The Sun.
London, England, 1830-01-07 00:00:00

PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN THE
LAWS REGULATING THEATRES.

(From a Correspondent.)

A measure of considerable importance to the pro-
prietors and lessees of theatres, and •of great interest
to the public generally, is in contemplation, by the
revision of the present Acts of Parliament relating
to the patents of the " major" theatres, and the 11-
tensing of the " minor" establishments; and which
it is expected will give rise to much discussion both
in and out of Parliament. Mr. Lennard,
gave notice of motion lust session (and it is under•
stood he will follow it up in the ensuing one), to in-.
troduce a bill to repeal so much of the Act of the
10th Geo. 11., c. 28, as requires notice to be sent to
the Lord Chamberlain previously to the represents•
Lion of any new play or entertainment of the stage,
or any addition to an old play. The substance of
the 3d and 4th sections of the Act requires notice
should be given to the Lord Chamberlain 14 days'.
before the acting, &c., and empowering him to pro-
hibit, if he should think fit. If such notice is not
given, the penalty is 501., " and the licence of the
play-house shall cease, determine, and become abso,
lutely void." These provisions of the Act more
especially refer to the patent theatres acting under
Killigrew's patent, granted in the reign of
Charles 11. Of the legality of this patent, there,:
is, however, difference of opinion, even amongst,
lawyers, and it is alleged, that granting its
legality, it has been infringed ;—the patent
theatres having performed old plays, to whick,
additions had been male without giving the;
required notice. Mr. Lennard's intended bill
is to simplify the above quoted act by a complete
revision, and to do away with the heavy responsibi-
lity the patent theatres now labour under. It ►s
,urged, however, on the part of the miner theatres,
that Mr. Lennard's proposed bill will increase and
confirm the monopoly of the two patent theatres,
and serve as a means by which the patentees will
restrict the minor playhouses in their performances,
the latter being licensed by the 25th of Geo. Ha
which authorizes Magistrates to grant, at any
Michaelmas Session after 1752, " their license to
any house, room, or garden, for public dancing,
music, or other public entertainments of the like
kind." Now it is well known that the minor theatre+
have for some years past played the regular drama it
contravention of the last-quoted act, and a prosecu-
tion was instituted in 1828, and some years pre-
viously, by the patentees of Drury-lane Theatre
against the Coburg, and penalties recovered; and
here the question becomes of public importance,
inasmuch as the proposed new bill may give a power
restraining the minor theatres from performing the
regular drama, which they still continue to do Di
spite of the patents of the great houses. Strong
representations have been made to M. Peel, as•.
Home Secretary, on the subject, and there is every
reason to expect that that Right Honourable Gentle-.
man will himself propose some measure to consoli•
date the statutes and acts stow in existence, and
which extend from the reign of Elizabeth to the 28th
of Geo. lll.—Morning Paper.