Public Amusements.

Fisanio , was sensibly acted by Mr . Edmund Phelps ; and Mr . Walter Lacy as Cloten freed the personation most commendably from those gross extravagances which have been sometimes so liberally indulged in when the part has been recklessly handed over to the recognised low comedian of the theatre . The cunning and ambitious step-mother received from Miss Atkinson a

very conscientious expression of the sinister motives of the Queen ; and the entire play , thus represented in a highly creditable manner , gave the utmost satisfaction to an evidently thoroughly entertained audience . The last distinction it is more necessary to observe , as , notwithstanding the wealth of poetry scattered prodically through every scene , the impression that " Cymbeline "

is a heavy-acting play is sustained iu the popular mind by the infrequency of its representation . The accessories were complete , and , though no pretension was made to an elaborate revival , both scenery and costumes

indicated the care bestowed in securing a general completeness of effect . The text of the library edition of the play has been followed , with certain modifications made for obvious reasons ; and , to avert any accusation of managerial sins of omission , ifc may be sufficient to -mention that the mythological scene , introducing Jupiter and the aged brothers and parents of the dreaming

Fosthumus , had not been presented to an audience in modern times , and that the most rigid sticklers for textual integrity have not been heard to grumble at its absence . The serenade , "Hark , the lark at heaven ' s gate sings , " which Cloten causes to be sung under Imogen ' s window , and which he so aptly describes as a " very excellent , good-conceited thing , after a wonderful

sweet air , Avith admirable rich words to it , " was well rendered in the familiar form of a glee , and the dirge was impressively given afterwards , with tho " soft , plaintive music" that forms its fitting accompaniment . At the end of the second act Mr . Phelps and Mr . Creswick were successively recalled ; and when the curtain finally fell the audience summoned Miss Helen Faucit in addition to receive the now customary compliment .

VICTORIA THEATRE . At this theatre , under the management of Bros . Frampton and Fenton , a new piece , entitled "Life in Lambeth , " was produced on Saturday last in the most praiseworthy manner , the scenery , by Bro . Fenton , being excellently painted . The scene of the " Elephant and Castle on a Winter ' s Night" and the well-managed house

, on fire , brought down thunders of applause . We cannot speak too highly of the acting of Mr . F . Yilliers as the clerk Chizzler , and of Mr . Basil Potter as the Banker . Mr . Tarnold has a comic character allotted to him—that of Hal Fujfybun ,- and his song to the popular tune of the " Organ Grinder" Avas loudly encored . The ladies fulfilled their respective characters with commendable

spirit and ability , the rendering of that of the Banker ' s daughter by Miss Julia Seaman , and the pathos put into the part of Lucy Weathergale , the poor sempstress , leaving nothing to be desired .

CITY OF LONDON THEATRE . Mr . Nelson Lee resumed his managerial duties , and commenced his winter season on Monday , the 10 th . An extraordinary drama of real life , called " The Slaves of London , " introduced several old favourites and some new candidates for popularity in Norton Folgate . The drama is well put upon the stage , under the directionof Mr .

Frederick Marchant . Mr . Nelson Lee"has effected certain alterations conducive to the comfort of his patrons , and has tastefully redecorated his theatre . A good view of the stage is now secured from any part of the house , and the respected lessee ' s care for the convenience of his supporters will no doubt be properly appreciated . Imported noA'elties are announced as in course of preparation .

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC . This justly-popular resort , which has so long and so successfully catered for the instruction aud amusement of its many visitors , under the able direction of Professor Pepper , seems prepared during the present season to provide a series of attractions , which , for variety and interest , are likely to surpass the

entertainment of former years . In addition to the well-known " Ghost" exhibition , the amusing burlesque of Mr . Coote , entitled " Sinbad the Sailor , " and the extraordinary performances of "Paganini ' s Ghost , " which all elicit nightly the applause of crowded audiences , the public is indebted to the talent of Professor Pepper for a very able lecture on optics and acoustics , illustrated by numerous ingenious experiments , which are evidently highly appreciated by the throngs who witness them .

STRAND MUSIC HALL . This new hall ( pedantically called MusickHall ) or such portion of it as is completed , after various delays , was opened on Saturday ; and having witnessed the performance , ive caunot promise the managers a success . until the whole of their arrangements are re-modelled . An official programme states— " The main building as

it at present exists , which constitutes what may be called the Hall proper , covers what was the site of old Exeterchange , and adjacent buildings running E . and W . from , opposite the Lyceum Theatre , iu Wellington-street , Strand , to Catherine-street , where it has a present frontage of seventy feet , from Avhich to Wellington-street the depth is over a hundred and ten feet .

"The company have acquired the land upon which , will ultimately extend the main building to Exeterstreet on the N ., where it will possess a frontage of about sixty feet . " The Hall is approached from the Strand by a building ninety-six feet long , with a frontage of thirty-six feet to the Strand , which contains besides the spacious

corridors and grand staircase saloon ( forming communications from the Strand with all parts of the building ) , commodious and elegant dining aud smoking rooms , Avith Avaiters' serving rooms , and lavatory and dressing rooms for visitors to each ; and immediately communicating with the Hall proper on the ground , balcony , and box floors , refreshment bars or buffets , Avhich will be used as luncheon bars and for the service of the dining

rooms during the day , aud as buffets for the use of the Hall in the evening . " Tho artificial lighting of the Hall is effected through the ceiling , on a system designed by Mr . Keeling . With the exception of the reveals to the ribs , the ceiling is composed of coloured glass in the panels , pure glass prisms in soffits of ribs , and baskets or lanterns ,

composed of prisms , at the intersections . The cast-iron panels in cornice over clerestory brackets are also backed up with sheets of opal glass . There is a total absence in the Hall of gas-fittings , with the exception only of the foot-lights . The space between ceiling and roof formsa lighting chamber , in which all the gas arrangements are contained , Avhich , together Avith those of every

portion of the building , are controlled and regulated iu the valve room , and from this a view of the Hall is obtained through the bay of clerestory windows in the extreme left of the south side of the Hall . " The roof of the building is entirely wrought iron and zinc , constructed Avith lattice principals transversely from east to west , and from the plates forming the tie

beams the ribs of the ceiling are suspended . These ribs are fitted with moulded zinc sash frames to receive the sheets of coloured glass laid loose on broad rebates , and bedded ou india rubber , thus facilitating the removal of the glass for cleaning , overcoming the difficulty of expansion aud contraction , aud obviating by the indiarubber beds the liability to breakage or vibration to which this arrangement would otherwise subject it . The