The Sun. — 1842-12-19 (London, England)

YMARKET T HEATRE.  On Saturday evening Congreve's comedy of the Bray of the World was revived at this theatre, with considerable alterations. These alterations have made the play more suited to the moral feelings of the age, but they have at the same time destroyed much of the interest possessed by the original. The following is the cast. of the principal characters :—Sir Wilful Witwould, Mr. Farren ; Fainall, Mr. Vining , Marwood, Mr. Stuart; Witwoud, Mr.iCharles!Mathews ; Petulant, Mr. Buckstone ; Waitwell, Mr. Strickland ; Millamant, Madame Vestris ; Lady Wishfort, Mrs. Glover ; Mrs. Fainall, Miss Charles. In the • play represented on Saturday night, there was rather an unusual change, that of converting 'a female into male character.. In the original comedy, Marwood is a male part. This destroys the coherence of the drama, deprives many actions of their motive, and thus materially lessens the interest of the piece. The acting, however, made amends for such defects. Madame Vestris's Millamant was distinguished by an easy and playful grace. Charles Mathews threw a great deal of airy vivacity into the character of the fribble Witwould. Mr. b'arren's conception of the part of Sir Wilful IVitwould •was good, but Strickland should haveplayed this part. Strickland wants the pertness and flippancy which the personation of the impudent valet, Waitwell, requires. Mrs. Glover's Lady Wishfort was by far the best acted part in the play. I3uckstone made Petulant a broad farce character, keeping the audience in a perpetual good humour while he was on the stage. Miss Charles gave a very correct and ladylike personation of Mrs. Fainall. The other characters were respectably sustained. The comedy concluded with a dance by the performers ; and it was given out by Mr. Holl for repetition every evening this week with some applause  Preparations for the holiday entertainments are proceeding at the two houses with the utmost activity. The pantomime at Drury-lane is a burlesque of the story of William Tell, and has been written by Mr. M. Morton, the author of The Eton Boy and other dramas. The pantomime at Covent-garden has been compounded by the authors of Punch. There is originality in the design of the piece, and no pains or outlay will be spared in its execution. Webster closes the Haymarket on the 15th of January, and will not open it again until Easter. Madame Vestris and her husband will remain with him until the end of the present year, but what course they will then take does not seem to be determined.  SACRED HARMONIC SOClETY.—Handel's Messiah, with Mozart's additional accompaniments, was given at Exeter Hall on Friday, by the Sacred Harmonic Society. The recollection of Braham's wonderful power and brilliancy in this oratorio compelled us to institute unfavourable comparisons with Mr. Manvers, especially in the sublime opening recitative, " Comfort ye my people," which was ever considered to be one of Braham's greatest triumphs. He, however, redeemed himself in the recitative and air, " He that dwelleth," which immediately precedes the " Hallelujah" chorus. He also instilled some power and expression into the 'recitative, " Unto which ;" and, in fact, throughout the whole oratorio he was far less objectionable than when on the stage. Miss Birch and Miss Dolby sang the other portions of the oratorio in their best manner, and were greeted with continued bursts of applause whenever their services were required. The " Hallelujah" chorus was the climax of harmony and magnificence. It is impossible to conceive a more stupendous effect than that produced by the execution of this splendid composition. The vast room was crowded to excess long before the orchestra was even filled, and not a single place could be obtained after the opening recitative. An actor of the Cirque, on the Boulevard, named Raymond, committed suicide on Monday evening. A frivolous discussion between him and his dresser had taken place on the preceding evening, which ended in blows, and a M., Laloue having interfered to separate the combatants, M. Raymond gave him a severe blow on the eye, and left the theatre in a state of exasperation. He did not go home during the night, but on the following morning went to the theatre for the rehearsal, when the manager, observing his haggard air advised him to go home and lie down till the evening. He followed this advice; but, an hour after he had been in bed rose and stabbed himself with a dagger. His death was instantaneous. —Galignani.