The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Lyoeum . —Every conscientious Shakespearian student must have heard with deep concern of tbe illness thafc necessitated Mr . Henry Irving ' a temporary absence from the Lyceum . However , all must have rejoiced tbat an eqnally devoted lover of the immortal bard was at hand , in the person of Mr . Hermann Vezin , to fill the void thus

unhappily created . We sincerely regret absence from town and heavy duties elsewhere prevented our witnessing Mr . Vezin'a performance of Macbeth , but unquestionably , taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case , this gentleman during his temporary occupation of the stage would work somewhat on Mr . Irving ' a

lines . No revival—Shakespearian or otherwise—has ever created so much controversy aa this , the latest effort of Mr . Irving , and now all impartial critics must be in a position to sum np—at least to their individual satisfaction—the merits of the performance . For our own part , we decidedly recognised the interpretation of Mr . Irving as a

matured presentment of the Macbeth he gave ua some twelve years since , when it was almost universally conceded that his rendering was not a successful one . Mr Irving gives us in a general way a bold and vigorous so'dier , but when the supernatural element surrounds him , he ia conscience stricken and helpless as a child . Aa for Miss Terry ,

she does with Lady Macbeth almost everything that could have been expected of her , but—the " harsh " and '' striden t" impersonations we have for years been accustomed to notwithstanding—she faila to present us wifch the ideal we fear we shall always look for . In the " barbaric days" from whence the story takes its rise , we

scarcely look for the billing and cooing that some of the critics laud so highly . Her dual scenes are made the most of unquestionably , but she does not possess the physique—we say ifc in no unfriendly spirit—the character demands at the hands of any lady who may essay the part . As regards those who assist the principals , every

opportunity is given them ; Mr . Irving never fails to give his associates full licence , and on the occasion under notice they one and all avail themselves of their opportunity . In conclusion we may add we should like Mr . Irving to consider an old reading which haa always found favour wifch us . We refer to the following passage , Act i scene 7 : —

Macb . Pry thee , peace ; I dare do all that may become a man . Here Macbeth—according to the interpretation we refer to—shonld stop , and the next line should be taken up by hia wife , who sarcastically retorts : —

Lady M . Who dares " no" more is none . Lady Macbeth should then continue , " Whafc beast , & o . " To onr mind this alteration—suggested to us some thirty years since , and even then not a new idea—would decidedly strengthen Miss Terry's rendering of the character .

Vaudeville . —Mr . Robert Buchanan haa contributed a most diverting piece of humour to dramatic literature by hia fantastic comedy " That Doctor Cupid , " ( why fche pronoun ?) which having proved satisfactory at a morning performance was speedily promoted to the evening programme . The motive of the piece is not

new , bnt may be reckoned aa such , seeing that it is 120 years since Foote ' s famous farce , "The Devil on Two Sticks , " was produced . Cupid , having been bottle up by a celebrated astrologer some three hundred years previous to the opening of the story , falls into the possession of Harry Racket , a Cambridge undergraduate of tho

Dashington School , who ia in despair at being disinherited by his uncle , and thereby obliged to surrender his sweetheart , Kate Constant . After rending the Latin inscription , to the effect thafc "love conquers the world , but science conquers love , " and being ignorant of tbe contents of tho bottle , he dashes it to the ground , when presently i .

seen a little , weazened , rhenmatioy fellow , in Elizabethan dress , who announces himself as Cupid , and offers to become Harry ' s slave if he will set him at liberty as soon as he restores hia sweetheart . They then proceed to Bath , where Cupid , disguised as Harry's tutor , sets all the women in love

with hia master—which causes considerable complications— bat finally brings the lovers together , re-establishes Harry in his uncle's favour , and claims hia reward . Mr . Thome ' s admirers will readily imagine what amusement he evokes with this eccentric character , which he plays with extraordinary vigour and ability ; his very costume is a

study , and roars of laughter follow his appearance ou the stag . . Mr . Gillmore makes a manly young Harry , Mr . Fred Thorne is seen to advantage as the irascible gouty old baronet , and Mr . Cyril Maude , a young actor who is steadily miking his mark , gives au admirable rendering of a love-sick , stuttering beau . Miss Winifred Emery

presents a perfect picture of the gushing girl of the last century novels , and Miss D . Drummond makes the most of tho baronet ' s scheming housekeeper . Of the minor characters , Messrs . Wheafcmai ., S . Buist , Pagden and Grove , with Misses M . Lea and Robertson , deserve notice . The quaint early nineteenth century costumes and the pretty scenery lend their aid towa . 'ds the success of the piece .

Messrs . J . H . Darnley and G . Manville Fenn ' s new farcial comedy will be produced at the Strand next Wednesday evening . The arrangements are under the immediate supervision of Mr . Charles "W yndham , who has procured an excellent caste .

The remarkable success that has attended the Matinees of " The Merry Wives of Windsor " has led Mr . Beerbohm Tree to placo it in the evening hill , and this ho will do next Saturday evening , tho 4 th instant . Tho casto will be the samo as that which did so well at the Matinees .

Ice Carnival . —We are ablo to state that thc list of stall-holders of the Carnival , to bo held in March , at the Royal Albert Hall , for the Weat End Hospital , is now tilled up . Tho Austrian stalls will be unde _

The Theatres, &C.

the direction of Lady Francis Seymour ; Canada will be held by Lady Beaumont ; the Countess of Romney takes England , and the Marchioness of Waterford Denmark ; Holland and Germany by Hon . Lady Macdonald and the Countess de Morella respectively ; Ireland will be beld by Viscountess Coke ; and Italy by the Marchioness of

Carmarthen , Other , stalls will be taken by Lady Heron Maxwell and Lady Spencer Clifford , and among the ladies assisting will be the Duchess of Leinster , L ^ dy Wm . Lennox , Lady Decies , Lady Laming , ton , and many others . The arena of the Albert Hall will be entirely enclosed by winter scenery of all countries , and each of the stalls set

in characteristic surroundings . The falls of Niagara will be a chief feature , and will occupy one end of the vista , beneath which visitors will be able to pass aa at tbe original ones . The ascent of the Matterhorn , with guides , ropes , and alpenstocks , will also be a great attraction , and winter games and sports peculiar to each country will be arranged .

Saturday , the 9 th instant , haa been appointed for the private view of the Spring Exhibition ( the seventeenth ) , of the Nineteenth Century Art Society , at the Condnit Street Galleries , and the Exhibition will open to the public on Monday , the 11 th inatant .

CORRESPONDENCE . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

— : o : — EXCESSIVE ENTHUSIASM .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I fully endorse your sentiments , as given in the article on " Excessive Enthusiasm " in your issue of to-day ' s date . As Masons we should be just before we are generous , and I am pleased to note a great caution in our Lodge as to the applicants we recommend

to the Board of Benevolence . Unless a man has been a good Mason for some years , and his misfortune ia not brought about by his own condnct , we should not think of recommending him . If our own funds permit'we should assist as far as we feel justified , but no more . I am surprised to learn that there is a reluctance on the part of

the Managers of the funds to give information when asked to do so . They should give the fullest and freest explanation to any questions that may be raised , or we shonld insist on knowing why . I hope this

matter will not be allowed to drop , as it is of the greatest importance thafc our Order should be kept pure , and every facility given to show that it is pure . Yours faithfully , F E 26 th January 1889 .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I regret that pressure of business will not allow my replying this week to the remarks in your contemporary on the criticism of myself and others as to the present management of tbe Masonio Institntions . I am sorry the writer referred to has

thonght it desirable to descend to vulgar abuse—that ia no anawer to such criticism as I have offered , whatever others may think to tho contrary . Your contemporary seems to be ignorant of the difference

CEITICISM ON THE CHARITIES .

which exists between honest criticism and dishonourable attacks , while I , for one , question his veracity in saying his remarks are not " inspired . " If what he says is true , I wonder he has the impudence to deal as he does wifch other people ' s business and opinions .

For the information of yourself and others I may say I have no connection with a writer who has elsewhere signed himself , as I did in my previous letter to you , A SILLY CRITIC .

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