The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-10 00:00:00

THEATRICAL NEWS.

Dnußv-LANE.--The production of Mr. Stirling Coyne's
comedy, which was in rehearsal at Drury-lane, has been
postponed in consequence of the close of the drtimatio
season at Easter being near at band. It will be brought
forward on the re-opening of the theatre next autumn,
with Mr. Charles Mathews in the principal character.
HAYMARKET THEATRE.—An original three-act comedy
entitled "The Evil Genius," from the pen of Bayle
Bernard, Esq., was produced here on Saturday evening
with the most decided success. It is an interesting, well-
written p'ar, admirably acted throughout, and will prove
a decided "hit" for the indefatigable lessee—a circum-
ttance that will afford great pleasure to the whole of his
admirer. The following i. an outline of the plot i—A.
certain Mr. Hill Cooley (Chippendale), a man of very
humble origin, having amassed a fortune in the East
Indies, returns to his native land to spend it. Previous to
leaving England he bad married a servant girl by whom
he had a son, and believing that the boy is dead, and that
all recollection of him has passed away, he is induced to
settle is Derbyshire. However' one of his old acquaint-
ances turns up in the person of Tum Ripetone (Mr. tuck-
atone), who, being in possession of the knowledge, finds
that Co9ley is in a state of great anxiety lest the circus'
stance should come to the knowledge of a certain
proud lady, Mrs. Montgomery (Mrs. Poynter), to
whom he is about to In married. The son, whom he be-

lieves to be dear), be shocked to learn from Ripstone,
who he terns his evil geeius,is still alive. The proud
nabob shrinks from the thought of meeting his neglected
child—the fruit of his ignoble marriage—and believing
that Ripstone means to expose him, he Wee to get bim
out of the way by cmisine; him to be arrested for a bill
which he has passed to Mrs. Montgomery. Tom, how-
ever, contrives to turn the tables on his enemies, and
raises a hearty laugh against the lady by intercepting
wig which had been sent,. by her hairdr.sser. At the
same time he manages to unite Clara Fielding (Miss
Swanboroug'u), the ward of Hill Cooley, to Barton (Mr.
Villiers), a young surgeon, who turns out to be the sou
of the nabob, whom the kind-hearted Rip-tone had
brought up and educated after he had been deserted by
his father. Of the actiog of the different artistes engaged
in the performance we roust speak in the highest terms of
praise. The Tom Ripstone of Mr. Buckstone was the most
perfect embodiment of good humour it is possible to ima eine
—in a word, his acting of the part was perfection. Three
new scenes, viz., the parlour of a villa in Derbyshire,
the gardens before the village, and the park and coun-

try mansion of the parvenu Cooley, were capital speci-
mens of the scene-painter's art. The comedy was re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic npplauso, and at the
fall of the curtain there was a general call for Mr. Buck•
stone, who came forward and announced the piece for
repetition every evening. The house was fully and
fashionably attended.
FLEX/SORE'S BENEFIT.- -The celebrated paetominiiet.
Flexinore, who filled the role of Clown in the panto-
mime of " Henry the Eighth" during the late season at
Covent-garden takes his benefit at the Lyc_une on Wed-
nesday evening next. He is so well known and appre-
ciated that the house is certain to be well attended.
Mr. Anderson will appear in " Black-eyed Susan," and
the beneficiairs has secured theeervices of a host of vocal
and terpsichorean talent.
SURREY THEATRE.—The melodrama of "The Sailor
of France" has been produced with great success at this
theatre during the list week. Mr. Shepherd personates
the French tar with a fine perception of the real fun of
the character. Miss Seyton, a debutante from the pro-
vinces, promises to he a valuable addition to the com-
pany. Altogether the piece is very effective. .
The services of Mons. Jullien have been secured by
Messrs. Cramer, Beale, and Co., of Regent-street, for a
series of musical performances in which the great master
of the baton may display his energies to advantage. The
same firm have also entered into an engagement with M.
and Mme. Gassier, and with Mr. Swift, the new tenor.
That charming singer, Mine. Gassier, will appear in
London, on the operatic stage, after an absence of several
months, next Thursday evening, for the benefit of Mr.
Loder, in the ever-pleasing "La Soneambula.”
MARYLEBONE THEATRE.—This pretty little theatre
will commence its summer mason under a new manage-
ment, and with a choice company, selected from the
members of the Theatres Royal Drury-lace, Lyceum,
Sadler's-wells, Edinburgh, Hull, &c. Among the stars
engaged, we have heard the names of Mr. Charles
Mathews, Mr. Barry Sullivan, Miss Fitzpatrick, and
Mrs. J. W. Wallack, mentioned. The new lessee, Mr.
E. Seaman, has placed the acting and stage management
in the able bands of Mr. Edward Stirling.
Among young musical and theatrical artistes about to
rise on the horizon (not, in truth, before they are wanted),
we hear of a younger Miss Keeley, from whom we are
bidden to expect good things.
THE DRAMA IN AUSTRALii.—Catherine Hayes has
become so great a favourite with the Melbourne people
that ber announced departure has brought forth an ad-
dress to the lady, numerously and respectably signed, in
which she is earnestly requested to continue for some time
longer her operatic performances in that town. G. V.
Brooke has appeared for the first time in the character
of Richard the Third, at Coppin's Olympic, where the
play was revived at some cost, and with much care, last
November. The house was crowded on the occasion,
and at the fall of the curtain there was a general call for
Mr. Brooke. Shylock is, however, considered by the
Australian public as his very best impersonation.

COVENT- GARDEN THEATRE. —The ruins of this vast
building were yesterday visited by many thousands of
persons, and the police had an office of difficulty in
preserving the crowd from accident. The demolition of
the walls has now commenced, and in a very few days
the lofty outline of the theatre will be brought down to
the level of the adjoining houses.
FIRE AT DEIIIIY-LANE THEATRE.—On Friday after-
noon great alarm was created among the servants of
Drury•lane Theatre in consequence of the discovery of
a smouldering fire in the " flies" of the stage. With
little difficulty the flames were soon arrested without
causing any material mischief. Mr. Braidwood, the su-
-1 perintendent of the fire brigade, was immediately sent
1 for by Mr. Smith, the lessee, and on his arrival at the
theatre a strict inquiry was instituted into the cause of
the fire. It was eventually traced to have resulted from
wadding in an ignited state, discharged from a gun fired
in the course of the performance of the pantomime the
previous evening falling into one of the beams in the
flies, and the timber being exceedingly dry it qu:ckly
ignited, and from its proximity with the scenery, &c.,
its early discovery is considered most fortunate. A few
hours later and Old Drury would have met de fate of
Covent garden. Neither the theatre nor its contents
are insured.
LONDON THEATRES DESTROYED BY FIBS.--Drury
lane, 1672 and 1809 ; her Majesty's, 1789 ; Pantheon,
1792 ; Astley, 1794, 1803, and 1841 ; Surrey (Circus),
11805 ; Covent-garden, 1808 and 1856 ; Royalty, 1826
I English Opera House, 1830 ; Argyll Rooms, 1880;
Olympic 1849 ; Pavilion, 1856.