THE THEATRES.
THE theatrical atmosphere, so long stagnant in the Metropolitan region, and stirred only in the suburbs and provinces by flittings to and fro of popular performers, now begins to vibrate to sounds of preparation and reports of the proceedings of managers. As yet, however, there is little for the press to echo distinctly ; the rumours being too vague and frag- mentary; while the visible indications of future doings are scarcely more intelligible than the poking out of the green curtain by struggling elbows, or the peeping from beneath it of dirty boots or spangled slip- pers in prelude to a new spectacle. The Adelphi denotements are the most significant; the noise of carpenters' hammers and the dust of brick- layers' rubbish proclaiming that reconstruction of the interior so much needed at this popular place of amusement. Mr. WEBSTER, its new proprietor, having made the Haymarket the best-ventilated theatre on this side the water, is likely to have consulted the comfort of the vi- siters of the Adelphi in the article of breathing; as we are told he has in that of seeing, by such an arrangement of the seats as will enable every person to command a full view of the stage. His success as a manager hitherto is a guarantee for the attractive quality of the enter- tainments and a judicious selection of performers. Madame CELESTE, it is expected, will be the White Sergeant of the corps ; which will pro- bably include a muster of the veterans who won their laurels in the campaigns of TERRY, MATHEWS, and YATES. But the near approach of Michaelmas, the usual commencement of the Adelphi season, will soon convert speculation into certainty. The Drury Lane forces have also been rallied ; and the magnificence of the manager's arrange- ments for opera and ballet at Drury are loudly bruited; Madame THIL- LON, M. DUPREZ, and Mademoiselle DUSIILATBE, are the foreign ar- tistes named as being engaged by Mr. Buses for a limited pe- riod, and the permanent operatic corps is said to include the prin- cipal English vocalists. Mr. Mennox has engaged Mademoiselle Neu, a favourite vocalist in Paris, to be the star of the Princess's, in lieu of Madame Tnna.ox. Of the intended doings at the Haymarket, beyond the summoning of the company, nothing is known. Mr. WEBSTER has a fine set of comedians : but he is making himself a formidable rival in the Adelphi; and dramas of a higher stamp will be required to support the superior pretensions of the stage whereon figure FARREN and Mrs. GLOVER, Madame VESTALS and CHARLES MATHEWS. Covent Garden, it is said, will be opened for Promenade Concerts. There seems no good ground' or the rumour that Mr. MACREADY would resume its ma- eagement ; and the prolongation of his sojourn in America renders it unlikely that he will recommence his managerial career on this side of Christmas, if at all : indeed there is at present no London theatre to let, except the Olympic—now as unlucky as before it was prosperous. It is instructive to note the fluctuations of the tide of success in the theatrical world, and trace its ebbings and flowings to the influence of the riding power—not merely the star in the ascendant. The'Lyceum, feckless no longer since the KEELEYS have held sway there, is become almost as popular as the Olympic was under VESTA'S ; and the New Strand, during the short time that it has been managed by its present lessee, Mr. ROBERTS, has been as prosperous as before it had been dis- astrous to all connected with it. His predecessor, Mr. H. HALL, has proved more efficient as an actor than a manager ; having drawn crowds to see Martin Chuzzlewit, by " doubling " the parts of Pecksniff and Bairey Gamp. The company, grateful for the welcome change from scanty and uncertain remuneration to regular salaries punctually paid, have presented the new manager with a substantial token of their satis- faction. These two houses might have stereotyped their bills for the bust six weeks, for the same performances have been nightly repeated ; and it is remarkable that the only theatres open during this time in the very head-quarters of the drama have been playing similar versions of the same subjects—Martin Chuzzlewit, and Aladdin burlesqued. Sadler's Wells continues its classic career with increasing demonstra- tions of popular favour. Among the recent revivals, that of The Bridal has been most successful. It is got up with good taste, and is very effectively represented: Mrs. WARNER'S Evadne is a really fine perso- nation, of the highest order; and PHer es's Melantius is a vigorous performance. Astley's is at this time the grand attraction over the water : Mr. CARTER " the Lion-King " adds his feats to those of the equestrians ; and the warlike entertainments commence with the French exploits in Morocco and conclude with those of the English in China. The Surrey has been filled to overflowing by the conjoint attractions of Madame VESTRIS and Mr. C. MATHEWS. The Victoria has been play- ing SHARSPERE ; and other of the minors have availed themselves of the latent temporarily set free by the closing of the principal theatres.
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