Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-11 00:00:00

AMUSEMENTS, &c.

THE AMPHITHEATRE.--The engagement of Messrs. Web-
ster, Wright, and Bedford, continues at this theatre, and
is beginning to attract audiences somewhat more in pro-
portion numerically to the merits of the performers than
in the first instance. The principal performance during
the week has been " The Willow Copse," which was
repeated several times, and appears to make itself as
popular here as " Janet Pride." It is in every way a
well-marked specimen of the modern melodrama, and has,
with much of extravagance and mprbid sentiment, the
advantage of throwing out, into good relief, the leading
ch aracteristics of its principal performers. Mr. Webster's
impersonation of a stern bat kind-hearted old man, living
in love for his daughter and his good name, suddenly
broken down and redaced to childishness by the mis-
fortune which clouds that daughter's honour, is one of the
most perfectly-finished performances which ever this
thorough artist has produced. The comic miseries of
Augustus de Roshervilte are precisely adapted for the
humours of Wright, and contrast, with irresistible drollery,
to the heavy stolidity of Staggers, stupid in everything
except begging impostures and law cheating, as represented
with peculiar effect by Mr. Paul Bedford. Among the
female performers, Mrs. Power, as Meg, deserves special
notice, and, indeed, on no stage could a more happy per-
sonification of blundering, soft-hearted good-nature, and
awkwardness be found. Such performers as these ensure
success to any piece which enables them to display their
own capabilities with room and freedom. Beyond this
merit, the " Willow Copse" has little else. Like most of
its class, it has as little to do with nature and ordinary

life, as the most ponderous tragedy of the extinct era.
Every accident is a catastrophe, every meeting a tableau,
every expression a spssm. Yet, to secure a place in our
_ _

literature for dramas adopted to every day sympathies,
and having all their effects derived from the common life
of oar own time, we feel convinced nothing is wanting but
a man of original genius to do the work. There is no
rule founded upon any rational base which can pre-
clude, from the highest grade of art, a drama of
such a kind, What has been done for the
novel may be done for the drama, when the hand
is found capable of executing such A task. So far as the
stage is concerned, that which ive distinctively call tragedy
may be said fairly to have done its reign. It may before long
be utterly consigned 0 the library and the cabinet, q,nd

kept immortal there as Horner and Milton are. Any life
which the stage must have it must draw from
the living materials around in the world. Shaksperian
revivals" are, more properly speaking, only splendid
funerals. There is room, therefore, for the melodrama,
and all which may be said of inherent inferiority and lack
of high art, can only in truth apply to the individual at-
tempts which have been made in this direction. All that
can be said against it was said for a long time against
works of fiction in general. But the novel would never
have reached a place in literature above the power of a
sneer by the aid of Mr. G. P. R. James, nor will the
drama of modern life until it finds some other exponent
than Mr. Dion Bourcicault. The farces which followed
the drama of each night delighted the audience to an
ecstatic pitch. We are glad to be able to say that the
appearance of the Amphitheatre audience has been
greatly improved in other respects as well as its extent
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—Oar readers will observe, by
advertisement, that the attractions at these Gardens con-
tinue as varied as ever, and not only are the numerous
recreative amusements fully appreciated and patronized by
the public, but that, to be fully deserving of the liberal
support of his admirers, the proprietor announces several
novelties for next week, am angst which may be men-
tioned the laughable farce of " Mother and Child are Doing
Well," to be performed by the dramatic company, whose
performances invariably meet with the applause of the
audience. We perceive that, on the 27th, a " Grand
Special Gala " is to be given, when a Balloon Ascent will
take place ; and to render the affair still more interesting,
several ladies have intimated their intention to visit the
" upper regions."
HENGLER'S CIRQUE continues to be as well supported as
though the entertainments were new amongst us, and
indeed, when we 5,37 that the " georgeons pageant" is
got up in a style never before attempted in this town,
there can be no wonder at the crowds nightly attending.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.-Mr. Buckstone took his
annual benefit on Thursday evening. and had a house full
to overflowing The principal piece was a comedy in
three act*, entitled " Victims," by Mr. Tom Taylor, and
advertised as "new and original." The comedy was
followed by the farce, called "The First and Second Floor,"
from the French, which, being concluded, Mr. Buckstone
came forward, and delivered the following