THE THEATRES.
On the occasion of Mr. John Reeve's appearance at the Lyceum, we re- ferred to the feeling of friendship which exists between the actors and au- dience at the Adelphi, and which in that instance was transferred to the son of a favourite acting at another theatre. We have had another instance of this kindliness in the very great toleration with which the Adelphi au- dience listened for a long time to a piece called the Dance of the Skirt. The sentiment was poor, and the fun was unmeaning; but yet a good hour passed before the audience could be persuaded that a piece in which Miss Woolgar, Mrs. Frank Matthews, and Mr. Paul Bedford appeared, was not amusing. The symbols of Adelphi humour were before them; and the spectators had as much difficulty in learning that the humour itself was not there, as Martinus Scriblerus found in abstracting the notion of a Lord Mayor from the accidents of his gown and chain. At last the truth flashed upon a great number, and they discovered that the flirtations of semp- stresses and sweethearts, which had occupied their precious time, were but sorry jokes. The indifferent reception of the Dance of the Shirt will, we hope, prevent the opinion from being pushed too far, that favourite actors can carry through anything.
Sadler's Wells draws crowds by its successful revivals; of which Richelieu is the last. Marylebone adheres to the nautical; the veteran T. P. Cooke being the star of the day.
Covent Garden has during the past week favoured the public with medi- cal certificates in lieu of dramatic performances. Ilityclee, announced first for Saturday, then for Monday, then for Wednesday, and postponed on account of the indisposition of Mr. Sims Reeves, stands finally in the bills for this evening.
A Mademoiselle de Roissy has appeared at the Princess's, in the character of Norma. This lady was announced as a performer of the highest Conti- nental celebrity. Where she acquired it we know not, but certainly her proper claims are slender enough. Her powers as a singer and actress are those of a fourth-rate performer; while they are accompanied with a ludi- crous degree of assumption and self-complacency. A factitious triumph was got up for her on the first night; but she cannot keep her ground as a prima donna even at the Princess's.
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