14 MAY 1853, Page 12

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A new impulse has been given to the performances at the St. James's Theatre by the engagement of M. Regnier; who, in a little piece called Le DonhoMme Tadis, gives a picture of a gay, warmhearted old Frenchman, which is a perfect masterpiece of freshness and reality. M. Regnier is one of those few actors who combine the finish of Paris with the strong comic force of London, and is therefore equally admired in both capitals; so that even persons who are cold to French acting in general can appre- ciate the merits of this inimitable comedian. The revival of Les Demoi- selles de 8t. Cyr has been one of the results of the engagement ; and this most amusing of long plays is admirably acted by MM. Regnier and La- font and Mademoiselle Madeleine Bretton.