THE THEATRES.
TIIE LYCEUM.
THE old proverb, " too much familiarity breeds contempt," is unfor- tunately realized in the Suite de tAuberge des Adrets ; and Robert Ma- (vire, in the continuation of his reckless career, has forfeited our respect. The term is perhaps paradoxical applied to a rascal and a vagabond; but in the first piece, notwithstanding all his crimes and misdemeanors, there was a courtesy and dignity about the rogue which exacted invo- luntary homage from all around him, the audience included. This line, the subtle boundary between thefin and the indelicate, is entirely lost sight of in his subsequent adventures. The arduous and laborious character of Robert Macaire is one which, to use the phraseology of the bills, M. LEMAITRE has created, it was therefore with no small regret that we saw him condescending to play the buffoon, and to be satisfied with exciting mere laughter. There were, however, many points in which his peculiar excellence was displayed with its wonted Inilliancy: the, burst of patriotism with which lie received his son's proposal to emigrate to America; the oration at his levee, at which he proposed himself as director of the police,—liere it was impossible to withhold our accustomed tribute of admiring astonishment at the deliberation of his impudence. But here we wish that the curtain had dropped : with the amusing exception of the exaggerated lovemaking between the two conscious impostors, the rest was a coarse buffoonery, which may find its place at the Adelphi, but which we bad hoped was beneath the talent or even the conception of M. LEMAIT1tE. The absurdity of the finale was too crying to escape disapprobation : how two criminals., who are fleeing for their lives, contrive to have a fire-balloon at their command at a moment's notice, is beyond the comprehension of ho:nest, commonplace mortals : it is true, there is a powerful magic in the vil- lany of Robert Macaire, but as superhuman aid is never employed or thought of before during the whole of the two pieces, his escape, if again permitted, might have been effected without the baby wonder of a pantomime. Altogether, we were disappointed. In a vaudeville produced on Monday, with the title of Le Budget d'un Jeune Menage, JENNY VERTPRE played the part of a young, thoughtless, extravagant wife, with much spirit. y ICTOR, as the equally giddy, but affectionate husband, was very amusing. The plot, which is the slightest possible, merely consists in their plans for.re- trenchment; the various items of which, after all their consideration,
are proved to be indispensables, until the fictitious embarrassments of a brother prompt them to an immediate sacrifice. They are of course rewarded by the discovery of the welcome truth.
THE OLYMPIC.
Stern polities have rudely pushed aside the Court Beauties, though marshalled by VESTR1S herself. For this week or two past have the gay bevy been hovering about our close packed columns without our being able to find a break for their admission. We must now be con- tent briefly to recognize their attractions : and refer our readers to the Olympic, where in the last new burletta their presence gives beauty and animation to a Very lively picture of the Court of Cluules the Second. In so far as the costumes are concerned it is very perfect ; though the reputed wit of the courtiers is not reflected in the dialogue; and the actors, in their attempts at imitating the air and manner of the fops of that day, scarcely succeed in conveying the idea of the gentlemen of that or any other time. PLANCUE,WhO is the author, may perhaps claim sonic share with VrsTais in the praise that is due to the accuracy of the costumes. The scene ut Will's Coffee- house, where the guests join in a madrigal, has somewhat of an over- dressed and theatrical look ; but that where Charles is seen walking in the Mall, surrounded by his dogs,-carries one back to the time_when the walk was newly laid out and the young trees just planted. The most effective scene of all, however, is that where LELV'S portraits of the Court Beauties are realized in tableaux vivaria, by the ladies perso- nating the fair originals. Thv allusion is perfect : we never saw paint- ing so well imitated by flesh and blood and silks and satins. The effect is amusingly heightened, too, when the illusion is dispelled by the in- censed models rising from their pictorial positions, and with speech and gesture vowing vengeance against Buckingham , who, unconscious of their real presence, has been satirizing each in turn. The clamour of the fair ones to be released from their prisons of frame and background, awakens Buckingham to the trick which the King bad played him. A Mr. Hooren personated the King, in a quiet, gentlemanly manner ; but wanting the ease and vivacity of the merry Monarch. His physiog- nomical resemblance to the portraits of" Old Rowley" would be much improved were Le to give himself the black beard and deep furrows of Charles's swarthy visage. VESTR1S is very sprightly and piquant as Tiffany, the prime mover of the plot. She looks and dunces most charmingly also, in a Turkish costume. Altogether, there has not been a more attractive entertainment for the eye produced even at the Olympic.
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