THE THEATRES.
Tin theatrical world darts into life and activity as suddenly as though tImalmege from warm to cold weather had given the signal for the commencement of the Winter season. Drury Lane, which it had been supposed would wait for the filling of the town, is first in the field : it opens tonight, with BeLses first and best opera, The Siege of Rochelle, in which Miss RAINFORTH and Madlle. ALBERTAZZI, STRETTON, LEFFLER, and HARRISON are the principal performers ; but the grand attraction is the new ballet, The Pen, in which Catmorrs GRIST and M. Palace are the principal dancers, supported by a numerous corps de ballet.
Covent Garden opens on Monday, with Mr. BOURCICAULT'S play of 1Vopian ; the principal characters to he supported by VANDENHOFF and his daughter, ANDERSON, PHELPS, Mrs. NIS/3ETT, and Miss COOPER: and there is a brace of new farces, in one of which Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY lead the fun. Besides this flush of novelties on the first night, several other new pieces are announced as in preparation ; sO that what may be wanting in excellence will be made up in variety. But the most striking announcement in the bills is the reduetion of prices, as follows—Boxes, dress circle Ss, upper circles 3s. 6d., with half-prices of 3s. and 2s. respectively ; pit, 2s. 6d.,half-price Is 6d ; and gallery Is., with no half-price. This is a judicious step ; but it will only answer in conjunction with attractive performances. These the manager seems doing his best to provide ; for, in the present state of the stage, a con- stant succession of novelties affords the best chance of success.
The Adelphi and the Olympic also open on Michaehauts Monday, as usual, under the same managements as before. The long list of the Adelphi company includes Mrs. YATES, Messrs. Lyon, 0. SMITH, WRIGHT, WIELAND, and S. SMITH—the latter, we presuute, as substitute for PAUL BEDFORD: for WILKINSON, whom we regret to miss, no sub- stitute Can be found ; in his peculiar way he stands alone.
The Haymarket bills begin to show signs of change : Old Parr is advertised to appear next week—doubtless in the person of FARREN. The Queensberry Fete with its Watteau costumes and masquerading frolics 118 a least of fun not likely soon to satiate.
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