MUSIC AND THE DRAMA IN ENGLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 4114, 4 May 1876, Page 4

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA IN ENGLAND.

By the mail yesterday I received from a friend in London a very interesting letter, which is full of news. I send for publication that part which refers more particularly to names not unfamiliar to Lmnedinites ; “Joseph Jefferson is here at the Princess’s, delighting large audiences with his wonderful performance of ‘Rip Van Winkle.’ I saw him on Friday night, and he seems to have, if it were possible, a stronger grasp of the character than he ever had. Truly it is a wonderful performance. Henry Irving has miserably tailed in “ Othello,” and all the critics advise him to go back to comedy, in which he is great, but he seems determined to ruin himself, as he must inevitably do if he continues to play Shaksperian characters.—Miss Neilson is now playing at the Haymarket in * Anne Boleyn,’ a new play by Tom Taylor, which is not successful, and is to be withdrawn in favor of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’

Mr Toole is playing at the Gaiety in a new comic drama by H. J. Byron called ‘Tottles,’ and he is to be succeeded shortly by Charles Mathews, who, by the way, seemsdo be as young as ever. I met him the other night at supper, and he was the liveliest of the party, and seriously (if he can talk seriously) spoke of a tour of tie world again, as if he had swallowed the elixir of life and meant to live for ever.—We are to have this season "one of the grandest combinations ever seen. Salvini, Rossi, and Ristori are to play together at Drury Lane, and all London means to go and see them. I shall certainly avail myself of this great opportunity, anti will send you some notes of the performances, which are sure to be great.—Your late townsman, Walter Bentley, is in London. He has not been playing since December last, when he finished a satisfactory * starring ’ tour. He has been ill, but has now so far recovered that next week, with his aunt, Miss Emily Faithful, he is to take part in dramatic readings in Bath. It is not at all improbable that after he matures his powers he will come to the Colonies and surprise his friends.—Dolly Green, or as she calls herself, Dolores Drummond, is playing at the Globe, in a version of ‘ Bleak House,’ entitled •Jo.’ She plays the small part of Hortense, the French waiting-maid, but-does it so well that from all I can gather she has made a hit. I went to qee her last week, and think it the best played part in the piece. Her friends in Dunedin will be glad to learn this. Matters theatrical are- .sure to be dull till

Easter, when several novelties are to be produced. Among other things Mr B. L. Far j eon i§ coming forward as a dramatic author, and promises us a series of plays from his talented pen, one of which is to be a dramatic version of “Grif, ’ about which I shall have more to communicate anon. Hav ing exhausted matters theatrical I will branch off a little and tell you something of the musical world. Sima Reeves has been ill some time, and it is much feared tnat from a throat affection England will be deprived for a time, if not for ever, of the services of this great ten r. Sautley is specially engaged to sing in English opera in the -Provinces, and Foli, the great bass, is here Binging at concerts. The Queen give her patronage on Friday last to a concert at the Albert Hall, and of course all the swells of London were there. She stayed only during the first, part of the programme, and the departures in her train much marred the' Test of the entertainment. Mapleson’a new opera house on the Thames embankment is getting on splendidly, and will, it is hoped, be open for the season, though as yet we are quite in the dark as to what is .to be done or who are to be the favored ones to do it. I have no doubt it will be a splendid affair. ” I must reserve my American correspondence for another occasion. Prompter.