The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-26 00:00:00

GRECIAN.

The title of the pantomime at thie theatre is "Punch
and Judy ; or. Harlequin Prince Valiant, Shallabalah, and the
Good Little Fairy of the Wood." It is mince by Messrs. G.
Conquest and H. Spry. The plot turns upon the life of
Punch and Judy. The first scene opens in the Land of
Toys, where King Holiday pays a visit to Jack-in-the-Box,
and consults him about a present for his friends of earth.
After recommending all the various toys in turn, choice
is at length wads of Punch, in the form of a pantomime.
The Good Little Fairy of the Wood (Mims L. Conquest)
rises, and asserts that • pantomime without a loving
prince and princess would be sad. She therefore pro-
mises to find the requisite personages to complete the
work. Scene second brings us to The Caves of Des-
pair, where Spleen, Spite, and Mature are coospiriog
for the overthrow of Peach. They send • demon on earth
to track him, and lead and tempt him to all sin and wicked.
nese. Scene third shows Prancers Rosebud (Miss L. Con-
quest) hart amidst the Cobalt Caves. A panoramic effect
takes place, which leads to the seen of the Groves of Golden
Banyan, io which the ballet occurs. Scene fourth displays
the Enchanted Forest, in which King Nervous (Mr. Jackson)
has lost his way. He is threatened on all sides by wild ani-
mals, when Sliallabelah (Mr. Grant), • Gnome King, rises,
and promises to rescue him if he will sign a document. He
doss so. Scene fifth briogs us to the House of Pun hand Judy.
Judy (Mr. Massing) busies here& with the baby, &c. Punch
(Mr. G. Conquest) reels home very tipsy, followed by Toby.
Here all the known business of the street show takes place,
ending, as usual, with the murder of Judy. Punch, over-
I come with remorse, falls o• the Boor, while the scene changes
' to • monster halloo°, which carries Punch off to an no-
' known country io the map of Europe. The next scene is
Lake Lonely, by moonlight, and shows the King's two
nephews conspiring to p Prince Valiant's return to
court. The balloon is seen in the dietetic* to take fire, and
falls into the lake below. Punch is witnessed struggling in
the waters, and at lest-reaches land exhsusted. Prince Va-
liant (Mies Victor) discovers the body of Punch, calls •
doctor, and the show business again takes place. The mime
gads by vows of eternal friendship, and they start on their
journey to court. The Court of King Nervous is the next
ICBM Valiant returns and claims the timid of Rosebud.
The marriage ceremony takes place, when Sliallabalah enters
end claims the fulfilment of the King's contract, entered
into when his life was saved in the Enchanted Forest, and
demands the hand of Rosebud. Valiant opposes him, but
in spite of all Shallabelah carries off the prize by force, and
places her for safety in his cottage orair. Punch and
Valiant come to the rescue. Punch comes with the well-
known sheep bell. Black servant sends him away, but
Punch perseveres, and attempts to get in at the
windows ; falls through roofs, hangs on the gutters,
Ice., and at last rescues Rosebud ; but Shellabalab at the
last moment spoils the reslisatioo of his projects, and
he is compelled to make • hasty retreat, leaving Price
Valiant and Rosebud in the power of Shallabalab. The
next scene for an immense Punch ac,l Judy show. Here
I the well known business once more takes place, ending by
Punch hanging Sluillabalah. Things come to a crisis. The
fairy leads us to the transformation scene,designed sod pointed
by Mr. Messenger. Clown, Harry Wright; Harlequin, W.
Ormond ; Pantaloon, H. Power ; Columbia.% Misses Dew-
berty and Ryas' ; Sprites, the Brothers Leopold.
The opening of this pantomime owes much of its effect
to the excellent singing and acting of Hiss Victor, and the
remarkable pantomimic talent of the school of Wieland.
possessed by Mr. George emigrant. The ballet, arranged
by Mrs. Conquest, is excellent, and Mies Laura Conquest, as
usual, dances with great grace and skill. The scenery ie bril-
liant without bolos gaudy.