THE THEATRES.
TEE revival of a musical afterpieee would scarcely seem worth more than an incidental, if any mention ; but, taken as evidence of the man- ner in which English music is intended to be treated by the Drury Lane Manager, it assumes some degree of importance. MACREADY has revived No Song no Supper, and curiosity led us to see how he would produce it. We remember the original in the days of its youth—when STORA.CE, MTS. CROUCH, MTS. BLAND, KELLY, DIGNUM, SEDGWICK, BANNISTER, and &few, were all in it, and when its charming music was familiar to every ear. Whenever played of late years, much, sometimes most of the music, has been cut out, the concerted pieces especially. This has often arisen from paucity of competent singers, and sometimes from their folly and conceit. Ladies and gentlemen with powers far inferior to those of the original performers have affected to think it beneath them to appear in an afterpiece. But, from what- ever cause, No Song no Supper, though occasionally announced, has rarely if ever been performed ; and the notable discovery has been made, that when deprived of its means of attraction, it has lost the power to attract. It is now revived at Drury Lane in its pristine entire- ness and with a strong and efficient cast ; comprising Miss ROMER, Miss P. HORTON, Miss POOLE, ALLEN, PHILLIPS, GUIBELEI, COMPTON, and KEELEY. Few musical dramas of the same length combine more varied excellence, or afford in the same space a like degree of gratifica- tion. The songs of Margaretta, Frederick, Crop, and William, are all admirable of their kind ; and the concerted pieces are musically beauti- ful and full of dramatic effect. The quintet, "Hope a distant joy dis- closing" is a perfect gem. KELLY, in his Reminiscences, thus narrates the birth and correctly estimates the merits of the piece- " I had the good fortune on My benefit-night to produce' for the first time, the musical entertainment of No Song no Supper. It will hardly be credited, that this charming and popular opera, which has been acted hundreds of nights, was actually rejected by the Drury Lane managers. Its author, Prince Hoare, and Storace, gave it me for my benefit ; when the managers found out their mistake, and eagerly secured it. All the music is beautiful, but the finale to the first act is masterly : the drama is full of comic situations, and the ensemble excellent." With the present cast, the piece regains its former poweiAti•tharm ; and we trust its success will lead to a revival of some, other operas or afterpieces by the same author. S•roxece's compositions evince the fertility of his genius, his graceful and polished mind, and his sound musical knowledge. Few men had a mind so well stored. "Had Stephen been bred to the law," said SHERIDAN, "nothing would have prevented his becoming Lord Chancellor."
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