82 MEMOIR OF MRS. LEIGH MURRAY. pair of stocks, with this same useful convertability. But if all people had money, there would be no opportunity for enterprise: people would neither take to the road, write melodramas, nor manage theatres. Mrs. Leigh Murray is the second daughter of the lete Henry Lee, who was for many years the highly esteemed manager of the Taunton circuit, and author of the celebrated Caleb Quotem, which Colman the What is to be done? People must live, and Younger, with more tact than honesty, appropriated to himself in the farce of the Review.' At the lazy individuals with well-curled moustachios, early age of five years, the heroine of this memoir des silver-headed canes, fast paletots, and expensive buted as Little Pickle, and continued to play an ex-tastes in general, combined with a decided untensive round of characters at her father's theatres, willingness on the part of their ancestors or cons also at York, Leeds, Hull, and other places. She temporaries to furnish the viatica, such personsmade her first appearance in London, at the Olympic must be awkwardly situated. Railway juggling theatre, then under the management of Madame Vesis past, thimble-rig is local and difficult, and the tris, in the character of Cupid, in the extravaganza profit but small, betting on the races requires thence deriving its name, and afterwards at Covent some money, and more calculation; cheating Garden and Sadler's Wells. In her next trip to the tailors is an harmless and useful employment, but provinces, she became a great favourite at Birmingham and Edinburgh, reappeared as the Lady, in a Pe may be combined with another profession-in culiarly Perplexing Predicament,' at the Lyceum thea fact, our hero, whoever he may be, is in a dead fix, and so turns manager at once. He recollects During Vestris's management of the latter delightful some half dozen unfinished, finished--but rejected, theatre, Mrs. Murray was extremely suacessful in the accepted—but not acted farces of his own producassumption of light drawing-room characters, a pleasing tion, (or a melancholy five-act piece by a rich appearance and lady-like demeanour, aided by evident friend, who loveth the ballet, or a burlesque by a accomplishments distinguishing her assumptions of gay young gentleman, who loveth matters of Theseus, Lady Plato, Mis Honeyball, in Brook's suc-print and paper, and on the strength of some apocessful comedietta of 'Anything for a Change.' She has been seen in company with her husband, to even greater advantage at the Olympic, where her last melodramatic impersonation in the Magician,' besides frequent comedy parts, proclaim her an actress of far greater merit than pretension. As a singer moreover she possesses very sufficient claims to notice. tre. ALL COMMUNICATONS POR THE EDITOR cryphal former success, or, upon no strength at all, he forthwith takes a theatre, small and quaint in its figure, all corners, like Don Quixote's Rosinante, and is a gallant, great man at once. The theatre is taken, half the rent disbursed by the sale of the slip of a room dignified with the epithet of 'saloon,' or by privileging of box keep ers to swindle the public out of additional shillings or their fractional parts, and then the manager AD- begins to look out for a company. BY FOR- If the manager possess a good business as a tailor, a spirited, literary, five-act-unacted friend, H. B.-Apply to a Theatrical agent, who will give you every informa-his way is clear enough, and he can engage a tion on the subject. X-We could not find room in the present number, but you shall be attended to shortly. C. T. (Newark.)—We are obliged by his attention. Do not send later than Tuesday in future. G. KENNEDY (A Constant Reader.)-It depends much on taste, but we prefer Mr. Phelps in the character you mention. Lane, supplies the articles in question. question is the same. The article on Dramatic Fools, will appear in our next number. THEATRICAL TIMES. SATURDAY, AUG. 19, 1848, ́ HOW TO LIVE BY THE STAGE. It is a difficult thing to live without money; much can be done with this inestimable panacea for human troubles, and we can buy everything, from a politician or a newspaper, to a rope or a company costing 501. a right to play in a house holding but 407., he can bring up tragic stars from the country, supported by sticks from town, he can attempt the legitimate on boards that will not hold it, sport a host of ballet girls who will tumble one against another on the small, cramped stage, although they may individually disport themselves on the table in the green-room for the entertainment of themselves or the lessee Lothario. But if the manager is less fortunately situated, if no 'victim' is to be found, away he goes to an Israelite of dangerous liberality, who kindly un◄ dertakes the office of money taker at the box entrance in lieu of the loan of 20% or 30%. at the moderate rate of 200 per cent. Thus all the money that comes in is escheated to this Shylock, and the surplus, when there is any, goes to the actors. three acts of fustian and bad grammar, velept a "new drama of powerful interest,' and plays the leading character himself, if such pieces may be said to possess any character at all. Wretchedly used-up incidents, and hackneyed situations are indiscriminately pilfered from the old stock dra mas, and, aided by absurd jargon, ridiculous misrepresentations of society in which the author never mingled, and clap-trap bombast, are loudly applauded by the orders' in the boxes, and in wardly damned by the unfortunate individual who, in a fit of temporary aberration, has paid three shillings for a stall. Meantime, the worthy manager is passing his dubious life of a seedy adventurer, now revelling in the funds out of which the actors are swindled, now borrowing eighteen-pence for a dinner at a "Islap-bang.' Grumblings in the green-room, Occasional speeches to the audience, strikes' on Saturday evening, sudden indisposition' on the part of principal performers (there are grades in in all theatres !) broken seasons of three weeks; gradual reduction of prices to the lowest ebb of theatrical wretchedness, begin to proclaim the downward progress of the concern. At length the manager is suddenly 'non inventus,' the com. pany drop off into private life, Heaven knows where, and the theatre is abandoned, a 'dreary, flat, unprofitable' wilderness, to the mercy of the next live_by_bis_wits individual, who may choose to take it. And this is the use of theatrical property! This is the Drama which is to be the mirror of manners, the imitation, yet model of life, the en joyment of the educated and wealthy! While London furnishes such systems of living, while theatres are turned into slang cribs and bordellos, while good authors and actors give place to shop. boy amateurs when neat, elegant houses, are devoted to entertainments below the worst ac. knowledged rank, where vulgar inefficiency holds an undisputed sway, can the drama be supposed to maintain its position as a civilizing art? Of a truth, such managers had better make a tragic But the actors! Powers of description aid us! would that Hine were at our elbow, summoning up, at touch of pencil, the crowd of cast-off vaudeville actors, antique ballerines, tailors too idle to work at their own business, journeyman printers, escaped from the dreary occupation of converting a member of parliament's speech into English grammar, and then setting it up! Spouting lessees of small or large taverns, sickly amateurs, of neither face, voice, or figure; exag gerated boys, to do the hero, after doing' their taskmaster's clients during the day in some Chancery Lane locality; poor, unemploved, half ragged wretches, who have still a devouring prestige for the life that they cannot live by,these form the company which are to be inflicted on small half-price gents, or don't-know-what-to do-with themselves-people, who may happen to drop into this new house of the Drama.' But a star' is wanting; for this piece of bad management is by no means confined to the Prin cesss's theatre. If the resources will afford a greatest living tragedian,' all well and good-if not, a Mammoth Horse, a couple of dirty white, surprisingly clever dogs,' an Ojibbeway Indian, or an Ethiopian 'bones' form the stupendous attraction,' and the soi-disant actors play second business.' A giant, or a dwarf, for the admiration of England in little,' is also a good speculation, and a set of Birmingham Spanish Dancers, or Irish Pyrenean vocalists is rather cheesy' than otherwise. Such are the ways by which theatres are to be opened and kept open, the money furnishing the manager and his Israelitish Vampire with an ample existence, while the few actors get' their parts and nothing else. To attract the 'gents' who caunot afford Lyce um prices, there must be a ballet; in fact, ballet girls must be at a premium, considering their in troduction at every house in London. A few are accordingly-not selected,-but picked up, from their willingness to dance for nothing, or next to it. All grouping or arrangement is cautiously eschewed, any attempt at elegance avoided, and the management consider their duty amply ful alled, provided they can bring a sufficient amount sf pink tights to bear upon the admiring eyes of an audience worthy of the entertainment. The costume is always the same; peasant girls, gylphs, aud Naiads, appear to enjoy a perfect privilege of costume, and a good reason why: the theatre possesses no wardrobe of its own! Now for the pieces! In a place where nobody is paid, paying authors is out of the question. But the manager is a host in himself, he turns patriot or philanthropist, and hath a keen eye for the every day sayings and doings of his fellow inen. Every popular move' of the times fur nishes him with a subject-circumstances are dra. matised, striking names and puffs' appear in the bills, accompanied sometimes by pictorial illustrations: favourite songs are turned into dramas, novels, are murdered in the same way, before they are completed, and constant novelty kept up by the simple fact that, as the manage ment produce nothing worth listening to, nothing obtains a 'run.' Occasionally too, one of the company converts He is a saucy Englishman, moralizes quaintly, but not seriously-and will take unfair advantges rather than be left behind by others that do the same. His jests bite with a honeyed, rather than a venomed tooth, because uttered with good humour. His jokes are such as we half punish and half reward. He has no scruples of conscience where authority bears him out, and yet he has some sense of honour that forbids him to justify the tyranny he fights to uphold. Little sins | he would commit for the joke's sake, but great ones revolt him. The raillery which is his forte, and distinguishes him in the earlier scenes, is subdued in the middle, and deserts him in the latter. Events had sobered, if not saddened him: he has become too full of business for trifling. Yet he retains his fearless confidence to the last, and upholds his master's drooping spirits. After the king's death, he says— 'Art thou gone so?—I do but stay behind And then my soul shall wait on thee to Heaven, · Constance is the next best character in this play. The railing accusation' which she brings against Eleanor, though coarse, is true to nature. Enraged queens forget their dignity and scold like queens. She is big with her affection for her boy. Her vituperative fury is heightened by the rivalry of relationship. Her wrath is sometimes vented in plain and direct terms, at other times it is expressed ironically; and when she is most incensed, it assumes a tone of bitter burlesque. She is animated with the hope of vengeance, but disappointment dignifies her rage with a mixture of grief. She seems a being worthy to be afflicted by Heaven, which chasteneth those it loves. Her despair vents itself in execrations on nature itself, as if disdaining to curse meaner things, though they were the immediate causers of it; but when her attention is attracted to Austria, who had been the most forward in her cause, and whose defection therefore, is the most conspicuous, her reproach es are justified by reason, and reason heightens her resentment. is exquisite. We see the smile of hope beam through the tears of her grief; and her relapse into despair is equally fine. She is a Niobe, and makes all who see her, Niobes; her grief rages ; she forgets everything but her boy, whom she cannot forget for one moment; though it is agony to think of him now. Never was maternal anguish so pathetically wrought! The other characters have not much to discriminate them. Arthur is pretty and affectionate and justifies the anxiety of his mother on his be half. Among the lords, Salisbury is next distinguished, but not to his advantage; Constance calls him 'fellow' with as much haughtiness as Cleopatra shewed to the messenger who brought her news of Antony's marriage; and Falconbridge threatens him with impunity; considering the martial fame of Salisbury in history, where he is surnamed Longsword, he makes too mean a figure in this drama. Of the scenes in King John, that between Hubert and the King has been most applauded; but it is scarcely natural, or probable. The senti❤ ments and diction would be fine were they opposite. One who is coolly premeditating a murder will hardly adduce images calculated to deter, rather than to excite a murderer, such as the midnight-bell,' the churchyard,' &c., he would, as indeed the king afterwards does, harden bis own conscience by the supposed political neces sity of the deed; and that of the villain whom he wished to employ, by holding forth the reward to his view. Is there not something of a bull in making the king say John's speech to Hubert, after the supposed committal of the crime, is little inferior to that which he utters previously. In the scene between Hubert and the Prince, there is nothing to condemn, save some conceits and play of words ; and all its faults are redeemed by the line which makes the prince say, he will not look upon the iron angerly!' the whole is intensely interesting: but where did Shakspeare get his warrant for putting Arthur's eyes out?-Hubert had none. She rises so superior to him, that her scorn sinks him into nothingness-he is lost in his own insignificance. Her language on this occasion is This play has much good writing in it, though remarkably close and pertinent, as that of true the parleys are too prolix and abound too much passion always is-the torrent of her indignation in casuistry. There is also "something too is at once swift and smooth, and overwhelms its much," of stage declamation, especially in the object; her contempt is so sarcastically expressed scenes where John is exciting Hubert to the mur. that it makes all laugh at the unhappy victim of der of the Prince. The language would better it. I should not have liked to have acted Aus- suit the relation of the deed after it was done. tria when Mrs. Siddons was Constance. Her John would be more likely to banish, than to passion is turned in its full career by Pandulph, raise such ideas as he is represented as doing. whose denunciation of John gives her hope of The parenthetical clause in that passage retards vengeance, and she exults with all the quickness the train of thought, and moreover is composed of of a woman's feeling. After her son's imprison. images too far-fetched to be natural. Shakspeare ment, she raves-she is horribly beautiful.' delights to try conclusions!;' his rhetoric is sometimes more suitable to the bar than to the stage. Some of Shakspeare's best passages for quotation are in this play; but the moral with which it concludes, viz. In the midst of her distraction, the sudden, sensible appeal to the Cardinal, beginning with the words "And, father cardinal, I have heard you say, That we shall see and know our friends in heaven, 'Nought shall make us rue If England to itself do rest but true.' ends with a bad grace, a play of King John who was the first of our kings whose untruth made England, • Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror.' W. Acting Drama. "Imitatio vitæ, speculum consuetudinis imago veritatis" Cicero. The imitation of Life-The mirror of Manners-The representation. Truth The theatres during the past week have given but little occasion for separate notice. At the OLYMPIC, the tide of success seems fairly to have set in, and Mrs. Tellet, the charming new actress from Edin burgh, is a first-rate addition to the corps dramatique she is a most fascinating little creature, and may now be said to be fairly established in public favour: at no house is the audience better catered for, novelty succeeds novelty, and we understand that Mrs. Stir ling will shortly appear in a new drama, written expressly for her appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Keeley continues to delight the numerous visitors to the MARYLEBONE; the pieces performed have been 'The Creole,'' Pas de Fascination,' and the Crown Prince.' Expectation is on the qui vive' for the new drama (the plot from Bulwer's Night and Morning') shortly to be produced at the SURREY. There has been no alteration in the performances during the week. At the VICTORIA, Fayre Rosamonde' still convulses the auditors with the merriest laughter. Glorious anticipations are excited for the CITY OF LONDON, Messrs Nelson Lee and Johnson, the new Lessees, are in active preparation with some startling novelties. The weather having proved more propitious the last few days, the various Gardens have been more numerously attended. HAYMARKET. The success of the Adelphi company at this house has been so complete, that there will undoubtedly be a continuation of their performances: The Harvest Home,' has proved a rich harvest to the management. It would be impossible to find a word of praise to add to the already numerous adulatory expressions that have appeared respecting the successful production of this drama. Madame Celeste as Amy is a personifica. tion of nature; her acting appeals so directly to the most tender chords of our sympathy: but we especially admire the Mary of Mies Woolgar; the grace and ease of this popular actress inspire the warmest feelings; she improves at every performance, with scarcely any necessity for it; Mrs. Frank Matthews is clever as Angelina; Paul Bedford and Wright inimi, table as usual, in their delineations of Peeps and Popjoy. We were surprised to see the character of Caleb made so little of by Mr. O. Smith: there is too great a monotony in his tone to give it effect: there are some good poin's in the part, which might be exbi bited to great advantage. All the other characters are filled very creditably. The burlesque of Norma' continues to convulse the audience with laughter every evening, a convincing proof of its success: and on Monday, when we were present, the performances concluded with the thrillingly-powerful drama of The Cabin Boy.' This is certainly one of Madame Celeste's best assumptio is: she acts the roystering, warm-hearted, generous son of the surf to the life: the same defect in Mr. O Smith's intonation is here observable as Vincent-there is a great want of effect: the numerous characters sustained in the course of the evening by Miss Woolgar (the Orphan Girl) and Paul Bedford (the Pilot), completely exhaust our vocabula, ry of terms of merit for them; Mr. Munyard was very amusing in the slight sketch of the Parisian Curiosity Dealer; and all the other parts were well sustained. BRITANNIA SAI OON. We looked in here on Saturday and witnessed the performance of a new drama, called 'The Flirt; or the Farrier's Daughter.' The plot rests chiefly on Fanny Fleam whose flirting propensities with Colonel Marshall brings about the title chosen for the piece. The charms of the fair damsel gains for her a host of admirers amongst whom is Ben Brayling, a young sailor, and Giles Blackthorn, a young farmer. It so happens that Jack, brother to Fanny, has been an eye-witness to all that has transpired between his sister and the Colonel; this, at length, he makes known to all parties, and the result is, jealousy. The warmth of Giles' temper induces him to seek the Colonel's life; an opportunity now offers itself-Gileg fires, but fortunately the instrument of death has been free'd from shot by Ben. The latter is arrested on a charge of attempted murder; however, the truth is hands of justice. Fanny then accepts the hand of made manifest, and the real assassin falls into the Ben Brayling and all ends in happiness. It is a lively production and has been put upon the stage in an excellent style. Mrs. Atkinson flirted away finely as The part of Jack lost nothing in the hands of Mrs. the gay young Fanny; she looked and played well. Lane, her making up' was a rich piece of absurdity, and we doubt if the utter simplicity of the country lad could be better interpreted than by Mrs. Lane Brayling, Giles Blackthorn, and Colonel Marshall, found able representatives in Messrs. Freer, Sawford, and Broughton. Mr. H. Carles enacted the charac ter of Perkin Plush, a footman, to the life, as did troupe of 'darkies' is the attraction this week. Mr. Wilton that of Toby Fleam, father of Fanny. A Provincial Thearicals Ben DUNDEE THEATRE ROYAL.-Novelty and full houses are the order of the day, or rather evening, here. The arrangements of the past week have surpassed anything of the kind we have ever had here; during the week we have had Mr. Mackay the celebrated Scotch and Mr. S. Tyler, with his extraordinary dog Talma; actor, Herr Teasdale, the man, Monkey, the Bosjesman, the houses have been crowded, it would have been an insult had it been otherwise. Mr. and Miss Stuart are announced in a round of their favourite characters for next week, when we believe the theatre closes till the winter campaign, in November. EDINBURGH ADELPHI.-The houses continue to be well attended, particularly at the second price, when the pit and gallery are generally crowded, and the boxes very fairly attended, considering the drain which the country makes upon our population at this season of the year. On Thursday, the drama of Therese, the Orphan of Geneva,' was revived; and though, of course, our impressions were strongly influenced by first impressions, and recollections of long lost favourites who once figured in the Dramatis Personæ, we must acknowledge that the present supporters of the various characters were loudly and frequently applauded; still the scene was to us tinged with Mrs. Nicoll, Mrs Renaud and Terry, melancholy; and the shades of Mrs. Henry Siddons, "Haunted us still, though many a year has fled, Like some wild memory;" and we were not sorry when the good fooling and absurdities of Crusoe the Second' won us flom ou r 7 reveries. The present company is peculiarly happy in the representation of those burlesques. Murray and Lloyd have long been celebrated for their tact in these matters, and they have found an able coadjutor in Miss Parker. The pieces were further enlivened by a Pas de Trois by those elegant and finished dancers, Mr. Webster and the St. Louins, who, we are glad to learn, are re-engaged for the winter. Terry, Clark, F. Webbs, &c: Mesdames Hutchinson, Trafford, East, Morman, &c. The opening pieces are 'The Stranger,' and 'The Bottle.' OXFORD.-The benefits, drawing crowded houses, are progressing with great rapidity at Hengler's Royal Arena; an indication that the company are about to effect an early exit; nor will their departure take place too soon; notwithstanding their clever performances, which have been well attended, the retrogression of Herr Hengler, the inimitable rope-dancer, in consequence of an unlucky indisposition, has proved a serious drawback to the entertainments. In addition to this, some most unpleasant scenes (to say the least) have lately taken place, which would soon render the atmosintoxication on the one hand, combativeness on the other (involving something more than has been made public), will not prove very amusing accessories. But there is scarcely occasion for further detail; all will be. forgotten on the departure of the troupe; and, as their success has been great, they will have but little of which to complain, respecting the support rendered to them in this city. MANCHESTER QUEEN'S [Lessee, Mr. J. Sloan].Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Buckstone are playing here to crowded houses, in The Flowers of the Forest,' Snapping Turtles,' ' Box and Cox,' 'Rough Diamond,' and Make Your Wills.' The performances are received nightly with rounds of applause. The acting of Mrs. Fitzwilliam as Starlight Bess, and Mr. Buck-phere of Oxford too hot for the purposes of the Circus; stone as Cheap John have been so highly praised by the London press, that a notice from us would be superflous, suffice it to say, that their acting was the admiration of all. Mr. Sloan as the Kinchin told well with the audience, his peculiar natural skill and flow of spirits, was loudly applauded throughout, as was Mrs. Sloan as Lemuel, she dressed, looked, and acted the part to the life; we think these characters well suited to her peculiar powers. Cynthia, by Mrs. Dyas, was all that could be wished, her personation of the heart-stricken Zingara, evinced that high order of talent, which has won for her so great a reputation in this town. Mr. Elphinstone, as Ishmael, was an excellent performance. Mr. Preston, as Hugh Lavercock, was all that could be expected; Mr. Martin as Alfred played with great spirit, he has a good appearance, great energy of feeling, and never overacts his part. The new scenery by Mr. Newell, deserves the highest praise, and the machinery was most creditably managed by Mr. Calvell. The piece is much better produced than we have previously witnessed, and was loudly applauded throughout; it was followed by ‘Snapping | Turtles,' in which Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Buckstone kept the audience in convulsions. After which 'Box and Cox,' in which Mr. Browne, and Buckstone was called before the curtain; we are happy to state they are re-engaged. MANCHESTER THEATRE ROYAL. [Lesse, Mr. J. Knowles].-If we were to judge of Robert Houdin's skill as a necromancer, from the patronage he obtains, (to the neglect of more legitimate objects of interest) he is without a peer. Out of doubt his jugglery is marvelously clever, but the effect of his incantations upon an English audience, is somewhat marred, from the fact of the Magician requiring an interpreter. He is re-engaged for the coming week. CITY THEATRE. [Lessee, Mr. R. Cockrill.]—A vessel that sails without ballast, the first cap-ful of wind is likely to overthrow, and so it proved with the cock-boat management of Mr. R. Cockrill, which terminated suddenly on Tuesday. The bills were out for two nights' performances, one of which was for the benefit of Mr. Reeve, but the landlord, with a total disregard for the wants of the company, or the disappointment of the public, locked up the theatre, for the reason that one night's rent was due. It was re-opened on Saturday, by Mr. G. Wild, for one night; there was a crowded house, and the pieces went off admirably. Mr. Corbett Cooke again assumes the reins, and, under his guidance, the old company are to try their fortunes next week. May they be prosperous, but we fear! we fear! NEWARK THEATRE. [Lessees, Messrs. Eaglesfield and Wakeman ]-This theatre opens on Monday, Sept. 4th, with a good company, including the following ladies and gentlemen, viz.: Messrs. W. Eaglesfield, Lee, Butler, Norton, Wheeler, Blanchard, East, PERTH.-We perceive from a very attractive announcement, that Mr. Anson opens here with his talented company for the regular season, on Sept. 4th. Mr. and Miss Stuart are the stars of the week, and appear first in Virginius.' From the manager's popularity, we anticipate a successful season. CORK THEATRE ROYAL-[Lessee, Mr. Seymour.] -A correspondent writes: Since the 24th of July we have been afforded much gratification by the very spirited exertions of Mr. Seymour in engaging those admirable vocalists, Mr. Borrani, Mr. Travers, Mr. Corri, and Miss Romer. The engagement of these artistes was to have concluded on the night of August 7th with the benefit of Mr. Borrani: but the success which attended their productions, led to a renewal of their stay amongst us. This prolonged engagement both gave satisfaction to the public and fresh life to the manager. In succession we have had La Sonnambula,'' Enchantress,' and the Love Spell;' the latter was received with evident tokens of approbation by the audience. It was cast thus: Sergeant Balcour, Mr. Borrani; Nemorino, Mr. Travers; Dulcamara, Mr. Corri; Adina, Miss Romer. This opera was followed by Guy Mannering,''Bohemian Girl,' and Maritana,' supported by Mr. Travers as Don Casar de Bazan, Mr. Borrani as Don Jose, Mr. Corri as Charles, Miss Romer as Maritana, and Miss Corri as 'Lazarillo.' The entertainments have been varied with dancing by La Petite Taglioni and Mr. M'Dougall, and light farces and ballets. The operatic performers were to give a concert on last Friday, the 25th, that being their last appearance previous to their final departure from Ireland. Mr. Aldridge, the African Roscius, is engaged by Mr. Seymour for twelve nights; his appearance will be shortly announced. SOUTHAMPTON THEATRE [Lessee, Mr. W. Parker]. -The talented Mrs. Nisbett and her sister, Miss Jane Mordaunt, have been starring it here for five nights in London Assurance,' Dream at Sea,' 'Belles Stratagem,'' Field of Forty Footsteps,'' Wives as They Were,' &c. 'London, Assurance was excellently cast, and rather wonderful, the minors up in their parts. Barrett's Sir Harcourt Courtly was an excellent piece of acting; Parker was finished in Dazzle, and Wood's Spanker was extremely rich. Andrews was hardly meddling enough as Mark Meddle. The other characters by Willis, Hilton and Pitt were passable. The favourite drama of The Dream at Sea, was excellently played throughout, with the ex |