The Sun.
London, England, 1828-07-15 00:00:00

THEATRICAL.

A trial of a curious nature, inasmuch as it invokes
many interesting points, will shortly take place at the neat
Surrey Atesizes. It results from au information, made by
the direction of Mr. Price, the lessee of Drury-lane Theatre,
against Mr. Davidge, the manager of the Coburg, for al-
lowing, some time since, a fatherless boy, of the name of
Smith, to appear- in the characters of Douglas, and
Richard the Third. , The boy had experienced consider-
able success in America, and had come to London, where
he was permitted by Mr. Davidge to try his fortune, in the
hope of relieving a distressed mother.
. There seems to be little doubt of the issue of the action
against Mr. Davidge, as the Act of Parliament under
which the information is laid is to his prejudice, but Mr.
Davidge is deteimined to retaliate, and with every chance
of success against his opponent. By the Act 10th George
11. there is a clause prohibiting the performance of any
dramatic piece after that date, which had not lain at
least fourteen days in the Lord Chamberlain's office. It
also extends to any portion of a piece, and also that if any
addition, curtailment, or alteration shall be made in any
part of Shakspeare's
piece, it shallalso be subject to the sameformalities. The pe •
nalty of non-compliance with this Act is, amongst other
hais°.to tlltieis awofradcint
gnootf
things, the forfeiture of the licence under which the theatre
is held. Mr. Davidge is prepared with proof that this
clause has been broken in very many instances, and conse-
quently the license forfeited. He intends to lay his infor-
mation on the performances of the last nights of Drury-
lane,
have
ash
vaet
well,ot fe
never
Kenrouineenr
will
Katherine
that
andb:ede. mooted,
greater e tr n
to the tragedy of Douglas, against which
Another question
the Act under which the Minors are leased. As it stand,
at present, it is for " music, dancing, or any entertain.
ment of the like kind."
the information is partly levelled, it is a Scottish, not an
English tragedy, and it was originally acted, printed, and
published in Edinburgh, and was never laid before the Lord
Chamberlain here. The penalty of the Act mentioned
With respect
cannot, therefore, apply to the performance of that tragedy.

DErARTURE.—:IIr. LII"I'LETON, M.P., and
family, from their house in Grosvenor-place, to Teddesley,
near Lichfield.

The Noblemen's and Gentlemen's Catch Club-
house offered a Prize of twenty guineas for the best Glee,
to be determined the next season ; and the Glee Club have
offered two Prizes, of ten guineas each, fur the best cheer-
ful and the best serious Glee, to be also determined next
season.

LIVE lt POOL TIIE A TRE.fascinating-The fascinating
MISS FOOTE has, during the preceding week, delighted nu-
merous and highly fashionable auditories by performing
several of her most favourite characters in comedy and
farce. The personal charms of this lady are as lovely as
ever they were ; dad she is, if it be possible, a more finished
actress than she was when she first visited this town some
four seasons ago. Her numerous and Varied pertOrmances
drew forth the warmest applause of the must notheious
houses that have been collected together since the c( m-
inencement of the present season.. Upon the whole, ihe
performances of the pait week gave very general satisfac-
tion. It will he seen flint Illis,J FOOTE remains in Liver.,
pool during tin proeut wCk