The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-22 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Mr. Lumley's experiment of playing an opera
prelude before the Grand Season Fugue has proved
an eminently satisfactory success ; and he has
thereby raised his popularity and position as an
energetic and skilful caterer for the entertainment
of the public. Thousands have had the opportunity
of hearing refined and classical music—produced
with all essential talent and scenic effect—at a rea-
sonable cost ; and few of those thousands probably
could or would have thought of visiting Her Ma-
jesty's Theatre at the full prices. There are myriad
families, possessing cultivated taste and intense
love of harmony, whose small or perhaps limited
means preclude indulgence in such an expensive
enjoyment as the Opera constitutes; but Mr. Lum-
ley has boldly and liberally placed the entrancing
beauties of Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, and other esti-
mated composers, within the reach of many a wife
and daughter, without causing "Paterfamilias"
the slightest misgiving on his strict sense of pru-
dence. The various operas have been ably and
carefully presented, and the singing of Piccolomini
and Giuglini have enchanted crowded and appre-
ciating audiences. This week concludes the series
of performances—" La Figlia del Reggimento,"
"La Zingara," and "11 Trovatore," chinning the
respective nights. We can only express our hope
that Mr. Lumley's speculation has been as profit-
able to himself as satisfactory to the public, and
that the approaching season may produce similar
results.

THE ST. JAMES'S THEATRE..

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

answer to your letter of Mr. Charles B7aham,
in your irnpreseion of to-day, I beg to mike the following
statements :

Mr. Braham let me the St. James's Theatre with the
understanding that I should give as many performances
as I might find necessary. No res,r ration (except Good
Friday) was made of any days or evenings during Lent.
Since Christmas I have given pet formances every even-
ing, and morning performances every Wednesday and
Saturday, and I have always paid Mr. Braham for
my rent and gas a week in advance. I paid him on
Monday as usual, and Mr. Braham, on giving a receipt
.made no observation about the usual performances,
which had already been duly announced in all the news-
papers for the ensuing Wednesday (Ash Wednesday).
The first intimation I received of any objection to the
performances taking place was between one and two
o'clock in the day, just before the hour appointed for
commencing, when Mr. Braham informed me that he
bad received an order from the police to prohibit the
theatre from opening. I afterwards learnt fretn my
agent that he had received no order of the kind. Mr.
Braham was then apprised by that gentleman that my
entertainment did not come under the same category
as dramatic performances, and that other theatres
were opened to the public for entertainments, more
or less sitnilar, every day or evening during Lelt,
with the single exception of Good Friday. My
agent stated, moreover, that as the public were
waiting for admittance, the doors should positively
be opened. Mr. Braham then refused to allow the gad
to be lighted, thus rendering it impossible for me to
proceed.

Being a foreigner, I am unacquainted with the En.
lish laws and calitorns ; but it appears only reasonable
that if the St. James's Theatre license differs from that of
any other establishment, due notice ought to have been
given me of the fact. This not having been done by the
proprietor, I was placed in a very equivocal position
before the public, which has so generously patronised
my entertainment. Many had come from considerable
distances, and would naturally, being ignorant of the
circumstances, blame me for that over which, the above
statement will have shown, I have no control whatever,
—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILJALEA FRIKELL,
.St James's Theatre, Feb. 19.