M42 64tatrts.
The third version of Une Femme qui Daeste son Hari, which was to have been brought out at the Lyceum, is deferred for the present, and in its stead we have had a new farce by Messrs. E. H. Yates and W. Harrington, entitled Hy Friend from .Leatherhead. This little piece is interesting for two several reasons. In the first place, it reveals the fact, that a pair of young authors, almost fresh upon the stage, have at command that broad "fun" which was once deemed essential to farce. In the second place, it serves to make evident the talent of several performers, whose position hitherto has been the reverse of conspicuous. When we say that Miss Wilton gives a most spirited representation of an extravagantly sentimental housemaid, that Mr. Holston in the part of a footman executes a fine rough " bit " of pugnacious English nature, and that Mr. Shore enacts a most gentlemanlike gentleman, we are probably not merely expressing opinions, but increasing the knowledge of the public as to the effective force of the histrionic body generally. As for Mr. Toole, the low comedian of the establishment, who represents a timid Lothario in frantic terror of a jealous husband, he has hewn for himself an entirely new niche in the temple of Fame. Such a combination of hearty thoroughgoing extravagance with quiet humour is not often seen ; and if Mr. Toole is a wise man he will take care not to lose the advantage he has gained. It is only now and then' that an actor whose reputation is not firmly established obtains a chance of finding his talent appreciated; and such a chance once presenting itself, should be used as a foundation whereon to construct an edifice of popularity. The farce itself is compounded of the most violent practical jokes, devised with the least possible regard for probability and the greatest possible zeal for the promotion of laughter, and connected with no small skill. Who shall blame the genuine vie cornice for running riot, if it remains the via comica still through all its eccentricities? It is very improbable that a gentleman, to avoid recognition by a lady, should tear off the cover of that lady's sofa to make for himself a female disguise, and still more improbable that, jumping into the roof of a greenhouse, Ire should encase himself with broken flower-pots as with steel armour ; but we feel that the authors are laughing heartily at the grotesque figures they are inventing ; we see that the actors enjoy the task of endowing the merry fiction -with a tangible substance; and the wisest course under the circumstances is to laugh too.
Mr. Albert Smith resumed his entertainment on Thursday last, after a suspension of some days, occasioned by domestic affliction.
PARISIAN Taneximear..s. Another Lorette-drama, this time of an exceedingly comic sort, has been produced at the Pah& Royal, and exhibits the ultimate destinies of the ladies of doubtful reputation who have already figured in more serious plays. Marco, the once famous Filk Marbre, has become a singer at a " cafe chantant " ; the Baroness d'Ange, of the Demi-lion*, has set up a low gaming-house, under the cover of a table d'hate ; and several other old acquaintances are shown in like unbrilliant condition. They at last find a prospect of better things in the formation of a French company at St. Petersburg, in which they ore allowed to fill subordinate parts. The title of this piece, which is thoroughly Hogarthian in its notion, is a que deriennent lea Roses; and the authors are MM. Varin and Do Bieville.
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