The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

( From our Dramatic Correspondent . ) "WTTEILE all our London ( heatres have succeeded in producing pieces more or less '' in accordance Avith , what I may term , the mental elements of the season , I think that the reproduction at "The Princess ' s" of Charles Reade ' s famous English drama , " It is Never Too Late to Mend , " is the most important and must take the place of honour in my letter to day . It wiU be remembered by many playgoers that when this play

was first produced , som thirteen years ago , it provoked much adverse criticism , not for its faults as a drama , but because it Avas a play Avith a purpose , that purpose being to show up in the most emphatic manner the unchristian horrors practised in some of our , socalled , model prisons . To day that adverse criticism is dead , and the model prison is not quite so model . The reception accorded to " It is Never Too Late to Mend " on Boxing Night is sufficient evidence that as a play it possesses all the elements of success

, ancl it needs no prophet to foretell a long run . While all concerned in the acting deseiwe great praise , a special Avord of commendation must be said for Mr . Charles Warner , as Tom Robinson . With , one exception , I have never seen him to better advantage . He played the part , by no means an easy one , Avith the care ancl grace so natural to him , and AA'ith that perfect finish AA'hich denotes the true artist . As regards the mounting , scenery , appointments , etc ., it Avould be superfluous to say anything , for ever

since "The Princess ' s" has been in the hands of Mr . Walter Gooch , these requisites of success haA ' e had no rivals in London ; he spares neither time , trouble , nor expense in presenting to his audience the authors' " children" clothed in right royal fashion . Of the Pantomimes there is not much to say : they are all Avritten on the old lines , and present few if any original characteristics . Mr . Blanchard , as usual , supplies " Drury Lane " Avith its holiday programme , ancl has this year selected " Cinderella " for his theme .

Some of the lines and songs in Mr . Frank Green ' s burlesque , "Jack and the Beanstalk" ( CoA'ent Garden ) , are in the worst possible taste , ancl a bit of witticism against one of our cleverest dramatic authors can onl y be attributed to envy . The " Surrey " Pantomime is this year Avritten hy Joseph Mackay , and dressed , I believe , by his brother , Wallis Mackay . The " Surrey " has for many years enjoyed the reputation of producing the best Pantomimes , and certainly that reputation will not

be forfeited this year . " The House that Jack Built" is really worth seeing . That exceedingly clever comedy , " Pink Dominoes , " has been transferred to " The Philharmonic , " while at its natural home , AA'here it lived so long , "The Criterion , " "The Little Quiriti" troupe haA'e commenced a series of operas Avhich Avill continue up to the end of January . The folloAring theatres , "Strand , " "Folly , " "Vaudeville , " "Globe , " "Haymarket , " Ol

"ympic , " "Gaiety , " "Adelphi , " a-U retain their old programmes ; Avhile at "The Royalty , " noAv under the able management of Miss Santley , " Cinderella , " a SAveet little comedy , and " Tita in Thibet , " afford a most pleasant evening ' s entertainment . Last on my list comes " The Alhambra , " not , hoy ; wer , because it is the least worth y of notice , far from it . I question if anything equal to the grand spectacular representation of " La Poule Aux CEufs d'Or" is to he seen elsewhere in Europe , and the ballet

diA'ertissement , " The Union of Nations , " is the most gorgeous and" Avithal the most artistic both for colouring and grouping that " The Alhambra , " famous as it is for its ballets , has eA'er presented . The cast , AA'ith one exception , is good , the singing of Mile . Riviere , Miss Soldene , Miss Loseby , Mr . Knight Aston , and M . Bruet being most effective and calling for frequent applause . The one exception is the part of Chanti-< dero personated bMrERihtonI take this tion because it is siht to

, y . . g . excep a sorry g see so good an actor as Mr . Ri ghton playing the fool : —the motley does not become him . His reputation as a first-class comedian is established , and this being so makes it the more surprising that he should condescend to undertake to play a part to Avhich ample justice mi ght be done by some poor fourth-rate actor for forty shillings a week . SIDE WING .