The Adelphi has made an unprosperous commencement. we Miss the
striking scenic effects, powerful acting, and rich (though often coarse) drollery, that made this theatre so popular during YATES'S mana'Aement ; and even the quality of the dramas, bad as they often were, his deteriorated. The company still includes a few performers of excellence, but they are not efficiently supported : the spirit of the old Adelphi, where is it ?
Marie is a miserably bald and meagre version of the popular French melodrama that has gone the round of every theatre in London in various shapes ; and nothing short of highly effective representation could compensate for its want of novelty. Mrs. YATES is the very best representative of the Pearl of Savoy that we have seen either on the French or English stage, but the beauty of the "pearl " is spoiled by the setting: 0. Sierra, to be sure, is a real rough diamond, but the rest were any thing but brilliant. LYON deserves some credit for the zeal with which he essayed the part of a titled debanchee; but it is quite out of his line.
Ondine is also badly got up : the spectacle is a shabby affair, notwith * Illness appears to have been a material cause. Her father has since addressed a letter to the _Morning Post, stating that his daughter "rose from a bed of sickness to go to the theatre on Monday evening"; but the manager's reluctance to commence the season with an apology prevented a plea for indulgence being offered. Miss VANDENHOWS efforts for four succeask e nights completely prostrated her strength, and she was unable to appear last night : Othello was therefore substituted for the new play. Woman, however, is announced for tonight. standing some pretty scenery ; and the dialogue is sorry stuff. RODWELL has thrown away some pretty music upon it; and a Miss BROMLEY sang two or three balladsvery nicely : her pretty looks and tones quite eclipsed the attempts at fascination by her unearthly rival the Ondine. Mademoiselle CELESTE STEPHAN has only her name to recommend her to notice : she would not rank as a coryphee at a large theatre, and there is nothing in her appearance to make up for the deficiencies of her dancing : the moonlight was the best part of the famous "shadow dance." Kuhleborn, the wicked water-sprite, figures in this version of the ballet : and WIELAND, in a glittering suit of silver scales, darting about with fishlike velocity, was as mischievous as the author meant him to be, and much more amusing. But WRIGHT, as a tailor, made the most fun : his stolid visage, with its dreary aspect, seems, by mocking the drolleries be improvises, to enhance their effect. The burlesque dance between him and WIELAND, who assumes the petticoat for the occasion, is a most laughable extravaganza.
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