The New Strand Theatre, having been at last licensed by
the Lord Chamberlain, opened on Monday, under the joint management of Mr. lamatosii of the York and Liverpool Theatres, and Doussas
JhR-
ttot.n the dramatist ; who made his first appearance as an :actor on the wvasion, as the bcro of a serious drama written by himself, called 7'he Painter if Ghent. Mr. J EltRol.n was most cordially received ; and his performance was more successful than might have been expected, and met with great and deserved applause. But the character is diffi- cult even for au experienced actor to personate ; for it is made up en- tirely of passive emotion ; and the piete is a monodrama, with but one steiking situation, and one seciie. The Painter of Ghent, who is almost crazed by the loss of his four childreu, is Seen maul-Madly con- templating the portrait of one whom he only thinks dead because she had left biro ; the mistime), now grown to womanhood, enters w kb her child : her father's brain is bewildered at the unexpected sight : lie thinks it an illusion ; but when he awakes to it sense of the reality, it proves too much for him, and he swoons in his daughter's arms. The sentiment is beautifully worked out ; and was embodied by the new actor with pathos and energy : but the subject is not fitted for stage effect. Nor, indeed, are serious dramas, of high-raised sentiment, well suited to so small a theatre as this, where untoward accidents in the acting are apt to occur, which mar the illusion of the scene. Little, light, lively, burlettas, that excite a laugh, and do not challenge criti- cism, are the sort of entertainments that are most acceptable and StIC- CeSSfill. Such, for instance, as the first piece, Come to Town ; and the last, called P. L. or Ni.,. 30, Strand,—in which FonnEsTER plays a poor rhymester, who earns his daily herring by concocting puffs for Warren's Blatking, with smartness and fun.
Mr. HAMMOND is a clever actor in low comedy, with address and vivacity, and some humour. Ile sings a capital chaunt in the first piece, setting forth the changes that time works, with droll effect. His performance of Toni Drops, in the Schnotfanws, is admirable. Here also are AIrrcmsLL, inimitable in burlesque, and equally good in low comedy. and the pathos of common life; BENSON Hiss, a capital Irish- men', and au admirable representative of old gentlemen ;a Wym, e, excellent in cits; Arrwoon, another low comedian,—all old favourites; Mr. Moss, an efficient actor in serious parts; and Mr. SIMPSON, from York, respectable in old men.
For the ladies, the principal attractions, Mrs. NISBETT and her two sisters, appear on Monday, together with Miss DALY from the Add-
phi. There are pretty and clever MissFERGUSSON, whom we are glad to see again ; Miss TAYLEURE, who makes theverjuice of stage old maids pleasant by the gusto with which she develops it ; Miss BERESFORD,
a very clever and impressive actress in pathetic characters; Miss HELEN ROMER, who sings, and is very pretty, and acts with an easy and modest sprightliness that is delightful; Miss GARRICK, and Miss STOKER.
With such a company, and clever and lively pieces such as JERROLD can write, this little theatre bids fair to succeed; especially as the prices of :idmission arc moderate.
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