The Sun.
London, England, 1822-06-24 00:00:00

THE THEATIIES.

KING'S THEATRE.—Notwithstanding the heat
of the_ weather a crowded auditory attended on
Saturday to witness the representation of Il
Barbiere de Seviglia, and the new ballet •of Le
Petit Chaperon Rouge. The Princess AUGUSTA,
the Duke and Duchess of GLOUCESTER, _and a
large concourse of Nobility were present.
HAYMARKET.:—The Play of The Stranger was
again represented on Saturday, and Mrs. W.
CLIFFORD made her second appearance in the
part of Mrs. Haller. Her performance fully
confirmed the favourable impression which she
at first made upon the audience, and throughout
the part excited sympathy as well as applause.
Mr. C. KEMBLE again gave a masterly and affect-
ing portrait of the Stranger. The Beggar's
Opera followed, and Miss GRANVILLE, the new
Polly, was again very successful; but we wish
she would abridge her redundant graces and sing
with more simplicity.
ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.—MT. MATHEWS, on
Saturday, concluded his original, whimsical, and
diverting Melange, entitled his Youthful Days,
and if the Americans have a due sense of humour,
and properly estimate the versatility of powers
which this actor displays, he will return " with
wealth and honours fairly won." The following
is the speech which he delivered on this occasion :
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—My task of 'the evening
being finished, it now only remains for me to bid you fare-
well. This is the last time, for many months to come, that
shall have the honour and pleasure of appearing before you.
I would fain make you merry at parting, but I feel it impos-
sible to leave such kind friends, even for a time, without a sen-
sation here that prohibits an attempt zit a mirthful leave taking.
That I may not therefore throw ' the same cloud over you
which at this moment overshadows me, I will merely intreat
that you will not forget me in my absence, and believe that
though the Atlantic must part us, it is utterly impossible that
I can ever forget how deeply I am indebted to your flattering
and unwearied patronage. I trust to be enabled to bring back
a new budget for your amusement, and all my powers of ob.
servation shall be rouzed to their utmost to collect such mate-
rials in my travels as shall prove that I have not absented my-
self from your smiles in vajn."_

DRURY-LANE PROPRIETORS' MEETING.
On Saturday a public meeting of the Pro-
prietors of this Theatre took place in the Saloon,
for the purpose of receiving a statement of the
affairs of the Theatre.

Mr. CaLcnAr T having been called to the Chair, stated to
the Meeting the object for which they had been called toge-
ther. He held in his hand, he said, a statement of the
accounts, drawn up by their auditor, Mr. Oakley, which he
had no doubt would prove satisfactory. It had already received
the approbation of the General Committee. He had the plea-
sure of being able to inform them that the income of the Theatre
had been regularly paid by Mr. Elliston—( Hear !)—of whom he
begged to say, that in those transactions of business which it
fell to his lot to have with him, he had experienced the utmost
satisfaction, from his liberality, punctuality, and attention, upon
all occasions. He begged leave to state that Mr. Elliston had not'
only paid their rent of 10,2001., but, in consequence of the
extra nights on which the Theatre had been opened. they had
now in the hands of their bankers the sum of 1,0001. for the free
renters; so that he had actually paid, during the last season,
11,3001. 'When the came to reflect upon the previous circum-
stances of the concern, they could not but consider this as an
extraordinary change in theatrical matters. They had, in ad-
dition to this, realised the other part of their income from housx's
and offices. There was a law-charge of 2801. but this, under
the peculiar circumstances under which it had been incurred,
must be considered rather as a gain than a loss. During the
three years that the Committee had held the management of
their affairs, they were engaged only in one lawsuit, and in that
they were successful. Though it cost money, as every lawsuit
must, still the result was advantageous. Having thus stated
the income and expenditure, he did not know that there was
any thing more to be said on that subject, except that the utmost
expectations of the Committee had been fulfilled. They had got
rid of debt much more rapidly than they calculated on, and there
was every prospect they would ultimately realise the whole of their
property. He thought it right to state that Mr. Elliston in-
tended to make great alterations, and introduce further embel-
lishments in the theatre, during the recess, which, added to the
industrious efforts he was malting to improve the company,
would render it as attractive as it ever had been in the annals of
its theatrical history. As far as such property was concerned,
nothing could be more promising or more cheering. They
would recollect that so short a time hack as three years, the
house was filled with executions, and laboured under embarrass-
ments of every kind. Since that period they had repaid 751.
per cent. instalments on their debts ; and if they had not
realized all that they owed, they had the most favourable pro-
spects before them. To shew more clearly the situation of
their affairs, he would state how the concern stood in 1819,
and at the present time. When the Committee undertook the
affairs of the Company in the year 1819, they found a debt upon
the concern of 92,4041. which debt was in July last reduced to
54,9391. Since which, period the sum of 11,9731. had been dis-
charged, reducing the present amount of debt to 33,9651.
They had therefore paid off, during this year, 11,9761. much
beyond what they expected. They had been called upon to
pay 2,0001. 'for a lien upon the theatre, which they did not
anticipate ; but which, upon looking into the terms of the
engagement, was found perfectly just. On this account,
the balance in' the banker's hands did not appear so great
as it would otherwise have been. But as it was so much
debt paid off, it might be fairly added to the amount of their
profits. Agreeably to the stipulations held out to the subscribers
to the loan, the sum of 4,3511. was to be paid to them in the
course of the next year. The. Committee having already paid 3
instalments of 251. per cent., each with interest, up to Jan. last
they had therefore fulfilled their engagement in a great measure,
so that no more than 3,41)01. remained due. The next part of the
plan, that of setting aside the nightlyreceipts for the new renters,
had been fully acted upon. The only incumhzance, therefore,
that remained, was 24,4161. clue to the bondholders, and 5,2001.
to claimants, which, in all probability, would not be called for,
and which, if it should, they would be perfectly ready to pay.
-The Committee confidently calculated that they would be
able to discharge the whole of the debt within the time men-
tioned in the several reports made to the Proprietor?. From
these circumstances the meeting would perceive that the Com-
mittee had fully realised the scheme held out three years back
to the public. The new renters might have the 1,1001. paid for
extra nights, whenever they pleased to call for it. He would
not trespass longer on their attention,• but merely to repeat that
their prospects were much better than any person, a short time
back, could venture to hope. From the punctuality and great
attention of Mr.Elliston he formed the most sanguine expecta-
tions that they would be able to realize every thing held out
to the Proprietors.
A Resolution was then moved and seconded, that the Re-
port should be confirmed. The motion was unanimously
agreed to.
The Secretary informed the Meeting that Mr, Benjamin
Oakley, their auditor, was now by 'rotation out of that office.
It was then moved and seconded that Mr. Oakley should be
re-elected.
The CHAIRMAN said it would be of the greatest advantage
to their interests to continue Mr. Oakley in the office. His
constant assiduity and attention to the accounts had contri-
buted in no small degree to the success of the affairs of the
theatre. He had a good and worthy man, Mr. Alderman
Wood, joined with him in the office of auditor, lat he never
attended. He thought some active person ought to be coupled
with Mr. Oakley. The motion for the re-election of Mr. Oak-
ley was carried unanimously.
The General Committee of last year having been unanimously
re-appointed—
Mr. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD said, that as a Member of the
General Committee, he was desirous of drawing their attention
to the services performed by the Sub-Committee. He con-
cluded by moving the thanks of the Meeting to the Sub-Com-
mittee who acted last year.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The Cllainsiaw said it now became their duty to elect a Sub-
Committee. He thought it highly desirable that the same
Committee should be continued until such time as their pro-
jects with regard to the concerns of the Theatre had been fully
realized.—TnelSub-Committee was then rs-appointed.
Mr. Rounis congratulated the Meeting on the favourable
state of their affairs. Formerly the creditors of the Theatre
complained that they could get no money—they were beset
with ineffectual applications every day. Now, on.the contrary:
they found some difficulty in prevailing on people to come and
take their money. At the office of the Duke of Bedford's
agent, Drury-lane, for punctuality, stood at the head Of the
poll.—(Hear!)—He would not trouble them further, but move
that the thanks of the meeting be given to their worthy Chair-
man. The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting
broke up.