8 AUGUST 1846, Page 11

THE THEATRES.

Of all the plays in which Mademoiselle Rachel has yet appeared, there is not one in which we would not rather see her than in Bajazet. The manner in which she acts the haughty and ardent &zone leaves nothing to desire on her part; while a " point " she makes in exclaiming " Sortezr in the fourth act, when she first attempts to stab Bajazet, and then restrains herself, is so celebrated that it is talked over among the connoisseurs of the Parisian stage, just as Edmund Kean's "Not a jot!" used to be talked about in London. But the play itself, with no striking performer except Mademoi- selle Rachel, is extremely heavy; and Atalide, Bajazet, and Acornat, are very dull society on a hot summer's night. Acomat, the wily Vizier, who lives in an atmosphere of policy while all around him live in an atmo- sphere of passion, is indeed & remarkably well-drawn character, and com- manded the unbounded admiration of Voltaire. But, unless he be acted by a man of genius, he is a better companion in the closet than on the stage.