1829-3 [ 79 ] 



THEATRICAL MATTERS. 



This is the interregnum month of the draiiia ; the great theatres go 

 to their thi-ee months sleep, the little theatres are scarcely opening their 

 eyes after a sleep three times as long. All the grand monde are running 

 after horticultural breakfasts, or running out of town, and all the little 

 monde are either rambling on the roads to gaze at them, as spectators, or 

 running after them as creditors. The summer of London is breaking 

 up, every thing is unsettled for the time, and it is not until every man 

 calling himself a Christian, and chning at half-past seven, has fled from 

 Bond Street, till Almack's shows dusty doors, and the supreme of ton, 

 Villiers Stuart, vacates ike town, that the little theatres will have an 

 audience worthy of the name, or the audience be indulged with any 

 thing beyond the rechauffes of the bygone season. 



In the mean time, let us do justice to Mr. Arnold and his theatre. 

 Why does the law of monopoly prevail to shut up this very handsome, 

 and admirably managed establishment, during the greater portion of the 

 year ? It was established for " the cultivation of music :" and if music 

 be equally enjoyed in the winter, it would be difficult to find a reason for 

 our being deprived of it, in the very place where it is most effectively 

 performed, most exclusively practised, and most advantageously heard. 

 The English Opera House has begun well, and when we recollect, that 

 within its walls we first heard the Freischiitz, and a succession of operas 

 scarcely inferior in power, we feel grateful to the taste and enterprise 

 of its ingenious manager. 



The great theatres have had a difficult season. The parliamentary 

 discusssions absorbed so large a portion of the public interest, that theatres 

 suffered, like every other species of business and recreation. The law 

 courts too bore their share in the evil. Covent Garden had a decree of 

 the Master of the Rolls reversed, by which Kemble and his partners 

 have undone the previous victory of Harris. A suit against Farren for 

 breach of engagement, was also carried, with ^501. damages. But the 

 victor at law may generally exclaim with the Macedonian, " Such 

 another victory would ruin me." 



Drury Lane, after some struggling and some failures, closed the sea- 

 son showily with Masaniello, in which Braham distinguished himself 

 as both actor and singer. Time is absolutely improving Braham's 

 powers : no rival approaches his popularity, and his acting is an evidence 

 of what may be, by natural cleverness, in any department of Ixis pro- 

 fession. 



The Hay market Theatre commenced with "Spring and Autuimi," "The 

 Female Sentinel," "Lodgings for Single Gentlemen," and "John of Paris." 

 The first piece was popular during the last season. It is written with 

 piqtiancy and comic force. Mrs. Glover, Farren, Vining, &c. were 

 again at their posts, and received flattering welcome. 



" The Female Sentinel" introduced some pretty dancing. 



The third piece, written by Poole, is one of his most amusing. 



The entertainments concluded v/ith the musical afterpiece of " John 

 of Paris," Avhich introduced to a London audience ]\Irs. H. Corri, from 

 the Theatre Royal, Dublin, in the character of the Princess of Navarre. 

 Her reception was most flattering. As .in actress, she is remarkable for 

 her demeanour ; and as a singer will become popular. Her voice is a 



