14 JANUARY 1865, Page 2

A question which has greatly agitated theatrical society and amused

everybody else was settled on Wednesday by Mr. Tyrwhitt. The proprietors of the regular theatres feel aggrieved by the pro- prietors of the irregular theatres or music-halls, who are not under the Lord Chamberlain, and take out no licence, and who draw off visitors from their rivals. They tried the question by summoning the lessee of the Alhambra for giving a ballet with a plot to it, which they alleged was a theatrical entertainment. Mr. Tyrwhitt, after reserving the point for full consideration, finally decided that it was, and if this decision is upheld on appeal the managers of music-halls must either take out stage licences, or discontinue

ballets, or invent ballets without plots. They will probably try the third alternative.