tOratrrs Huh Muir.
A three-act piece, entitled The .Evil Genius, has been produced at the Haymarket Theatre ; where nearly the whole force of the company, and some beautiful scenes, are employed in its representation. As it touches neither the Revile of farce nor the Charybdis of melodrama, critics may allow without' cavil its cãiii 14 be designated a comedy, though its right to the distinction is rather of a negisi.i;:. than of a positive kind. rihe "Evil Genius" of the title is a personage of sciziewhat dubious re- putation, the quondam friend of a man of humble birth, who has made his fortune in the East Indies, and upon whom he now intri:.des .1,1,im- sel4 without showing a wholesome regard for altered relations. he does more than this ; he takes charge of his wealthy friend's son, abandoned by his proud father as the result of an ignoble marriage ; defeats the schemes of all whose views are detrimental to the young man's interests ; and finally makes him known to his parent. The personages assembled at the house of the East Indian afforded an opportunity for varied delineations of character, of which the author, Mr. Bayle Bernard, has scarcely availed himself ; while the story is neither intrinsicall7 interestg nor does it work out any purpose. On the writing great pains have been bestowed ; but, unfortunately, the dialogue rather retards than enlivens the action, its vis comics not being commensurate with its polish. However, much that is wanting ia the author's design is supplied by the execution of the actors ; and though Air. Buckstone has often been more effectively occupied than With the delineation of the "Evil Genius," we rarely see Mr. Comp- ton to such advantage as in the episodical character of an old country postman, nor are so perfectly made acquainted with the native talent of Miss Reynolds, who represents a sprightly. young widow, and is often required rather to create than to find mirth in the situations that fall to her share.
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