The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Glob © . —After two postponements , " The Doctor " was produced last Saturday , before a large , but certainly not an indulgent , audience . The task of adapting " La Doctoresse " was undertaken by Mr . F . C . Bnrnand , who has not made as mnch of his work as might have been expected . When , some time since , tho French version was brought — : n : —

out at the Royalty , some genuine fun was the result , but Saturday ' s experience was anything but a happy one . Mr . Burnand has put into the piece some time-honoured jokes , but they missed fire , and the piece throughout fell flat . We do not desire it to be understood there is no good work in the piece ; on the contrary , the author at times

shines in all his glory ; still the bright moments are obsoured by the bad . On Saturday the first act dragged heavily , but the second and third went with more spirit . As is usually the case in this class of piece , the pruning knife must be in request , especially in the first act . Undoubtedly "The Doctor , " as at present constituted , is a

disappointment . The idea of Angelina Blossom , M . D ., turning the house into waiting-rooms for her patients is certainly enough to induce her husband to seek for consolation elsewhere . Again , the dilemma that Alfred Blossom gets into at the Signora's apartments ought to cause infinite amusement . It was , however , not made the most of :

the strong-minded wire dancer was not spirited enough ; while , when poor Blossom is thought to be hurt , and his wife is called to his aid—a really fine situation fell terribly flat . The best work was shown in the last act , where Mrs . Blossom decides to give np her praotioe and strive to make her husband appreciate his home . In this scene

Miss Fanuy Enson was at her best . She was so graceful and winning that it could hardly be wondered Blossom decides to stay at home and keep his wife company . Moreover , this lady's earlier scenes were well conceived ; while she looked the character all over . Once more Mr . W . S . Penley , as the huBband , has apart he can elaborate .

The whole weight of the piece really falls on bis Bhoulders , and right manfully he goes about his task . His droll and inimitable style just suits the part , and ifc will not be his fault if success is not achieved . Miss . M . A . Victor did not put enough life into the highspirited Carlotta , but Mr . W . J . Hill made the most out of a

ridiculous Butler , who offers to cure patients at a quarter the fee charged by the Doctor . At times it was impossible to understand Mr . H . Kemble's notion of a foreign Count . Miss Rose Dearing made a dashing lion tamer , while the Misses Vane Featherstone and Cissy

Grahame were especially good in their respective roles . Mr . A . G . Andrews and Miss Blanche Horlock also made the most of small parts . Mr . Bnrnand and Mr . Hawtrey were both called , but they received anything but a favourable reception .

Princess ' s . —Miss Grace Hawthorne started a " preliminary Beason " at this theatre on Thursday , choosing for the opening piece Messrs . Jefferson and L . R . Shewell ' s five-act drama , " Shadows of a Great City . " This work is full of incident and excitement , but the idea is crude , and of the ordinary class of melo-dramas , suited better

perhaps to outlying theatres rather than a West-end one . We are afraid it will not draw during the hot weather . To our thinking the piece does not work closely , while the saying of " a warm-hearted Irish Girl" should unquestionably be curtailed . Great care has been taken in placing the drama upon the stage , and it has been

admirably cast . The following details supply the story , which is certainly not a new one : —Tom Cooper , a sailor with a kind heart , is in the way of a youthful spendthrift , whose uncle ' s fortune he ( George Benson ) is trying to secure . Between Benson and the fortune stands a poor woman ' s child—Helen Staudish . Cooper

sympathises with this woman and child , but Benson , with tho help of a roguish Jew , fixes a robbery of diamonds on our hero , with the result that Tom is committed to prison . Along with him is sent a comical pickpocket , Jim Farren . Jim is offered release by the Jew if he will consent to steal and drown the child , whose mother is

dying in another part of the prison . This Jim decides to do , and endeavours to persuade Cooper to escape with him . This they manage to do by a boat moored in the river , the warders in the meantime having been bribed . After a journey down the river , the escaped convicts land on some rocks , where Jim proposes to effect

drowning of the child , but Cooper will not permit this . A struggle ensues ; the child is thrown into the river , and Cooper jumps after it . Fifteen years are supposed to elapse , the child is grown up , and is living with Cooper and a true-hearted Irish woman . The girl does not know her past history .- Her cousin Benson now turns up and

demands the right of protecting her . Cooper ia threatened with a return to prison . In tho last act of course everything is cleared up , Cooper ' s innocence made apparent , while Jim Farren gives sufficient information to send Benson and the Jew to prison . As the hero , Mr . J . H . Barnes was manly and vigorous , but at others

he waB too heavy . Mr . Harry Parker made a capital Abe . Nathan , the Jew . Mr . W . L . Abrigdon was good as the villain , Benson . Mr . Harry Nicholls had numerous opportunities as Jim Farrer , and did not fail to make the most of them . His style perfectly suited the Part , while his sense of humour was well to tho fore . Mr . Bassetfc Roe

was ccol and collected as the detectivo . Miss Mary Rorke evinced intense feeling and pathos as Helen Standish , but Miss Lizzie Fletcher had scarcely power enough for Annie Standish . Miss Catherine Lewis caused much laughter as the kind-hearted Irish woman . Other parts were in good hands . At the conclusion the

nsual first-night calls were given , after which a special one brought before tho curtain Miss Grace Hawthorne , who heartily fchanked . thoae Present for the kind manner in which they had received her preliminary work . In regard to tho future , Mi 3 S Hawthorne said that

some disappointment had been expressed in reference to the postponement of " Theodora . " She could only say that that piece had not been promised by her until the autumn ; that it would be produced Jater on she assurred all presont .

The Theatres, &C.

Prince of Wales's . —On Monday afternoon was witnessed the production of a piece at this theatre described as an original play in three acts , the occasion being Mr . Bassett Roe's matinee . Of the play we can say but little in its favour ; some ideas of the author , Mr . George Newton , aro very far fetched . He has supplied a framework

that contains sufficient material for at least two or three pieces . To give any account of the plots would fill too muoh space , so we must content ourselves with giving an outline of tbe principal one . Obed Snow , an ex-forger and convict , contrives to get iu his power a foolish and inexperienced youth , James Seabrook , whose step-father , Winsdale ,

is wealthy . Snow , in want of money , persuades James to admit him during the night , and show him where the father's wealth has been hidden by his daughter . This ia done , with the result that Cecil Blaue , Winsdale's Secretary , is apprehended on suspicion of having committed theft . The following day Snow , disguised as a parson , calls ,

when he discovers he has persuaded his own son to assist in robbing Winsdale . This troubles bis conscience , with the result that he contrives , the next night , to put the money back . He is , however , seen by Winsdale . This clears Blane , who is secretly married to Winsdale ' s daughter . Snow now promises to turn over a new leaf , and is

allowed to depart . The above is only the main story , but how Winsdale is nearly persuaded into marrying a designing woman , and other matters of the same kind , we will not trouble our readers with . First as a kind of Alfred Jingle , and then as the hypocritical clergyman , Mr . Bassett Roe was ieen to fair advantage .

He was humorous when wanted , while at other times he displayed plenty of dash . It was a poor part , but the gentleman made the most of it . Mr . John Beauohamp , was good as Winsdale , and Mr . Wallace Erskine displayed unlooked for talent as James Seabrook , a most unnatural character . Mr . Lewis Waller was ill at

ease as Cecil Blaue ; but Miss Florence Weat displayed plenty of power as his wife ; Miss Edith Dene was a fair lover ; bat Miss Schubert as the designing Lucy Audrey was anything but good . A crowded house gave the usual call for the author , but the call was not responded to .

Alhambra . —Monday evening witnessed a change of programme here , when a new ballet , " Algeria , " took the place of " The Seasons , " while " Nadia" was transferred to the end of the entertainment . " Algeria" is tbe invention of Mons . Hansen , while the music has been composed by M . Jacobi . If the ovations ifc

received from a well filled house on the first night of its production go for anything , this new ballet ought to have a long and successful run . As its name indicates the work is of Moorish character , and giveB scope for diversity of colouring , both in scenery and costumes . Botb Mr . H . Emden and Mr . L . Beacbe have shown great

skill in their respective departments by their artistic grouping of colours . In fact a more brilliant display than is presented by the three tableaux , into which the piece is divided , can hardly be conoieved . The story runs as follows : a young Algerian officer ( Mdlle . Marie ) having received orders to capture and slay a certain noted

pirate , has a parting interview with his lady love ( Mdlle . Adele Zallio ); he informs her of the purpose of his intended expedition . This arrangement is discovered by the robber of the seas ( Mdlle . Cormani ) , who afc once makes off to warn his band of their

approaching danger ; at the same time he succeeds in carrying off the fair lady , with whom he also is desperateiy enamoured . Having conveyed her to his encampment by the sea , he endeavours to win her , by a variety of entertainments , and nere , of course , several Moorish dances are given , one—a sword dance—being particularly

effective , as was likewise an Arabian tent scene . The whole finishes with a grand dance , "En Masse , " during which the pirates are surprised and scattered , by the officer previously mentioned and his gallant troops . The lady being left behind by the pirate captain , is rescued , and is seen reclining in the arm of her lover

when the curtain falls . The three principal characters in the foregoing are played in splendid style by Mdlles . Zallio , Marie , and Cormani . The Mooresque dance by Mdlle . Aouda , a Creole , also calls for special notice ; it is an elegant and skilful performance . As thia

theatre is now lighted almost entirely by electricity , and is well ventilated , it remains beautifully cool , despite the hot weather we are now experiencing . " Nadia " still retains its popularity , as was fully attested by the applause which it elicited . The variety entertainments are also good , and well worth witnessing .

Yet another opportunity will be offered London playgoerB to witness the successful burlesque " Monte Christo , jun ., " with the original caste . This will be on Saturday afternoon , the 23 rd instant , when Mr . F . J . Potter , the genial acting manager of the Gaiety Theatre , will take his annual benefit . That Mr . Potter will have a crowded house wo feel assured ; his programme is both strong and interesting .

Jubilee Gift To The Masonic Charities.

JUBILEE GIFT TO THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

rnilE sum of £ 53 has been handed to the Provincial Grand Mastor o f i- Hampshire aud tho Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . in aid of the Masonic Charities . This amount represents the total proceeds , without any deductions whatever , of a performance given at tho Theatre Royal on 24 th June , on which occasion , ifc may bo remembered , a dispensation was granted for Brethren to appear in

regalia . Bro . J . W . Boughton also marked the Jubuee by giving the ^ roas receipts of an entertainment fcofche Royal Portsmouth Hospital , thus strengthening tho local popularity which he enjoys ou account of his personal liberality and enterprising management of the Theatre

Royal . Bro . Boughton tikes an active interest in Masonic affairs , and hi 3 generous acts on behalf of tho Order and the Charitable Institutions connected with ifc will doubtless receive recognition from tho Provincial authorities . — Portsmouth Times .