The Sun. — 1846-04-14 (London, England)

SADLER'S WELLS.  Last night was produced, for the first time at this house, the historical tragedy of Brutus ; or, The Fall of Tarquin, in five acts, written by Mr. H. Payne. The scenery, which was entirely new, was by Messrs. Fenton and Finlay, and reflects considerable credit on their judgment and taste ; the scene of the Forum, in the last act, particularly so. The piece was well got up, and the characters well sustained. The plot being already so well known to the public, renders it needless for us to enter into any description of it. The part of Brutus (Phelps) was played very effectively. The manner in Which he threw off his disguised madness, and swore to effect the liberation of his country, was admirable ; and in the third act his oration over the corpse of Lucretia—he seemed particularly at home. While the stern and unbending patriotism of the Roman Consul, and the violent emotions of the affectionate parent, the one demanding the punishment of the traitor to his country, and the other struggling in its intensity for the preservation of the life of the son, the scene of his final parting, and passing sentence upon him, were pourtrayed in the most vivid and truthful manner. The conflict of filial affection with love for Tarquinia was well depicted by Mr. Marston in Titus. Mr. Bennett playei well in the character of. Collatinus, especially in that part where he laments the death of his wife Lucretia. Tullia's haughtiness, in captivity, and the remorse and madness of the dethroned parricide at the sight of her murdered father, upon the forcing in of the gates of the sepulchre where he was interred, were displayed in a most talented style by Mrs. Warner. Miss Cooper displayed considerable ability in the part of Tarquinia, particularly in the last scene, where she makes a spirited and affecting appeal to Brutus on behalf of his son. Miss Ruddart appeared to advantage in the small part which she had to perform as Lucretia. The minor characters were wellsustained. At the conclusion of the piece a comedietta was produced for the first time, called My Uncle's Pet, in which Jules (Miss Cooper), the personification of a youth of seventeen, addicted to horse-racing, and other sporting pursuits, and not in the least degreee deficient of self- sufficiency, is the uncle's Pet, who falls in love with Isadore (Miss Huddart), with whom, however, his uncle General Hermilly (Mr. Williams), aged 80 years, is also enamoured. Isadore is a ward, and her tutor also wishes to obtain possession of her hand. After some little trickery and imposition upon the uncle, with the aid and assistance of Zurich (Mr. Scharf), and Madame Bertram (Mrs. Francis), both of whom are servants to the Colonel,, the pet succeeds notwithstanding the oft-repeated admonition of Zurich, " that it will never do," in obtaining the affections of Isadore. The uncle and the tutor finally abandon their claims to Isadore in favour of the pet, and the marriage contract is confirmed by a liberal dowry from the uncle. The lively and clever performance of Miss Cooper was well received, and the connivance of Zurich and his companion at the young blade's intrigues caused considerable merriment. An amusing farce, called State Secrets, the laughable incidents of which, dated in the time of the Puritans, finished the amusements of the evening. It is pleasing to notice the marked improvement in the conduct of the audience at this house. Mr. Arles and Mrs. Warner certainly deserve success fur the manner in which they endeavour to raise the tone of feeling for the British drama. Some allowances are perhaps to be made far the present holiday season, but with the exception of an occasional inappropriate exclamation from the denizens of the gallery, the whole of the performance was listened to with marked attention, and received its well merited approbation.