Theatre

THEATRE.—The celebrated spectacle of  "Blue Beard" was brought out on Thursday evening, in a style that, taking into consideration the smallness of the house and other disadvantages, may be justly called surprising. The dresses were splendid and appropriate; and the scenery and decorations generally, were of a description far superior to anything before produced in the Colony. The piece opens with a view of Ibrahim's cottage, with a mountainous country in the back ground, over which the grand procession of Blue Beard, who is on his way to the cottage for the purpose of taking Fatima to the castle, is seen advancing. This scene was well managed, and the view of the procession on the hill, with the distant music, had a very good effect. The procession looked splendid; and the supernumeraries had evidently been well drilled. The chambers in Blue Beard's castle (especially the blue chamber) were very well painted,—indeed he new scene painter appears to under- stand his business. The view of the exterior of Blue Beard's palace, with the gardens, was also very good ; and, on the whole, the piece was got up in a manner that we hope will draw such houses as will remunerate the proprietor. The marches and other music were appropriate and well played. Abmelique (Blue Beard) was well played by Knowles, who looked the character admirably; Simes, as Ibrahim, displaced some humour, although rather out of his line when playing an old man ; Buckingham's Shacabac was very middling, we have seen him play a comic character better ; in his part in the duet of "Tink a Tink," he sang but very poorly, but he made a much better attempt at his comic song. Miss Winstanley was an interesting Fatima, and made a very good attempt at singing "While pensive I thought of my Love," although her excessive timidity (a fault not often chargeable to Miss W.) prevented her giving herself fair play ; Mrs. Downes, as Irene, displayed considerable vivacity and tact, and introduced the song of " Love was a mischievous Boy," which she sang with much taste; Beda was remarkably well played by Mrs. Jones, who (with Mr. Fitzgerald) went through a very graceful dance in the garden scene. It would be doing injustice to Messdames Winstanley, Downes, and Jones, not to mention the elegant and characteristic manner in which they were dressed. From the manner in which the piece was received on Thursday, there is no doubt of its being a favourite. This evening, a gentleman, who has played at several of the London theatres, will make his debut on the Sydney stage as Richard III.