THE THEATRES.

THE NEW HISTORICAL PLAY AT THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

66

THE spirit of Macready has come here to save a weak management, and a declining house. The Princess's Theatre had for some time past been losing the favour of the public, from the strange medley of its performances, and the inferior manner in which they have been put upon the stage. For example, the admirable acting of Miss Cushman as Meg Merrilies, and of Compton as Dominie Sampson, could hardly screen the blameable getting up of "Guy Mannering;" and set aside Macready and Miss Cushman's share in the representation, the tragedy of Macbeth," formed here a poor contrast to the same play at Sadler's Wells. To all this, the new drama of "Philip Van Artevelde," taken from Henry Taylor's well known poem, is a brilliant exception. It is quite evident that the change is owing to Mr. Macready's genius and taste being emloyed in the stage and scenic arrangements as well as in the acting. The whole performance is a beautiful histrionic display. Macready represented the gallant and chivalrous gentleman of Ghent with fine energy and exquisite feeling: his soul was in the part, and he certainly never before appeared to such advantage. In truth, this play of “ Philip Van Artevelde" throws a sudden and pleasing light over the present gloominess of the Princess's Theatre.

THE NEW TRAGEDY AT SADLER'S WELLS.

SADLER'S WELLS continues to present the superior drama effectively. The tragedy recently produced there, "John Savile of Haysted," by the Rev. Mr. White, is one of undeniable and striking merit. It has had marked success, and becomes even more and more popular on repetition. The plot of the play is a simple one.

Lilian Savile, the daughter of a good-hearted and affectionate squire of the reign of Charles I., has discovered that her father's land is forfeit to the crown, unless recovered by payment of ten thousand pounds, or such less sum as may be accepted, to Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. To save her father from this ruin the maiden determines to personally solicit the Duke. The attempt to put this purpose into effect leads her into a snare which Buckingham has laid to obtain possession of her person. He detains her in his hands, and her father, in horror at the intelligence, sends her a dose of poison, which she is to take, if he fail to rescue her from the licentious tyrant's power. In the midst of his villany, Buckingham is stabbed by Lilian's kinsman, Felton; but the assassination comes too late; she has drunk the poison, and dies in her father's arms.

The great character in this tragedy is that of John Felton, admirably

acted by Mr. G. Bennett. The introduction of Felton, who, in history, was nothing but a foul assassin, is in some measure objectionable, when held forth as an object of regard and pity. Yet the insanity that is made to hover about him softens and relieves the hardness of the portrait in the drama. Throughout, Bennett played the part to perfection; the encounter with Buckingham, when he is wounded, was most impressive. His delivery of the following soliloquy was finely characteristic of the dreamy, half-crazed puritan :

I think the time cannot be far off now.

I feel such throbbings, and can't guess the cause;
But, hour by hour, the feeling grows more strong.
It's like the light I've seen, when we were camp'd
Near Fort Ste. Prie: the sky grew grey at first,
Then whiter, long before the sun rose up
Behind the town; and as the time came near,
Everything grew distinct, and yet no eye
Saw the sun's face. I see as clearly now
As were it done before me. I can't tell
What Spirit it is, that struggles in me so.
Ho, ho! if it were Satan's trick, he's foiled.
All comes as if from Heaven; a mind at rest,
Nerves steady, and a full assurance here.
Lie there.

[Lays a knife on the table.

I fancy I can read some words
Upon the blade-my breath has stained it; now
'Tis clear again, ay, clearer, for the stain.
So 'tis with fame. They'll blacken me for this,
But my poor name will brighten for't the more.

[Laughs.

[Looks out of the window.

How clear the sky is! What a pleasant thing
To look up in the blue, and see no cloud!
Ho, Savile! There's my cousin with a man!
What ails him? This way, Savile, Master Savile !
Go to your rest again.

[Puts the knife in the sheath.

Phelps represented the Squire, John Savile, with characteristic vigour. Most feelingly did he deliver the following really poetic lines:

No, no! I spoke to you in gladness. See!
I speak not gaily now-banish the thought.
Lilian, it was in musings such as these
Your sister lived: she saw with dreamy eyes,
Not what things were, but what she painted them.
She raised an idol for herself, and spent

Her heart in worship; and the thing she made
Into a deity was-curses on him!

If I had thought, when Alice pined to death,
Day after day, looking so lovingly

Up the approach, to watch his coming step,
That he would come no more, but leave my child,

My life, my eldest hope, to die-to die!
Curse on him! I will see him yet!

Miss Laura Addison was the graceful, loving, enthusiastic Lilian to the life. The character was a beautiful one, and her impersonation of it was beautiful also. In the scene with the Duke of Buckingham she was

THE THEATRES.

THE NEW HISTORICAL PLAY AT THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

THE spirit of Macready has come here to save a weak management, and a declining house. The Princess's Theatre had for some time past ben losing the favour of the public, from the strange medley of its performances, and the inferior manner in which they have been put upon the stage. For example, the admirable acting of Miss Cushman as Meg Merrilies, and of Compton as Dominie Sampson, could hardly screen the blameable getting up of "Guy Mannering;" and set aside Macready and Miss Cushman's share in the representation, the tragedy of Macbeth," formed here a poor contrast to the same play at Sadler's Wells. To all this, the new drama of " Philip Van Artevelde," taken from Henry Taylor's well known poem, is a brilliant exception. It is quite evident that the change is owing to Mr. Macready's genius and taste being emloyed in the stage and scenic arrangements as well as in the acting. The whole performance is a beautiful histrionic display. Macready represented the gallant and chivalrous gentleman of Ghent with fine energy and exquisite feeling: his soul was in the part, and he certainly never before appeared to such advantage. In truth, this play of "Philip Van Artevelde" throws a sudden and pleasing light over the present gloominess of the Princess's Theatre.

THE NEW TRAGEDY AT SADLER'S WELLS.

SADLER'S WELLS continues to present the superior drama effectively. The tragedy recently produced there, "John Savile of Haysted," by the Rev. Mr. White, is one of undeniable and striking merit. It has had marked success, and becomes even more and more popular on repetition. The plot of the play is a simple one.

Lilian Savile, the daughter of a good-hearted and affectionate squire of the reign of Charles I., has discovered that her father's land is forfeit to the crown, unless recovered by payment of ten thousand pounds, or such less sum as may be accepted, to Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. To save her father from this ruin the maiden determines to personally solicit the Duke. The attempt to put this purpose into effect leads her into a snare which Buckingham has laid to obtain possession of her person. He detains her in his hands, and her father, in horror at the intelligence, sends her a dose of poison, which she is to take, if he fail to rescue her from the licentious tyrant's power. In the midst of his villany, Buckingham is stabbed by Lilian's kinsman, Felton; but the assassination comes too late; she has drunk the poison, and dies in her father's arms.

The great character in this tragedy is that of John Felton, admirably

acted by Mr. G. Bennett. The introduction of Felton, who, in history, was nothing but a foul assassin, is in some measure objectionable, when held forth as an object of regard and pity. Yet the insanity that is made to hover about him softens and relieves the hardness of the portrait in the drama. Throughout, Bennett played the part to perfection; the encounter with Buckingham, when he is wounded, was most impressive. His delivery of the following soliloquy was finely characteristic of the dreamy, half-crazed puritan :

I think the time cannot be far off now.

I feel such throbbings, and can't guess the cause;
But, hour by hour, the feeling grows more strong.
It's like the light I've seen, when we were camp'd
Near Fort Ste. Prie: the sky grew grey at first,
Then whiter, long before the sun rose up
Behind the town; and as the time came near,
Everything grew distinct, and yet no eye
Saw the sun's face. I see as clearly now
As were it done before me. I can't tell
What Spirit it is, that struggles in me so.
Ho, ho! if it were Satan's trick, he's foiled.
All comes as if from Heaven; a mind at rest,
Nerves steady, and a full assurance here.
Lie there.

[Lays a knife on the table.

I fancy I can read some words
Upon the blade-my breath has stained it; now
'Tis clear again, ay, clearer, for the stain.
So 'tis with fame. They'll blacken me for this,
But my poor name will brighten for't the more.

[Looks out of the window.

How clear the sky is! What a pleasant thing
To look up in the blue, and see no cloud!
Ho, Savile! There's my cousin with a man!
What ails him? This way, Savile, Master Savile!
Go to your rest again.

[Laughs.

[Puts the knife in the sheath.

Phelps represented the Squire, John Savile, with characteristic vigour. Most feelingly did he deliver the following really poetic lines:

Miss Laura Addison was the graceful, loving, enthusiastic Lilian to the life. The character was a beautiful one, and her impersonation of it was beautiful also. In the scene with the Duke of Buckingham she was

BUCKINGHAM,

66

Nay, 'nay-not yet.-What, is this all?
I tell you, Lilian, I love you, doat on you,-
Nay, that my heart glows with so holy a flame,
I'll wed you.

LILIAN.

Sir!-Let me go.-Name not my father's name.
His honest name is not for lips like yours.
You warn me-take a warning back from me.
Bethink you of the gulf you stand on. Think
That a whole land heaps curses on your head,
And I-fond, dreaming, senseless, foolish girl,
To think you pure and noble! Hear me now:
You 've played the spy-the traitor; look on me,
I would not wed you, if, by saying the word,
I could win kingdoms.-I shall seek my home,
If 'tis still left, and at my father's knees
Pray for God's help, since man's is useless.

The only blemish in the play is the death of Lilian-it was as unneeded as uncalled-for. The transmitting of poison, too, from a Christian father to his daughter is but a poor reproduction of the pagan virtue of Virginius. There is something so cruelly shocking in this conclusion, that it disappoints and dissatifies the audience. With this exception the tragedy is a fine one, and gives brilliant hope of what yet may be done (thanks to Mr. Phelps) towards the fairest restoration of the highly intellectual drama.

The HAYMARKET and the ADELPHI Theatres continue in most flourishing condition, and deservedly so, since they labour energetically and efficiently to secure the mental gratification of the public.

We regret that our limits prevent us this month giving lengthened notices of the new and popular comedy at the Haymarket, entitled "Family Pride," and of the recent successful drama at the Adelphi, Gabrielli," by the late Mr. Peake.

Mrs. Warner's style of performances at the Marylebone Theatre, travels most creditably and respectably in the track of Mr. Phelps. Some sterling plays have here found sterling representation.