The Sun.
London, England, 1836-04-26 00:00:00

LYCEUM.

A verlion of I'ler2rbeer's Opera of The Huguenots was
produced last night, by the Lyceum commonwealth. There
certainly must be a revolution in taste ; for although the whole
of the origin music was cut out, and plenty of red fire was in
requisition" the adaptation was a failure. It is true that Mr.
J. H. Tully, who is announced in the bills as "general mu-
sical director and occasional composer" for the establishment,
thinking, no doubt, that Meyerbeer's music was but sorry stuff;
provided for the " grand musical drama"—we again quote the
affiche—a certain quantity cf his profound composition, and it
must be admitted that was scarcely giving the red fire a fair
chance, but still the audience were perverse enough to imagine
that Tully did not shine in music. It was particularly unfor-
tunate for him that through a misprint it was stated that the
overture and music were " entirely new." The mistake con-
sisted only of three letters—" new" was accidentally.inserted
for " old," but it created an unfavourable impression. We
shall not attempt to analyse the plot of The Huguenots. The
incidents were striking enough, for nearly the whole drama
vas a series of combats, the causes of which were not clearly
explained. We are sorry to say that some good acting, some
pretty scenes, and picturesque costume have been thrown away
on the production. The entertainments, otherwise, were un-
exceptionable. The drama of Lucille continues its prosperous
career, and will have a long run ; and the lively farce of a
A Day Well Spent keeps pace with its more serious corn.
panion in the stream of popularity. The management is spi-
rited, and the general arrangements of ;he house are entitled
to much commendation.

NEW S TRA
This pleasant little theatre Pas opened last night for the
season, under the joint manatrement of Mr. W. J. Hammond,
an actor of considerable provincial celebrity, and Mr. Douglas
Jerrold, who is well Ir-,lown for his successful drama of Nell
Gwynne and The Rent Day. The performances commenced
with a new bwiletta, from the pen, we understand, of Mr.
Leman Red r„ entitled Come to Town. The plot of this lively
- trifle is as follows :—Ccelebs (Mr. Simpson) has a nephew,
Freder'„ck Darlington (Mr. W. J. Hammond), whom he in-
vites to " come to town," ag ,the best place for rewarding in-
dwstry and talent. There, and next door to his uncle, Frede-
rick finds an old flame in the person of a young lady, Hen-
rietta ( Miss Ferguson), whom he had encountered at a race
ball,whilst Jeffery, his valet( Mitchell), is also once more blessed
with the sight of a former lover, Nelly (Miss Stoker). Mr. Cce-
lebs has a love of his boyhood, Miss Penelope (Mrs. Tayleure),
the aunt of Henrietta, in the same house, where the other
fair ones arc, and, after divers disguises and plots, Frederick
obtains his love, and the old fellow and Jeffery are in a fair
way to arrive at as blest a conclusion. The piece rests mainly
on the efforts of the new performer, Mr. Hammond, who cer-
tainly afforded it the most efficient support ; and had two
songs full of point, a-ht-Mathews, which he sung most effec-
tively, and was 'encored in the first. He was ably seconded
by Mrs. Tayl cure, who is admirable in that line of character.
Mr. Rede'; piece was followed by a new serious burletta, in
one act, The Painter of Ghent, the principal character in
which was played by the author, Mr. Douglas Jerrold. There
is great power in this drama, and not a little pathos, and had
the materials been worked up with more care, we have little
doubt it would have had a long tenure of existence. As it is,
it must depend for success, solely on the stray bursts of fancy
and feeling which proceed from the lips of the half. frenzied
artist. Some of these are of a very vigorous character, and
produced an impressive effect. It is a very rare subject of
complaint with us that modern dramas are too much curtailed;
but on this occasion we cannot help regretting that Mr. Jer-
rold had not made more skilful use of his characters. There
are materials in the Painter of Ghent for three acts. Of the
author's performance, we can scarcely yet venture to speak de-
kiVAke w MesMiniti,SilYbarßsrAiNle ordinary degree, and
Mr. Jerrold will take rank as one of the most intelligent actors
of the day. He was welcomed in the most friendly and cordial
manner by the audience, and loudly called for at the end of the
play. The house was full, but not crowded.