The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-16 00:00:00

SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE.

A new and original fire act tragedy, from the pen of
an American gentleman, was produced here a few
evenings ago ; it is entitled Calaynos. The scene
and story of the tragedy are laid in Seville and the
surrounding neighbourhood. It is exquisitely written,
and remarkable for beauty of diction and poetic
thoughts. Mr. Phelps sustained the part of Calaynos—
half Moor, half Venetian—admirably. We have so
often had occasion to eulogise this gentleman's acting,
that now it would bo an act of supererogation to do so.
Miss Cooper played the part of the wife of Calaynos
beautifully; her reading was remarkable for its chasteness
and purity of style. Mr. Marston, Mr. Dickinson, and
Mr. Hoskins each acquitted themselves with their usual
excellence. The scenery is beautifully painted ; ea
pecial mention must be made of the exterior of the
castle of Calaynos. The dresses and appointments were
minutely correct. At the fall of the curtain Mr. Phelps
was called for, and received the applause he so justly
merited from a crowded and attentive audience.

MARYLEBONE THEATRE.
A new one act farce, called It's only my Aunt, was
produced here on Monday night, with great success... It.
is from the pen of Mrs. Valentine Bartholemew, wife of
the Quesn's flower painter, and is distinguished. rather
for clever, facetious, and racy dialogue than for any great
originality of plot—that is, the materials are not quite
new, but they are so well put together that they make an
effective, laughable piece. There is a certain Admiral
Firebrand (Mr. George Cooke), with a maiden sister,
Deborah, of " a certain age," and a niece Caroline. The
aunt is personated by Mrs. Johnson, and the niece by
Miss Villars. The Admiral wishes his niece to marry
his nephew, an exquisite who rejoices in the euphonies
name of Snipes (Mr. Morland), while, according to swipe
precedent, the young lady has already pleased herself in
the selection of Colonel Hunter (Mr. Wheatley) as a
lover, and her soubrette, a damsel called Patience (Miss
Saunders) creates the confusion of the farce by deliver-
ing to the aunt a note sent by the Colonel to the
niece. The antique lady makes an appoint-
ment with her correspondent, who sends his servant,
Oliver (Mr. Herbert) to keep it. The substitute accord-
d. ingly makes love, but, the Admiral coming in, is thrust
Into a chest for concealment. The Admiral, apprehend-
ing a visit from robbers, puts his own servant to watch
for them. This servant, who is afraid of ghosts, tuked
his seat on the chest, cut of which Oliver speedily issues,
covered with a white sheet, and escapes, but is taken for
and reported as a spiritual visitor. Meanwhile M. r.
Snipes appears, mistakes his uncle's house for an inn,
and is put into the chest by the handmaiden. The chest,
with its contents, is moved into Aunt Deborah's apart-
ment, where an explanation takes place, which is wound
up by the appearance of Caroline and Hunter, who have
gotparritd, and, according to dramatic practice, are forth-
with pardoned. It is but justico to say that the actors
performed their parts remarkably well, and thus contri-
buted to the success of a clever, sprightly trifle.

Great complaints are made at Sunderland of the
want of trade and employment. There is nothing to do
for the working mcn, and the prospect this year is
worse than darbg the sprillg for many years past.—
Durham Adrertirer.