Star.
London, England, 1822-10-01 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.
:,•,,
!ROM THE LADY'S MAGAZINE TOR THIS MONTH.
The staunch loveiii•Of the Drama have now a
bright prospect before thefts. The Theatre, which-ial
endeared to them by undying recollections of chef
richest enjoyment, and which is ennobled by the
greatest names in the dramatic art, is about to open
with the happiest auspices. We rejoice that we are
able, from exclusive sources of information, to gii;.
tify their curiosity respecting.the chief improvements
in the House, and the most important arrangements
.for the ensuing season ; and vie proceed to lay before
than a detail which will justify the warmest antici-
pations they can cherish.
And first let us give them a viewtof the altered in-
terior of the building. On the first of August the
ivhole was pulled down to the naked walls, to give
the fullest scope to the entire conception of the artist;
add now, while we write, a new interior is springing
up as if by magical aid ! Those who have so long
complained of the vast area of our Theatres will now
be gratified by a judicious cuntractioe; it will be suf.
ficiently great to increase the facilities of seeing and
hearing in every part of the House, yet not enough
to destroy the gorgeousness and splendour of the
scene. We would not have tragedy' with sceptered
pall' reduced to seek a throne in a hovel, where,
' cribbed and cabined in,' she could hold only a di-
rainished empire over the beans and imaginations of
the people. The front Boxes, which befbre were pro-
portionally .much'nearer to the curtain than m any
other Theatre, are now advanced five feet nearer,
and the width from box to box-is ten feet less than
before, so that the Pit is tendered narrower by that
space. The ceiling has also been lowered five feet,
and the opening of the Stage has been heightened ;
and thus every part is made to correspOnd in the
nicest symmetry, and the best scope is given for the
scenic picture. That intermixture of the audience
with the Actors which destroyed the illusion and pro-
duced great inconveniences, will now be obviated ley'
an entire change in the proscenium. Two Corinthian
pillars of burnished gold will terminate the Priblic
Boxes, and give to the Stage a definite boundary.
Behind these a curtain of superfine green cloth will
be estended previous to the commencement and after
the close of each performance,. forming a
.most re-
freshing contrast to the gaudy curtains lately copied
from the French, and giving the welcome repose to
the eye after the splendours of the scene. A splendid
drop scene will also be exhibited at the proper inter-
vals. The prevailing colour of the House will be
French white, profusely embellished with burnished
gold ornaments, while the interior of the Boxes wall
be of the richest scarlet. It may well be conceived
that this interior will combine airiness _and magnifi-
cence in a felicitous union never before realised in
any Theatre in London.
To ensure the comfort of every class of the audi-
ence, great attention has been devoted. At the back
of the dress circle are twelve family boxes, each of
which will commodiously bold eight persons, and
will allow to all a complete view of the stage. These
may be taken by the night ; but, if not engaged, will
be opened for *the accommodation of any respectable
visitors of the 'theatre who may choose to occupy
them. Each of tle dress boxes will be adapted for
the reception of nine persons only, for all of whom
ckairs will be provided. All the arrangements tend
to the exclu:ion of impropercompany from the neigh-
bout hood of the dress circle, and to the entire pre-
vention of circumstances which have made many an
honourable man feel that be had done.ahimprudent
if not a criminal act, in conducting the most beautiful
and innocent of his to the National
Theatre. In the Pit, that elevation which has been
found so advantageous already, has been preserved;
and we have heard that some improvements have
been projected, though we cannot speak with cep,
tainty respecting them :—perhaps some of these_
changes, which require consideration, have not been
finally decided. Nur have the hearty frequenters of
the gallery been forgotten ; their domain has been
rendered much more commodious, and brought five
feet nearer to the stage, though before considerably
nearer than in Covint-Garden. This advantage will,
we trust, increase the enjoyments of Olympus, and
render it less boisterous.
If we take a glimpse of the arrangements behind
the curtain, we shall find yew opportunity afforded
for the completeness of the scenic picture. A large
recess has been formed on each side of the stage for
the purpose of working scenery ; for which but slen-
der accommodation was before provided. We now
expect to see none of those strange accidents which
might disturb even an infant's fiith in the reality of
the spectacle; no incoherent joinings of palaces and
cottages ; no groves nodding in the drawing-room ;
no fairy vision exposed, shorn of its lustre, amidst tbe
busy haunts of ordinary mortals. The approaches to
every par t of the Theatre have been improved, espe-
cially that to the private boxes, and the passages
leading to the box of his MAJESTY. He will now
enter by a handsome stone staircase leading through•
a vestibule to his apartment, which has excited such
warm admiration, but which, for want of proper ale-
erss, was seen only by few. Hence his MAJESTY will
i rmediately enter his box by folding-doors when he
shall honour the Theatre with his presence.
But the genuine play-goer will inquire with im-
patience, what perfdrn.ers are likely to gladden the
splendid circle thus prepared for their reception ?--
He will be, delighted to bear that nearly all the prin-
cipal favourites of last season retain their places,
and that they will be more strongly supported than
ever. Klatt, 'whom the Scottish news-mongers
lately conspired to kill, will, of course, take the lead
in Tragedy,, and will no doubt be inspired to put
forth all his wonderful energies by the crowded au-
diences which the mere improvements' in the House
will necessarily gather. It will bea treat indeed So
see.him pl'is Othello under the influences of an ea.
citenient sufficient to carry him to thitheight of pas-'
• sion which he readied on the unforgotten night when
Boort! appeared under his auspices. He will be
supported by Mr, Cootis, almost if not 'altogether
worthy to be regarded as a first-rate tragedian, and
by Mr. YouNGE and Mr. MERCER from Liverpool,
of whose talents report is high. Mrs. Wear, incom-
parably the best tragic actress yet in London, will
resume her station ; and.- thus, we shall hope. td see
Tragedies acted, not only with consummate poWer
in one leading character, but with a full and har-
monious excellence, which will leave little for the