The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-29 00:00:00

THEA7RICAL AND MUSICAL.

+IP
On Wednesday evening M. Gompertz gave his Spec:,
trescopo Entertainment in St. James's Hall. popper
~
Ghost is an ordinary spectre compared to those raised
this magician. As he announced, Goothe's Faust led
selected, as the spectators aro familiar with the stall', 3n,
it best admits of bringing his wonderful illusions ill°
play. Marguerite's appearance as represented at Drury-I°.
beautiful as it was, was nothing to the spectral Marguerite,
introduced by Gompertz ; and the scene of her death
a beautiful tableau, so perfect in its delusion, that it arie
out from nothing and again faded into nothing, leaving thae
mind of the beh3lder convinced, that the actual
,„
figures were as he saw them on the stage. That t""
actual figures are occasionally on the stage there eau b:
little doubt, though they seem to assume f°ts
from vacancy and vanish as they come, for gh°s
cannot throw shadows, nor can they jump, makinlal
noise on the boards. By what means could the actu
substantial, stout, speaking, and acting being beaseized
bd
a ghost, and vanish before our eyes, to reappear a singing 10
dancing spectre, and again fade away ? "Is he a real 0111,,,
exclaimed a child behind us. "I believe he is, mY deite;;l
"Then, where is he gone ?" a question more easily sEr;,
than answered. The "Revolt of the Ghosts" lity'd
marvellous effect, considering the substantial reality
the figures as they stood and sang on the stage, thee r
up the walls and along the ceiling, tumbling lleadi°„1)0
down, passing through each other, not like shadoWo "0
a wall, but rosy-cheeked, talking, healthy characters, so
perfect in illusion that there was no difference whatever t
the eye between the ghost on the stage and the individiP:
the ghost represented. We hope Mr. Gompertz will rec°:
eider his determination, and extend the entertainment"
as to afford the citizens of London an opportunity
seeing this marvellous exhibition.

LIVERPOOL THEATRES.
The Prince of Wales's Theatre and the Royal AMPlii'
theatre re-opened on Monday night, under the jeint/n3;
„,.
nagement of Mr. Alexander Henderson and Mr. -11'
Byron ; and if the programme submitted at both houses "-
taken as an indication of the intention of the now II;
nagement, the local playgoers will have every reas°°,e
congratulate themselves on the friendly union of the so`",-;
times rival magnates of the Liverpool theatrical W°l.'
The former theatre has, during the recess, undergone 6414;
siderablo alterations and improvements. The dre-d,
circle has been enlarged, the flooring of the stalls elevate t
and theseadng in thepitand gallery circles so arrangedtht
erg
a perfect view of the stage is now obtained from °Tb
part of the house. These alterations, coupled vilfii"
an increased brilliancy in the lighting, and a c°, .
1.--;
plate renovation of the georgenus decorations, r°11",,,-
this theatre now second to none in the kingd°;
The piece selected for the inauguration of the summer s°-:
son was " A Midsummer Night's Dream," and never Pe`-
haps was this, the most beautiful of Shakspere's creati°l36
produced with a greater degree of completeness and sPle°,:f
dour. With Mr. Phelps in his celebrated character "
Bottom, Miss Julia St. George as Puck, all the other Ort,g.
sustained with more than average merit, beautiful sceror)
by Grieve, presenting a series of exquisite pictures, and:ibfe
musical selections rendered with rare ability by a hig,'.l,°-
trained and efficient orchestra, this " second grand Sh 3-1;
sperian revival" at the Prince of Wales Theatre will -4
long remembered by all wlw have the good fortuno "
witnessing its representation.
At the Amphitheatre Mr. J. L. Toole, always an esPei'lle
favourite in Liverpool, has made the acquaintance of thy(
habitues of that house, and has been welcomed by his 13:14
friends (for the great comedian possesses the happy
of making friends of all with whom he comes in contacwi
with an enthusiasm which leaves him no cause to regre
having for a time forsaken the scene of his former triumPlioii
The fact of his appearance in three of his most celebvitef
characters sufficiently explains the nightly crowding °
the theatre.
The excellence of the entertainments at both houses
set at rest whatever feeling of uncertainty mighty lbe
existed as to the results of the amalgamation, an
prospective announcements are of such a character as
once to give assurance of the determination of the manage,
ment that the reputation severally earned will be inil/t
uphold.