The Theatres.

The Theatres .

To a great extent we are cref . turcs . of custom , and do what others do . Just now it is thc ordinary small talk " Have yoa seen Mrs . Langtry on the stage ? " and we suppose , for the next few months , the Haymarket will be crowded with people going to see Mrs . Langtry , because it is the fashion to go . They certainly will not lind their time wasted who spend an evening at this theatre . Wc ourselves were , perhaps , if anything , a little prejudiced , for vve do

not altogether rare for so-called " professional beauties : therefore vve were not biassed in favour of this lady whose name is so well known . But , say what one will , if one tells the truth , anil Masons must do that , there is no denyin"" it , Mrs . Langtry will make her mark on the stage . We are now dealing with her only in her capacity ns an actress , and , considering that lately she was an amateur , every one must admire the talent she displays . We

do not like to be on with the new love before vve are off with Ihe old , and vve must place Mrs . Lan " -try after Mrs . Bancroft . Of course the latter has been " at it for many yeais . We are forced to agree , whether vve will or not , with the leading daily journals and most of our contemporaries , that it is well such talent should not lie hidden .. After several attempts we succeeded in getting a seat , owing to the kindness of

the Bancroft ' s courteous and genial business manager , . Mr . C . Waller . We secured the last seat , the next applicant vvas told all the scats were booked for ten days . We wonder Bro . Bancroft does not insist on evening dress being worn in the best parts of his house , now the theatre is so handsome and takes its place second to none . Mr . Robertson's " Ours " is being played just now for the last time under the direction of the Bancrofts . Illanehe Have

is a young lady in love with a young ollieer , Angus McAlister , but her guardians . Sir A . anil Lady Sheiidryn wish her to marry a very rich but old Russian , Prince Peronskv . Mr . Chalcot has asked her , but had a refusal , which he afterwards thinks a lucky escape . He is a rich brewer , who has never done a stroke of work iu his life , having had all left by an uncle and other relations . Ileisa kind-hearted sort of man , such as one often meets ;

who wishes he could do some good in the world , but fritters away life , though not in vice , in fact in doing nothing . Having held a commission in the militia he is told by Mary . Xetley , Miss llnye ' s friend , lu bad lietter volunteer for active service , which he does . On the outbreak of the Crimean War , Sir Alex , under Slteiidevn and Mr . McAlister arc ordered abroad with their regiment ' s , and the closing of the second

act is a thrilling scene , in which they bid good-bye , whilst the hand strikes up the martial music In this Mrs . Langtry is at her best , and makes the most of her part . She gives Angus a locket from her neck as a keepsake , then goes to the Window , and , Willi Mary . Vi-, / IT , waves her handkerchief until the soldiers arc out of sight . She then falls into the arms of Lady Sheiidryn , in grief at losing her lover . My lady is a woman of the world , and tills lllniiclte " marriage

is one of those blessings which cannot be avoided , " and it is woman's mission to get married to subdue her husband . The two young ladies promise the orderly-sergeant , ' J . iues , to look after Mrs . yours and her children while he is away —Mrs . yonrs has just presented him with twins , a boy and a girl . ' Jones has had eight boys before , and remarks , they maf ; e thc best soldiers . A subscription is got up for Mrs . Jones . 'The Russian prince puts his name down for

a good sum ; ( 'lulled is asked , but refuses , thinking that such women should not be encouraged , but on the quiet he slips a jf . ' so note in yones ' s hand , hoping it won ' t get into the papers . 'The prince bids adieu to . l // v . v Ilnye , and tells her that his mission to ICngland was not diplomatic , but matrimonial , but on the outbreak of war he has to leave the ( oimtry . In Act III . vve have the interior of a Crimean

hut . Clinlcot Ins been wounded in an early engagement , and now looks after the cooking ' . The three ladies suddenly ( urn up , wanting to see their relatives and friends . Whilst Lady Sheiidryn and Miss llnye go to find Sir Alexander . ind McAlister , Miss Xdley is left in the hut with Clinlcot , and helps him with preparing the dinner . She proposes a roly-poly pudding , a thing not seen iu the campaign , though the sergeant had tried his hand at one .

but instead of marmalade he put in t'h . deal ' s salve for his wounded leg , so it was a failure . Clinical and Mary Xetl-y , who in ICngland were always quarrelling , now fall in love . Much amusement is oauscei to Ihe audience by the two young ladies playing at soldiers ; both want to be ollicers , and give the winds of command . " Who ' s to obey . " " Mnv asks ; " Neither , " says I . ' . ' . niche . Sir A . Sheiidryn and Hindi , who have been III the front of the battle of

Sebastopol , enter the hut . Sir Alexander anel his lady are reconciled , by a misunderstanding nn her part being cleared up satisfactorily . lUaitehc declares her love to Hugh and her hatred of the old Russian Prince , and Chalcot atid . l // ij AV // c . i'proclaiiiis their betrothal . Pressureonourspace prevents our doing real justice lo "Ours . " It is admirably played . What is so charming is not only the line scenery —especially the first act in the wood—but the careful

attention given to every detail throughout . Mrs . Langtry , who plays Illanehe Have , we have already spoken of ; vve can only say of her now , that in spite of everything , she must become one of the leading actresses of the day . Of Mrs . Bancroft , Mary Xdley , no words of ours could add to her popularity . It has been sustained for many years , and vve hope for many more to come . She makes her part appear far more important than any one else would do . Mr .

Pinero , as Sir Alexander , is excellent . Bro . Bancroft , as Hugh Clinlcot , is another of 0111 brother's successes . Mr . Arthur Cecil , thel'riuee , Mr . Brooklield , Serjeant yours , and Mr . Conway , Angus McAlister , deserve all the * praise we can give them . Even such an aristocratic audience as the Haymarket gave vent to audible applause at the close in the second act . We noticed the ICarl of Dudley and his beautiful Countess amongst the audience .

The Olympic lias recently been rc-opened , und vve hope fortune will conic to its new lessee , Miss L . Telhin . It may be recollected a country gentleman lied arranged to open it , and had obtained Ihe services of a manager and got together a company , but on the eve of producing the new piece , the gentleman died of heart disease , supposed to have been brought on by excitement Miss Trillin has now become the adventuress , and for a short while will place before the public Bro . G . R . Sims' " Member for

The Theatres.

Slocum , " which was so successful last spring at the Royalty , and is now being played in the provinces . Miss Telbin ' s Ari'thusn , is almost superior to that of Miss Kate l . awler , and the Oncsimiis Epps , Memberof Parliament for Slocum , of Mr . Irish , is belter played than we have seen it by any one else . Mr . Irish makes his part shine in the comedv , introducing many happy phrases and gestures . 'This farcical comedy is preceeled by " Ten minutes for

Refreshment" in which Miss Harriet Coveney and Mr . I ) . Somers play well . We hope theatre goers will not forget the Olympic , because it is not quite in the Strand . Wc think Miss Telbin deserves support , but n > doubt the house must always suffer on account of its being placed a little back from the main thoroughfare , and there being so many counter attractions at the various new theatres . The Olympic once vvas a paying house , may it be so again .

After being - played for over 4511 tunes , ' * Olivette " will be withdrawn from the Strand to-day ( Saturday ) . The house will be re-opened on Saturday next , the 11 th inst ., with a new opera adapted from " La Jour et la Nuit , " entitled "Manilo /' ns announced in our columns some months ago . Bro . Swanborough has engaged the services of Miss Irene Verona . Our readers will remember

our very favourable criticism of this talenteel young lady in our issue of the Freemason a few weeks since , in the character of Serpole / tc , in " Les Cloches de Corneville . " She has since Christmas been playing Dick ll'lii / tingloii , in the pantomime at Liverpool . Bro . Swanborough must

be of our way of thinking regarding her , having bought her off her engagement to bring her to Loudon . We ventured at the time to say it would not be lung before she was seen in London again . We are sure "Manilo " will be popular , even before wc have seen it .

Bro . Ajrustus I tarns and Mr . Pellet are alread y engaged in writing a new drama to be produced at Drury Lane in the autumn . In consequence of the success of the pantomime , it will bc kept running until the opera season commences , there being no need to change it for " Youth , " as originally intended . Some people are making money as theatrical lessees .

; i : t a M . Marins and Miss St . John will open the new Avenue Theatre in March , with " Madame Favart , " Miss St . John resuming her old character as played by her at the Strand for more than a year .

a fc < s 11 is proposed to establish a School of Or . imatic Art , in which a complete dramatic training in all its branches may be obtained at a moderate cost by theise wishing to adopt the stage as a profession . The stage is rapidly becoming one of the recognised professions for those who have talent As Lord Houghton said lately ,

"We put our sons and daughters into the profession ; " and at the Haymarket there are now playing tin : daughter oi a dean , the son of a canon , anil the son of another clergyman , and three others born of g > od families , and it continually is to bc found that many graduates of the universities become actors . It is felt that there is in ICngland an increasing necessity for an institution as a dramatic school .

An influential committee has been formed to take the necessary step' for its establishment 'The committee includes Bro . the ICarl of Rosslyn , Past Grand Master of Scottish Freemasons , Bro . the ICarl of Wharnelilfe , the ICail of Lytton , Sir Coutts Lindsay , the Hon Lewis Winglield , Bro . Henry Irving , Mr . Carl Rosa , Mr . G . A . Sala , Mr . Alfred lennyson , Bro . the ICarl of Lathom , Bro . J . I .

'Toole , Lord Rowton , Bro . Lionel Biough , Mr . David James , Mr . John Clayton , and Mr . Wilson Barrett . A ladies committee has also been formed , consisting of the ( Countess Duice , Lady Theodore Martin , Miss Fanny Keinhle , Lady Shelley , Miss Anna Swanwick , Mrs , John Wood , Mrs . Stirling , and Mrs . W . II . Kendal . Many talented members of the profession have promised their co-operation in the scheme . It is propo'cd to raise /' soon

to carry on the institution for four years , after which time it is expected to beconie self-supporting . Unless the money is raised the school will not be started . Considering the prominent position the stage has taken irp during the last fifteen years , vve think it right to have its own training college as other professions and occupations . It will also be open to persons wishing to learn the art of speaking anil reading in public . All information can be obtained from Mr . Cecil Raleigh , 35 , York-strict , Portnian-square .

Music.

Music .

'The principal fact to be recorded in connection with Her Majesty's Theatre is the production last Saturday of Ball ' e ' s " . \ loro ; or the Painter of Antwerp , " an adaptation of that composer ' s " Piltorcof Duca , " which was performed at Trieste , in 1 S 3 O . The English adaptation is by-. Mr . W . A . Barrett , who has fullilled his task well and appropriately , while the music is of a somewhat more ambitious character than is usually to be met with in Mr . Balfe ' s operas . The

verdict of the audience which enjoyed on Saturday the privijege of hearing the Iirst presentation in ICngland of the new work was , in all respects , favourable , and justiliesone ill believing that its place in the repertory of English opera is firmly established . The iieiformanci , which vvas conducted by Bro . Carl Rosa in person , was from Iirst to last successful , and nothing could have been better than

the manner in which it vvas placed upon the stage . 'The part of Moro was played by Bro Barton McGuckin , wilh Madame Alwina Valleria as O . iv . i Cam pa 11 a , and Mr , Crotty as the Duke of Alva ; I ' nrgus the I hike ' s secretary , Orsini , the Italian Ambassador , and D . nina Inez , the Lady Superior of the Nunnery , were entrusted to Mr . Dudley Thomas , Mr . Herbert b'ICgville , and Miss Giulia Warwick . All the artistes put forth Iheirbest exertions ,

anel 111 a manner the most successful , as was abundantl y testified to by the hearty applause of the audience . In the case of Madame Valleria , indeed , the triumph vvas the more genuine , as she was suffering from serious indisposition ; while , in both their singing' and acting-, Bro ,

McGuckin and Mr . Crotty played with excellent effect . 'The greeting which Bro . Carl Rosa experienced on presenting himself for the first time during two years as the conductor of his own orchestra was , as may be imagined , of the heartiest character , thc applause being again and again renewed ; nor must vve omit to mention that both

Music.

chorus and orchestra contributed their share to thc general success of the evening . fc * * 'Two other events deserve to bc nolicctl— Mr . 15 . Davies , a promising young tenor , and till recently a pupil eif the Royal Academy of Music , made a most successful first appearance in the part of Tliiiddcus in " The

Bohemian Girl , " on Wednesday ; and the evening foliowin" - Miss La Rue achieved a great triumph as Carmen , in the opera bearing that name , her performance exhibiting an unusual degree of merit , while her singing was marked by great intelligence . Mr . IC C Parkanl ' played Don ' Jose for the first time in London , and Miss Julia Gavlord repeated her delightful impersonation of Micueln .

Yesterday ( Friday ) the opera of " Million " vvas to be repeated , and to-day ( Saturday ) will be given , at the morning performance , Wagner ' s " Flying Dutchman , " and at the evening " Maritana . " 'Thai distinguished operatic .-mist , M . F .-uirc , has had the decoration of the Legion of Honour conferred upon him .

Next week there will be several musical attractions . On Monday Mr . Hamilton , who is considered the Iirst representative of Scottish song of the present day , will appear for the Iirst time for a short season of three weeks at the Steinway Hall , under the patronage of the Royal Highland Society of London . Bro . Sims Reeves ' s second concert is fixed for 'Tuesday , at S p . m ., at St . James ' s

Hall . On Wednesday there will be a performance ] at the Royal Albert Hall , by the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society , of Mendelssohn ' s "Hymn of Praise , " and Rossini ' s " Stabat Mater ; " and on Tin rsday will take place , at St . James ' s , the Philharmonic Society ' s first concert of the season , when Beethoven ' s "Choral Synrphony " will bc given .

Bro . Herr Mfiller . of Hull , Professor of Music , has just composed an effective p iece of drawing-room music for the pianoforte . It is admirably adapted for that use , and will take its rank with the best compositions of its class . It is also _ exceedingly well . suited for the entertainment of brethren 111 the Fourth Degree . On these grounds , we anticipate it will soon achieve a hi gh place among

popular lavountcs . The title of the piece is a "Souvenir de Niagara , " and it is dedicated to the President of the l . ' nited States . 'There is abundant scope for the display of the attractive features of the work -general brilliancy , wilh an underlying melody in a pleasing variety of expi ' ession . Bro . Midler has done himself much credit in this effort , and

has shown that be is possessed of the special talent i of the composer to a very high elegiee . Wc feel sure that a " Souvenir de Niagara * ' will be welcomed as warmly by the general public as it has been b y Bro . Midler ' s musical friends . The publishers are Messrs . Chappcll anil Co ., , 0 , New Bond-street .

1 liree new works possessino- some pretensions to importance were introduced to tiie public at the concert given r . n Monday evening b y Mr . IC . II . Thorne , in the concert-room of the Royal Academy of Music . Allium C minor for pianoforte " , violin , and violoncello , by Mr . Thome himself , headed the list , and showing , as it did , that the composer possesses undoubted meritswas

ex-, tremely well received . The executants were Mr . Thorne , Mr . II . Holmes , and a violoncellist ailing a , substitute for Signor Pezze . Later in the evening another novelty vvas given , in the shape of a sonata in D . major for pianoforte and violin , the author being a Mr . Algernon Ashton ,

formerly a chorister at Durham Cathedral , and latel y a pupil at the Conservatoire , at Leipsic Mr . A-hton , at the p iano , and Mr . Holmes ( violin ) wen- the interpreters , and they acquitted themselves extremely well . Ihe sonata elicited loud and vvcll-mcrilcd applause from the audience , the composition being admirable and well worthy of encouragement .

Science And Art.

Science and Art .

I'lirther proj-ress is liciiijr made wilh the Flectrie Li g ht Exhibition at the Crystal Palace . 'The corridors and stairs leading from the Lower Level Railway Station to the refreshment room iu the South Transept are now lighted by thc Hammond Company with forty-seven kircc arc Indus

of 2000 candle power each , and Mr . Strode has illuminated his portion of the nave with four M'Kciizie arc lights , each of over the same power . A display of torpedoes and other electric gear , sent by the War Department , is also on exhibition .

The'in-il report of the committee cf the recent International and Sanitary Exhibition was presented on Saturday to the Executive ' at the Parkes' Museum by Mr . Judge , the Secretary , and showed a most satisfactory financial result ; the profit to the Museum f .- om the exhibition

being- £ 1120 . It was determined to take steps in connection with University College for building an addition to the north wing of the College , " for the purposes of the Museum and other matters in connection with its maintenance and management .

* * » A Society for Proyidintr Sanitary ,-itul Humane Methods of Killing Animals for Food has ' been established , and Bro . Dr . R . W . Richardson has been appointed its President 'The aim of the Society is to establish public slaiighter-houses , with a view to abolishing the rude and painful plan of slaughtering at present in vogue .

* \ i * A meet ing of the members of the lioyal Scottish Academy was held in Edinburgh , on Monday , under the presidency of Mr . Dick Peddie , R . S . A ., M . P ., when Mr . Wm . Feltes Douglas , R . S . A ., was appointed President in succession to the late Sir Daniel Macnee .

; ... It s * It was resolved at a mcetin-r , held at Leeds on Monday afternoon , of the guarantors of the Yorkshire F'ine Art Society , to carry on the society until March , 1 S . S 3 , notwithstanding the association was reported to be ill debt to the extent of . £ 1500 , against which there was a guarantee fund of only / . Goo .