The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

VaildovillO . —In continuation of his series of adaptations from old authors , Mr . Robert Buchanan has now dramatised Samuel Richardson ' s famous novel of " Clarissa Harlowo , " which has been described as tho finest work of fiction ever written . We need not here dilate upon previous stage versions of tho story , as that by Mr . Buchanan certainly surpasses all others . It is told in four acts .

The first deals with the abduction of Clarissa by Lovelace ; the second shows her arrival in London , the discovery of Hetty Belford , a former victim of the rone , by her drunken brother Philip , his repentance and determination of vengeance . In the third we have the mock marriage , the defeat of Philip by moans of drugged wiuo , and the inferred ruin of Clarissa . Finally we have the pathetic

death of Clarissa and the expiation of Lovelace , who is killed by Belford . Nothing conld possibly be liner than the assumption of the part of Clarissa by Miss Winifred Emery , who makes a distinct mark as an emotional actress ; her modest maidenly pleading to her I . ver , her doubts of his sincerity and her death scene aro all in the highest form of art , and met with deserved success . Mr . T . B .

Thalberg plays Richard Lovelace with great care and comes well through a difficult task . Mr . Thomas Thome appears in a somewhat new character for him , and the experiment is as pleasing as successful . As Philip Belford we first see him as a depraved wretch , who lends himself to effect the ruin of an innocent girl for the sake of means to pander to his drunken cravings . The sense of shame awakoued by

Clarissa ' s purity is fully aroused by tho discovery that his own sister was destroyed by Lovelace , but his repentance is marred by the fierce desire for vengeance that prompts him to kill his oppressor . The final sceno of the third act is magnificently performed by all concerned , and equals in intensity any thing at present on the London stage . Mr . Cyril Maude represents old Mr . Solmes in so artistic a manner as to make us regret his absence after tho first act .

Mr . Fred Thorne gives full effect to the disreputable Captain Macshane , and Messrs . Harbury , Yorke , F . Gillmore aud Grove efficiently sustain the minor characters . Special mention must bo made of Miss E . Banister , who pathetically plays tho part of Hetty , and Miss Mary Colletto makes a fair start as the saucy little country girl Jenny . The piece is admirably mounted , the costumes of the last century faithfully reproduced , and without any doubt we may safely predict a long run for it .

Terry ' s—We are very pleased to be able to congratulate Miss Cissy Grahame on her first venture as a manageress , aud hope that the success that has hitherto attended this house may follow her throughout her reign . The cordial welcome bestowed by the audience upon Mr . Jerome K . Jerome's " comparatively speaking" now and original play " New Lamps for Old " is well deserved , though | at first

sight the story is rather startling . On ne badine pas avec Vamour , say the French , and this is what Edwin and Elvira Honeydow find to their cost . After having enjoyed a twelvemonth ' s wedded bliss they begin to long for the impossible , and having read some of Mrs . Mona Caird ' s works they fancy that happiness is to be found only with anthropological unity . With this idea Elvira flops her young affec . tions on a long haired-tcathetio poet of the Basil Stroyhe species ,

while Edwin runs off with a strong-minded young woman in mascu . line attire who woos and threatens him in the same breath . The two couples naturally find their way to the same hotel , and inevitable confusion is caused when it is discovered that the effeminate poet and the masculine lady are man aud wife . A convenient stoppage of the electric light at tho hotel affords each an opportunity for departure , and having been satisfactorily disillusionised the couples pair off with their legitimate partners and the curtain descends . The fun of the

piece is materially assisted by an old family lawyer on the look out for a good case , a part that in the hands of Mr . W . S . Penley ia most amusing . ^ The fair manageress played Elvira as the author had evidently intended , her scenes in the second act being highly diverting . Mr . F . Kerr gives an exceedingly clever sketch as the Great Postlethwaite , Miss Gertrude Kingston ' s portrayal of the mannish lady merits the applause it obtained . Mr . Bernard Gould acts

with much spirit as Edwin , while Miss Houston and Mr . Lestocq are admirabl y placed as Jorkins and Jemima . The pretty scene at Grundy Lodge for acts one aud three was much admired , and reflects greatoredit upon the designers , Messrs . Jetley . jThe play is produced tinder the direction of Mr . W . H . Veruon . The Duke aud Duchess cf Fife , Lord and Lady Londesborough , and the Lord Mayor aud Lady Mayoress had boxes on Saturday evening .

Haymarket . —The success that Mr . II . Beorhohm Tree has achieved by Mr . Robert Buchanan ' s adaptation of the French play U"ger la Houte , " entitled "A Man ' s Shadow , " is hardly to be wondered at when we consider the stirring situations that the play abounds in . Wo are glad to say , however , that although the piece is exciting it does not lose anything bv it . as in the case of mauv wo

could mention . Mr . Buchanan has adapted a fine play , and has put touches here and'there with good effect . Now that tho artistes have Vj l ^ to tlieir work the piece is presented in perfect style , h A 6 so ° immensely in the double part of Laroqne and hie shadow . It is a masterly piece of acting throughout , aud has un-( Joubtedl y placed this young actor another step higher iu his prolession . We would , however , offer a word of advice . In tho last act

, when Luversan falls dead , he has a beard , but when the crowd "J oves aaide , we see him without one . This should be altered , i ir . James Fernandez ' s great scene makes a strong impression on tho audience ; his acting is that of a thorough master . Little Minnie J erry is wonderfully good as Susanne , while Mrs . Tree and Miss Julia ftoilson scoro well as Honriotte and Julie . Notwithstanding "A * "au s Shadow" haa been aoted over a hundred and lity times

The Theatres, &C.

crowded houses are tho rule , and we feel confideut will remain so for a long time to come .

Nineteenth Centxiry Art Society . —This is a good all round average exhibition . Indeed there is a display of much solid work , and intending purchasers may note that the prices of some of the cabinet pictures are ridiculously small , not more thau half what one might expect . At the end of the principal gallery , iu the post of honour , "A Soudanese Love Song" ( 125 ) , by Mr . H . J . Thaddeus ,

will attract attention . A minstrel of the deepest dyo , in picturesque garb , is singing and playing ou a sort of square guitar , and evidently enjoying his performance . Near this is a capital piece by Mr . Richard S . Marriott , " Early Morning , near Sbauklin , Isle of Wight" ( 129 ) , notable for its atmospheric effects . Mr . B . Cowpor Baiues ' s " The Evening Conies , the Fields aro still " ( 25 ) , is another work treating

atmosphere and shadows with excellent effect , ad is likewise Mr . H . Frank's " A Misty Morning " ( 16 ) , " On the Delft Canal" ( 38 ) , by Mr . Arch Webb , portrays the prow of a large vessel , and a number of barges and steamers . This is a somewhat ambitious and interesting production . '' See Saw" ( 53 ) , by Mr . James Mclntyre , is worthy attention : and "Bohemians " ( 54 ) , by Mr . H . Maurice Page , a gipsy

encampment at night , is quite Turneresque in its treatment , especially in the painting of the clouds . "Storm Warriors" ( 71 ) , by Mr . Frederick James Aldridge , represents a sinking vessel iu a grey sea , and other vessels in the distance . A sound piece of execu - tion , " Boys will be Boys " ( 81 ) , by Miss Kate Shaw , illustrates the , effects of smoking upon inexperienced youth . " An Irish Holding '

( 85 ) , by Mr . Vincent P . Yglesias , ia a well treated moonlight scene and " Passing Showers" ( 124 ) , by Mr Hamilton Marr , A . R . C . A ., is a highly poetical work . There are many interesting and carefully executed subjects in the water colour gallery , bat the most notable exhibit is Miss Blanche Maoarthur ' s "Zira" ( 311 ) , in pastel—a truly admirable picture .

Arthur Tooth , and Sons' Galleries . —A very interesting exhibition of " Pictures and Studies of Highland Sports , on Loch , Moor and Mountain , " by Mr . C . E . Johnson , the well-known landscape painter , is here on view . There aro in all thirty-eight subjecte . Those visitors who have not been in the highlands , and are , therefore , not acquainted with highland sports , will obtain from

these works a most comprehensive idea of them , aud of the loveliness and grandeur of Scottish sceuery ; and , those who know Scotland well , will appreciate the truthfulness of those presentments . It will be seen that the pictures are not mere sketches , but highly finished studios , made on the spot . The grand rugged scenery of

Scotland , the mists on the mountains , the magnificent streams , the purple heather ; and the various incidents connected with salmon fishing , and shooting different kinds of game , aro done to tho life . The collection is altogether unique , aud sustains the artist ' s high reputation .

Mr . Sydney Grundy ' s new play , entitled " A Pair of Spectacles , " will be produced at the Garrick on tho 22 nd instant . Mr . Hare has a good part , and ho will be well supported . " Les Cloches de Cornovillc" will be revived at the Opera Comique on tho 7 th instant , with a strong caste .

We are glad to congratulate Mr . Forbes Dawson on his convalescence , and trust ho may soon recover his perfect health . This clever young actor has been sailing strangely near the Unknown

Shore . Bro . Augustus Harris was enabled to distribute over three huu . dred pounds among the out-of-work people at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , as a result of the matinee given at Drury Lane .

Tho Committee of Management of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday . Bro . Honry Smith , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . Cottebrune , Hill , Mullord , Pierpoint , Brett , Brooks , Halbert ,

Tattershall , Everett , Daniell , Cotter , Berry , Perceval , Purchas , Bolton , Clarke , Newton , Triggs , Freeman , Haslip , Kempton , Webb , Turtle Pigott , Ferryman , David , Cnbitt , Dixon , Mead , Dixie , Dr . Jabez Hogg , Mickley , Blasby , Cumberland , Hogard , Forsyth , Belchamber , aud Terry

( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting , and of that on the 29 th ult ., having been read and confirmed , the Secretary reported the death of three male and two female annuitants , and of five accepted male candidates . He also read letters relativeto candidatureof four widows ,

two of whose names were directed to be removed from tho list . The Warden ' s report for tho past month was read , and an application from the widow of a deceased annuitant for tho half of her late husband ' s annuity was granted . The approved lists were settled , aud the vacancies to be filled at

the election in May wero declared , as follows : —68 malo candidates , with 11 immediate vacancies and three deferred , making together 14 to be elected ; 83 widow candidates , with 7 immediate vacancies and 8 deferred , or together

10 to be elected ; the total for tho two funds being 151 candidate ? , with 18 immediate and 6 deferred annuitants , or together 24 to bo elected . A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminated the proceedings .