Transcription
force, and the piece ended with the unanimous applause of a crowded house.
CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT.—Last Saturday arrangements were completed between Mr. Wm. Batty, the present proprietor of Astley’s, and Mr. Wm. Cooke, the proprietor of the “mammoth” equestrian travelling establishment, whereby the latter gentleman will become lessee of Astley’s at Easter next. The Cookes—and there is a very numerous family—have for the last half century been celebrated for their equestrian triumphs. No gentleman in the profession is better adapted as the future entrepreneur of Astley’s than Mr. Wm. Cooke, from his ample means, spirit, judgement, taste, and an experience of many years in the cares and toils of management ere he arrived at his present elevated position.
MR. BATTY, OF ASTLEY’S.—This gentleman, after a long, active, and highly-successful career, may be said virtually to have retired, having purchased for a large sum a magnificent domain, “Bridge House,” Golder’s Green, near Hendon, on the Finchley-road, with extensive and beautiful grounds, ornamental waters, &c., where he intends to enjoy the otium cum dignitate in becoming style, which his vast means will readily enable him to accomplish. Mr. Batty has amassed an enormous fortune; in fact, the Amphitheatre in the Westminster-road is a fortune in itself; and it is a singular fact—certainly the only instance in the metropolis, and perhaps in the kingdom—of a theatre being the entire property of the builder and manager, every rick and stone of Astley’s belonging to Mr. Batty. Although Mr. Batty is in daily attendance at the theatre to transact business, he has, with good judgement, re-engaged his old manager, Mr. Wm. West, on whom all the important and onerous duties will devolve, than whom a more clever stage-director, is not extant, his knowledge of mise en scene, and of every coup de theatre, derived during his partnership with the late Andrew Ducrow, being perfect. His operas and spectacles, when with Mr. Bunn, at Drury-lane, amply testify this fact.
