THE THEATRES.
The past week has not been remarkable for dramatic productiveness. Mr. Gustavus V. Brooke has appeared as Sir Giles Overreach, at the Olympic; and has acted in such a manner, that we fear the question which occurred to us on his debflt will be solved unfavourably. There was careful reading throughout, and nolack of fury in the fifth act of the play; but there was nothing whatever to indicate originality of conception, or a grasp of indi- vidual character. The hero of the first four acts might as well have boon any other stern, declaiming gentleman, as the extortioner of Philip Mu- singer. What a contrast to this sort of thing is presented to us by the Tarluffe of M. Bocage at the St. James's Theatre! Here we have an actor that thoroughly seizes on the peculiarities of a personage in whom an ardent
temperament and a desire to conceal it are singularly intertwined. The scene in which he pays court to Elmire is treated with marvellous delicacy; and his hatred and contempt are as startling as his love is insinuating. M. Bocage should, however, be better supported. Madame Rebut Fechter, a pretty woman, has not weight enough for the " grande coquette" line of French comedy. The next star will be Mademoiselle Nathalie, from the Palais-Royal; who is announced to appear on Monday. Shakspere's Twelfth Night has been produced in very good style at Sad- ler's Wells; Mr. Phelps playing the part of Malvolio with much amusing formality. There is a dry humour about Mr. Phelps, and we are not sure that comedy is not his element rather than tragedy. Drury Lane adds to the list of temporary attractions the popular dan- sense Mademoiselle Fuoco.
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