THEATRICAL NOVELTIES.
KNOWLES'S revived play of The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, with material alterations by the author, which are improvements also, was produced at the Victoria on Wednesday, with decided success. The story is that of the old ballad, with such deviations only as are requi- site to fit the play for the stage. It is not in itself a good subject for the dramatist; the interest being too feeble, and the incidents deficient in action. The author has supplied these defects, not by introducing fresh incidents into the story, but by incorporating with it a pleasant
comedy. Though the two plots are but slightly connected, the effect of the whole is pleasing.
The serious story is a remarkable exemplification of "love at first
sight." " Fayre Bessie," the Beggar's daughter, and Lord 1Vilford, encounter each other's looks for a moment, and become deeply ena- moured. They are separated by accident, but meet again ; when the obstacles that hinder the course of true love from running smooth being removed, the lovers are united, though not before it is discovered that the Beggar's daughter is a Baron's daughter. The hero of the comic scenes is one Thomas Small, the son of an honest citizen and pimnaker; who being vain of his person, and having a soul above pins, aspires to be a gentleman, and sets out in search of a rich and noble beauty for his wife. Ile is tricked into a marriage with the chambermaid of an inn, who, he is made to believe, is a lady in disguise, and enamoured of him. This little plot is well deve- loped, and being acted with great spirit, tells effectively. The hu- mour is lively and felicitous; the characters, especially the silly young cit, and his good-natured old father, are original, and well drawn ; and there are some nice touches of feeling thrown in, reminding us of the genuine old comedy.
The acting was generally excellent, for a minor theatre,—with the exception of Mr. AVYNNE, who ranted through the part of the Blind Beggar. KNOWLES personated the lover, with his usual earnestness and fervour. Miss JARMAN was the Beggar's Daughter. Anaorr as young Small, and 1%10.1.1101S as his father, did justice to their respective parts. The introduction of Queen Elizawth, as the protectress of the Blind Beggar, gives an opportunity for the display of a pageant, in which the Queen, personated by Mrs. EGERTON, appears on horseback, most splendidly attired in her royal robes.
The play is full of beauties, which were appreciated by the audience. We have not space for extracts.
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