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Article PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. Page 1 of 1 Article TO CORRESPONDENTS. Page 1 of 1
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Public Amusements.
with scarcely any action , and far too frequent recourse is had to that most ineffective of all dramatic forms of speech—the soliloquy . To the acting of the new drama nothing but praise can be given ; it was such as would have carried through successfully a far worse piece . Mr . AVebster had bestowed his usual care on the part of Sir Andrew , and elaborated it from beginning to end with that attention to minute points which is is so characteristic of his acting . To Mr . Toole was allotted the only part in the piece which is invested
with strong individuality , and although out of his general line , Mr . Toole gave such an air of reality to a very clear perception as to render it the most prominent and effective feature in the drama . The sly , stealthy manner , the obsequiousness , and the strong will of an unscrupulous plotter were depicted to the life . The piece was admirably got up , the dresses are correet and characteristic , and the new scenery beautiful ; indeed a moonlight scene , in which
the Thames is seen rippling in the moonbeams , whilst lig ht clouds float over the moon , excited so demonstratively the approbation of the audience , that Mr . Beverley was compelled to make his appearance upon the stage . Hogarth's well known "March to Finchley " and his " England , " were embodied in tableaux , in which every well-known feature of these popular prints was represented with the utmost fidelity and with excellent effect . Every leading feature in the drama was loudly applauded , aud at its closethe performers were called for , and Mr . AVebster , in person , announced that the author was in Paris .
HAYMARKET A phase of social annoyance has been felicitously chosen by Mr . Tom Taylor as the basis of his new comedy , "The Babes in theAA ood " which was produced at this theatre on Saturday evening . The title , however , is not suggestive of the subject , scarcely appropriate to it , and derives its only relevancy from an allusion in one of the last speeches to our old friends the robins of the nursery tale . The situation of a young couple in hih lifeclandestinely married and
g , suddenly , through the obduracy of parents , thrown entirely on their own resources , is a good starting point for a comedy ; and , if the promise of excellence is not fulfilled , it is owing perhaps as much to the leniency of a public who are accustomed to receive approvingly whatever is placed before them , than to any want of talent in an author whose successes probably have encouraged him to believe that whatever he writes will be accepted without questionand that the careful elaboration of an ideaor skilful
con-, , struction of a plot , would be altogether thrown away upon audiences who do not take the trouble to discriminate so long as their laughter is excited and their fancy tickled . The result was that the reception of " The Babes in the Wood" was not altogether unequivocal ; and a very considerable curtailment will be necessary to ensure it such an amount of popularity as the previous productions of the author have attained to . There is so much excellence in Mr . Taylor ' s dramas , that it is deeply to be regretted
that he should be induced to place before the public works which bear marks of careless execution , and on which he has not permitted himself to do justice to his great and unquestioned talent for dramatic writing .
LYCEUM A new drama was produced here on Monday night , named " Adrienne ; or , The Secret of a Life , " and although pronounced to be entirely new and original , is constructed closely on French models . Nor is this to be objected to , nor is it detrimental to success . To have attained so much closeness in construction , and the art of bringing out situations so strongly , is extremely creditable to the
author , who is understood to be a Mr . Ledie , not unknown to the stage , although this may be his first appearance as a writer for it . Adrienne de Beaupre , the heroine of the new drama , is placed at the commencement in a similar situation as the heroine of Hawthorn's recent novel of Transformation- ; she is mixed up with artist life in Rome , and is at the mercy of a man , Eugene de Grassac , who is acquainted with some secret of her early life , the exposition of which he holds over her in terror , and is ultimately saved from his
wiles by his death , through the agency of a faithful creole servant . Adrienne , is , of of course , played by Madame Celeste , and is another instance of the romantic and picturesque portraiture of character which she knows so well how to display , and of that expressive action which gives life and force to all her personations . The writing of this drama is close and vigorous , and the situations are dramatically worked up so as to command and fix the attention of the audience . The scenery and dresses are all characteristic and in
good taste , and the groupings capitally arranged ; some of the tableaux , whether composed only of the principal performers or of numerous characters , are strikingly effective ; nor is the drama open to the imputation of extreme length , which is so objectionable in some recent productions .
Notes On Music And The Drama.
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .
It is doubtful whether the Amateur Concerts will be resumed this year . There is a rumour of a new opera , by Mr . F . Clay , which is destined for public performance . The "Bohemian Girl" is in rehearsal at Her Majesty ' s Theatre . About once in a twelvemonth , says the Alhenaium , " L'Africaine . " by M . Meyerbeer , is dangled , by way of a topic of curiosity , in the eyes of wistful opera-goers , even as " Le Prophcte" was during thirteen years of
Sweet , reluctant , amorous delay , before it was at last given to the public . The rumour of 1860 about " L'Africaine , " is , that she has changed her name , and it is to be called " A asco di Gama ; " that a new tenor , Hcrr Niemann , is now looked to as the principal personage , and not the prima donna , for whom , as we have heard , season after season , the composer has been waiting , and for whose exhibition a perfectly original fifth act had been provided . " They say , " further , that
the opera is to be reserved for the opening of the new Grand Opera House of Paris , yet to be built ; and concerning the building of which so many magnificent reports are flying about in the papers —among others , the large use to be made of the electric telegraph . From the box-office wires are to radiate to the principal hotels in order that travellers arriving in the French capital may take places with the speed of a flash of lightning . A \ e understand that a personal biography of Beethoven , by an
American amateur , who has for many years past been engaged on the task , may shortly be expected . " II Matrimonio" has -been revived at the Italian Opera in Paris , with some small displacement of the music . The Sainte-Cecile Mass in the Church of St . Eustache , Paris , this year , is to be a new composition by Signor Bonetti . In the great singing festival , held at Liege on the 30 th of last monthmore than 2000 voices—FrenchBeliansGermans— -took
, , , g , part . The first prize was carried off by the Concordia Society o Aix-la-Chapelle . A prima donna , who was to be heard at the Theatre San Carlo , a couple of years ago , and then favourably reported on , Signora Fioretti has been "translated" to St . Petersburg ; she is said to have satisfied the public in " 11 Pnritani . " Cherubim's "Medea , " which contains some of the grandest tragic music in existence , is about to be revived at the Carl Theatre in
Alenna . The revival of M . Chelard ' s opera of " Macbeth , " another work of much merit in the eclectic style , which took place not long- since at A'iena has been successful , if the papers are to be trusted . There are two Italian operas now at Berlin , for one of which M . Faure is engaged . Mr . Henry Buckland is organising a choir for the St . Paul ' s special Sunday evening services , which will be commenced in a few weeks .
A Baden journal gives the following statement of the subventions granted to German theatres by the sovereigns of the respective countries . The Imperial Theatre Ande Burg , at Vienna , S 00 , 000 fl . ; the Berlin Royal Theatre , 030 , 00011 . ; Dresden , 300 , 000 fl . ; Munich , 290 , 000 ( 1 . ; Hanover , 210 , 000 fi ; Stuttgart , 175 , 00011 . ; and Carlsruhe , 150 , 000 ( 1 . Theatres of Darmstadt , Cassel , AViesbaden , AA ' ehnar , Cobnrg , Schwerin are also amply subventioned and the municipal theatres , such as that of Manheim , with its
100 , 000 ( 1 . allowed by the town , are also liberally treated . The first theatrical representation this season at AVindsor Castle , before Her Majesty and Court , is commanded for the 20 th inst ., when the Adelphi company ( assisted by Mr . and Mrs . AVigan ) will perform " lei on Parle Francais" and "Masks and Faces . " The whole arrangements are under the judicious and gentlemanly control of Mr . Don ue , who gave so much satisfaction to all concerned , in past representations . The Adelphi and St . James's Theatres will necessarily be closed on the 29 th inst . —Era .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
EBEATUM . —The compositor , in correcting the Editor ' s proof of the Grand Stewards' Lodge last week , made two errors instead of one previously existing , thus : —Bro . Havers was called Bro . Harris , and Bro . Evans Bro . Eavers . RANELAGH LODGE , —Our report of the consecration of this lodge shall appear next week . B . B . —AA e never heard such nonsens " . . T . J . —Pure Parrot-work is not difficult
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Public Amusements.
with scarcely any action , and far too frequent recourse is had to that most ineffective of all dramatic forms of speech—the soliloquy . To the acting of the new drama nothing but praise can be given ; it was such as would have carried through successfully a far worse piece . Mr . AVebster had bestowed his usual care on the part of Sir Andrew , and elaborated it from beginning to end with that attention to minute points which is is so characteristic of his acting . To Mr . Toole was allotted the only part in the piece which is invested
with strong individuality , and although out of his general line , Mr . Toole gave such an air of reality to a very clear perception as to render it the most prominent and effective feature in the drama . The sly , stealthy manner , the obsequiousness , and the strong will of an unscrupulous plotter were depicted to the life . The piece was admirably got up , the dresses are correet and characteristic , and the new scenery beautiful ; indeed a moonlight scene , in which
the Thames is seen rippling in the moonbeams , whilst lig ht clouds float over the moon , excited so demonstratively the approbation of the audience , that Mr . Beverley was compelled to make his appearance upon the stage . Hogarth's well known "March to Finchley " and his " England , " were embodied in tableaux , in which every well-known feature of these popular prints was represented with the utmost fidelity and with excellent effect . Every leading feature in the drama was loudly applauded , aud at its closethe performers were called for , and Mr . AVebster , in person , announced that the author was in Paris .
HAYMARKET A phase of social annoyance has been felicitously chosen by Mr . Tom Taylor as the basis of his new comedy , "The Babes in theAA ood " which was produced at this theatre on Saturday evening . The title , however , is not suggestive of the subject , scarcely appropriate to it , and derives its only relevancy from an allusion in one of the last speeches to our old friends the robins of the nursery tale . The situation of a young couple in hih lifeclandestinely married and
g , suddenly , through the obduracy of parents , thrown entirely on their own resources , is a good starting point for a comedy ; and , if the promise of excellence is not fulfilled , it is owing perhaps as much to the leniency of a public who are accustomed to receive approvingly whatever is placed before them , than to any want of talent in an author whose successes probably have encouraged him to believe that whatever he writes will be accepted without questionand that the careful elaboration of an ideaor skilful
con-, , struction of a plot , would be altogether thrown away upon audiences who do not take the trouble to discriminate so long as their laughter is excited and their fancy tickled . The result was that the reception of " The Babes in the Wood" was not altogether unequivocal ; and a very considerable curtailment will be necessary to ensure it such an amount of popularity as the previous productions of the author have attained to . There is so much excellence in Mr . Taylor ' s dramas , that it is deeply to be regretted
that he should be induced to place before the public works which bear marks of careless execution , and on which he has not permitted himself to do justice to his great and unquestioned talent for dramatic writing .
LYCEUM A new drama was produced here on Monday night , named " Adrienne ; or , The Secret of a Life , " and although pronounced to be entirely new and original , is constructed closely on French models . Nor is this to be objected to , nor is it detrimental to success . To have attained so much closeness in construction , and the art of bringing out situations so strongly , is extremely creditable to the
author , who is understood to be a Mr . Ledie , not unknown to the stage , although this may be his first appearance as a writer for it . Adrienne de Beaupre , the heroine of the new drama , is placed at the commencement in a similar situation as the heroine of Hawthorn's recent novel of Transformation- ; she is mixed up with artist life in Rome , and is at the mercy of a man , Eugene de Grassac , who is acquainted with some secret of her early life , the exposition of which he holds over her in terror , and is ultimately saved from his
wiles by his death , through the agency of a faithful creole servant . Adrienne , is , of of course , played by Madame Celeste , and is another instance of the romantic and picturesque portraiture of character which she knows so well how to display , and of that expressive action which gives life and force to all her personations . The writing of this drama is close and vigorous , and the situations are dramatically worked up so as to command and fix the attention of the audience . The scenery and dresses are all characteristic and in
good taste , and the groupings capitally arranged ; some of the tableaux , whether composed only of the principal performers or of numerous characters , are strikingly effective ; nor is the drama open to the imputation of extreme length , which is so objectionable in some recent productions .
Notes On Music And The Drama.
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .
It is doubtful whether the Amateur Concerts will be resumed this year . There is a rumour of a new opera , by Mr . F . Clay , which is destined for public performance . The "Bohemian Girl" is in rehearsal at Her Majesty ' s Theatre . About once in a twelvemonth , says the Alhenaium , " L'Africaine . " by M . Meyerbeer , is dangled , by way of a topic of curiosity , in the eyes of wistful opera-goers , even as " Le Prophcte" was during thirteen years of
Sweet , reluctant , amorous delay , before it was at last given to the public . The rumour of 1860 about " L'Africaine , " is , that she has changed her name , and it is to be called " A asco di Gama ; " that a new tenor , Hcrr Niemann , is now looked to as the principal personage , and not the prima donna , for whom , as we have heard , season after season , the composer has been waiting , and for whose exhibition a perfectly original fifth act had been provided . " They say , " further , that
the opera is to be reserved for the opening of the new Grand Opera House of Paris , yet to be built ; and concerning the building of which so many magnificent reports are flying about in the papers —among others , the large use to be made of the electric telegraph . From the box-office wires are to radiate to the principal hotels in order that travellers arriving in the French capital may take places with the speed of a flash of lightning . A \ e understand that a personal biography of Beethoven , by an
American amateur , who has for many years past been engaged on the task , may shortly be expected . " II Matrimonio" has -been revived at the Italian Opera in Paris , with some small displacement of the music . The Sainte-Cecile Mass in the Church of St . Eustache , Paris , this year , is to be a new composition by Signor Bonetti . In the great singing festival , held at Liege on the 30 th of last monthmore than 2000 voices—FrenchBeliansGermans— -took
, , , g , part . The first prize was carried off by the Concordia Society o Aix-la-Chapelle . A prima donna , who was to be heard at the Theatre San Carlo , a couple of years ago , and then favourably reported on , Signora Fioretti has been "translated" to St . Petersburg ; she is said to have satisfied the public in " 11 Pnritani . " Cherubim's "Medea , " which contains some of the grandest tragic music in existence , is about to be revived at the Carl Theatre in
Alenna . The revival of M . Chelard ' s opera of " Macbeth , " another work of much merit in the eclectic style , which took place not long- since at A'iena has been successful , if the papers are to be trusted . There are two Italian operas now at Berlin , for one of which M . Faure is engaged . Mr . Henry Buckland is organising a choir for the St . Paul ' s special Sunday evening services , which will be commenced in a few weeks .
A Baden journal gives the following statement of the subventions granted to German theatres by the sovereigns of the respective countries . The Imperial Theatre Ande Burg , at Vienna , S 00 , 000 fl . ; the Berlin Royal Theatre , 030 , 00011 . ; Dresden , 300 , 000 fl . ; Munich , 290 , 000 ( 1 . ; Hanover , 210 , 000 fi ; Stuttgart , 175 , 00011 . ; and Carlsruhe , 150 , 000 ( 1 . Theatres of Darmstadt , Cassel , AViesbaden , AA ' ehnar , Cobnrg , Schwerin are also amply subventioned and the municipal theatres , such as that of Manheim , with its
100 , 000 ( 1 . allowed by the town , are also liberally treated . The first theatrical representation this season at AVindsor Castle , before Her Majesty and Court , is commanded for the 20 th inst ., when the Adelphi company ( assisted by Mr . and Mrs . AVigan ) will perform " lei on Parle Francais" and "Masks and Faces . " The whole arrangements are under the judicious and gentlemanly control of Mr . Don ue , who gave so much satisfaction to all concerned , in past representations . The Adelphi and St . James's Theatres will necessarily be closed on the 29 th inst . —Era .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
EBEATUM . —The compositor , in correcting the Editor ' s proof of the Grand Stewards' Lodge last week , made two errors instead of one previously existing , thus : —Bro . Havers was called Bro . Harris , and Bro . Evans Bro . Eavers . RANELAGH LODGE , —Our report of the consecration of this lodge shall appear next week . B . B . —AA e never heard such nonsens " . . T . J . —Pure Parrot-work is not difficult