The Princess's Theatre opened its too narrow portal in Oxford
Street on Wednesday, after some delay, occasioned by the incompleteness of the preparations within' which was the less excusable since there was no occasion for haste. Any momentary dissatisfaction, however, gave way to admiration of the sumptuous coup d'osil presented by the ap- pearance of the audience part brilliantly lighted with its superb chan- delier. The utmost profusion of ornament of which the style of the " renaissance " is susceptible is lavished on the interior, with an effect of solid magnificence free from tawdriness, filling the eye with its richness without oppressing the sense. The proscenium is massive in its cha- racter; the flat roof or sounding-board being oruamented with carved p4ddants, and the boxes with pillars enrich with fretwork and gild- ihee • • from this point, the four circles of boxes are carried round with- 'out any visible support beyond the rudiments of base and capital that just break the outline without disturbing its symmetry or offering any obstruction to the passage of the sound. 'the front of the lower tier projects like that of the St. James's, and is somewhat similarly- adorned with gilded ornaments in relief, varied at intervals by pictorial devices : the tier above is more lively with colour, and less massive ; and the light and gay character increases as the eye glances upwards, till it rests on the handsome cornice, from which spring the spandrils sup- porting the roof; and forming the divisions of the upper circle of boxes : here again all is solid, and burnished with gilded mouldings and cary- atides in relief, on which the flat and circular ceiling rests, adorned elcrul:ene Thn nrnh",n.sn A” the fronts: of the boxes is most delicately wrought, ant' the blue bosses, like turquoises set in gold, here and there interspersed, subdue •amid mass the various Imes blended in -the paintings ; while any glare of colour is kept down by the vallauees and cushions of crimson velvet, and the damask draperies of the same deep hue that adorn the boxes— whose chintz linings also contribute to the pervading cheerfulness and brilliancy of the eesse:///e. The chandelier is chiefly of or mobs, orna- mented with glass drops of white amid green ; and its circle is crowned with an orchestra of Cupids perched above the clusters of ground-glass globes that diffuse a safteaed but brilliant light over the house. The effect of the interior, however, as seen at present, is sadly spoiled by the 'wake-shift contrivances of scenes end painted canvass enclosing the sides and roof of the stage : a tent-like drapery of some becoming colour would have been in better taste. The orchestra, too, is a rude, ungainly box. Such a splendid house requires a brilli.mt audience, and a furnished stage, stage, or the quiet green curtain, to show it to proper nIrdn- tage. It is desirable that the commodious haek-entranee in Castle Street should be used either for the puldie boxes or the pit, as well as the private boxes.
Of the orchestra, and its leader Mc. WILLY, WC will only say that noise was the most remarkable feature of the performance.
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