The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-22 00:00:00

(From, the Morning Post.)

Massinger's famous play of " A New Way to Pay
Old Debts," was performed at this theatre last night,
the part of Sir Giles Overreach being taken by Mr.
Roberts, an American tragedian, who made his debut
before a very friendly audience, by whom he was not
only received with enthusiastic acclamations, but sum-
moned to the foot-lights twice in the course of the even-
ing. These demenstrations, regarded as judgments on
the merits of an actor, have long since lost their signi-
ficance, being awarded, like the sunshine of heaven, with
equal liberality to the just and the unjast. On the Etage,
as off it, time tries all, and we can Only say that it will
affori us sincere gratification to learn some years hence
that Mr. Roberts has realised all that his ft lends so san
guinely hope in his regard. He, undoubtedly, possesses
the merit of energy.

(From the Mernin rj Advertiser )

It would be manifestly unfair, with the notorious
drawbacks upon every first appearance, to give judgment
peremptorily as to tha merits or demerits of a performer
placed in the anxious situation of a first attempt in a
new country, before a new audience ; and an audience,
moreover, of whom he has read and heard as the final of
court of appeal from the verdict of local partialities,
provincial prestige, and the blindness of friends. Tnes3
considerations duly weighed, Mr. Rherts made last
night a great success—a success which we have Etas
doubt will be confirmed upon a better acquaintance.

(Prom the Morniny Chronicle.)
Those who have had the good fortune to witness the
transcendant acting of Elmund Kean in the character
of Sir Giles had before them a standard whereby to esti-
mate the delineation of Mr. Roberts. Measured by such
a standard his performance must of necessity be a short-
coming. We were never carried away in the whirlwind
and torrent of passion--we always SAW before us the
actor, but let us do him the justice to say, a most ear-
nest and painstaking actor. It may have been the
novelty of the scene—a first appearance before a Lam'on
audience, and within the walls of that Old Drury which
had so often rang with will, uncontrolled plaudits, at
the acting of the elder Kean—that Mr. Roberts missed
many points in the level declamation incident to the
character of St. Giles. We are anaiou§ to see him in
the more stirring and life-like dramas of Shakspeare.
We hail him as a decided acquisition to the stage, and
when he has become accustomed to his audience he will
doubtless throw more emphasis into the level deolama
tory part.

" (Front the Merning herald.)
Mr. Roberts was listened to last night with great at-
tention by a crowded aunience, who encouraged him in
every scene, and were ready to shower applauses on him
should he prove himself fair'y entitled to such a ditinc-
Lion. The actor, however, created no enthusiasm, and
the plaudits he obtained were only occasional, and even
then), in some instances, must be attributed to encou-
ragement rather than conviction of his talents. It is
possible that Mr. Roberts may appear to greater advan-
tage in another part, and we shall be glad to reverse our
judgment should we find cause to do so. At present we
must assign him a place secondary to some of our own
modern actors, and thus far contest the opinions pro-
nounced on his abilities in the New World.

Mr. Bsiton, an old favourite at Drury-lane, who has
recently returned from America, sustained the part of
Wellborn with much vigour and spirit, and showed no
small improvement on his latest performances in this
country.

LYCEUM THEATRE'.

(from the Times )

Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison have set
on foot a new enterprise, the aim of which is to
establish English opera on a permanent basis at the
Lyceum Theatre. Since these well-known singers
left England for the United States more than
one attempt has been made professing a sirni
lar object—but without success. The reason was ob-
vious. The idea of completeness was altogether over
looked, and in the absence of completeness no such
undertaking can possibly answer in the present day.
Miss Pyne and her associate appear to have taken this
into account, if we may judge from the first performance
last night, when Auber's delightful opera, "Lea Diamans
de la Couronne," was given, according to the Engllsh
version, in such a manner as to merit almost unqualified
approval. There was not a hitch from beginning to end,
and the beautiful melodies of tte king of French com-
posers were heard to the best advantage. A more
genuine success was never obtained, one more indepen-
dently earned and amply merited.

(From the Morning Chronicle.)
The Lyceum Theatre is again an English Opera House.
Last evening Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison
commenced their season, and never were popular favou-
rites on their return from foreign travel received more
cordially. It is now three years since they left this coun-
try for America, and all who remember the vicissitudes
of English opera during that period must acknowledge
that we have not had such a force of " native tale►,t"
that we could well spare two artistes of suc'i tntrit.
Rarely during that interval have we seen an English
opera placed on the stage with so complete a caste a 3
that of Auber's " Crown Diamonds," as performed last
evening.