The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-28 00:00:00

ADELPHI THEATRE-

The Adelphi re-opened last evening after a short
recess; during which it has been completely reno-
vated under the superintendence of Mr. Charles
Manby, the gentleman to whose taste we were
indebted for the first great improvement that was
ever made in this theatre—the substitution of the
dome over the audience part of the theatre for the
flat ceiling of the Adelphi of the olden time. Now.
the work of decoration has been carried still further,
and a new principle has been adopted for the various
ornamental works. Mr, Wyatt, who made the designs
which Mr. Sang has executed, has taken his idea
from the temporary theatres erected in the royal
gardens of France during the reigns of Louis XIV.
and his successor. The ground of the dome is an
azure, which deepens towards the centre, and is re"
lieved by a light piece of trellis work, ranged in
arches, within which Cupids are swinging, while birds
of varied plumage add to the gaiety of the picture. The
panels of the boxes are of a buff colour, and the fes-
toons, scrolls, and medallions with which these are
adorned, are quite in keeping with the dome. The
light aspect of the house is brought out in strong con-
trast with the deep crimson interior of the boxes,
which forms as it were the ground-work to the whole.
The warm glow which is thus produced is again re•
lieved by the light green of the entrances, and a
pleasing sensation is produced by the transition from
one extreme to the other on entering or quitting the
boxes. The hangings of the private boxes are of em-
broidered muslin, lined with amber Persian, on the
side towards the stage, and of richly printed lama on
the side opposite, the whole being surmounted with
bullion- fringe. The curtain, by Messrs. Pitt and
Johnstone, represents a scene of the period from which
the general idea of the decorations is taken— a pro-
menade in which the courtiers of the " Grand Mo-
narque" are assembled after the termination of one of
the fashionable theatrical performances. A solid im-
provement in the theatre should not pass unnoticed.
The stairs which lead to the boxes are no longer
of wood, covered with heel-tripping matting, but ars
of Llangollen slate ; and the stairs of the lower pri-
vate boxes, on one side, are of the same material.
This new staircase, which leads also to the stalls, is
very neatly fitted up, and is much more commodious
than the narrow winding staircase for which it is
substituted. The seats of the boxes in the dress
circle have all backs to them, and (a great improve-
ment, for which every frequenter of the theatre will
be thankful) every effort has been made, and, judging
from last night, we should say successfully made to
secure a thorough ventilation. The lobbies have
been painted and decorated, and are lighted by chan-
deliers. The stage is new, and a new chandelier of
increased light•giving power is suspended from the
dome. The entertainments last evening were Harvest
Home, and Going to the Derby. All the old Adelphi
favourites as they sucessively appeared were wel-
comed in the most cordial manner, and when Mr.
Webster appeared to take his part in the National
Anthem he was greeted with the most enthusiastic
applause. The house was crowded to excess in every
part—it was a regular Adelphi crush.

SADLER'S WELLS.
After a somewhat lengthened interregnum, the
legitimate drama renewed its sway here last evening,
with Mr. Phelps as Prime Minister. The house
has been thoroughly cleansed and redecorated
during the recess, and was filled in every
part immediately after the doors were opened.
The play selected for the opening was Co-
riolanus, carefully, effectively, classically got up,
and acted with an evenness of excellence which made
the illusion complete, and kept up the interest with-
out flagging until the final fall of the curtain. Mt.
Phelps' Coriolanus is a most careful performance,
wanting, perhaps, in the massive dignity which
one associates with the character of the Roman
patrician, but having all the actor's peculiar ex-
cellencies, and eliciting loud and general applause.
Mr. A. Younge made an excellent Menenius, and the
other male characters were all above mediocrity. Of
the female characters, Volumnia was personated -by
Miss Glynn, a pupil, as we understood, of Mr.
Charles Kemble, who sat looking as, well as his best
friends could wish him in one of the lower boxes.
The lady is pleasing in face and figure, and a good
drill, but her voice is disagreeable, and her attitudes,
when not awkward, too artificial to be pleasing. Miss
Cooper did the little she had to do in Virgilia effec-
tively. The groupings of the crowds of citizens and
soldiers were admirably managed, and Mr. Scharf, as
a mob leader, was really great. The scenery was, as
it always is at this theatre, excellent. This revival
of Coriolanus is "a bit."