22 MARCH 1856, Page 8

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Passion week, during which no theatre may be legally opened for dramatic performances, has been solemnized by those religious ob- servances that so strongly indicate the consistency of the English nation. Had Mr. Emery acted one of his usual "old men" in the company of Mrs Wigan and Mr. Robson on Monday last, the profanity would have been

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; but his pietist character is not compromised by taking Drury Lane Theatre and giving therein a comic entertainment. Green _Bushes at the Adelphi would have been like a sacrifice to Baal ; but the whistle of Signor Picea heard at the same establishment shall be compared to the music of Miriam. The angels of Faust and Marguerite dare not show their white wings at the Princess's Theatre till the prescribed interval is passed ; but the celestial bodies of Mr. Adams's orrery have rolled =- restrained by Chamberlains.

The regular managers of most of the theatres inaugurated the week by attending the dinner of the " General Theatrical Fund " on Monday ; which fund appears, from the report of Mr. Buckstone, the treasurer, to be in a state of growing prosperity. Another experiment of "Enghsh opera" at Drury Lane, and two or three slight novelties at other houses, are announced for Monday next ; but there will be nothing, apparently, to give the week a holiday appear- ance as far as the drama is concerned.