THE THEATRES.
MANAGERS ought to know their own business best, but their proceedings aS registered in the playbills are puzzling to lookers-on. They appear never prepared against a possible failure, nor ready to follow up a certain success. The proverbial improvidence of players is matched by the short-sighted policy of those who engage them. Sufficient unto the day is the fortune thereof," seems to be the philosophy of all concerned in the business of the stage. Their " book of fate" is the chapter of accidents; their motto, " Luck's all." Since the attraction of Time Works Wonders ceased at the Haymarket, and the Green Busies of the Adelphi have fallen into the sere, there has been no attempt to produce another original comedy of sterling merit, or a burletta cleverly adapted nom the French. Interludes and af- terpicees have done duty for leading dramas alternately with trashy trans- lations and stock plays imperfectly cast. A good comedy is not to be had for advertising, much less fbr asking; but it is known that the most popular dramatist of the day, Sheridan Knowles, has one written; and there is no lack of adepts at adaptation among dramatic authors. Perhaps managers consider that the flood of prosperity must have its ebb; and it being just now low-water, we mayexpect the tide to turn shortly.
This week, there have been two "revivals," as it is the fashion to term them. At the Haymarket, Hudson has been playing Power's famous part of King the difference between the two performances being made more con- spicuous by the directness of the indtatiou. Hudson has caught the trick of Power's manner; but he gives a hard, coarse copy of peculiarities that had very little share in producing his prototype's inimitable personations of Irish character. The imitator has neither the ease, address, and humorous gayety of the original, nor his refined art.
At the Lyceum, the favourite burlesque of the Forty Thieves has been re- produced. Mrs. Keeley as Morgiana, Miss Fairbrother as the exquisite Captain of Banditti, Keeley as Kazarac, and Wigan as Mustopha, are as amusing as before; and the evolutions of forty pair of pink legs are a powerful attraction. A young vocalist, Miss Hodson, made her debat on this occasion; and was well received. She possesses a handsome person and a sweet and powerful voice; and we shall be glad to find that her race easionally false intonation was attributable to the nervousness of a first appearance,—though the fair debutante seemed to retain her self-possession.
Drury Lane is advertised to open on Saturday next. The programme announces the engagement of Jenny Lind-(?) se well as Anna Millen. Meyerbeer's Camp of SileAria is promised; besides new operas by Donizetti, Benedict, and a Mr. Wallace, a new "native" composer. Henry Phillips reappears, in lieu of Stretton; and Allen supersedes King. Two new vocal- ists, Miss Helen Lane and an anonymous tenor, are to make their &bets; and the operatic corps includes Misses Rainforth, Romer, and Poole, and Messrs. Harrison, Borrani, Burdini, and Weiss. The corps de ballet likewise musters strong; and an entirely new ballet, La Fille de Marbre, with music by Adolphe Adam, will be brought out, in addition to the Parisian productions. Dumilatre, Plunkett, and Petipa, and two new dan- cers from the Academie Royale, will be supported by the popular panto- uiimists Payne, Wieland, Howell, and the Risleys. Altogether, the array of talent; s imposing both for opera and ballet; all the best English per- formers being engaged, as well as foreign artistes.
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