The Press.
London, England, 1853-11-19 00:00:00

LYCEUM.

THE fertile pen of Taylor has furnished
this theatre with a new one-art piece, whirl* was re-
presented for the first time on Wednesday last. The
mistakes and miseries of two attortirps, itssimiated
together in an ill-starred partnership, furnish the
materials for a very clever sketch of professional life
in an attorney's office, which is, perhaps, gill'
corrret in its demils to be relished by the uninitiated.
Like all Mr. Taylor's productions, it is remarkable
for smaii and witty dialogue and originality of thought;
but, it' it is intended that the piece should obtain any
lasting popularity, galore labour must be bestowed
upon it with a view to condensation and general im
provement. Mr. Charles Mathews, as a " fast Wilt.
:ley." was %en successful, and he was ably supported
by Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, Mr. It. !taker, and the
principal members of his company. 41 Thursday
night the theatre was closed in ronsequence of the
company having received a command to perform
before her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
ALE LPH 1.

if persons of a melineholy urn of raimi wish to
laugh till their 'Odes sale, let thorn go to the Idelphi
and see the new farce, entitled Whitebait at Cireensvic h.

691

Mr. Keeley is of course the life and soul of the piece.
lie represents a foundling tJohn Susan), who, from
tit:ees'innhws embraced the profession of a waiter, but
whose real object in life is to discover his absconded
father, by nubbins of an advertisement for the apprehen-
sion of the said parent. stating his name to be Benialnin
end his height ft. 7 in. John Small thereforeearries a
measure in his poeket and ascertain' the height of
all suspicions lien:outs. This original mode of pro-
ceeding, and his suipeeed knowledge of the seen• is
of the other characters, give rise to a series of mis-
takes and situations that are extremely diverting. It
is impossible topraise Mr. Keehby's acting too highly.
In rendering the diameter of John Small,
which is the blowiest of the broad. he displayed
a knowledge of his art which probably escaped
the notice of ordinary observers ; and his mode
of measuring Mr. Ittuzarot, wi he really
supposes to he his father, tl gh irresistibly
vomit.. was full of earnestness end reeling.
With the exception of Mr. Buzzard, the other parts
were well sustained. Mrs. Leigh Murray, who we
regret to see so m. 1410111, was very good as Miss Lucre-
tia : and Miss Maskell needs only study to make ,
herself one of our most promising young actresses.
This Parer--which will be the better for curtailment,
especially in certain portions which remind us rather
too strongly of Iltosh Money—is, upon the whole,
one of the best we Huse seen of lido, but we should
wish the suppression of some very coarse jokes and
whieli ant discreditable to the good taste
of both author mid actor.
STRAND.
pleasant little place of amusement, having been
greatly improved amt redecorated, has opened for
lively new season, under the direction of Miss Re-
becca knees. Though burlempies and light musket
interludes seem the order of the day, a new fain' has
been pithilleetl, entitled .1 I 'heap Excursion to Brigh •
ton, in which all sorts of tricks are played upon
II steers in the Eel lie eine il+i,uding house," and which
draws roars of laughter. The author of this piece
must be a bold man. inasioneli as he has espoused
the cause of dear hotels against the prevailing en
An "cheap " biecemmodation. Truly we think rim, ,
courage entitles him to sympathy and support. Mr.
Hiartmtnne end Mr. Fawcett Smith are the low come-
dians of the ottahlishouent, and are nightly weaved
with notch favour by that portion of the public that
frequents this theatre. 'he playbill assures to
that several novelties are in the coune of pre-
paration.

IWe haw. reccivrd the folk•vilsiq lett*, (tom as unkadowa cones•
rosollasst, Whother thu listionuatlima It etwiveye be "a past
fart In thestri..ala," tor a sae.. leiaz, we leave to the ludipleaui
41a 41i$444.eising publl.•. I
Till El)lToit TIIF:

Sir,—The point is often discussed, whether the
English are a playgoing people or not. Rent assured
that the Londoner% will till a theatre as in•adily Ili
any foreign folks, if managers will hut offer a good
bill of fan., and last, 1 nit not least, eondescend to 11044111110
the second or third best character in the piecem they
itroduce (e.g., Mr. Wigan in Mr. Tom Taylor's
well written and admirably-cose.tructesl comedy of
and l'asmiton ). This praiww•silly ecample iv
about to be followed at another moat
t Winn., in the blrtheunling pantomime.
idea 41104.4 1144 p0.4,44....4 the 0141'111 of
as you must remember that inimitable artn.t
perfl•rming Harlequin Fat, in the opening
of the pantomime linr/rgain Fat, Harlequin Bat.
Pantomime projects are ever clothed in the darkest
veil of .....n•cy, hut this year a 111111 bas transpired.
A popular artist, the author of playbills tragical-
historical tragical comical-leistorical•pastond, ropleto
with classical learning 41141 antiquarian renewal, will
put its an appearance as The Magician in the opening
of the pannanime. A graceful and eccentric comedian,
to the greats satisfaetion of his numerous admirers,
hots accepted the part of the " itlippered Pantaloon,"
whilst an elegant and easy representative of walking
gentlemen will sustain the character of a "
phore, afterwards a pair of tongs." 'These arrange
menu are admirable, and promise a great treat to
the supporters of native, talent ; but the manager is
ill athiseol in allowing two of the gentlemen in
quest' to rehearse their comic patatonti 111 l • bur.inems
During the serious scenes of Alureo Spada, and thus
enable the public to anticipate his eliiistutas budget
of novelty and "startling effects."---Your obedient
semnit, jot:.

?dit. It. SMITH... "'l•",rK 111, Eruorc."—The
Yankees are certainly very anilatiote4. A 'ware of
our English Smiths have le•vu content with the
managements of " I 'miry Lane" tool " Blanc,"
lint nothing leam than a panorama of " IF:ttrope" Mill
141100 A " Mr. J. It. Fnlitls, from America." 111% I'e•
sent pictorial achievement is even an ittiproiement
on lisoortnas or the 111144issippi." awl it iS well
worth being visited. The four tiewn iu lierlin would
of tbemaelvea be enough lin ob. exhibition. £ssuag4
the acme' which gave moat pleasure to a crowded
audience on last Wednesday were Hamburg by
night, and Milau Cathedral illuminated tut 'nosing

service. " Venice " was also much applauded, and
gave a capital idea of the peculiarities of that roman-
tic city. We could wish for a more detailed com-
mentary. Mr. J. It. Smith might also follow the
example of " Albert" with some appropriate dramatic
illustrations ; but, even as it is, his " Europe" is ex-
tremely interesting, and is one of the best exhibitions
DOW open.