MEMORANDA DRAMATICA, &c. ROYAL CIRCUS. The diligence and genius of Mr. Cross are every where apparent in the conduct of this enchanting resort of fashion and beauty. Such endeavours, and so much liberality, ensure success; and we rejoice to see the public patronage run on a line with the abundant attractions of the performances at this house. ASTLEY'S NEW AMPHITHEATRE. When we say that the great success of this theatre is but in proportion to its elegance and merit, we merely do justice to the taste of the public, and to the indefatigable industry and ingenuity of the manager. The annals of our history afford us few events that have covered us with more glory than the victory obtained over the Spanish Armada; and we recollect no one that has been celebrated on the mimic-scene with greater effect than this, as it is now represented at the Royal Amphitheatre. SADLERS WELLS. This elegant little theatre, under the liberal conduct of the new proprietors, assisted by the indefatigable attention and powerful talents of Mr. C. Dibdin, is nightly crowded with the most fashionable company. The astonishing effect of the body of real water, and the representation of the ships in full trim, "built, rigged, navigated, and maneuvred in the most accurate manner," sailing down to the siege of Gibraltar, have been attractive in a degree almost unprecedented. The Managers, determined to maintain the credit of their " Aquatic Theatre," have lately produced a new comic pantomime, called ANTHONY, CLEOPATRA, and HARLEQUIN. The music, scenery, and changes, are excellent, and we have never seen any thing more beautiful in the way of stage exhibition than the view of Cleopatra's Galley, in which she sailed to meet Mark Anthony; and the Magic Bridge and Palace of Mirrors, with a real water-fall at the conclusion, PROVINCIAL DRAMA, &c. Theatre Royal PLYMOUTH.-The new theatre, which opened on the 30th of May, is now entirely finished, from the designs of Mr. Winston; and it may be truly said, that it is now as handsome as any of its size out of London. The front of the boxes are stone colour in relief; the centre of each pannel richly ornamented with cameos, to the number of twenty-one. The proscenium is ornamented with composite pilasters, inlaid with scroll-work, made by Bowen, of Bond-street; the whole is lighted by chandeliers, lustres, patent lamps, all new, and made in London. The stage, from the formation of the walls, cannot be so complete as might be wished: it has been much enlarged, and every thing possible has been done. The whole of the scenery is new, and principally painted by the late well-known artist, Bromley, with the addition of some very clever scenes by Mr. Wheatly; who has shewn much skill in executing the auditory part. He is now busily employed in preparing new scenery, banners, &c. for Pizarro, Valentine and Orson, Cinderella, &c. The company is a good one, and has given satisfaction. If any one can claim precedency in point of merit, it is Mr. Barnes; who bids fair to become an excellent actor in old men only. Theatre COVENTRY.-Extract of a Letter." Our magistrates have granted leave to a Thespian company to perform in this town, who are well attended; the manager's name is Hillyard, who is father, as I am informed, of the principal part of the corps. Their plan is not upon an extensive scale; but their performances have been marked by a regularity of system that merits approbation. I am sorry to tell you, that Mr. M'Cready, who truly deserves success, has met with very little encouragement this season, hitherto, at Birmingham. The times are out of joint' for theatricals, in manufacturing towns; nor can any hope of good fortune be expected, until we may say, Our armours now may rust; our idle scimitars Hang by our sides for ornament, not use. Be longer us'd to lull the crying babe." Theatre Royal, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.---Our theatre closed for the season on Wednesday, the 23d of May; a few nights previous to which, the grand pantomime of Cinderella was brought out by Mr. Kemble, for his own benefit night; and, excepting Bluebeard (the scenes of which, by the admirable pencil of Naesmith, were certainly finished in a higher style of excellence), no other spectacle has ever been produced in this theatre of so splendid a nature: Mr. Kemble has spared no expence in the scenery and dresses, both of which are uncommonly well executed, but unfortunately it was acted for the first time in a very imperfect manner, to a crowded audience; the machinery of the deceptions frequently failed, and some of the scenes were in a very unfinished state. An unfavourable opinion of it was, therefore, taken up, and, owing to this unlucky mismanagement, the succeeding nights were very thinly attended, though it was performed with as much splendor and effect as could possibly be expected on a provincial stage. Miss Kemble, in particular, did ample justice to the part of Venus, and Miss A. De Camp was an animated and interesting representative of Cinderella. Since I last wrote, Mr. Noble has quitted us for the Haymarket. He was certainly, whether deservedly so or not, a great favourite in this town; but as his new engagement is metropolitan, we must, of course, submit to our loss with resignation: and, in a great variety of his characters, Mr. Chippendale, who daily improves, will, I doubt not, leave us little room to regret his absence. A Mr. Pritchard has lately joined our corps, who has performed several parts in genteel comedy with tolerable success, particularly the character of Lord Sparkle in Which is the Man? but we have scarcely yet had sufficient time to judge of the extent of his abilities. The committee of the proprietors of the theatre have lately resolved to grant Mr. Kemble, who has hitherto been only a tenant at will, a lease of the theatre for three years, at a yearly rent of about 2001. to commence in November next, before which time the scenery and machinery will be, in a great measure, renewed, and every part of the building put in complete repair. One principal article in the agreement between the proprietors and Mr. Kemble is, that the company are not, on any account, to act at Shields during the seasons of performing in Newcastle. This will be a great advantage to the public, as the plays will, undoubtedly, be more correctly represented, and also to the actors, as they will have more time for study, and will not be harassed by the fatigue and inconvenience of going four times in the week between Newcastle and Shields. All the particulars of this agreement between the proprietors of the theatre and Mr. Kemble, are not, I believe, as yet completely settled; every expectation, however, may be entertained, that it will be concluded in a manner equally beneficial to the manager, the proprietors, and the public. The theatre will open again towards the end of this month, for the race week, when it is said Miss De Camp, Mr. Dowton, and our old favourite, Mr. Rock, are to pay us a visit; from that time, the theatre remains closed till the assizes in August, when we are also usually favoured by the exertions of some of the dispersed bands of Covent Garden and Old Drury: but of the pleasure of these theatricals extraordinary, imperious necessity, by sending me to a distance, debars me of any share: I shall, therefore, be precluded from again trespassing on your valuable pages till our next winter's season, which, owing to the new regulations agreed upon, has, I think, every prospect of commencing with success. Newcastle, June 2, 1804. JULIUS. Theatre Royal, NORWICH.--The Norwich theatre has been very well attended this season, but the benefits have not been in proportion to the merits of the persons interested. Hindes, the manager, had 1581.; he was formerly an actor, but prudence dictated to him the necessity of retiring from the stage; for certainly he was not a favourite, nor does he, as a manager, give satisfaction, for he is very capricious, and frequently shews but little judgment in his arrangements. Much dissatisfaction has been manifested by the town at his discharging two favourites, viz. Bennet, now at Bath, and Eastmure. Phillips played Richard for his benefit. Would he had not; but for his consolation, the house was good 1361. Bowles, the hero, had only 901. Cushing, an actor of inconsiderable talent, 921. Mallinson is certainly a very good comedian, particularly in characters suitable to his genius: he has played, with universal and deserved applause, Sir Andrew Ague Cheek, Peregrine Forester, Sim, Brush, Nipperkin, Robin Roughhead, and Timothy Quaint: his benefit was not productive; only 701. Mr. Holliday is a performer of considerable ability; very scrupulously attentive to his author, and highly respected for the goodness of his private character. On the night of his benefit, he sung a song, called The Loyal Norwich Landlord's Defence against Invasion, or, no Accommodation for the First Consul at the King's Head, Swan, &c. enumerating all the inns and public-houses in Norwich, amounting to about one hundred. The song has merit, and the several signs were introduced with much ingenuity. Mrs. Bramwell, late of the Theatres Royal Drury Lane and Covent Garden, is much admired; her benefit was 761. Her best performances are, The Romp, Kathleen, Little Pickle, Cowslip, &c. She sings with naiveté and sweetness, and dresses her characters with peculiar neatness, elegance, and propriety. Mrs. Worthington, the heroine of the Norwich Theatre, has added much to her former celebrity, by her performances of the Widow Cheerly in the Soldier's Daughter, and Juliet. Her line is very extensive, and the attention she pays to her profession is very praise-worthy; her benefit (701.) was not any way equal to her desert. Theatre, EDINBURGH-closed on the 2d of May; and I have to entreat a space in your valuable miscellany for the insertion of a few remarks on the performers, and the novelties that have been produced in the course of the season. The company were for the most part new to us, and had to combat the force of prejudice; but they have completely triumphed over the petty, scribbling, interested opposition, which, though it never had any weight with the public, evidently damped their ardour in the onset. Indeed, a comparative view of this with other companies would leave these fastidious gentlemen without a syllable of objection. John Bull out of London could not be better performed. Rock in Brulgruddery is too well known to you, Sir, to need my comment. FAULKNER's Peregrine evinced great sensibility, and may be truly deemed insinuating and manly. EVATT treads most comically, and at the same time with a judicious delicacy, over the ground in Tom Shuffleton; and BERRY's Brazier is on the whole respectable. The humour is strongly depicted, but he is deficient in discrimination of feeling. TURPIN's Dan is laughable, but certainly he exhibits a confusion of dialects. His accent, like young Rapid's description of the mail coach, may be “ famous thing, for it whips you over counties in a hop, step and a jump." Mary, by Miss DUNCAN, is not the exact thing; she over-figures it, and wants the required simplicity. 3 LOVE LAUGHS AT LOCKSMITHS. A pleasant farce, and throughout very pleasantly supported. TURPIN was very happy in Risk, and sung the "Unfortunate Miss Bailey" with much effect. Vigil and Totterton, by HOLLINGSWORTH and BERRY, were both very good; and Miss DUNCAN's Lydia was "laugh, song, and dance," to admiration. RAISING THE WIND. Jeremy Diddler, so humorously drawn, was as humorously personified by EVATT; nay, the actor added to the whim of the author, and the audience seemed highly pleased with both. THE SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER had a run of twelve nights, and its merits were done justice to in the representation. ROCK, CHALMERS, and TOMS were deservedly applauded in the Governor, Frank Heartall and Mr. Malfort. Mrs. BRERETON was most interesting in the character of Mrs. Malfort. With a very neat person, a most expressive countenance, and a voice whose natural tones are pleasing and pathetic, this lady, in such characters as Cordelia, Monimia, Jane Shore, in tragedy; Lady Irwin, Bertha and Victoria, in sentimental comedy; must be considered of importance to any theatre. New to the stage her enunciation seeins often under the influence of fear, and her action partakes of the embarrassment; but with a little more practice and attention to the compass and tones of her voice, and the disposition of her person, she must confirm my foregoing prediction. Widow Cheerly is fascinating in the hands of Miss DUNCAN; and the natural blending of ease and vivacity, elegance and spirit, render it in my mind the chef-d'œuvre of this lady's versatile talents. The epilogue, with some alteration applicable to the name of Duncan, was delivered with full point, energy, and effect. So much for the new pieces. The Castle Spectre has been three or four times performed, and the part of Osmond was strongly marked by FAULKNER. His dream scene was at once awful and impressive. EVATT pourtrayed Hassan with animation and feeling. Angela comes within the scope I have ventured to assign Mrs, BrereTON; and the face and form of Mrs. PRATT are happily suited to the description of Evelina. This lady has heen highly favoured by nature; and her Cora, Lady Restless, and Louisa (Love makes a Man) were pourtrayed with infinite success. Mrs. BASTER is not gifted with an appropriate figure for the grande of tragedy; her voice is good, but her cadences in speaking frequently turn pathos into the burlesque. As a vocal performer she is entitled to much commendation; she gives the airs in the Poor Soldier with taste and science, The benefits have been partially great. Miss DUNCAN had 2081. Rock 2061. TURPIN 1951. The New-comers, wanting interest, fell short; but they will doubtless improve upon further acquaintance. FAULKNER being placed next to the Cannongate charity workhouse benefit, had, as might be expected, a very indifferent house, but another time, no doubt, "his efforts will succeed," And the Poor Gentleman feel rich indeed. VERITAS. Theatre GLASGOW.---About a month ago, our theatrical summer campaign commenced in this place, without any addition whatever to our winter company. These, with the exception of two or three individuals, are all of the "inferior cast," which the manager very soon found, to his cost; for, during the first fortnight, he had, almost every night, the mortification of witnessing "a beggarly account of empty boxes." At the expiration of that period, however, the public were most agreeably surprised by an advertisement, intimating that "the young gentleman, who had for this some time past performed in the theatres of Dublin, Cork, and Belfast, with such a series of success, and drew such crowded and overflowing houses, as to acquire the appellation of the Young Roscius, was engaged for a few nights at this theatre." Public curiosity could not now remain long silent, and numbers flocked to the theatre with an eagerness hitherto unexampled in the annals of Glasgow theatrical exhibitions. Their expectations were certainly gratified; for a young man of more deserving merit has rarely made his appearance on our boards. His language is, in general, chaste, free from every provinciality, and his action is spirited and judicious. His diminutive size is, perhaps, a little against him in the opinion of some, but a candid critic must allow, that that defect is completely lost sight of in the high abilities he displays in every character he has attempted. When here, he performed Douglas, Romeo, Hamlet, Frederick, Tancred, Rolla, and Richard III. but the character in which he seemed to give most satisfaction, was that of Frederick, in Lovers' Vows: a more chaste and excellent performance has seldom been witnessed in this city; and in the scene where he makes himself known to his father, almost every eye in the house was bathed in tears. He took his farewell of the Glasgow audience, at his benefit, on Wednesday last, in Osman, in the tragedy of Zara, in which character he acquitted himself highly to the satisfaction of the |