9. King Henry VIII.-Flitch of Bacon.

11.

Peter the Great-Harlequin and Mother Goose.

12. [Mr. INCLEDON's Night.] Woodman. Fairlop, Mr. Bellamy; Emily, Miss Bolton.-The Storm-Prisoner at large.

13. Peter the Great.-Harlequin and Mother Goose.

14. [Miss SMITH'S Benetit.] Venice preserv'd-Tom Thumb. 15. [Mr. MUNDEN'S Night.] Road to Ruin. Sophia (1st appearance) by a young Lady.-Fun of Election; or the Patriotic Baker-Which is the Master?

18. Coriolanus-Harlequin and Mother Goose.

19. [Mr. FAWCETT's Night.] Five Miles off (1st time at this theatre)-MISERIES OF HUMAN LIFE (1st time)—Valentine and Orson.

20. Peter the Great-Which is the Master?

21. [Mr. COOKE's Night.]

Miss Smith.-Love-a-la-mode. appearance) a young Gentleman.

King Lear. Cordelia (1st time)

Sir Callaghan O'Brallaghan (1st

22. Pizarro-Harlequin and Mother Goose. 23. Macbeth-Escapes.

25. Coriolanus-Harlequin and Mother Goose.

26. [Benefit of Mr. and Mrs. C. KEMBLE.] Hamlet. Ophelia (1st time) Mrs. C. Kemble.-Personation. Lord Henry, Mr. Melvin; Lady Julia, Mrs. C. Kemble.-Paul and Virginia. Virginia (1st time) Miss Bolton.

PETER THE GREAT, or Wooden Walls, is an opera by Mr. Cherry, of which the following is the fable.

"Peter the Great, (Mr. C. Kemble) and his minister Le Fort, (Mr. Bellamy) after having visited and worked as ship-carpenters in England, France, &c. under the disguised names of Pedro and Alexis, are returned to Muscovy, and still continue their labours in one of the Northern ports, under Mauritz, (Mr. Munden) a ship-wright; who, acknowledging the obligations he owes to the industry and skill of Pedro, conceives the highest opinion of him, and is resolved to marry him to his daughter Paulina, (Miss Bolton) and make him his successor; but Pedro, already acquainted with the mutual loves of Michael, (Mr. Incledon) a young soldier, and Paulina, declines the promised favour of his employer, and avows his passion for Catharine, (Mrs. C. Kemble) the niece of Mauritz. Disappointed, but not displeased, Mauritz gives his consent and through the intercession of Pedro, promises to ratify the marriage of Michael and Paulina. In deviation from the historical facts, Catharine is here represented, not as the follower of a camp, but as far as her means extend, the general advocate and benefactress of the village; and, according to an antient custom, is presented with the rural crown, annually bestowed on the most deserving female. During the absence of Peter, the reins of government are placed in the hands of Menzikoff (Mr. Pope) who alone is acquainted with the place of the Emperor's retreat: when the Boyards, impatient of their master's absence, and suspecting some foul play on the part of Menzikoff, order him to immediate trial, and sentence him to death, unless

Under a strong

in six days the Emperor returns to Moscow. escort, Menzikoff is permitted to go in search of his royal master; and arrives just at the moment when Peter is about to espouse Catharine-The Emperor, (still unknown to Catharine but as the humble Pedro) hurries to the escort, declares himself, and gives freedom to Menzikoff; leaving Catharine in the utmost despair → Menzikoff returns, relieves the anxiety of Catharine, announces the Emperor, and claims her as the bride of his royal master.Peter now appears in all his splendour; when Catharine, yielding to the dictates of love, rather than those of ambition, gives her hand to the Emperor, who bestows that of Paulina upon Michael. The under-plot is sustained by Olmutz, (Mr. Waddy) Sparrowitz, (Mr. Simmons) Old Petrowitz, (Mr. Murray) Michael, Mauritz, Paulina, Genevieve, (Mrs. Davenport) &c. and the piece concludes with a Civil and Military Spectacle.'

We believe it is admitted that a dramatle writer may resort to history for whatever he wants, and adapt and alter what he finds there, as best suits his purpose. This is a convenient latitude, and as the practice has the sanction of high authority, we shall not at this moment state our objections to it. That Peter was the founder of the naval power of Russia; that he worked in different parts of Europe as a ship-carpenter; and that he raised to the imperial throne a village orphan, are the only historic fates that Mr. Cherry has attended to. The rest is (we will not say leather and prunella,) but merely operatic manufacture; yet recollecting what we have lately seen, we must allow that it is a specimen not justly to be found fault with. There is a deficiency of incident, and not one scene of interest, but the dialogue is marked with vivacity, and the ship-builder and his wife are pleasantly sketched. The music by Jouve merits much praise, and the concluding scene is rendered very attractive, by a well regulated procession of the different artificers employed in the building and equipment of a ship of war. Munden has two good comic songs, which he gave in a stile of rich humour peculiarly his own. Bellamy sung well, but acted too much. Mrs. C. Kemble wore a most becoming dress, and was extremely interesting in the character of Catharine; her stile of playing in general is too bold; it was on this occasion subdued, chaste, and impressive.

The managers bestowed little or no decoration upon the piece, and had left no nights open for its performance. In the earlier part of the season, it might have done something for the treas sury.

The new farce, produced on Mr. Fawcett's night, is a hasty production of Mr. T. Dibdin, whose Miseries of Human Life set the audience in a roar, with the assistance of those determined foes to melancholy, Fawcett and Liston. Miss Bristow, the Columbine, performed a little character in this piece, in a manner that seemed very promising. Miss Searle, her predecessor, has retired from the stage, having been invited to go down the dance of matrimony with Mr. Robert Heathcote, the brother of Sir Gilbert.

Mr. Kemble having been confined to his chamber by rheumatism, his characters have been performed by Pope and Cooke. The latter

appeared in Prospero, for the first time, on the 4th of May; and not choosing either to stumble against Scylla, "or fall into Charybdis, by the pronunciation of the unfortunate “aches” he omitted the line altogether. The following Impromptu on the occasion appeared in one of the daily prints--

MR. COOKE'S SOLILOQUY.

Aitches or akes, shall I speak both or either?
If akes I v.olate my Shakspeare's measure,
If aitches I shall give King Johnny pleasure---
I've hit upon 't-by Jove I'll utter neither.

The following is copied from another morning paper→

QUERY.

"Pray, is Kemble really ill?”

One day demanded NED of WILL.

"Why yes," says Will, "'tis truly said;"

I heard his dismal groans,

When he had aitches in his head;

They've now got in his bones,"

(Oracle.)

(Morning Post.)

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET,

MR. CONDUCTOR,

THE following article of intelligence, is copied, with a few additions, and parenthetical illustrations, from a morning print.

The proprietors of this little house, “ever anxious," (solicitous souls!)" to increase their attractions," (too disinterested and liberal by half) "have expended near seven hundred pounds,” (twang!) "in altering and decorating the internal part of this building."

"The pit is considerably enlarged from a reduction of the stage before the curtain; the lattice-work of the boxes is fresh gilt, and the interior of them coloured in a delicate blue, relieved with a white border," (O pretty, pretty!)—a fresh piece of paper is put on the ceiling; two new tin lamps are placed in the one shilling gallery, and a large hole in the green curtain has been mended. This is all owing (please to observe) to the "taste and fancy of Mr. Winston, acting manager (oh!) of the theatre," who has also converted the treasury into a coffee-room," that the public may be able to retire to cool apartments" (in the dog-days) "and partake of refreshments," (for ready money only); and when the stage shall afford no amusement, (that is, when Mr. Winston performs) "participate in the mirth and FRIVOLITY of the place.”

[N. B. A barrel-organ, and master Punch are bespoke, 'to add to the attractions of this frolicsome retreat.]

"Mr. Colman has left these alterations entirely to the taste and knowledge (!) of Mr. Winston, who, among a variety of accomplishments which adorn his mind," (and which it would be no easy matter to enumerate) "is particularly happy," (as he thinks himself,

contentus sibi!') in architectural design and decorative embellishments." He is in short another Christopher Wren, or Inigo Jones. It has even been whispered, that Carleton House is shortly to be pulled down, and rebuilt under the direction and acting management of this all-accomplished character

["The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword."]

I am, &c.

GLIB.

We can only say to our friend Glib, that he is “as good as a chorus," and though we have admitted his communication, as affording intelligence extraordinary, we must be permitted to judge for ourselves of Mr. Winston's improvements, on which we shall make a very honest report when the theatre opens.

A comedy by Mr. Dibdin, a farce by Mr. Hook, and a musical entertainment from Mr. Arthur Griflinhoofe of Turnham Green, are already talked of, as among the novelties in preparation. Mr. Young, from Manchester, an actor of high provincial fame, is to take the lead in tragedy and genteel comedy.

THE COUNTRY THEATRES, &c.

Theatre Royal EDINBURGH-List of benefits of the Edinburgh company, in April and the beginning of May, 1807, beginning with Monday in the Passion week.

It will be remembered, in estimating the benefits, that much is to be attributed to the nights of performance, to the situation of the performers, and to various other circumstances. That Mrs. Young is not very high in the list, is no proof of her want of attraction, or of the public insensibility to her very great merit. By a shameful abuse, now become inveterate, whole boxes are here engaged, and of course retained for the bespeakers, who though they should not choose to attend at all, or only send one or two individuals, never consider themselves liable but for the seats (if any) actually used, whatever loss or disappointment may accrue to the performers or their friends.

4

Mrs. Y. suffered very considerably by this aukward circum

stance.

The season has been pretty successful, no rival amusements interfering with it. The company indeed, when compared with those of late years, appeared to some advantage. Still in the female department, much is wanting: indeed as a whole, it is extremely short of the public's well founded claims.-But more of this hereafter. VERUS.

Theatre Royal, GLASGOW.-This theatre opened for the summer season, on Friday, May the 1st. In the following account of the respective merits of the members of our theatric corps, I shall state my opinion, uninfluenced either by popularity or prejudice, and shall fairly exhibit the rank each ought to hold in the scale of public favour.

it.

Our hero in tragedy and sentimental comedy, is Mr. Megget, who has a good figure, with a fine, mellow, full-toned voice--an expressive countenance, with a piercing eye-indeed all the requisites for a first-rate actor. His chief fault consists in sometimes o'er stepping the modesty of nature," and attempting to make more of his part, than ever the author intended for He is an excellent Macbeth, indeed he performs it more correctly than any actor we have had settled here for many years. I think Mr. Archer in Shylock, is little inferior to Cooke, whom he seems to have made his model, not only in pronunciation, but in every little nod and shake of the finger. Mr. Dwyer continues to sport himself in genteel comedy, but is almost always negligent and imperfect. The merit of Mr. Toms, lies principally in exhibiting such characters as Octavian and Penruddock. For low comedy, we have Rock, Berry, and Evatt-the first of whom is too well known to need any encomium from me. Berry a young man with a pleasing exterior, is a general actor; nothing in comedy comes wrong to him—Job Thornberry or Nipperkin-Sir Peter Teazle or Dogberry; he excels in all, and I venture to predict that he will one day shine upon the London boards, with as much brilliancy as the irresistibly comic Munden. Evatt is pleasing and useful-he seldom fails to acquit himself with credit. Shaw sings well. Vining has merit in pantomime: but when metamorphosed into a fashionable gentleman, abominable!

Amongst the females Mrs. Young is herself a host, and her merits as an actress are sufficiently known. Mrs. Johnson is very respectable in characters of the sombre cast. Miss Walton and Mrs. Orger, are two pretty lively creatures; Mrs. Vining (late Miss Benpet) but so so; Mrs. Nichol personates the old women, but caricatures them indiscriminately in the termagant style. 14th May, 1807.

CANDID.

P. S. Mr. Trueman of Drury Lane theatre, has just joined the company.

Theatre Royal, NORWICH.-The inhabitants of this place are not very theatrically inclined; and those, who spend their time and