The Press.
London, England, 1858-09-25 00:00:00

Et't Rama.

TliE DLYMPIC.—This popular theatre was re-
opened on Monday, under the management of Mr.
F. Robson and Mr. W. S. Emden, the programme
for the week comprising The Doubtful VictJry, flush
Money, and Ticklish Tines, which, though wanting
in novelty, are still attractive pieces. Daring the
recess an alteration has been effected which will
materially add to the general comfort and con-
venience of the pit audience. The entire of the
seats have been provided with cushions, and the
alternate rows are allotted in spaces for ‘mach occu-
pant. That the plan has only been partially carried
out is attributable to the fact, that if every row had
been similarly apportioned, some fifty seats must
have been sacrificed to the desire for impravament
which the lessees have evinced. Two new pieces—a
comedietta by Mr. J. P. Woaler, and a drama by
Mr. Wilkie Collins—are in rehearsal, and will be im-
mediately produced.

Tax STRAND.—The Last of the Pigtails, by Mr.
Charles Selby, has been rapidly futlowed by another
novelty by the same author. The Bonnie Fishwife,
for such is the name of the musical interlude pro.
duced for the first time on Monday, hinges on an
incident not unusual in real life, and of which dra-
matic writers have largely availed themselves. Sir
Hicoory Heartycheer, a steady old gentleman with a
turn for matchmaking, has come to the conclusion
that Miss Thistledown would be an eligible match
for his son Wildoates, who, as his sponsors must
have foreseen, is incorrigibly flighty. One of the
parties most interested demurs to the arrangement;
and when the young gentleman in obedience to his
father's command returns from Paris that the
nuptials may be celebrated, he finds himself unable
to conquer his aversion to a lady he has never seen
since childhood, and his penchant for Maggie Mac•
farlane, a Newhaven fishwife, who had previously
crossed the path of his erratic course. He accord-
ingly braves the paternal wrath with a flat refusal,
and, accompanied by his valet Gaiters, seeks refuge
in • shooting excursion in the Highlands. When
M►ss Thistledown was male aware that the
current of her love would find an obstacle
in the unjustifiable prejudices of Mr. Wildoates
Heartycheer, she was not cast down, as ninety-nine
young ladies out of a hundred would have bean under
similar circumstances. A feasible plan for the
recovery of her lost swain entered into her romantic
little head, and she at once proceeded to put it into
execution. When next we are introluced to Mr.
Wildoats Heartycheer he is in company with Maggie
Macfarlane, a slave to the fascinations and tendresse
of " the bonnie fishwife," and a prey to jealousy on
account of the bashful wooings of a certain Writer to
the Signet. But while love hurries him on, pride
and prudence hold him back. In a struggle so
unequal the former triumphs, and Mr. Wildoates is
about to seal the contract with a k►ss, when two
strange appari'ions burst on his astonished view.
They stood in die relation of parents to his inamorata.
Now, Miss Maggie Macfarlane, imbued as she was
with filial piety; was endowed with a still greater
virtue—the love of truth ; and the portrait which she
had sketched of her father for her lover's edification,
was therefore by no means flattering. He was an
old " 42nd man," who had been completely riddled
in battle, with a terrible temper, aggravated by his
wounds am►d the " wee drap in his ee," typical of
strong libations. But h►ghly coloured as was the
portrait itself, it by no means came up to the original,
who danced round the luckless Mr. Wildoates with
imprecations both " loud and deep " on the assailaut
of the honour of his " Loose;' in which ho was ably
seconded by Mrs. Macfarlane, as hideous a virago as
ever stood in the enviable relation of mother-in-law.

However, " the heavenly rhetoric " of the fair Maul
and his own sense of honour prevailed, and when
Mr. Wildoats prepared to fulfil his plighted troth%
denouement as satisfactory to all parties, the audience
included, took place. Maggie Macfarlane, "the
bonnie fishwife," stood revealed as Miss Thistle.
down ; her terrible father threw off his disguise and
appeared as Sir Hiccory Heartycheer; while Gaiters
apologised to his master for having taken part in the
deception as his wife's mother. Miss M. °Jiver
played the part of Miss Thistledown in proprie per.
sons and under her alias as " the Bonnie Fishwife"
with force and spirit. Indeed, to her inimitsblo im-
personationof the principal character much of the
success which the piece has deservedly met with
must be attzibuted. In a new song, " Love's sweet
summer," and the popular Scotch ballad, "Caller
Herrin," Miss Oliver was encored. Mr. Charles
Selby, the author, played the part of Sir
Eiiccory Heartycheer most effectively, and Mr. J.
Clarke was equally successful as Gaiters, both as the
valet and under his strange metamorphosis. Mr.
Parselle was a good Wildoates Heartycheer. The
house was well attended, and the piece, which
met with a decided success, was announced for re.
petition.
.111 E LYCEUM.—The leading event at this house
during the week was the appearance of Mr. Leigh
Murray, for the first time, as Frank Hawthorne, in
Mr. Falconer's successful comedy, called Extremes ;
or, Men of the Day. This part, it will be recollected,
was originally played by the author, and the change,
we are bound to say, is most judicious. Mr. Leigh
Murray, who received a most flattering reception,
showed by Cis graceful and impressive acting,
a thorough Appreciation of the role he bad under.
taken. Another feature worthy of note was the sea
stitution of Mrs. Mellon, better known to the thea-
trical public as Miss Woolgar, for Mrs. Charles
Young, as Lucy Vavasour. After the comedy, a
little comic ballet, entitled The Rendezvouson winch
the Laurie family appeared, was produced.