THE THEATRES.
THE French Plays are by far the most attractive of the current theatri- cal entertainments, to all who appreciate acting according to the degree of truth and finish in the stage-imitation of nature ; and variety as well as excellence distinguishes the performances. On a second visit to the St. James's Theatre, a change of pieces brought out the strength of the permanent company, besides exhibiting the " star" to greater advan- tage. M. ACHARD has an opportunity of displaying his accomplish- ments as a vocalist in the most effective manner, in the part of Fari- nelli—the singer who soothed the melancholy of the hypochondriacal King of Spain. The French version of the story is the same as that with which we were made familiar in BALFE'S opera on this subject ; and a very effective musical comedy it is—of a grave interest, but with a share of light pleasantry. The appearance of Farinelli and his wife as a couple of strolling players singing in the streets—the sudden transforma- tion, through royal patronage, of him into a court vocalist and her into a maid of honour—and the cure of the morbid Monarch by the tinging of Farinelli, who frustrates the intrigue of the court physician—arc the lead- ing incidents. The acting required of the representative of Farinelli is exactly of the kind suited to the talent of ACHARD : he has only to appear self-possessed, good-humoured, and at ease. The character of a fascinating singer is one that he is qualified to sustain both by nature and art : the sweet and plaintive tones of his voice are just those that would be likely to ravish a dejected soul. The dramatic effect of ACHARD'S singing is greatly aided by LEMADRE.8 admirable persona- tion of the royal hypochondriac : his haggard aspect, vacant gaze and air of abstraction, all bespeak the wandering of an unsettled mind; his eyes seem burning with intense sorrow, yet their look is blank. Madame COUTURIER plays the Queen with quiet intelligence and dignified pro- priety ; evincing good breeding and nice feeling. Mademoiselle BEAUCHENE, as the wife of Farinelli, acts cleverly and sings charmingly ; and M. BARQUI, as her father, the crafty court physician, looks like a leech that sucks the lifeblood of royalty. M. GASTON has appeared with Mademoiselle FORGEOT in a scene of matrimonial differences, called L'Amour s'en Va, and in an ingeniously- constructed little piece entitled Le Mari de in Venue. He is energetic without undue violence, has an expressive though not handsome counte- nance, and a free and graceful deportment : in short, he is a very effi- cient representative of the young lovers and husbands.
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