The closing of Drury Lane has left the field open
to the Haymarket and the Minors ; the managers of which have engaged some of the labourers thrown out of employ by the shutting up of the two Great Houses, in the hope of reaping a better harvest by their assistance. That, however, must depend on the quality of the seed and the soil. Mr. HARLEY and Mrs. HUMBY have brushed up the old Beehive at the Lyceum, where their merriment enlivens both actors and audience: Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY come to the succour of the New Strand on Moe- day; and Mr. FARREN reinforces the Haymarket company on Tues- day: but the most hopeful sign of prosperity to the last-mentioned theatre is the announcement of a new play by SHERIDAN KNowims, called The Rose of Aragon—it is promised for next week, but the Hay- market deals in postponements. Meanwhile, The Beaux Stratagem was played on Tuesday; and As You Like It, in which Mr. C. Kam ap- peared as Jacques for the first time on Monday, for his benefit, was repeated on Wednesday. Neither performance affords much occasion for remark. Mr. C. KEAN spoke the poetry of the part of Jacques with less exaggeration than is his wont, though in much too artificial a manner ; and Mrs. C. KEAN, as Rosalind, marred the beauty of the character by a flippant mannerism : Mr. H. NOLL, as Orlando, toned down the boisterous loudness of his speech, and restrained the exube- rant vehemence of his action.
The Beaux Stratagem went off flatly ; notwithstanding the wicked wiles and joyous vivacity of Mrs. Nisneres Mrs. Sullen were responded to by Mr. FIoLis Archer with spirit, animation, and address, and well provoked by the dogged brutality of STRICKLAND'S Sullen. But comedies of this stamp require a finished elegance and easy gayety throughout the performance, to give the buoyancy of thoughtless levity and animal spirits necessary to carry off the grossness that alloys the wit ; and neither Miss CHARLES'S Dorinda, Mr. Howes Aimwell, nor Mr. RAYMOND'S Foigard, contributed to this effect : WEBSTER'S Scrub is much too smart and knowing for that lump of clay in livery.
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