The Sun. — 1859-04-26 (London, England)

TUE ; NEW, ADELFILI THATRF.4,. We are glad to see that the spirited manager of the Nsw Adelphi has at last become impressed with the fact that it is possible to sup too full even of horrors, and that enough is as good as a feast.„"Toujours perdrix! tenjoursiperdral" is as displeasing to the playgoing public as it was of old to • the. French _ecclesiastic ; and we .offer Mr. Webster our thanks for having set before his guests a bill of fare in which the .ordinary.dish of ill-starred hwe murder, and suicide,flanked With 'the eustomary-rntremets pf remorse and despair in the.shape.qf a heavy father and repentant mistress, are totally _ wantiug. Mr. Webster, in his disregard of past routine and traditions, has found in the wit; sarcasm, and_ graphic, power of "Le Sage a more than adequate recompense fer his dosertiou of the " Newgate Calendar." The public Appear to have met the experiment 1A the most Satisfactory.spirit,, the, house being crammed from top to bottom, .many pet-4one being disappointed, in their endeavours to obtain a teat. Of course the "gods," who were last night in the seventh heaven, asserted their right of domination,, and in spite of Epicurus, whose doctrines they most practicAlly refuted, took the greatest interest in. every matter, human and.divine, brought before them. "Their thunderbolts," in, the shape of catcalls, whistles, and orange .peel,, were •" not lightly curled;" to borrow a phrase from. Mr. 'Tennyson, but were heard ever and anon. resounding_ from the upper • regions, nor was the approbation displayed by the " miserable mortals" below•less_hearty because more subdued. Who does not know theglorious tale of " Le Diable Boiteux," at least under its English title. of "The Devil on Two Sticks. " how an imprisoned spirit set 'free from his bonds by a, Spanish student shows his. gratitude, to his releaser by unroofing the houses of Madrid, and displaying the different sorrows, joys, intrigues, and passions. which make the story of our lives from year to year,, going on therein ? It was, then, with no slight pleasure that we were last night dnly reintroduced to our with old_friend ith a new face, "a polite, refined, and Parisian demen" (A,lr. Toole), who, in spite of his crutches, ' sings and dances in most infernal fashion, pr what we must deem as. such. Taking under his protection. Don Cleophas Zambullo, a jealous lover (Mrs. Mellon), who in the words of the playbill " is a young Spanish swell, less given to rise with the la* than.to sit up for one," he conveys him and us to the-honsetoppof Madrid, a scene as.skillfully painted -as it is cleverly conceived, and favours us with certain "demoniac illusions," .ending by casting Don Cleophas into a deep sleep. , During this long sleep Don 'Oleophas is troubled with a nightmare-in the shape of the Dey of Algiers, whet by som@ fatality has become the possesor of Leonora (Miss Mary Keeley) the lady-love of Don Cleophas. The various expedients, c:f the lovers to free themselves from captivity, the danger of discovery, the cruelty of the Dey, and a very firm day too," succeed each other with rapidity, and prevent, any .flagging in the interest and action, although We would, suggest that a little et the pantomime in this part of the play might be safely curtailed. Finally, by the 'agency of the friendly spirits , Don Cleophas awakes, becomes convinced of the groundlessness of his jealousy; and overcomes the opposition of the "uncle of extreme heaviness" (Mr. Paul Bedford), ,by rescuing Leonora from a," terrific conflagration," and receives the usual avuncular benediction in the usual stereotyped fashion. The-play concludes, with an illuminated representation of the Cremorne of Madrid, whither, in the ebullition of joy, the whole party had proceeded. It must spot be supposed that we would imply a censure on those-wheae names we have not mentioned. Where all did so well, it is almost invidious to make distinctions. Miss Kate Kelly, ,however, as Don Mendoza, rehdered no slight assistance to her • friend Don Cleophas—and the Fatima of Miss Arden and the Muley of Mr. C. J. Smith, were msdels, of stage Orieutalisra. Nor, must the very gracefutdancing of the ladies of the Dey of Algiers' household be passed over in silence. If applause is the test of merit, last night's extravaganza came forth with 'the true mark and stamp impressed upon it. The success was decisive, and ,we have no doubt the piece, will attract full houses. .. ..