THE THEATRES.
Diann of the Winter Theatres opened on Monde.y,—Covent Garden, the Adelphi, and the Olympic—Madame VE'STRIS'S. LAPORTE has embellished the interior of Covent Clarden, which presents a light, cheerful, and elegant appearance ; to which the addition of a superb new chandelier of large dimensions materially contributes. An improvement (at least we felt, it to be such) has been made in the centre boxes of the dress circle, by removing the partitions and putting a back and arms to each seat, which is also numbered, and may be taken as a stall. The lobby behind has been tastefully fitted up with draperies, settees, &e., as a lounge, where the company of the dress circle may retire for re- freshment, or to promenade between the acts, without coming in 'contact with the visitants of the saloon. These are great con- veniences. Two private boxes are added on each side of both the upper circles of boxes ; an arrangement that will not be much relished by audiences on crowded nights, and for which accommo- dation there is now certainly less need on account of the alteration made in the dress circle.
LAPORTE produced on his opening night a new military spec- tacle, entitled His First Campaign,—meaning not the Manager's, but MARLBOROUGH'S. As a spectacle, it is admirably well got tip; but as a drama, it is destitute of interest. One scene, of a ball-room, deserves particular mention for the surpassing splen- dour of its coup dceil : the apartment extended the whole depth of the stage, and was most splendidly decorated, with furniture and a brilliant display of lights—not merely one or two circles of candles, but several chandeliers and a profusion of girandoles and candelabras. The representation of a siege, and an assault, was also admirably managed. The performers had little to do, but to show off their splendid uniforms. Turenne, Marlborough, and the other heroes of the Grand Monarque's time, were merely "walking gentlemen." LAPORTE, in the French Orderly Dragoon, was as amusing as a dull part would allow him to be ; and little POOLE, as a pert little puppy of a drum-boy, who apes the court style, affects gallantry, and talks familiarly of KILLIGREW and WHITEHALL, by her smart manner, and cleverness in playing the drum, made the audience tolerate the absurdity of the character.
The young Shylock proved to be only a close and servile imita- tor of KEAN. FORESTER, from the Strand Theatre, is engaged here, and appeared as Gratiano. His figure is not bad, but he might with more propriety leave the audience to find that out; and instead of taking so much pains to display his form, betake himself to the study of his art. It will cost him some trouble to alter his hard manner, unvarying expression, and monotonous de- livery. The Hunchback was performed on Wednesday. SHERIDAN KNOWLES resumed his ownpart of Master Walter; Miss E. TREE appeared in Julia, and G. BENNETT in KEMBLE'S part of Sir Thomas Clifford. The author-actor was very cordially greeted; and he played the part with his wonted feeling, and in his earnest, but too abrupt manner. We almost expected to have missed that hurried action, and occasional quickness of speech, which is not effective, and too strongly contrasts with the occasional delibera- tion with which he delivers the more impressive passages of the dialogue. Still, with all his faults, no actor would play it so well, save MACREADY ; KEAN only, perhaps, would have done it better, had he been in a condition to study the part. ELLEN TREE'S Julia was a delightful piece of acting : she sustained the character throughout in a feminine and natural manner, and with true and deep feeling. We prefer it as a whole to FANNY KEMBLE'S ; and tve think it is more like the character as drawn by its author. The audience seemed to miss the strong points that the original per- former made; and the quietness of ELLEN TREE'S manner—the delicate lights and shades of her personation—seemed lost upon them ; they applauded the more energetic passages, rather than those which were the most touching. In the scene where she ac- cepts the offer of the Earl of Rochdale's hand, and in the great scene with her lover, which Miss KEMBLE really acted so finely, we yet preferred Miss TREE. The physical power of the former was wanting, but that deficiency was better supplied by a more natural expression of the anguish of her conflicting feelings of love, anger, and repentance. Nor was there any lack of womanly spirit and energy. It is, after all, a matter of individual taste, Which of these charming young ladies is the better Julia. Both are beautifill. Those who admire power, will prefer the Julia of FANNY KEMBLE; those who love gentleness, that of ELLEN TREE.
Last night, Cinderella was reproduced at Covent Garden; cast in the same way as last season, with the exception of Mrs. KEE LEY in one of the Sisters, instead of Miss CAWSE, who is gone to the tiller house. This change was for the better on the whole,—for KEELEY acted the part very amusingly, though her preten- ',lions as a singer of Italian music are not of a high order; and the ether characters were performed as well as usual. Still, the piece Went heavily off, and was less applauded than on any former occa- sion when we have seen it. Cinderella, in truth, is nearly worn out. Its merit, whether musical or dramatic, is insufficient to keep *Wise lir three seasons.
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