While' talking about managers and actors, we cannot refrain from
deprecating a little bit of malicious triumph which is in- dulged in by YATES at the expense of LAPORTE, in the introduc- tion to the laughable extravaganza brought out at the Adelphi this week. The Prelude, called Bad Business, represents a set of managers in committee, assembled to deliberate upon the best means to retrieve the falling fortunes of their respective houses; who ask the opinions of Messrs. MATHEWS and YATES, and Monsieur LAPORTE, as to the cause of the "decline of the the- atres," and the most attractive description of entertainments. The answers are parodies of some replies made to the inquiries of the Dramatic Committee. YATES appears as himself, as MATHEWS, and as LAPORTE; and his imitation of the voice, look, and manner of the French comedian, is very complete and amusing, without being in the least offensive. But an exulting sneer at his ill suc- cess as manager, is in bad taste; and as we are sure it is not in consonance with the personal feelings of Mr. YATES, we hope it will be omitted. It mars a capital and otherwise very agreeable piece of mimicry. YATES'S portrait—for it is not a mere carica- ture—of his partner, is so like, that MATHEWS and YATES seem but one person with two separate existences; or the persons in a dream, who change their appearance without the loss of their identity. YATES slides into MATHEWS and MATHEWS into YATES, with the facility of a spirit assuming shapes at will. We begin to consider which we like best, whether MATHEWS'S Mr. Mathews or YATES'S Mr. Mathews. MATnEws is in danger of losing, not his shadow, like Peter Schlemil, but his individuality. We wonder if he ever misses himself?
The new Burletta, called Crimson Crimes, or the Blood=stained Bandit; is a broad burlesque of the brigand melodramas with whicirzthe town has been so sickened; and though its appear- ance followed too close upon the Spectator's recommendation,.to be . the result of our suggestion, it introduces a representation_of,Dark Diamond in the person. of a coal-heaver. The hero of the piece is Diavolo Stabberini,—played by REEVE, of course; -who, tired of Ogleina, his tenth wife; is in pursuit of Cuddleina: This lady is also beloved by Young Ectury,,—.0. SMITH; who,. dressed in white and pink, with slashed doublet and cap and feather,- serenades his mistress with "Listen to the.voiee of Love," accompanying himself on the clarionet. Mrs. FITZWILLIAM was to have. played Cud- dleina; but in her absence, through indisposition,- Miss DALY took the part. Mrs. HONEY is the deserted wife following her faithless spouse, in pantaloons. Criticism seems rather superfluous in such trifles, but we cannot help wishing that the materials were better worked up; and more consistency given to the absurdities, which would then appear the more enormous. The story,-be it ever so extravagant, should be clearly told; and the exaggera- tions, as it were, drawn to scale. The more coherent the impro- babilities are made to appear, the more impossible they actually become. Quadrupeds was, if' we recollect right, almost perfect in the keeping of the absurdities. Olympic Devils owes its success as much to the skill with which the parody; is kept up, as to the. clever writing and acting. A little pains is never lost upon these trifles ; they last so much longer, and maintain. their interest when the follies they ridiculed are forgotten. Mere ludicrous distortions of character are droll; but a succession of them, unless well and accountably put together, and supported by humorous dialogue, full of point and allusion, soon palls, and makes us almost vexed at being amused. Cupid is defective in this respect; and it is only REEVE s drollery that makes it tolerable,—that, to be sure, is quite enough; but if the travesty were perfect in all its points, the effect would be much more complete.
The new burlesque is represented as a dress rehearsal, to which the Managers in the Prelude are invited at the Adelphi Theatre; and great amusement was created by the apparition of Mr. YATES in the middle of the pit giving directions; and by sundry inter- ruptions from him and MATHEWS (YATES'S Mr. Mathews), which excited the wonder of the uninitiated. In the Introduction, REEVE gave his admirable imitation of KEAN, and 0. SMITH personated PAGANINI to the life.
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