THE THEATRES.

Evening Star, Issue 3251, 22 July 1873, Page 2

THE THEATRES.

THE QUEEN’S The programme presented at the Queen’s Theatre, last evening, was undoubtedly the best that has been produced under the present management. The comedy of “The Jealous Wife” was the first piece, and in it Miss Colville won fresh laurels by the manner in which she played the part of Mrs Oakly. Mr Hoskins enacted the character of the pliant husband, who, goaded to desperation by the absurd, unfounded suspicions of his wife, is determined to be master of his own house, and gives her plainly to understand that his will must be law. The comparatively minor part of Harriot received full justice at the hands of Miss Anstead. Mr Hydes, as Major Oakly, the crusty old bachelor, and an utter disbeliever in woman, invested the character with a proper degree of prominence ; he fairly divided the honors with Miss Colville and Mr Hoskins. The performance concluded with “ The Critic,” with Mr Hoskins as Puff. All the remaining characters were well represented ; but, in alluding to them, we must yield the palm to Miss Colville and Miss Anstead, who appeared as Tilburina and the Earl of Leicester respectively. Mr Hydes’s Don Ferolo Whiskerandos is something to be remembered ; his grotesque attitudes and broad drolleries evoked peals of laughter, in which, in common with the audience, those professionally engaged were compelled to join.* “Romeo and Juliet” will be played this evening, in which Mr Douglas will make his first appearance as Romeo. THE PRINCESS’S Last evening was a most unfavorable one for the Theatres. Not even the most enthusiastic lover of the drama likes to brave such storms of rain and wind as pelted and buffeted pedestrians. Yet the announcement of a burlesque at the Princess’s gathered together a fair number in the pit and stalls, ana from the loud applause that greeted each new and amusing feature, we infer that no one regretted braving the wet and c*ld in order to be present. The first piece—“ The Bottle” —has already been noticed, and does not need that we shall again revert to it, as we could only repeat what we have already said ; but the burlesque is something new and very taking. It would be unfair to ! be too critical respecting a first representation of a piece in which so many essentials to complete success are involved, as complicated mechanism, solo and chorus singing, graceful dancing, lively dialogue, and pointed puns. There are invariably hitches, especially when fresh artists are called into requisition. Of these last night there were very few, and they were completely overborn® by the true merits of the piece. 0n these grounds we will merely confine ourselves to'general remarks, and defer more minute analysis to another opportunity. We suppose everybody is acquainted with the loves of Cupid and Psyche, 'and has a general notion of the deities who figure in Grecian Mythology. In these free-think-ing days they play very important parts, and are very oddly grouped with mortals in burlesque, as are also the families of kings of old. Our theory is they are in this way put to the best possible of purposes, and that, after all, we treat their histories very much more as they deserve, than by pondering over them until we learn to lose relish for things present in blind admiration of the past. The sceuery incidental to the piece is by no means its least attractive feature. Mr Willis’s ability as a scenic artist is well kf-own, but we do not think he ever excelled the effects produced last night. The “Temple of the Oracle of Apollo,” with its long rows of beautiful columns receding far into the distance, is a magnificent painting ; “the Gloomy Rock ” is very well managed ; aad “Cupid’s Botanical Gardens” introduces a gigantic rose, his dormitory, whose petals open to receive him and close when he retires to rest. “A pretty spot ef Greece” does not belie its name, and tbe “palace of Hymen in Olympus” is gorgeous, classical, and enchanting. The music is well selected, and was much better sung than anything we have heard in burlesque since Julia Matthews or Miss Ferde left us. We were not, in fact, prepared to find so much pure musical talent in any dramatic company. Miss Fanny Sara was very successful in her efforts, and Miss Marion Moore is likely also to become a favorite. We recommend those who wish to enjoy a laugh and to pass an evening agreeably, to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing “ Cupid and Psyche.”