The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-29 00:00:00

ADELPHI.

Mr.' Webster last night commenced a new season
at this. theatre, on which, for the future, bis powers of
leseeship are to be concentrated. The event was signalised
Han introductory entertainment, entitled Frebater at
me ; Adelphi Farce of Three Removes and a
Dessert. The piece is of the slightest and briefest—
merely serving as a vehicle for a full dress parade of the
whole effective force of the establishment; but it was de-
cidedly a happy mode of inaugurating the new era. The
scene is laid in the green-room of the Adelphi, where the
company are assembling to read • new drama ; end al: the
aitechts of the theatre come on in their " habits as they
Kee," and in their everyday manner, and receive each on
arrival the tumultuous and hearty greeting r.f the crowded
audience. In a short time are assembled the whole of the
company, under the old riginse, including Madame Celeste,
Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Messrs. P. Bedford, A.
Wigan, 0. Smith, 0. Honey, de.; who me all anxiety to
know what the new piece is, and who is the author, and
some smart dialogue, no doubt pure Doric, goes on until the
arrival of Mr. Webster, who states that he has convened
them for the purpose of displaying his powers in a mono-
dramatic entertainment, on which they are to sit in judg-
ment before it is presented to the public.. He then places
himself behiad a table, and relating some of the troubles to
which managers are subject, transforms himself into a sue-
cession of authors of various calibres, and next proceeds to
say that his will imitate certain actors who have applied to
him for engagements. He is then supposed to appear as a
correct resemblance, first, of Mr. Leigh Murray and then
of Mr. Keeley. They are, however, no appearances, but
the sgeutlemen themselves; although it is to be taken
for granted that they are wonderful impersonations
only. Au amusing interlude is occasioned by
the perverse conduct of Mrs. Keeley, who will
have it that her husband has been spirited away from
her, and will not be comforted till he assures her to the
contrary from a private box. Mr. Webster then states
that these two gentlemen with himself are the " three re •
moves," and his " dessert " he introduces in the shape of
Miss Maskell, Mrs. Leigh Murray, and several other re-
cruits from the Hasmarket. The affair is wound up with a
poetic " tag," in which the favour of the public is earnestly
bespoken for the future management of the Adelphi. Being
short and smart, and appealing directly to the sympathies
of the audience towards each individual member of the
company,the little piece was highly successful, and answered
its intended object admirably. The rest of the evening
was occupied by a sucecasion of dramas, which, although
established favourite., are new on the Adelphi stage; such
as .4 Novel Expedient, To Parents and Guardians, The
Pretty Girls of Nillpro, &e., and they are so arranged that
each of them is a specialty foeaderesisdaition of the talents
of the different members ore comps'''. act omitting the
pantomimiccapabilities a lilermore sad *dlle. Aurlul.
On the whole, a more genial sad promising opeuiug of a
managerial career could hardly be desired.