182 

 THE THEATRE. 



Since our last observations on the performances of the Plymouth 

 company were published, several novelties have been brought 

 forward ; but we regret very much to say, that the support which 

 they met with on the part of the public was not a tithe of what 

 they deserved — whether we regard the intrinsic merit of the 

 pieces or the exertions of the actors. 



" Secret Service," a two act piece, by (we believe) Planche, 

 gives some insight into the means adopted by Napoleon, during 

 his consulate, of acquiring a secret knowledge of every thing 

 passing around him. Fouch^ his minister of Police, and numer- 

 ous subsidiary spies, were, as is pretty well known, the instru- 

 ments. The interest of this drama depends upon the circumstance 

 of an old Cur^ bein;? engaged to act as a spy and actually doing 

 so — through the diplomatic skill of f ouche's secretary — without 

 being at all aware of the service he is engaged in. The Cure has 

 passed his life far from Metropolitan scheming; — he is ignorant 

 of the world, and full of simplicity, benevolent in thought^ and 

 much attached to good feeding, and true religion. The incidents 

 which are brought about by the singular situation of this pious 

 priest, are highly interesting as well as amusing. The character 

 was supported by Wilton, who did not perform badly. 



IJield, as Fouch6, entered well into the spirit of his part, and 

 was highly successful : Horsman was not less so as his Secretary, 

 the character suited him exactly. 



It is not in the power of a Provincial Manager to engage a 

 company so numerous that each actor may choose his parts, and 

 appear in none which he knows to be unfitted for him. Mr. 

 Horsman has much ability in a certain range of characters — in 

 some he is perfectly natural and just; but from being obliged, 

 by a necessity which cannot be avoided, to sustain parts for which 

 he is totally unfit, and in which he knows he must fail : a 

 prejudice is very often formed against him, which honest criticism 

 ought to deprecate. 



In addition tg its innate interest, "Secret Service'* derives 

 another attraction from its scenic arrangement, which is on a plan 

 new to the Plymouth theatre, and has a very striking effect. 



" Rural Felicity," that is to say, rural infelicity, is a clever 

 affair of little Buckstone's. It is a most laughable developement 

 of the effects of village scandal; all the rurals seem to endure a 

 transmigration of Paul Pry's soul into their several bosoms, and 

 to do tlieir utmost in making themselves, and all around them 

 ludicrously miserable. The piece is a school for scandal, on a 

 small scale. 



All the performers actt'd with spirit, and were greeted with 

 much applause. 



** Married Life," is the gem of the new attractions. It can 

 hardly be designated by the title of a comedy ; but we mistake 



