonstrance and respectful appeal than the existence of such an irresponsible, caprimay do much to produce such a change in her cious, and tyrannical piece of state machinery as tastes (whether real or apparent, is very little the Lord Chamberlain's establishment, the public consequence) as shall be of no mean service to therefore with a just hatred of oppression and the histrionic commonwealth. Let the course the insolence of office, would make common we have recommended be tried by the profession cause with dramatists and managers, in compellorganising themselves, and working together for ing the legislature, if not to abolish the obnoxione common purpose-casting aside all petty dis-ous office of Censor, at least to curtail considetinctions of rank, circumstances, and place, under the guidance of any one individual in whom the body corporate have perfect confidence, and we are not without sanguine anticipations as to the result. rably its author, and vest it in the hands of an individual capable of administering its duties in a reasonable, impartial, and consistent manner. " A FAST MAN'S IDEAS OF THE DRAMA. to tell. PRANKS OF THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN. I don't like Macready, becauses he seems so stale, I This individual whose real duties it would be dont like Helen Faucit, because she is so pale. I aldifficult to define, and whose jurisdiction over the ways go to please myself, and therefore, cut the æsthestage is as absurd as it is unconstitutional in its tic, I don't like being bored to death, and therefore exercise, has just been exhibiting his vexatious avoid syncretic. Albert Smith is just the boy that I like to ineet in a saloon, because he must be pretty authority after a manner that is without parallel loud" to go up in a balloon. Angus Reach writes for its sheer and wanton capriciousness. A piece much better, and cuts up humbugs well, and "Box called "Lola Montes; or the Countess for an and Cox" at the Lyceuin, always seems Hour," was submitted by Mr. Webster, of the Madame Vestris is a thoroughbred, right-down-sort-ofHaymarket, to the Censor, approved of, and for-oner, and Julia Beunet in the Haymarket, is just such mally licensed for representation, the fee of another stunner. Paul Bedford is a perfect brick, and two guineas having been paid on it, and every Wright will at nothing stick, and Sterling Coyne is necessary requirement gone through. It was quite the thing to make you laugh and sing. Oxberry accordingly produced on the 26th ulto., and is "berry" funny, and Laws is very rummy, played four nights, when without the slightest Emma Harding is a darling, and Miss Howard a'nt shadow of reason being offered, down comes a too forward. The Haymarket is a theatre too dirty mandate from his bashaw-ship, the Chamberlain The ballet girls are to my taste, because they smile to be seen, I go to the Lyceum, because it is so clean. to prohibit its further performance. Of course eternally, and Brooke is not at all so, because he rants the serious loss to author and manager formed no infernally, Phelps, Bennet, and Macready are bores to part of his lordship's contemplations, when he the legitimate, I'd rather see Miss resolved on the indulgence of this whim of a with her I'm intimate. The ballet girls an't like what moment-this prank of an instant, else doubt- Mr. Smith doth say, as I would undertake to prove to lessly he would have framed the semblance of you, Sir, any day. Behind the scenes is faster, but and because less pleasant than before; the "Golden Branch" is stunning, the Princess' is a bore. And this is all I have to say, don't out of good graces throw me, or else if I e'er write again for your amusement, blow me! GOITLIKEBRICKS. QUISQUILIA THEATRICÆ. BY OXONIENSIS." CHAPTER 1. How the Jones' family were a family of most theatrical propensities,and how the Jones' family determined to gratify their propensities. Mr. Adolphus Ruperino Jones sate reading in his study, or rather, in the little back parlour which soi disant literati persist in honouring with that title. Indeed, as the front parlour usually bore a ticket relating to certain "apartments to let," and as the whole family were displaying various infantine gambols around Mr. Jones, which, however agreeable to his parental feelings, were rather at variance with any ideas of authorship, we must suppose that study was more to be hoped than looked for. But what was Mr. Adolphus Ruperino Jones reading? Was it the "Man in the Moon," Macau ly's lays of Rome," or Lord Brougham's new" History of the Jews"? Far from it. Greater and graver thoughts agitated that otherwise unruffled bosom, and if any one had doubted the magnificence of the conception which was fast struggling to release itself from its metaphysical bonds, the dishevelled state of his hair, and the unshaved state of Mr. Jones' chin would have stamped him as a man of genius. Slowly and carefully Mr. Jones read, and what seemed strangest was, that the frequently missed whole lines, and repeated what he read over and over. In fact, a new, grand performance of amateurs in behalf of the "Old-House-and-Rotten-Timber-purchasing Society" was about to take place, and Mr. Jones, being a literary character, was cast for the "Dog" in Ford's "Witch of Edmonton." "Susan, my dear, Susan "S-o-o-san!" cried Mr. Jones, addressing a pretty looking young woman, who, quietly suffering one of the children to roll the cat in the ashes, and the other to pour the contents of the tea-kettle over the carpet, was occupied, like himself, in reading. "Susan, my dear, S-o-o-san!" repeated Mr. Jones, but Susan heard not, the fact is, Mr. Jones having forgotten that his wife's name was Ellen, was addressing her by the name of the character which she was about to take. "Ellen, my dear!" At length awoke the fair reader to a consciousness of what was going on. Having hastily taken off Master Betty's wet pinafore, and having deprived Master Roscius of that unfortunate victim to children's play, the cat, she was about to resume her reading. "Ellen, my dear!" resumed my memory very treacherous. great deal of this." " Mr. Jones, I find I fear I shall forget a "Never mind, my love." replied his wife, "they'll all do the same, and so no blame can attach to us. Besides, we must trust to the prompter." "Yes, but he's always looking off his book, or talking to the girls at the wing." "Ah! well! we must do our best." And so the amateurs resumed their study. Master Betty proceeded to carve some figures on the table, and Master Roscius, having lost the cat, diverted himself by an attempt to harness a black beetle. The door opened, and in walked Mr. Elliston Jones, the walking gentleman, desperate villain, and universal lover of the society. He was well known at the Olympic, the Strand, at the City, at Pym's and would perform Sir Thomas Clifford, Iago, Frederick, Charles the Second, or the Duke Aranza for the benefit of anybody or anything at a minute's notice. He was said to be extremely like Charles Kemble, C. Kean, Holl, and G. V. Brooke, although none of those gentleman are (ver known to have addressed him by mistake. He was a great card at evening parties, was connected with a theatrical journal, was suspected of writing a farce, and had even been connected with an interesting matter in which a ballet girl was concerned. Such recommendations as these, added to the known fact of his possessing money, and having made some dark hints respecting managing," were sufficient to render him a theatrical lion of the highest order. "You play in this piece, I suppose?" observed Mr. Adolphus Jones. No, the fact is "London Assurance" is the after piece, and I am going on for Dazzle. I have a waistcoat on purpose for the part, and I always choose with reference to costume.' This was strictly true; indeed many people said the part was chosen with reference to the waistcoat : but these were the slanderers. "Who will be the Lady Gay?" asked Mrs. Jones. "Oh! We've engaged Miss Nokes of the Theatre Royal Nova Scotia. She was thought nothing of in her own country, but, as she has just obtained an engagement at the Princess's "she'll be a sure hit.” "I don't think that follows, observed Mrs. Jones. "Nor I," said her husband. The fact is nobody is seen to advantage at that house." "No, the decorations are so heavy, that they take away the whole effect of one's dress!" replied Mr. Elliston. "The fact is, I should like to take Lavater at the Lyceum, or some of Bellingham's parts. dresses in admirable style." He "As every one must, when Madame Vestris is manager," remarked Mrs. Jones. "But we don't know our parts, and therefore you'd better go up stairs till dinner time." "By the bye, my dear, we have forgotten dinner," cried Mr. Adolphus. "So I have, I declare; but there's a cook shop round the corner. We mus'nt be particular." So for the present the amateurs parted, Mr. Elliston to lounge on a settee in the drawing room, Mr. Adolphus to lay the cloth, while the servant maid went for certain thick slices of cold beef, and Mrs. Jones to scold the children, and make sundry preparations in which knives and forks were concerned. The Acting Drania. Imitatio vitæ, speculum consuetudinis, imago veritatis, Cicero. The imitation of Life-The mirror of Manners-The representation of Truth. HAYMARKET. "A Confidence," is the title of an amusing trifle from the French, produced here last week. Mr. Congreve (Mr. Rogers) and Mr. Gresham (Mr. Webster) London merchants and partners, with their wives Mrs. Congreve (Mrs. L. S. Buckingham) and Mrs. Gresham (Miss Reynolds) are living en famille. The husbands are elderly men, while their cara sposas are young and pretty women subjected to the attacks of lovers to whom they were attached prior to marriage The last named gentleman resolves to secure the affections of his better half by placing in unlimited confidence, while his friend to reserve the connubial |