The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

OLYMPIC . CERTAIN theatres , like certain countries , become as it were a mere typographical expression . The Olympic , like Byzantium of the Lower Empire , haa had so many phantom rulers , that it might rather belong to Myth than to History . Ifc was once illumined wifch the genius of Robson , it enjoyed an interval of prosperity with Henry Neville ; but for a long time talent and energy have seemed

powerless to bring the public to Wych-street . To those who were present on the firsfc nighfc of Mark Quinfcon's new play , "In His Power , " ifc seemed that a raagio martingale had been discovered , and Mr . Bruce found a new success as great aa thafc of " Called Back " or the " Private Secretary . "

The action of the new play lies in Paris , at the time of the siege The hero , Captain Graham , an Englishman , in the French Hussara , is married to a lady he supposes to be a widow . She had been , tricked into a false marriage , had left her betrayer , and six years ago received news of hig death . The scene opens on the first

anniversary of her marriage wifch Graham . She has promised to tell fche story of her life to her husband , bufc he , seeing how much she is distressed , refuses to hear it . He leaves her , and as she sits in happy meditation , Scara , her betrayer , now a spy of the Germans , makes his way into the room . She looks up , horror stricken at the

sight ; he demands money as the price of hia ailence , and when she refuses and defiea him , makes her believe her husband ' s life ia in his power , and , to save it , she afc last consents to get a copy of the despatch with which he is to be entrusted for General Schenzy . He gives her a sleeping draught to effect this object . The Captain

unexpectedly returns . Scara hides , and then follows a powerful scene , in which the wife , agonised by fear for her husband , humiliated by the treachery she ia guilty of , endeavours to obtain sight of the paper . We heartily congratulate Mr . Kyrle Bellew on the thoroughly manly and unaffected portrait he gives us of Graham ,

the tender husband and brave soldier . His kindly unwillingness to refuse his wife , gradually changing to indignant impatience at her persistence , could not have been more delicately rendered ; ifc waa a study by Meissonnier . He is fche simple-hearted hussar , free from any of those airs and graces which afc one time Mr . Kyrle Bellow's

friends greatly objected to . He enters so completely into the charaoter thafc some of his mosfc effective touches are gained by the silent eloquence of facial expression and attitude . Miss Ada Caven . dish , as Marie , acted throughout this trying scene wifch poignant intensity . When Graham finally turns from his wife's cajolements

with vexation , and sits down to study the despatch he is ordered to deliver verbally , Soara emerges from his hiding place , and signs to Marie she must obey . Coffee is brought , and she , with white face and shaking hands , drugs her husband ' s cup . He falls asleep , and Scara copies the paper now fallen from the captain ' s hand , and

hastens away , taking by mistake Graham ' s overcoat instead of his own . Marie leaves the room . Dr . Cameron ( Mr . J . G . Grahame ) , a friend of the family , enters , finds the captain in heavy sleep , suspects foul play , and finds trace of chloral in the coffee cup . Suspicion seems inevitably to point to Marie , and here Kyrle Bellew ' s fine

touch was apparent in the undercurrent of agonised suspense , showing through the self-possession befitting a soldier . Scara ' s coat is discovered , and his address on a letter . The first act lasted an hour and forty minntes , but the interest so gathers and accumulates as ifc proceeds that probably nofc one of fche

audience had realised the flight of time . When the act drop fell the artists were recalled again and again , Miss Ada Cavendish and Mr . Kyrle Bellew dividing the chief honours , though liberal applause was given to Mr . Cartwright and Mr . J . G . Grahame , both summoned by name , and doubtless there was as much pleasure behind the

curtain as " in front . " The next scene opens in Scara s lodgings , and here we find a latent Nemesis in the boy Rene * , whom Scara has steeped in vice in order to secure a ready tool . Rene asks for money , and is refused , with mockery , by his master , who no longar needs him . Mr . Mark Quinton plays the boy , and though but a small part

it gains great tragic force in his hands . Rene leaves , swearing vengeance , and presently Marie steals in to learn on what terms she can be rid of her persecutor . The interview is interrupted by the arrival of her husband and Dr . Cameron , and her attempted concealment , flight , and final discovery . Here , through the crowded house

every breath was hushed , and Marie's helpless , hopeless despair , and Graham ' s speechless horror at her seeming falseness held the audience spellbound . In the third act , thanks to tho kindly doctor , Marie is reconciled to hor husband . Scara , who has been unmasked by Rene , and is flying

for his life , seeks protection from Grahame , and begs a safe conduct as tho price of silence . Graham , for his wife ' s good name , is about to give it , when Rene , who is leading the pursuit , springs from the balcony . into the room and demands justice on the traitor . Scara attempts to stab him , when a wild shout is heard without , a body of

soldiers hurriedly enter , and seize their prisoner . Marie , from the window sees Scara dragged off by the mob . She turns away in horror , when the sharp sound of rifle bullets pierce the tumult ; there is a shout of fierce triumph , and we know'justico has been done . As fche curtain fell on the last act the applause that had greeted each

preceding one broke forth with still greater enthusiasm . Miss A . Cavendish and Mr . Bellew were snmmoned again and again , Mr . Cartwright and Mr . J . H . Grahame received their full meed of honour , and then came loud calls for the author , who had to appear four times ; on the last occasion the young hero of the night being led on by his

happy manager , Mr . Bruce . For so youthful an author the play is a great snccess , and though after the glamour of the brilliant interpretation we seek to judge tho work on its merits , it may be easy to find weak points in construction , and well-worn melodramatic tricks , yet the story sweeps onward with such vigour and life that the spectator haa no moment for critical carping if only he ignore the

The Theatres.

inartistic and quite useless " comic relief " which has been pitchforked into the story . This is represented by Mr . and Mrs . Walker , an impossible pair of Cook ' s tourists , who are staying in Paris during the siege , bow one cannot guess why . They have DO connection with the plot . Mrs . Walker is a severe matron , and to escape her wrath her

husband enlists in a line regiment , and then , to oblige her , discharges himself without further formality . Mr . Elsworthy and Miss Lizzia Claremont had a very ungrateful task in ; thoir efforts to amuse the gods . They did all that was possible with such material . Mr . Mark Quinton tolls us tho play is original , else we should have

imagined there were symptoms of its French origin , though no French author would havo entrusted despatches for General Chanzy to an English volunteer , nor have made a tourist from Camberwell play at soldiers in Paris during that awful time of hardship and starvation . The Scara of Mr . Cartwright is very powerfully and

carefully thought out , except here the artist forgets that this man has been able to win the love of a pure and lovely girl ; he should therefore surely cloak his villainy in some outward show of grace and

plausibility . We can congratulate all concerned in tho production of " In | his power , " and especially the playgoers who have , for some months to come true artiatio enjoyment before them .

Her Majesty's.

HER MAJESTY'S .

HER Majesty ' s ill-fated Opera House in fche Haymarket is afc last escaping from fche frosts which have blighted the hopes of successive managers , whether they have produced there live bloodhounds , black minstrels , or internasional tragedies . M . La Fargue has secured Odoardo Barri to conduct the orchestra ; his name is an assurance of the care aud finish we shall find in hia work . On

Saturday an immense crowd gathered in the auditorium , and had evidently come to enjoy the music . The multitudinous shilling behaved with the decorum of a " Musical at Home . " The violin performances of Mdlle . Lang and the delightful singing of Mdlle . Segur created enthusiastic applause . Among so much that is good we cannot but regret

the introduction of the shorfc-skirted chorus ladies to sing a vocal waltz ( the Fan ) . Their hair powder and patches seemed in question , able taste outside a music hall , but the limelight effects , blue , red , and yellow , are quite beyond justification . Mr . King's patriotic songs were much applauded , and " Jack ' s Reward " especially delighted the audience .

Vaudeville.

VAUDEVILLE .

THE doubts and misgivings thafc existed on the first appearance of "Saints and Sinners , " lest Mawworm's susceptibilities should prove fatal to Mr . Jones ' s latest production , have not been realisedi The poignant and touching story , and the admirable interpreters ifc haa found in Mr . Thome ' s company , find full and appreciative audiences . Mr . Thome ' s rendering of the gentle old pastor has the

pathos and finish of a picture by Facd . Mr . Macintosh , as Samuel Haggard , has gained still more trenchant individually in bis striking portrait , whilst certain touches suggesting exaggeration havo disappeared . " Saints aud Sinners" will probably run for some months to come .

Canterbury Theatre Of Varieties.

CANTERBURY THEATRE OF VARIETIES .

THE historic Canterbury , the first founded and still facile princeps among music halls , offers to its patrons a very interesting programme . Among the various items we would mention the very quaint and clever tricks Mdlle . Scher . izade puts her trained elephants through . They obey their delicate little mistress with quite touching docility . The Eugenes , in their correct evening dress , do

wonderful things in mid-air , and Colonel Boone aud Miss Carlotta , in their den of lions , supply sensation enough for an antique " Roman Holiday . " The management deserves all praise for proving that fun and amusement at a music hall need have no element of vulgarity in it .

Bro . James Francis , of the Mohawk Minstrels , Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington , announces thafc his thirteenth annual benefit will take place on Thursday , 5 th February .

Messrs Spiers and Pond ' s tender for the refresh mint departments at the forthcoming South Kensington Ex hibifcion has beeu accepted by the Executive Council .

The following Festivals were held at the Freemasons ' Tavern during the week ending 31 st January : — Monday—Old Kings Arms Lodge , Royal Somerset House Lodgo , De Grey and Ripon Lodge . Tuesday—Royal Savoy Lodge , Tuscan Loclgo , Prudent Brethren Lodge . Wednesday—Lodgo of Antiquity , Smeatonian Society . Friday—Shipbrokers Dinner .

"FU"N * "ERALS . -Bros . W . "K . L . & G , A . HUTTON , Coffin Makers and "Undertakers , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . and 7 Heme Villas , Forest Hill Road , Peckham Rye , S . E .