The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-30 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S.

Mr. Wigan last night commenced his management of
this theatre with the most brilliant success. He has secured
the services of a first-rate company; and, judging from the
good taste he has hitherto displayed, the long-neglected St.
James's Theatre will in a short time become one of the
most fashionable places of entertainment in the metropolis.
A new two act comedy, by Mr. Tom Taylor,
entitled " Up in the Hills," inaugurated the season, and
most auspiciously, for from first to last it met
with most complete 'and triumphant success. The piece
is illustrative of military life in India, the principal part
being a certain, handsome, clever, but unprincipled Major
Stonehurst, who has laid siege to the hand, or rather the
fortune of a charming young widow, one Mrs. Eversleigh,
who is residing up in the Hills. In prosecuting his designs
he becomes the master, so to speak, of Captain Slack and
Lieutenant Greenway, the formor of whom he has secured
by lending money, which he cannot return ; and the latter
by winning money of him at blind-hookey, which he can-
not pay. All seems to be going on satisfactorily until
Mrs. Colonel M'Cann arrives on a visit to Mrs. Eversleigh,
but the character of Stonehurst is known to this lady, and
she determines to save her friend from the clutches of
such an undesirable partner. Mrs. M'Cann and Major
Stonehurst meet; she demands of him an explanation of his
plans, which on being revealed she disapproves, and finally
she informs him that all her influence will be used to
break off the intended marriage. Stonehurst dares her to
do her worst, but at the same time he informs her that he
possesses certain letters written by Mrs. Eversleigh during
the lifetime of her husband, which, in the event of a refusal,
he will make public, and thus blast the prospects of the
young wid(,w. Mrs. M'Cann receives the intelligence with
the utmost coolness ; and, after a little bantering, war to the
death is declared between them, each party informing the
other that they intend to cut each other's throat as respect-
ably as the usages of good society will allow. The result
of the contest is that the good genius, Mrs. M'Cann,
triumphs, and the major makes all the atonement
he can, by promising reformation, and marrying his
first love, a pretty native ayah, named Monee. The
acting of Mr. Wigan, as Stonehurst, was of that
earnest and thrilling nature which invariably characterise
all his dramatic creations. Mrs. Wigan, as Mrs. Colonel
M'Cann, played the part with all the ease, vivacity, and
truthfulness for which she is so remarkable. Miss Herbert,
Miss Kato Terry, Mr. Emery, Mr. Ashley, and Mr. Dewar,
who sustained good but subordinate parts in the play, all
acquitted themselves with taste and ability. At the fall of
the curtain the applause was enthusiastic, and we most
heartily congratulate Mr. Wigan on his good fortune in
having secured so excellent a play, which for a long time
to come must prove highly attractive.

The entertainments concluded with Planche's splendid
extravaganza burlesque, " The King of the Peacocks,"
which has been revived with all its pristine splendour.
The house, it is almost needless to observe, was crowded
with a most fashionable audience.