Star.
London, England, 1830-07-24 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

Like every thing in this country in which legislation has impro-
perly interfered, the state of the great theatres is truly perplexing.
For centuries the governors of the country pursued the policy, not
having enough to govern, of governing the theatres. They limited
their number—they formed laws to protect those to whom they
granted the exclusive privilege of amusing the public—and they en.
couraged large sums of money to be collected and invested in the
rearinif of huge edifices. When opportunities repeatedly occurred,
from hre, of altering their policy, they show a marked determination
to adhere to it. They saw the metropolis enlarging on all sides ; and
common sense would have dictated, when the large theatres were acci-
dentally down, to have proposed to the proprietors the rebuilding two or
three indifferent locations: but no,thatwasrecommended in pamphlets;
but it was a kind of theatrical heresy. The theatres are encouraged I
to be re-edificed still larger and larger. Now, however, has come a I
period of time when common sense is allowed by our governors to
have a little necessary sway, and theatres, of all sizes and descriptions,
appear in all departments of the town. But is it not evident that
the speculators m the large theatres have been sacrificed to an im-
prudent policy; in fact, sacrificed, as all other claimants on the ,
score of vested interests have been sacrificed, by Government extend-
ing too far its surveillance and interference; employing their med-
dling legislation wrong, and then becoming suddenly wise, and re.
tracing their steps. No ease of lose, by ruined vested interests, is
more clearly matte out than that of the proprietors of the two great'
theatres ; and what is to be their fate, must puule any one to
conjecture.
The public is unreasonable to them in their demands. It en.
tails an expenditure which cannot be afforded from the revenue
produced—and an increase of admission terms, although it would
not cure the evil, is positively refused. Under these circumstances,
we have seen Covent-garden kept alive by the most unusual exer-
tions of the proprietor and favour of the public,—and Drury-lane,
after having been under the management of a dramatising trios.
atlantic speculator, we have seen ruin that speculator, as it has
ruined others. Whether ft is to be equally unfortunate to the sue.
tensor in the spec, time alone can elicit ; but we are quite unaware
of Mr. Lee having found out a new way of paying old debts, or of
saving money by spending more than he can get, and both these
secrets would be essential to a speculator in Drury-lane theatre.
The late legal *frail between the major and minor, as they have
been termed, was a very natural one; and both had an equally good
cause for maintaining their rights; although those rights were in-
consistent with each other. We may surprise the reader; but
while we deprecate an issue to the dispute which would close the
minors, we hope that the majors will maintain those privileges
which they have been deceived into a belief were something, and
are practically turning out nothing. The Interests I.f the larger
theatres, deserve the sympathy and support of the public—but bow
will that do them any goods Why, we can tell how--acd we
are convinced it will, sooner or later, be the solution of the qua,-
tion. The public legislation has injured them, and public legisla-
don must, and should remunerate them, for their loss. We are per-
suaded it will come to this, and most heartily shall we support
their Cause. They are " His Majesty's servants,"—they are the
" National Theatres,"—high sounding phrases will not pay seine
painters. The public, at the extremities of the town, must and
should have theft theatres--and those which have been raised under
an error of legislation, if they go on, must go on with the assist-
ance of the public—or they must be remunerated fur pulling them
down and selling the sites to the commissioners for building new
churches. We would, by all means, recommend them to per.
severe in their' attack on the minors—because, we believe, they
have taut on their side. ' We are sure, were they legally
victorious, lore must be called in to present the minors ;
and the • investigation would 'Produce a kind of orstussentirsa
od al"ardafas against the folly of 'past legislation, and in
favour of their obtaining some Government aid, or compen.
' ration, for their losses. We hops our present Monarch will turn
his naiades towards the situation of theatrical property, and really
patronise the Drams. The majors are at present dormant, but the
mimes are rapist a peculiarly luxuriant harvest.