DRURY LANE THEATRE.
OLD Drury opened its portals last night for the first time under the new management. The interior of the theatre has been entirely redecorated in a novel and tasteful style, at once rich and chaste, and presents a peculiarly light and elegant appearance. The ornaments are of very pale gold, or platina, (to resemble silver by candle-light,) upon a light blue and buff ground, relieved by crimson. The front of the dress circle is ornamented in compartments with massive ara- besque, in bold relief; the second and third tiers of boxes arc in low relief, and have a too formal effect, the ornaments being fit- tend away in petty devices. The upper tier has a light and classic scroll, whose simplicity harmonizes well with the range of pilas- ters supporting the upper gallery. The ceiling is painted a pale buff, to resell-113k the drapery of a tent, divided by silver cords with pendant tassels : the outer circle of the roof is pannelled, and clas- sical designs of figures in colours are introduced on each pannel- an idea adopted from the walls of the houses in Pompeii. The bases of the hollow pillars of the proscenium are painted to resemble porphyry. The fronts of the proscenium boxes look very rich, with crimson velvet, in plaits : the linings and seats of all the boxes are of crimson merino, and the warmth of their interior adds (neat value to the beautiful relief of the exterior decorations. A new drop-curtain of fawn colour, in festoons, with a broad border of light blue, was displayed on the night when the theatre was privately exhibited before the opening ; but it has been laid aside, and the old drop scene was used last night,—as it was found that a curtain gave a heavy and confined appearance to the house, very inferior to the airy lightness of a perspective architectural scene, which we presume will be adopted. The novelty not less than the elegance of the decorations deserve and received great -praise. The whole theatre seems as light as though it would go up with a balloon. The orchestra has undergone an alteration that will greatly assist the effect of the band : it is shortened and widened, and thus the performers are more compactly arranged round the leader. The advantages derived from this improvement were sen- sibly felt last night. The band is of unprecedented strength in this theatre—upwards of fifty in number, including the admirable brass instrumental performers from the late King's private band. The overtures to Anacreon and Guillaume Tell were finely per- formed under the superintendence of BISHOP. The Hypocrite was the comedy selected for the opening ; and restored to us, after too long an absence, the most sterling of all liv- ing comedians, DowroN. long burlesque exhibition in Maw- worm was the other point of attraction. The new management commences under favourable auspices. The house was crowded in every part. BISHOP at the head of the musical department promises well for the lovers of music ; and a gay reign of Opera, with Comedy, will most likely charac- terize the season.
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