3 SEPTEMBER 1842, Page 11

THE THEATRES.

THE opening of Covent Garden, which was announced to take place this evening, has been suddenly postponed for a week, in consequence of the illness of BESS ADELAIDE KEMBLE. Miss HEMBLE had been SO much indisposed in the early part of the week, as to be unable to fulfil an engagement to sing at a concert at Brighton : but it is to be pre- sumed that she had recovered, as the bills of the day were issued this morning advertising her appearance in Norma this evening. Soon after four o'clock, bills were posted about the theatre, stating that in consequence of " the increased illness" of Miss KEMBLE "within a few hours," she was unable to perform. Many persons, unaware of the postponement, continued to flock towards the theatre, long after the usual hour of opening. The departure of Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY from the New Strand has thrown the manager upon other resources : these have proved available to the production of a hurletta by Mr. Joss OXENFORD, entitled Leger- demain, on the Conjuror's Wife, that deserves a long lease of popularity, both for its own merits and those of the performers. It is a mixture of broad farce and strong melodrama, and appears to have been thrown off at a heat by a facile playwright, who knows how to adapt his subject and style to the audience and the actors he writes for : but besides being amusing by its fan and exciting by its pathos, and containing some capital situations, there is a vein of sterling ore running through the piece that gives it a value above the common run of' things made ad captandunt. The story is that of a girl, the victim of an imprudent marriage with a strolling professor of legerdemain, whom she is the means of saving from the destruction that awaits him for the commission of a theft ; thus becoming instrumental in re- trieving his character and, happiness, and effecting a reconciliation with her family. Mi.% DALY, as the "conjuror's wife," with her cheerful en- durance of privation, and hopeful encouragement of the moody and reckless husband, quite wins people's hearts. Mr. MAYNARD, as Dexter, the poverty-stricken conjuror, soured by chagrin and dis- appointment, presents a true picture of many a pour wretch wavering on the brink of crime, into which, though he shrinks from it, his evil genius impels him : this dogged tempter, Sinister, a compound of brutality and cunning, is persoaated,by Mr. H. HALL with an air of in- dividuality. that stamps the consistency of the character. The comic scenes are so skilfully interwoven with the serious, that it is like look- ing alternately at the grave and ludicrous side of the same incidents ; a different set of characters being concerned. The principal of these is Mr. Snugley, an easy, goodnatured man, well to do in, the world, whose acquiescent disposition has been wearied out by the exactions and assumptions of his wife's needy bat fine relations, the Grandlys he is the owner of the stolen watch, and in the "conjuror's wile" he discovers the discarded sister of his wife, and in Dexter the heir to a large estate. Snugley is very nicely played by Mr. ConsuE ; whose sleek, rosy smile of bland content and air of long-suffering meekness, are blended with a quiet expression of humour, that gives irresistible drollery to the cool rebuffs and defiance of his tormentors and the diverting dilemmas in which his philanthropy involves him. The Grandlys are a rich group ; but the flower of the flock is the virgin Sophia, whose veins flow with verjuice and whose eyes are basilisks for baleful malignity : Mrs. MELV1LI.E looked this character with in- tense significance. Arrwoon, as an aged potboy, of a philosophic turn, is characteristically amusing ; and he sings and dances "Jim along Josey " with great gusto : nor should Mr. J. W. Com.unt, us a mysterious footman, who delivers a message with the air of a conspi raior, be overlooked.

The English Opera announces an entire change of performances on Monday ; 'and the Haymarket a new comedy for Monday week.