The Express.
London, England, 1860-10-02 00:00:00

LONDON. TUESDAY EVENING. OCTOBER 2. 1860

THE SHAKESPEARE FORGERIES
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MUSIC.

ROYAL 'KNOLLS/I OPERA, COVENTGARDE.ti.

X. Latina Pyne and Mr. Harrison hare.
llllMlSMllgrallirtlftg Munn et %Ohl apses at the
shore thesilms. They began Iset night with Wallace's
Lsrliss, which, it will be remembered, was produced
with such extraordinary success last season. It occupied
the stage almost exclusively for several months, and its
run was interrupted only by the close of the theatre,
when the eagerness with which the public docked
to its representations was not in the slightest
degree abated. It was to be expected, therefore, that it
would be resumed on the re-opening of the theatre ; sod,
in doing so, the management have acted judiciously
for its announcement drew an immense house, and the
performance was: received with all the enthusiasm of last
season.

There are several changes of the " cast" of the opts.
Mies Linda Pyre, of course, continues to be the hernias,
I and Mr. Harrison the hero, of the piece. We bare, too,
Mr. H. Corn as the Cuomo. But the character of
Rhineberg, the river-king, is now filled by Mr
Henry Wharton ; that of Baron Truenfela, by Mr.
Grattan Kelly ; Ghiva, the Baron's daughter, ►y
Him Leffler ; and the little part of Liha (a part, nevertiao
lees, which requires vac* and delicacy) by Miss Albertrumi.
Mr. Wharton made a very favourable impresalea : ke
looked the part as well as s part so entirely fantastic can be
looked—that is, not at all. But he war well made up, so se
to here an imposing aspect, bore himself with sufficient
stage majesty ; and, what was of more consequence, showed
himself an intelligent speaker and an excellent singer. He
did not promise well at first, being somewhat tame and Ike-
ble ; but we gradually found that be hams sweet and poweigal
baritone voice, a good method, and considerable energy. He
will evidently be a valuable performer. Miss Leffler will
also be au important acquisition to the theatre. This
young lady is well-known as a concert singer, but is new
to the stage. The character of the Baron's daughter
makes small demands on the powers of an actress, but
them demands were sufficiently answered by Mir Leder,
whose person and manners are elegant and ladylike, while
her vocal attainments are very considerable. In the
popular ballad, " Troubadour enchanting," she was ex-
ceedingly successful, having received an unanimous and cor-
dial encore. Mr. Pratt= Kelly would have done better
had he paid some attention to propriety of costume, and
tried to make his outer man something like a German Baron
of the Middle Ages. Miss Albertasri looked like a sylph,
and did the little that she had to do with • natural pace
that was charming. She is a good singer, moreover ; for
she was one of the four—Mks Pyne, Mr. Wharton, and
Mr. Cocci being the others —who sang the delicious gawp
eoeapanied part-song, "Though the world with traimport
bless me," with a wattame, refinement, and truth el imkr
widen skek maisminemfaheaciimummard—fend

feat which it required fear very good singers to pert
As to the fair mansgereas sad prima donna, we have Icing
since exhausted our eulogistic vocabulary in speaking of
her. We shall only say, therefore, that she never was
more deserving of eulogy than she was last night. She had
evidently profited by the repose of the long vacation. Her
lovely voice was fresh and clear, her execution was vigor-
ous and brilliant, and everything she did was full of life
and animation. We hope she will not try her strength so
severely as she did last season—such experiments are den.
germs. Of Mr. Harrison, too, without repeating what we
have often said about him before, we may say now, that he
was in full possession of all his powers—Nang admirably,
acted with fire and spirit, and, as well es Nur Yyne, was
received with all the warmth which both of them so well
deserve.

The opera was got up and performed with all possible
can and completeness. As a spectacle, it was even more
splendid and beautiful than last season, some new scenic
effects of singular brilliancy having been produced by the
ingenious artists, Messrs. Grieve and Telbin. The orchestra
did its duty magnificently, under the Won of its admirable
conductor Mr. Mellon, who was received, when he took his
place, with several rounds of applause from the whole
house.

DRAVA.

LYCEUM.

Madame Celeste commenced her second season at
this theatre last night, under what one would have imagined
would have proved verb favourable auspices, embracing.
among other attractions, a new comedy by Mr Tom Taylor,
the return of many old favourites, and the introduction of
me or two intim of repute from other homiest But Mr.
Taylor's usual facility seems on this occasion to have failed
him ; his pieos is utterly wanting in interest ; his dialogue,
generally his forte. is fiat and forced ; his character, lack
telling individuality, and are of a conventional stamp.
The piece, which is called The Brigand and his Banker,
seems founded on that Filament book, Le Roi des ifontapoes,
is which M. Edmond About, after the publication of As
Grope Coostemporeine,ossionorsiod his lighter experiences
at modern Greek life. The mans is laid amongst the rocky
parse of Mount Parma, near Athens, whither have cora*,
.s a viewueeking *more excursion, Captain Obadiah C.
Hans, as America naval officer (Mr. H. Watkins) ; Dr.
&Wks, a Germs* botanist (Mr. Villiers) ; a strong-minded
Sneak lady. Mir Porcupine (Km Keeley): and her niece,
kiss Melton (Kies M. Ternan); with them, a young Greek
lady, Photini Madame Celeste), just fresh from a Parisian
convent, and supposed to be ce her way to her friends. The
party is surprised by Wiese, under their chief, Hadgi
Stenos (Mr. George Piing), who fixes • very heavy sum
for their respective meows, and while treating them in •
vary courteous manner, intimates that non-payment after a
certain date will result in their destruction. The Ameri-
as captain became restive, and, after mauling two or
three of the bend, is about to be shot by their chief, when
Photini, who hes conceived a liking for him, eaves his life
by declaring herself as Hadgi Stavros's only daughterewbom
he inagnied safe at schooL The Yankee's life is saved, sad
W act ends by a grand " duce of Klephts," in which
Madame Celeste distinguishes herself both in the natural
and sequined school of dancing.
The second act shown us a plateau higher up the =min-
imise whither the prisoner, have been removed. Him
Porcupine is still firm in her belief that • regime by gen-
darmes will be made ; the Yankee caplets is more pessitaml
In his kicea, and has discovered a parts* it .the prod**
down which he thinks an escape could be ask ; and Ili
German botanist has even plucked up as,, to deafen
self able to follow his friend's example. staled by his ed.
miration of Mime Melton, in whose eyes he has found
favour. The gendarmes arrive, bet tees oat to be
fast friends of the robbers ; their lieslmeent is a
godson of old Hadgi's, and gives him information of
a ireasure-ranivan which is about to pass over the
nieustains. Hadgi sad his band, accompanied by some of
the paimesee, depart in search of this prey, and Photini
takes the opportunity of revealing to Captain Harris a plan
for his maps. He, rolls moms stones down the =WIWI'.
and throws his cap to the bottom of the preeipiiii, to lead
the brigands to imagine he has " sloped " in that direction,
but Photini then takes him to her own chamber, which I.
used as the powder usegmine sad armoury of the band, and
kik him here to lie consesied until die an gelds him down

dr mountain. Meanwhile the German botanist has hit on'
a eotatie schism,— he Las discovered that Miss Porcupine is
the sister de Lembo banker, in whose hands Radii Steno%
who is a largo capitalist, has many thousands, and he wi-
shes her to pay the ransom demanded, to take a receipt,
end, when free, to instruct her brother to stop the amount
at of Hadgi's funds which he holds. Mins Porcupine
epees; the mossy is paid, and thelediesdeput. The botanist
then ONO the track of the Captain's supposed flight, and'
Wiese lira, taking advents.* of the absence of the
bed to make good his escape. Hadgi returns wild
with age ;he ha failed in his expedition, been routed,
lo the alight ed his fury be discovers the escape of hie
phonies, and mesa the unfortunate botanist in the distance.
The robbers and their dop start on his track, and be is re-
captured and condemned to the bastuiado. Stung by this
insult the Osman reveals the trick which, at his instant-
tion, has been played on Hadgi by the English ladies. The
robber thief, wild with fury, determines to put him and the
Indies (who by some strident return) to the torture, but is
stopped by the apparition of Captain Harris, who holds
Phcaini in his arms, and threatens to fling her over the pre.
eigdoe if a free release is nut given to all. Hadgi consents
to save his daughter, but the band murmur and refuse, and
the I. h oely brought about by the arrival of the Yankee

tail and that of-the brigand~, the curtain falling oe
hdrethill el she two pie d hewsu wed the imegebs.
of the old gentleman to return to a virtuous life.
AII this i stage', melodramatic, and unreal in the
highest degree, and though the audience laughed whenever
they got an opportunity and bore the piece patiently,
• storm of hisses followed the fall of the cur-
tain. The acting was very good. Madame West'
made the most of a very poor part, and jinx
Keeley played with the greatest spirit, force, and artistic
finish. Such a piece of acting would have saved the piece
bad it been leveed' ; it is certainly matchless on the pre-
sent stage. Mr. George Vining, who has come to this
house from the Olympic, was excellently made up, and pre
his sarcastic dialogue with due point and precision. Mr
Villiers was quiet and gentlemanly, and Miss Ternan pretty
and ladylike. Mr. H. Watkins, an American comedian of
some repute in his own country, must be further seen before
judgment can be proriouneed en his capabilities ; he has a
good face and figure, and showed a thorough acquaintance
with the stage. A word of praise should also be given to
Mr. John Rouse, who played a comic maneervant with
breadth and humour.

The theatre has been cleaned and decorated, and orna-
mented with some pretty new chandeliers, manufactured by

Yews. Dairies.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR TEE

PROMOCION OP SOCIAL SCIENCE.

On Saturday morning st half-put ten a general
metier/ of the association was held in the Common-hall,
when Mr. Edwin Chadwick delivered the address in the
Public Health Department. Lord BROUGHAM occupied the
chair. The hall was well filled on the occasion.
On the motion of Lord Beovonam, thanks were voted to
Mr. Chadwick for hie address.