The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-07 00:00:00

STRAND THEATRE.

A new burletta, entitled Boots at the Swan, opened last
evening's entertainments at this favourite theatre with no in-
considerable gusto ; for if provocation to laughter, or distention
of the diaphragm to its best width, be rational token of the
effectiveness of a good thing, " Boots " in all conscience causes
this in the audience. The plots of light morsels such as these
are inientionally so ephemeral and unlaboured, that it is
matter of inconsequence to write them out, excellence chiefly
resting in the "salt" and due seasoning enweaved into the
characters during enactment. Hence last night, Keeley
was inimitably droll, not by anything learnt from his text-
book, but purely by a certain dry causticity of humour,
which was scarcely aided by a word, his character being the
pOurtrayal of Jacob Earwig. the " Boots "—one of the tavern-
fraternity:in this Icingdoin, who are, certos, never noted for
their share of over-sagacity, while in Keeley's case, " Boots" is
almost deaf. Out of this 'surdity of Jacob's rise the absur-
dities of the piece, and the ludicrous misunderstandings which
it gives origin to are many, and abounding with fun ; snore
especially in such cases, where, catching hold with
his tympanum just the fag-end of words, he gave them an
iniquitous opposition-meaning to that intended, which produced
an tuff itude of broad humour. Metamorphosed into the po-
liceman, as he subsequently was, we must confessedly pro-
nounce him to have looked the very nattiest of the " Blues."
Among the subsidiary characters, Frank Friskley (Mr. J. S.
Hall), cart ied out the stratagem of his part with dispatch,
spirit, and eleverners, and the manlier in which he interested
himself in the eyes of Miss Cecilia Moonshine (Miss Ellen
Daly), a romantic young lady, whose heart all the livelong day is
among Manfreds, Rugantinos, and Tancreds, possessed much
adroitness of execution. Peter Pippin (J. W. Collier), a lad
with an inveterate predilection for Jam, and Sally Smith (Mrs.
11Ielville) deported themselves also genteel. A revival of last.
year's Punch, with its host of comicalities and merriments,
ensued, aided by the cleverness of Mrs. Keeley. The house
was full and fashionable at setting out, and certainly he who
would shake the cobwebs of care from his sides, should, putting
preference out of question, pass an evening at this jocund
theatre.

SURREY THEATRE.
Sixteen- String Jack, which was played for ninety-seven
nights at the Olympic, during the past season, was re-produced
last night at the Surrey. '1 he advantages of stage room, the
aid of a portion of Batty's magnificent stud, and the circum-
stance. of the above theatre possessing a double company,
tended rnaterially'to enhance the • effects originally produced.
Mr. George Wild appeared in his favourite character of
'Kit Clayton, with shouts of applause. Mr. Flicks
succeeded Mr. Leman Rede, as Sixteen-String Jack;
and Messrs. Neville, Walton, Goldsmith, and Stoker
gave their aid. Mrs. Vining played the trusting Mary Fer.
rers, and Miss Martin, Kit's mistress. The piece was re-
ceived with general applause : it has in it the elements of suc-
cess, being taken by the author from his own popular tale of the
" Royal Rake," and introducing among Adher well-known,.
characters of the last century, Beau Brummel, Colonel Hanger,
Porn Bullock, Buckhorse, and Jack Rann. The Opera
dancers, Mons. Lebarre and Cromini created con-
siderable excitement by their extraordinary dancing in the
third act. The house was crow ded to excess.

MR. CIIATTERTON'S CONCERT. = Mr. Frederick
Chatterton, a harpist of considerable eminence, gave a concert
yes'erday morning at the Hanover-square Rooms, which was
attended by between 700 and 800 persons. His own excellent
harp-playing occupied a large portion of the time. Madame
Heinefetter: equally with Sta.udigt,dsplayed their be powers
in the " Wanderer," and the . star-in-song from Renedict'S
Gipsy's Warning. The concert.room was tilled, and the each.
crick: highly gratified.
The Dalce of Wain'
;ton, Lord Fitysergeld. and othet Ckbinet
Ministers, attended a meeting /eaterdayiti, tikestesicitoce Of 'fir
Robe;t reel, ip Wh411411-4404, . •