The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-06-07 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE:.

Saturday a General Meeting of Proprietors was
held in the saloon of Drury-lane Theatre, for the
purpose of taking the affairs of that concern into
consideration.

Mr. CA Lea APT being called to the Chai►,

Mr. IVMCD. the Seer etary. trail the Report of
the General Committee, including one from the
Sub-Committee. noel also • statement of the
finances of the Joint Stock Company. The Report
of the SuloCommittee commenced by expressing
✓egret that they hail to state that this season closed,
• the preceding one, will, an increase of debt,
olthosigh the eeirendsteire was less than io any for.
suer season. Tae important experiment of the re-
duction of prices had fieiled ; the returns from the
treasury and the check-office proving that the dif-
ference of price did not influence the public to visit
the Theatre in greater nweibers than as the prices
stood at present. But the result of this experiment
though unfavourable, afforded • proof, that upon
nights of attraction, had the 'reseed prices coon-
loved through the season, a considerable profit
wateld have formed. The Committee now coml.
tiered it to he fully proved that Ilse principle of a
.hint Stock Company is soot arlopted to the manage.
silent of a thentrical concern. The proposition of
Alr. Ironmonger, of an ode:lore of money for the
ti-ervice of the Theatre, was withdrawn. Iti noticing
that se debt bad been incurred for this season,
the Sub-Committee requested the General Com-
mittee to observe, that no 'portion of it could be
considered strictly as a theet nerd debt. The rent,
the taxes, the interest to the landholders, and to the
alteration creditors would be accruing, whether the
Theatre was open or shut. The new renters' annuity
would indeed only accrue from the. Theatre being
'opened, but the liberal feeling that body had ultra's
eviiiced in every trasisactiou, offoided an assuranee
that such an increase of debt would never occasion
imy new difficulty. The SubsCemtnittee did not
feel it a 'rot of their duty to point out a mode by
%%hid, the Joint Stock Company could be relieved
trout it, pressing difficulties. They were anxions
to submit that important question to the General
Committee, vide an assurance of their disposition to
co-operate in Hoy thing that might be suggested for
the benefit of the concern. Fur these reasons, and
in order that they might not operate as a restraint
ill die Proprietors, they had given in to the Se-
cretary their resignation as members of the Sub-
Committee. The manager, Mr. Kemble, had
NISO roast readily offered to relinquish Iris edi-
t lea of engagement. In them rrlintug, Ibe Sub.
Committee felt confident they had done all that
was in their power by Zeal and assiduity to pre-
vent the difficulties which now existed. The Gene-
ral Committee participated wills the Sub-Committee
iii their feelings of regret at the present disastrous state
in %%herb the Theatre vas 'rioted ; but they still
hoped that it was redeemable by the same spirit
mid liberality which had led to the restoration of
the edifice. The Report of the (lettered Committee
then alluded to the proposition of Alr. boon JJJJJ ger,
to liquidate Ilse contract debts of the 'rotor., at
the rats of tol. in the 'tumid. The legal advisers
of that gentleman, bring of opinion that the Theatre
could not give him valid security, had withdrawn
his proposition. The General Committee coin.
Ortrly agreed with the Sub-Committee as to the
pram iety of abstaining front al! comment upon this
transaction, referring sisterly to the fact, and the
proceedieigs recorded in their UlillUteti which had
tdk en flare opon it.
The Committee preened upon the consideration
of the Alerting the Dec( esity of retiieviiig thew pro-
pel ty by x propoitionate advance upon their sub-
IC111,114)11 shares; the soliscribery to have as a seco-
rity lOr the repayment of such advances, the posers.
sitm of all the rents and receipts of the Joint Stock
Comp:son till those advances, with the interest
thereupon, were fully discharged ; each Subscriber
to he entitled to a no ttt i t notion of one free
admis-
sion mild his advance should be redeemed. After
some eilletsimis to other 'duos for removing the eh&
fireiltii s, the Comiutt!ee pressed upon the minds
of the Proprii tors the neer ssiiy of a speedy deter.
le:Motion. They had a full reliance upon the
babe utaote of most, if i.ot of all the creditors ; bat
et was evident they would proceed to ti sr legal
enforcement of their claims, unless a plan for the
general composition of the debts of the Theatre was
eats entered tutu. Could such a plan he adopted,
she Committee felt confident the ca editors would
support that character they hail 'beady obtained
lairsiese and liberality. A letter was then read
from Mr. Ironmonger, stating that lie had with.
Matsu his proposition, not so much from want of a
soffit-iced indemnification. es that the sum of
12,000/. would not liquidate the debts in the way
euutemplated, Ile was, however. anxious to lend
his ussistatice in uny way that might seem advisable
for the advantage of the concerii.
The next document read was a statement of the
receipts and expenditure during the last seasons
together olds the present amount of debt.
Ra ceipt up to the 25th May last,
Pendituter 37.29:1/. 125.—Deticit. 1,297/. 121.
While debt last year, 84,SOUL—Present debt,
90,9^1/. 74.
This increase of debt was occasioned by the dtti.
cif of 1,-297/. 11s. and by the proceedings of the new
renters and builelliolders. In this debt was included
16.325/. for law expenses.
Mr. S. KIMBLE v.llll he wits happy to have it in
his power to state to the Meeting. that though there
appeared an increase of debt, the receipts of the
theatre were quite sufficient to cover the current
sf/CIISE'S.
Mr. CoeKER asked, whether there was not an
accumulation of debt this year to the remount of
11,0001. at the same time the Proprietots received
nothiteg ?
Mr. Went) (Secretary) said, that these was an
accumulatioti to that amount.
Mr. Routes said, that he would trouble the
Alerting with a very few words. He on Friday at.
tended a 'letting of the General Committee, at
te Inch it r. leo 1111 l onger was preseut--that Gentlemen
thought 'eloper to evithdrive when he saw the resole).
nous that were to be prepared. Upon a former oc.
cation lie mode what was justly represented by lowl
Yeautoath, a magnificent offer to settle all the
contract debts ; that propoutiou he now, however,
thought tit to (Itchier, upon the ground that they
mnometeet,to 10,000/. more than he thought. Mr.
Innimonger had an opportunity of being acquainted

.•.- we*.

, with this circumstance 'velure be made the offer ; he
' had an opportunity of going when lie pleased to the
treasury, mil ascertaiiiing the amount due by the
concern. His reason for not fulfilling the promise
made did not appear at all a good one. Ile placed
the Proprietors tia this situation, that they were pre-
vented, in consequence of the expectation he
raised, from calling upon the Sub-Committee to ad-
vance three or 4,0001. each. Had he riot made this
proposition, they would no doubt have come for-
ward Hod advanced the motley. List year, lie (Mr.
Robins) and some of his friends proposed to raise
5,0001. for the purpose of enabling the concern to
go on ; that, however, was refused. If he (Mr. R.)
was disposed to indulge in feelings of exultatiois,
in consequetice of the opposition to the proposals
formerly made by him, lie hail now ample ground
for Joists! so, in the Report of the Sub-Cotton t.
%Viten lie recollected the advice formerly
given by Mr. Whitbread, and the opinion ex-
pressed by him. that the principle of a Joint
Stock Company w-le not one upon which a thea-
trical concerti could be advantageously managed ;
when lie recollected that his advice was reject-
ed, and that the Committee themselves now
crone forward, acknoeledgilig, at length, the justice
of this opiiiion, lie might, tint disposed, indulo in
exultation. Though all his prognostications were
now fully confirmed, he should be far born ex-
pressing any sataaction at the event. Nothing
buit'sriernimity and mutual forbearance could now
give the Proprietors Holy chance for success. If
they did not all aealmisly put their shoulders to the
wheel, Drary-lane must sink. Though lie (lid not
intend to submit to them any specific proposition
fur its future mairagement, lie considered it his duty
to nine to the Meeting, that lie received a letter
two clays back from Mr. Arnold, in which lie ex-
preset(' his confidence that lie could be of service to
the Theatre, and that il.itut iu complete pussessiosi
of the outgoings and income, lie would propose a
plats for that purpose, by which it would lie saved
from ruin. Ile (3:r. It.) fairly stated to Mr. Ar-
nold all the difEetilties under which it laboured, so
far as they were known to him. That gentleman re-
quired too or three days more to digest his plan.
Ile was not acquatoted with its details, but it was
something to this purpose required to have
the property its the theatre for a certain number of
years ; for his trouble during the lint year bewoulJ
require but a small sum ; his profits, however, were
to increase gradually as the profits of the concern
increased. This was the basis of what that Gen-
tlemen had to propose. Ile was glad to hear that
3lr. Kean also, from whom the 'theatre had ob.
tained such important advantages, was of opinion
OA it might he still salved from ruin, and that he
had a 'imposition to make for that purpose. Pre-
viously, however, to the adoptinu of any plan, it
would be indispensably necessary to make souse ar-
rurigement with the creditors, otherwise no person
would underteke the concerti. Before the sub-
scribers were called upon to contribute any thing
for that purpose, it nes lit they should be
(painted with the %anions 'daub that might Le pro-
'robed.
Ale. S. ICennec said, he was authorised by Mr.
Kelm to make a /imputations to the Alecting. The
public, he had no doubt, as well as his brother
actor., would be happy that the concern was in the
hands of that gentleman. He was willing to give
8,000/. a year, undertaking at the same time to
make the stage entailer, and ornament the Theatre.
These were the general terms. He was not autho-
rised by Mr. Kean to state any more—but lie had
reason to think, that, if a lease for ten years were
granted, he would being forward the boxes pm-
portioned to the decrease of the stage, so that the
audience might hear and see better.
Mr. Peestir thought the best plan the Proprietors
could adopt would be to put the concern in Mr.
Kerner hands. It was the only means by which
they could at present have any chance of going on.
When a proposition fir letting the Theatre was fur.
merly made by Mr. IVliitbread, he opposed it, upon
the ground, that he thought it could be managed
more advantageously, as well fur the drama as tor
the Propriitoni, by a Ciiminittee. Feeling now,
however, that he was mistreken in that opinion, he
hail no hesitation in acknowledging it. It was show
proposed that die Proprietors should advance some-
this% to remove the difficulties that at present
pressed upon the concern. It was stated to him,
that ten pounds upon each share would be sufficient
for this purpose; but be did not ere bow it wits
possible to liquidate, by a subscriptiou to this
amount, a debt of more than 90,000/.

Mr. Roam begged to inform the lion. Gentle.
mom that it would slot be necessary at present to
liquidate any but the contract debts.
Mr. Pertae, in continuation, said, he was obliged
for this explanation. The plan iii that case wnuld,
l►e thought, be sufficient to remove the present ern-
barrasstnents. Ile was glad to hear from Mr. firm-
ble, that the receipts equalled the expenditure, and
was willing to concur ►n soy proposition : but he
feared the majority of the Propi►etors would not be
willing to confirm the subscription to the amount
of 10/. ou each share. Ile should, however, make
a proposition to that effect.
Mr. S. KlEMar.e said, the first authors and poets
of the age hid offered to assist the Theatre with
their labours.

The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Cslcraft) advised that a
Committee should be appointed to look into the
va►ious documents connected with the establish-
ment. They were so voluminous, that frcm merely
hearing them read, it was impossible to form u just
opinion on the subject. If Live gentlemen would
undertake this, it could be, in his mind, the ,nu►t
limper course. It must be a source of great encou-
ragement to them all, that men of estimation in
their professions were willing to come forward and
offer plans, by which they thought the lUlleef II
might believed from ruin. This gave him a hope
that it would be again set on its legs. No plan.
however, could be effictusl, unless the renters'
judgments, executions, and expenses on law pro-
ceedings, were removed. The thanks of the Pro-
p rieturs were due to Mr. Stephen kemble, for his
inamigement, under so minty difficulties. His exer-
tions were must successful. He never saw a play
better got up thin Brvtus: Had' the prices not
been reduced. he was sure the concerts would
he many thousands in pocket, in place of having an
increase of debt.

After a few words from Mr.liosist% Mr. Alder-
MM. Woo!, wod Mr. Gnaw FEU.,

_ .
Mr. S. KEMBLE pressed the necessity of coming