The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-23 00:00:00

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.

It is at all times a very grateful part of the duties of the
journalist, in matters theatrical, as in every other depart-
ment of literature or art, to draw attention to those in-
stances, which are unfortunately but too few, where suc-
ceed and public support follow upon the steps of merit.
With very rare exceptions, the theatres of the metropolis
have, during the past six months, realised but a poor return
for the large outlay, the great anxiety, and the constant
and unwearying attention, which public taste exacts from
those who court its favours, or strive to follow its caprices.
It is certain, however, that since the turn of Christmas a
favourable change has taken place (at all events as far as
the Lyceum is concerned), and public taste has in this
instance, unequivocally pronounced a correct judgment,
which in no case could be better deserved.

It is absolutely exhilarating to witness the thorough and
heartily-expressed enjoyment of crowded houses with the
representation of the magnificent extravaganza, which
reflects at once the most artistic combination of pictorial
skill, with a lavish expenditure controlled by a most refined
taste ; or to " laugh and weep by turns" at the admirable
delineation of Irish character by Mr. John Drew, who has
completely secured the applause of a London, as
he had previously won the enthusiastic praise of a
Dublin audience. We have noticed Mr. Drew's
impersonations on previous occasions, and every successive
representation confirms our original opinion of his very
high qualities as an actor. Mr. Drew is now completely
at home with his audience, who thoroughly enter into the
life and soul of his unaffected humour. Besides—to parody
a well-known passage in Beaumont and Fletcher—" he
carries with him an infectious grief (or gaiety, as the case
maybe) which strikes all his beholders," and which is shared
in by those who are acting with him. The value of this in-
fluence can scarcely be overrated on the stage, and when we
use the conventional expression of a dramatic company,
" working well together," we pay the very best compliment
that can be paid to the organisation of the corps dramatigue
of the Lyceum Theatre. There is a singular evenness of
tone, if we may be permitted the use of the expression, in
all the compositions which Madame Celeste has put upon
the stage of this theatre—not the evenness of inferiority, but
of a very high standard. In illustration of this, we direct
attention to the sedulous nicety which distinguishes all the
accessories of the extravaganza of " Crystabelle." It may
not be out of place, also, to note that although this
spectacle has now been on the stage for thirty nights,
the costumes of the ballet and the dramatis persona,
without exception, are as scrupulously delicate, and,
without a soil, as on the occasion of the first representa-
tion. Not even "the crumpling of a leaf" out of place is
to be observed in the " Rose without a Thorn." The
costumes of the Princes and of their valets are of most
artistic design, and we know of no theatre in London
where three such pretty princes as Miss Neville, Miss
Hudspeth, and Miss Stewart could be found, uniting so
much beauty and personal grace, with so large an amount
of dramatic ability. Miss Lydia Thompson, as the roguish
charming, and infuses into the part all that espieglerie, so
necessary to give vitality to the conception of the author.
Miss Turner, as the valet of Prince Finesse (Miss Stuart)
leaves no point untold ; whilst Miss Ternan, as the Princess
Chrystabelle, is unquestionably the most elegant and lady-
like representative of the " Majesty of the Extravaganza,"
on the stage. The subdued and unpretending tone which
this young lady infuses into the part of the Burlesque
Princess, and the Fairy Queen, Titania, stamps her as an
actress of great judgment and ability, in being able to
relieve two very different characters from the dan-
gerous vulgarity which might attach to them in
less skilful hands. The buffo chamberlain of
Mr. Rouse is an admirable performance, and merits the
highest praise; and too much commendation cannot be be-
stowed on the very careful manner with which the con-
certed pieces were rendered by the vocalists, ably supported
as they are by a most efficient orchestra, under the judi-
cious baton of Mr. G. Loder, We should enlarge too much
our catalogue of praise were we to use every one according
to his or her deserts, but we must not omit to notice the
exquisitely graceful dancing of the two Misses Collinson,
who have achieved a perfect triumph at this theatre, or the
impression made by a youthful debutante, Miss C. Denvil,
a name inseparably associated with the representation of
one of Lord Byron's most remarkable compositions some
years ago. This very young lady has a powerful contralto,
reading with correctness and judgment, and has •a most
pleasing and engaging manner. Her reception has been
very flattering; and the little songs assigned to her have,
we understand, been nightly honoured with an encore—a
well deserved recognition of the ability displayed. With
so many, and such varied claims to the support of the
public, we are truly gratified to find that, at the Lyceum,
success has, indeed, followed merit.