THEATRICAL DISCLOSURES.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 53, 31 January 1843, Page 4

THEATRICAL DISCLOSURES.

(From the Observer.) Mr. C. Mathews, the late manager of the Covent-garden Theatre, filed his schedule in the Insolvent Debtor’s Court on Tuesday, and has obtained a speedy order for hearing for the 9th of June next. The document, which is somewhat voluminous, discloses a variety of theatrical matters of an interesting character, of which we present an analysis. The debts, in the aggregate, from December 1837, are set forth at 27,4991. 17s. lid., of which he had received consideration for 26,200/. 2s. lid. ; and the remainder relate to the Madame Vestris. There is one debtor of 50/., and about 220 creditors. Property in jewellery, &c., amounting to 200/., has been given up ; and there is a considerable quantity of property mentioned in the possession of the proprietors of Covent-garden Theatre, who are inserted as creditors for the sum of 6,166/.} and opposite the claim is a long statement of circumstances connected with the undertaking, of the establishment. The insolvency is attributed to several causes; to the loss incurred at the Olympic; to the failure of the engagements in America; to the expense of the voyage and outfit of the insolvent and his wife; to the loss -sustained at Covent-garden Theatre ; to luvr oxpp.nses, and the heavy amount paid for “ money accommodations,” and interest. Some particulars are given of the trip in 1838 to America, shewing that the whole amount received was only 1,750/., and the expenses were considerable. An opinion may be formed of the extent of “ law matters,” by mentioning, that 1,500/. have been already paid, and about three thousand pounds’ worth of law is set forth in the shape of debts. The insolvent allowed Mrs. Mathews, his mother 200/. a year, and his wife allowed her mdther a similar sum. The schedule has been drawn by Messrs. , Lewis, of Ely-place. The statements, detailing the speculations in Covent-garden Theatre, present some striking : features. The proprietors (Mr. Surnam, .Mr. C. Kemble, Mr. Willett, and Captain John; Forbes) arq,inserted as creditors for the amount already stated. The theatre, according to the statement of Mr. Mathews, was taken with am agreement to pay a rental of 5,000/. to 7 ; ,000/. I a year, aftey deduetipg 60Z. a week for himself, and Madame Vestris. It was rented three, seasons.. During the first season-, 5,000 was paid for rent; the second season, 6,150/.; and., the third, 2,384/., independent,of 700/. to be; received from private boxes, and 1,400/. from 7 the conductors of the Grerman Optra, now per-

forming at the theatre. The losses sustained during the three seasons “ speak yoluifies.” It will be remembered that Madame Vestris was declared a bankrupt, and the fiat was suspended. It appears that the creditors under that estate were paid a composition of ss. in the pound. The judgment debts are about 10,000/., as set forth in the schedule, which is, in many respects, a curious document, and the above extracts will no doubt afford much speculation in the theatrical circles. The hearing of the case is appointed for the 9th June. Mr. Mathews is’ at present sojourning in the Queen’s Bench prison. Yesterday (15th of May) an order was issued in the above case, that Charles Mathews be admitted to bail until his hearing on June 9. His sureties are Mr. Levy, of Norfolk-street, Strand, and Mr. Goldshede, Piccadilly.