The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-13 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.

An eight act pieci.; extending over the entire even-
ing, was the potent attraction at this elegant theatre.
La 'Dame 'de ' Halle, the original drama, by M.
Annicet Bourgeois and a collciborateur, was in six
acts. The two additional acts added by the Lyceum
adapters, ,111,4 Slingaby LEtvitence- and Mr. Charles
Mathews, seem intended prinCiPally for the introduc-
tion of a shipiireek scene, excellently managed—better,
indeed, than anything of 'the kind since the famous
shipwreck in Mr.'Kemble's -last revival of the Tem-
pest, at Covent,garden. As a medium for displaying
the entirejetOurces of te Lyceum,` both in regard to
company Ilia scenic effect, it serves its purpose well.
Mr. Charles Mathews was 'scoundrel of the first
water, With a viiolness, ease; and imperturbable effron-
tery that were:l:exquisite,. and occasionally made 'the
audience roar in the midst of the' gravest passages of
villany. MadamerVestris acted with fine pathos in the
scene where the lass of the.2oo louis d'nrs is disco-
vered, and was efficiently seconded by the rough and
hearty earnestness 'of Mr; *Frank Matthews, who
made the most,of the part of Pere Bonneau. Mr.
Roxby exhibited a great deal of vigour as Alcide le
Fort, and Mr. itter was quietly humorous as
Brididi, the accepted laver of Javotte, which person-
age was played by. Miss Julia St. George with
charming sprightliness and ease. Mrs. Frank Mat-
thews was es genial andmitural as she always is in
Madeleine Richard, one of the chiefs of the lialle,—
and Mrs. Maolahmara'S etiffness and dignity as the
Marchidniits .:*ere thoroughly characteristic. Miss
Laura Keene made her firstappearance at this theatre
in the character of lierese, and her (labia must be
pronounced decidedly successful. There is a vast
deal of promise in this young lady, who only,
wants more familiarity with the 'stage to be-
come an actress of more than conimon pretensions,
particularly in melodrania and. domestic plays. She
has ,youth and everyt4ing in Eiei favour. The other
characters call' for no special remark—except that
every one, including Mr. -Belton, another' debutante
(in the part pf,,George Michel), did his very beat,
whatever thit alight amount to, to secure a good en-
semble. The scenery brought out. the admirable
talent of Mr. Beverley:- in-a tiew light, and showed
him as happy in the treatment of real as of faery
subjects. The moonlight scene of the Market of the
Innocents was a masterpiece of picturesque design.
One of the most striking effects we have ever wit-
nessed on the 'stage was the 'shipwreck on the rocks
of St. Domingo;! the reality was 'most appalling.
The ballet was ;appropriate, 'and the dancing of
Miss Rosina Wright extremely sinitnated. One of the
dances, entitled La Fricassee, by a troupe of pois-
sardes, was quaint' and spirited, and elicited au
uproarious encore. Mr.' Tully-has been very suc-
cessful in the innsic and -introduced • more than one
pretty song. -The I•
an of the curtain was the signal
for an unanimous recall for Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews—then for Miss Laura Keene—and, lastly,
for the author;; in response to which Mr. C. Mathews
came forward and candidly 'owned that the piece was
an adaptation from the' French, by himself and
another gentlppann (named above). The Chain of
Events adds another to the chain of Lyceum suc-
cesses. -