The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-05-21 00:00:00

THEATRE-ROYAL

We cannot but admit that a change has come over the
taste of the public of Liverpool. It is become essentially
anti-theatrical. The theatre, that years ago night after
night used to be crowded with fashionable audiences, is now
only half filled, when a company is engaged that will defy
comparison with any other in the provinces, and, in point of
individual merit and general utility, might compete with
even a " major" in the metropolis. The outcry has been,
" Give us the legitimate drama!" It was provided. James
Wallack, the best Shaksperian actor of the day, and the last
of the Kemble school, was engaged. Nobody went to see
him. " Give us opera!" Miss Delcy—the cynosure of all
eyes—the morning star in the musical world—appeared,
with Templeton and others to support her. Comparatively
speakhig, few attended. Charles Kean and Mrs. Warner—
clever Mrs. Warner—next were engaged : they were equally
unsuccessful in drawing good houses. And now Yates and
the leading members of his company are playing to very
meagre houses indeed, with all the novelties from the me-
tropolis. It cannot be said that it is " novelty" that is
wanting.—On Monday night the Boleno family made their
first appearance, representing classical groups of statues ;
and on Wednesday a new ballet was brought out, in which
a Miss and Master Webster made their debut before a Li-
verpool audience. The classical groups are exceedingly
beautiful : that representing " Beneficence" was particularly
admired. In the ballet the Boleno family exhibited the most
remarkable agility we ever saw, in leaping and tumbling.
The ballet is extremely laughable. Miss Webster is a
charming dancer—very light, graceful, and modest. She
has a first-rate mani6re, and can " snatch a grace beyond
the reach of art." We have not seen such excellent dancing
for some time in Liverpool. Master Webster shows great
Victorine," on Wednesday evening, Was very
capitally played. Mrs. Yates's Victorine is one of her best
impersonations. The last scene. in which she awakes from
her dream, we have always looked upon as the most natural,
touching, and true picture of life on the stage. Yates asAlex-
andre, Wright as Blaise, Baker as Bonassus, and Bedford as
Chantaloupe, were all extremely droll. Madame Simon did
Mrs. Bonassus rather too boisterously, but it was neverthe-
less clever. Miss Herbert, the new aspirant to fame, played
/Oise with a great deal of humour. This lady, " for a second
appearance on any stage," exhibits a knowledge of the art
which induces us to believe she has either been extremely
well taught, or come from a good stock. She has evidently
much talent. The " Beggars' Opera" reversed introduced
Mr. Paul Bedford as Polly, Mr. Geo. Horncastle as Lucy,
and Mr. Wright as Mrs. Peachem. Three such fascinating
monsters never yet were seen on " any stage." Mr. Bed-
ford sang Polly's songs capitally, especially " Cease your
funning." Madame Simon's Peachem was very fairly
played ; but Miss Honner looked the wickedest little Capt.
Macheath since the days of Vestris. She sang her songs
very sweetly, with excellent spirit, and in dashing style.
The melodrama of " Valsha" has been well got up. To-
night the ballet will be repeated, with " Sir Roger de Co-
verley," and " Half an Hour from Master Humphrey's
Clock,"—being for the benefit of Mr. Wright, an actor of
much humour originality and eccentricity.—A pantomime
will be produced on Monday ; report speaks highly of it.

promise

LIVERPOOL SESSIONS