The Press.
London, England, 1853-11-26 00:00:00

STRANI►.

THE manager of thin theatre is making a gallant at-
tempt to reSlllßellat43 the popitlinity of a class of per
fiwrinances which were 0114 P espeo•IIII riiV4.lll
with the public, and deserve to be finottritcs 111111111.
What were called " musical dramas " once occupied
a respectable place in theatrical libraries : and the
appearance of a new play of this order, or of a new
performer in an old one, if resp eetivel. wog' of their
kind, sufficed to secure the success of a theatrical
season. )f the two, howe‘er, the goodness of the
iterfoniter was by far the most essential element ;
and, aceorditigly. pieces of this character entild be
successfully produced only as long 04 the Ellgii.4lll
stage possessed actors, or rather actresses, who emit
bitted dramatic and vocal capabilities in the risptisite
degree. Of such—from the (lays of Nell Gwynn..
to those of 'Mrs. Itillingtoti, Kitty Stephens, and
Madame Vestris—there was %eld.an any lack. list
latterly our boards have been nitossl II 'lits! either I.
artists who call sing tolerably, lint cannot act, or who
act toles abh and cannot sing. emisegiientl the
" musical drama" in England was fast becoming oh
solete.

Mr. Alleroft, as we have said, attempts now to
revive it—trusting for 5111.104 principally to OW
ildelitS, as singer RIM actress, of Miss Believes !saws.
He could riot priibably hive chosen brill`r from the
extant generation of British performers. But, be.
fore pnaionneing upon the Merits of the ledy, or the
chances of the season at his theatre, we should wish
to see her perform in new and imalern piece.
This it seems his campaign is yet tisi young to have
pr4shiced. The supply having naturally ceased with
the demand, there are no English dramas of the
desired description, except those old enough to be
included in " 'm11141(1)4 British Theatre:* The
Miller and his Men and General Ilurrtoyne's Lord of
the Manor have accordingly been played during the
past week ; while, for anything modern by way of
change from the tiormal plots and melodies of these
respeetablepieres of antiquity, the management have
Been obliged to resort to the flimsy produetions
the VatuleN ille Theatre. ( hie of the flimsiest of these,
thumb by no means without sparkle and piquant.),
entitled The Pet of the Piddle, lots .14.1.11 114IrrOWed
in behalf of the English public and Miss Isaacs.
The audiciwes have been crowded, wol seem
pleased. As far as present appearances go we are
ineliord to believe that Mr. Aileron's endeavours
will not fail at all events 1.. r want or encouragement.

TO THE EDITOR lOU " T 11►:

Sir,—Your insertion fif a letter tat a Olean ieal
subject iialtices lac, who an► au igm rant though in-
cessant playgoer, to submit to sou a few iineations
on matters that greatly plivzle me, hut which, per.
haps, either you or some of your numermtm eorre
spondents may he able to answer.
1. Why k Punch always attacking Mr. Charles
Kean ?

9. Wily does Punch attnek l'aptaiti I.eicester
Vernon, for employing his lei,ure in dransatie
literature; since whist it wring in w► unpaid M.l'.
cannot he right in paid enspioyi.4 lof the eolintry
:t. Whether there it anything wrung in either vf
the parties doing this ?

715

1. Why Panels sh hi he MO extremely indignant
at the production of Tke I,aNeer* at the Prioress's,
after tit° production of Ike Discarded Son at the
Aklelphi, when it has pastsoil over silently many ainii•
lay occurrenees, including the production of 7'he
Owen of the Market at the Adelphi after The CA4IiM
Eyelets had come out at the Lyceum"
"by, if The Miran/ell Son be written tow the
hilk attinu 1 b) Itenjamin tVehater, that gentle-
man iloes not apply for an injuncti tttt against Mr.
Charles Kean for performing The I.aseers, which
piece the latter 18.11111.111a11----1. doubt to conceal his
then of .Ir. Welkster's original plot and characterw-^
stales to is` `• a.laptell from the French"!
it. W higher the author of rho 1)1,-
carded Son, mer heard Of a Incee e111114..111.110 Fib de
1.. mitre : twit whether lie has had such a Ci Iminuni •
cation from the author at the law requires—in Paris►
in theatrical circles, they ski) not ?
Whether the public. except when Palle?, make.;
them laugh, cares an iota for what that facet'
periodical sat Ott NO) StllijOet,
.t L. 4.OER.