The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-10 00:00:00

EASTER ENTERTAINMENTS.

According to annual custom, most of the metro-
politan theatres produced novelties last evening, of a
class to which common consent has given the title of
" Easter Pieces." Of these and the other entertain-
ment, both day and evening, we proceed to give
some account.

THE THEATRES.

HAY MAIIKET.

The entertainments at this theatre inat night were
sufficiently multifarious to satisfy the keenest appetite of a
holiday audience.
There was, in the first place, the ever-popular " Brigand,"
in which James Wallack's unrivalled melo-dramatic acting
made its usual impression, and received the usual amount of
enthusiastic applause. Then followed the novelty of the
evening, a new and original classical extravaganza called
" The Sphinx," by the authors of " Camarallusen and
Badoura," "The Enchanted Isle," and other productions of •
similar class. These burlesques of classical or romantic sub-
jects were first brought into vogue at the Olympic in the
days of Madam* Vestris's management, where they became
very popular from their liveliness ono wit—their neatness of
construction, and the elegance with which they were got up.
Their novel character, to*, added to their attraction. But
of late this kind of entertainment has been much overdone.
Clerical burlesques have become so common, and are so
uniform in their cons'ruction end treatment, that their
sameness becomes not a little wearisome even whoa they are
clever and ingenious.
The " Sphinx" is cast in the same mould as many of its
predecessors, and its amusement lies in the contrast between
the poetical character of the mythological subject end the
manner of its treatment—the doggrel thymus, slipalop phra-
seology, Lludicrons images, extravagant nonsense, and un-
bridled buffoonery in which both dramatists and actors in-
dulge, seasoned will smut and satirical allusions to the pas-
sing follies of the day. The king and parliament of Thebes
are discovered in debate on the alarming state of the
country ; the population being ravaged by a terrible monster,
the Seins, wlso,after catching his tnctinsa,propounds to them
an enigma, and on their "giving it up," has them forthwith
dressed for his dinner or supper. The hand of the king's
daughter is offered u a reward to the champion who shall
deliver the land from the Sphinx; and the achievement is
undertaken and accomplished by (Eclipse, King of Corinth,
who conquers the monster by resolving one of his enigmas.
Keeleycertainly makes the Sphinx a most grotesque person-
age. He appears made of stone, but with active movements,
and seizes his prey with a gripe like that of the statue in
" Don OiovanaL' The riddles he propounds with ineffable
gravity are the commoaest Joe Millers, His lest, put to his
adversary (Eclipse, is, " What is the reason that people go
to bed ' sad the answer, " Because the bed cannot come
to them," is the grand catastrophe of the piece. There are
many hits about going to California, agricultural distress,
protectionists, the ISmithfield nuisance, and en forth. some of
which mimed fire, bat others were happy enough. There was
a great deal of music, of a burlesque kind, damns, bat some
of it very pretty and well executed. The scene in " Acia
and Galatea," where the rustiest are terrified by the approach
of Poyphemus, was well mimicked ; and there was an excel
lent truants of the market chorus in " Idueniello." Miss
Horton sane a number of amusing fragments with great
beauty as well as liveliness. M. Keeley, in the character
of Mercury, acted the pert of a chorus, not miming in the
action, but explaining it to the audience. Her wt is more
smartly written than any other portion of the puce, and she
sustained it with unflagging vivacity. There was much ap-
plause daring the performance and at its conclusion.
The next piece was Bucutone's admirable little comedy,
" The ltwigh Ditiwood," in which he appeared, for the first
time these two pus, in the character of Cousin Jo*, and
Mrs. Fitswilliass fa that of Margery ; and last of all there
will Illortaa's farm et "Lead me Five Shillings," in which
Billikdelle apprized in his original character of Golightly.
TM hoses was crowded.

LYCEUM.

Mr. Planche's cont7iou—tion to the awn of human
happiness this Easter season, is in the form of a burlesque
upon " The Seems Champions of Christendom." We byre
some compunction at encouraging them putting to
flight of the pleasant memories of our youth, but as a bur-
lesque, Mr. Planehe's hatable upon the subject of St.
Gnome and his companions is amusing, and must be own-
winded acaudinaly. The dialogue is perhaps scarcely so
studded with sparkling salienciss as that of former produc-
tions, but as it runs smoothly, so it rune pleasantly on, and
every now and then there 6 a flash. Thus:Al:Ailed, Pigeon,
awakenel from a Socialist dream, in expounding tl one of
the champions the doctrines of his late iriends, touching pro.
perty, pu the matter thus:
And no man's all right
Till he has nothing left.
And, again. a wicked enchanter, bullying another of the
Champions, tells him—
You're a saucy one,
But I'm a sameyrer.

Tires examples, remembered at random, may be talus
illustrating the m-ire violent vivacity of the dialogue trLs
story, it reeds not to tell—every one has in full reeollani=
the adventures of the Seven Champions, and these are
closely outlined in the burlesque, eseeplis ezcipiendis.`74
scenery is beautiful, and capitally managed.
the effects let us not on.it to particuleriss',4l4
special laudation, that of the iiolooll, 'll,lOl
and carrying away St. Denis of France eat
Asses of Spain, with their mistrestel L.nor htni„,.
ring to the scenery, let us omit to mention " The ishiLa7;
a most gorgeous and, at the same time, exquisite spsi
of see= art. The leading characters are very
impersonated. Miss Kathleen Fit:milli= is St/188114,,„__ •
and a very spirited dare-devil St. George, with a gaorwr.
or two, which she does all jusrio - to. Tho muter his seal
man to the ptsreon of Charley Wag,Esg., most numb*
seated by Mr. C. Mathews, wi,o warbles one " In espwW,
taking song, which we conceive to be his own production, lk
Selby is sufficiently ludicrous as the despaag et
and he is cordially aided by Mr. Herby as the har—=.l"
slave of the giant Fee-Few-Ann, and Mr. R. Rii"•'
Murphy h. The clatumes are very 'plead:.
the puree altogether is put upon the stage In a =gazer oda
characteristic of the taste and unhesi agog liberality 0( 4;
stanarement. In one respect we wish the maaageMttpss
left liberel: if the supply of get round the boxes wen
niched one-half, the result would be extremely intaset,
all occupants of the boxes. te

ADELPHI.
The drams of "The Hop Pickers" and the 121/‘
lesque of " The Enchanted Isis " commenced sad taw,
sated the performances at this theatre, which was oraged
in every pert.
The new and lively farce of " Who lives at No. 9?" egg
introduced between them, and with continued anectsg.
though formed of very slight materials, and ending rot
unsatisfactorily. Mr. Wright, for whoee eccentricities ftlis
evidently been written, represents a fool of a husband, ft,
calves and delivers to his wife, Emily, a letter from alone*
lover, whom she believed to have been drowned dew.,
her to give it to another lady lodger in No. 9, bergieg-14
same name, and for whom he supposed it wee intend edr Ise
who turns out to be the lover's aunt. Before ay daimon,*
takes place, and while the ticauspeehog husband is andel,.
?oaring to unravel the mystery, the curtain drops, (miss
him outside to apologise as best he can to the audience fer es
midden a conclusion.

STRAND.

The company organised by Mr. Henry Farm for
the late Olympic Theatre has reamed to the Stand
Theatre, where this gentleman opened a snits of poems.
anon last evening under very favourable auspices. Ty
pieces represented were none of them entirely new, tho
perhaps to the majority of those pr sent they were soli
effect. Mr. B. Bernard's:domestic drama" The Femme
Story," was very effectively' got up, with Mr. Loilk
Murray and Mrs. Compton for the hero and his wife, spii
Wears. Compton, Butler, E. Harvey, and Men Leigh
Murray, for the secondary characters. Mr. H. p
appeared in the last piece, Robert Macaire," which shams,
was highly relished by the motley audience collected *.
gether in the pit, and gallery. The whole thing is ere&
able, and the addition of Mrs. Stirling to the carp ifg
render it highly attractive.

PRINCESS'S.
ALARM OF Flng.—A new fairy extraveganskin twit
2 acts, entitled " Noareddin and the Fair Persian " wu the
Easter novelty at this theatre. The gory is taken from*.
well known tale of that name, in the ' Arabian Nigh,*
but has been adapted to the circumstances of the present am
by Mr. H. S. Edwards.
Passing over the first scene, which, contrary to thegesed
rule on these occasions, was anything but brilliant, sag
Nerved in the present instance merely to introduce the the.
ratters, scene the second opens with a variegated and stirring
picture of an eastern slave market. The slave broker is la
adept in his business. He brings out all the singino sad
dancing qualities of his stock. The minister, who is m the
market on behalf of the Sultan, his master, is quits
charmed, and buys the Fair Persian for 12,000 golden peon,
, In the next scene Noureddin, an " incurable ward" of*.
Vizier's, falls in love with the new slave. He resolves to fly
with her, which he accomplishes by means of a newly.
invented steam-engine, the boiler of which is a great owpw
kettle. The enraged Sultan resolves on vengeance, aM
proceeds with his guards to Noureddin's palace," in which,"
the bill says, " there is an entire break-up."
And so it happened at this very point in a more real se=
than the artist thought of, for a cry was raised that one d
the soma had caught fire, end a rush was instantly made
from all points towards the doors. Some ladies were is
frightened that they had to he borne from the boxes, whilst
fright and terror were visible in the countenances of all. All
the entrances were in a very short time fillea with crowded
the audience, but they were soon reassured that the alma
was groundless. Numbers, however, did not return. Tit
performance was stopped for a considerable time, and ths
occurrence cast a gloom over the remainder of the pies
which all its brilliant scenery and excellent acting was not
sufficient altogether to di.sipate. A portion of the many
seemed to be or was actually on fire, so that the alarm ens
not without some foundation, but we were informed that it
was merely a portion of the scene connected with the des**
tion of Aloureddin's house.
We can only say for the information of those who lift,
that the second act, which commenced after this alarm, is
tar the best portion of the piece. The scenery in it
more gorgeous, the action moves quicker, the &logien
more animated than in the first act. The pavilion of dm
caliph was a scene, and the pas de deuz of Mdlle. Ciultais
and Mdlle. Leedercq, a performance which none would vrii
to lose, and both were greatly applauded, as they d, serval*
be, by that portion of the audience which remained. TM
dialogue of the piece is smart and telling, and well adeyhd
to an Easter; audience, but the puns were certainly "Woe
par." It would be an injustice to omit eying that the pies
found an admirable exponent in the person of Miss Ewe
Stanley, whose action, manner, and voice were all that maid
be desired on the occasion.

SADLER'S WELLS.
In the tragedy of" Richard HI." Mr. Phelps nutaised the
part of Rickard with ability and judgment, and wu frequently
applauded in the fourth, and particularly the fifth acts, whets
he leads on his followers to the battle-field. Mr. G. Semen
acted the Duke of Buckingham with spirit ad effect ; tel
the female characters were t xtremela will supported by No
Huddart, Mies Cooper, and Mrs. Brougham. The sunny
was new and appropriate ; indeed, the spirited lam
seemed to have lift nothing undone to merit the appronl of
the public.
A humorous drama, entitled The Minister of Fiance,"
in which Mr. Graham played the part of the Grand Dads,
wound up the entertainments of the evening; and it was
announced, amidst the warm approbation of the auditors,
that the same play and after piece would be repeated to-night
and also to-morrow night.

MARYLEBONE.
The Easter season was ushered in by the prods,.
tion of two new_pieces—ths ono a fivessu play from ths
pen of Mr. Henry Hughes, entitled "1 he Heart's
Trials"—the other a species of Lyrical Burlesque fres
the prolific brain of Mr. Albert Smith, entitled "Gay
Fawkes ; or, a Match for a King." The Pill
is of very flimsy texture. It is evenly written, bet
never surpasses mediocrity. It contains no eery evident
' gaucheries, and there is nothing to offend; but at the Mall
time there is nothing ennobling in sentiment, striking
in inumetance, or brilliant in esprusioe, to "-
commend it to an enlightened audience. Ike great merit of
the piece, perhaps, is its brevity ,• for its materials are of so
slight a nature that we can hardly believe it bu tun through
fire acts, albeit they have been compressed within the
limited space of two hours in repr'sentation. The seen is
hid in Italy, and in the first act we ire introdueed as the
Lord Montano (Mr. James Johnstone) and his bentesus
daughter the fair Florin (Mrs. Hewett). The father :e-
-lates in homely language the story of a late camps*, fine
tells her that, surrounded by the enemy, ho hife
i and should have been despatched, but for the
timely aid of his gallant friend Lord Angelo. Arias
" with greedy can devours up his discourse," sod h
nothing loth when Montano announces to ber that Led
Angelo is on his road to Padua to woo her for bis beat
Gratitude to the preserver of her father's life inspires*
tender passion. Lord Angelo arrives, and the elms of di
first act, leaves Flotilla his betrothed. But Doke Alberti
(Mr. Davenport) has been made acquainted with the chine
of the fair Florina, and he resolves that she shall shimhil
ducal throne. Hitherto, the Duke has run a tams Of 110
and dissolution ; but the love of the pure instils spell
into him, and although be seizes and conceals tho
lefty, his Intentions appear to be "strictly howls
able." Her place of concealment is at length disormelt
by one Gaspar, an Indian slave, who urges her to 1110 he
father. At this critical moment the Dula enters the itt
mint. Gaspar in an instant stabs him to the beat. Jr:
fano and Lord Angelo also make their appearsnoe. Ike
Duke joins the hands of the lovers. The slave, who bees*
shred such questionable service, is seised by officers, gad gm
curtain falls. • Such is the whole of the material ct thalkt
There is no under current, no subsidiary plot of any ifto°;
but for five entire acts the whole of the attention of
:3702
dienee is directed to these very uninteresting temahri
The piece was well put upon the stage ; much of the
is very beautiful, and the impersonation of the_ ~_
characters by Mrs. Mowatt, Mr. Davenport, sod t 0.-_a
stone, deserved the utmost praise and the compliment Isom'
they obtained of being called before the curtain. ~.,.
" Guy Fawkes" is One of those mart burlesques, dwell!
we have bad no dearth lately. It comes quite rep l°211;
average of such productions, and many of the bits told
with the &asthma', whom it sent away in an admireUa
humour with themselves and everything else.

ASTLEY73.
The performances at this favourite arena comPri.3
what is termed in the bills an "immense BMW otit
"The White Maiden of California; or, the Horse of,,
Ocean," and a number of scenes in the circle, in War
several new equestrian artistes nude their Alvaro" 'r
the first time.
The scene of the new drama, as the title imports, s lad
in California, among " the diggings," and as the woof
very pretty and the piece contains more than as averse
proportion of groteequely-horrible incidents, appall* ef,
Bias between honest Jack tars and ferocious Indians, ftsm•
explosions, and a variety of clever hippo-dramatic sites '
it will ne doubt have a run through the holidays, and
~__
extremely attractive, especially to the juvenile methu.,,,
the community, who mubtered in large numbers last nth
end manifested unequivocal interest in the " moving IT:
dents by flood and field " with which it is most oplow
furnished.
The exordia of the arena concluded with the petfortt;
antes of young Hernandez, who executed a numbsr
equestrian feats with really wmderful gracefulness end
Vapidity. The house was very well attended.

111,11112 T.
irrey rehopeood Met night for the onanoce
ere sew Ones, new actors. sad sew anew-
!es Owe is rosiareare is called. " Alkmaar, the
ais from the pen of one of the aged experisaced
aunatm, lir. Z. Fitsball. The hero, Alkmaar,
cicmpper-aobar; d noosoace, hes bees sem.
reveafite PS 'reviewed, Kw of Camas aml
0),
koso, bat Midis. Woolf depleted V, a ebristies,
yi wthe amearotee allostions. of mum a
dewily hatred towards hi rival, which feel-
mewed la intensity by the feet of his be-
deceed settee to Lsorwro, Chonskiso's sister.
soisteeee el a foolish Valeasisa, he ems-
&mesas, sad coatriwis to fix the Wan on
INA Lemon's favoured lover. The oinks may
lir mildew exults at his gratified neseanwe as
al de ea the Map, the heroine raves at the 101111
aws,sai the sensed criminality of her lever,
bysie sepsis the sharp with all the sawn of la-
isemak Willa enema have aserly oppniseked
e. whoa Doris Is about to be east from a
e. aunidiseat, who bad foveaea assideutal einem
✓ola Os% im nand, lbws dilemmanowely rushee* in a
the net wark by MOSS of
adi baba I.
wsettwho, ia amardenei with mese mesa
Prom* sad other Waierians,
'sled the Omer, bat was to have imediri at his
ateetkentely embraces the INS be wee about to
I sasmaseny cedes Alkmaar, she me to that
bed wonderfully recovered his favour, Mlle wean
• moss Is fairly yen member. end the dielesee re-
The 11010114 iitillrl. `, Mead, sad Lamy,
themselves as their -

L
-.worm ser.sedrevaliopetaties bad led us
• The ever Mrs. e ddies bail Mho a
ct in Immors, but in her Node Whim sea be
dg. The scenery is good, mush Milo thee any-
time hitherto seen at the limey, emndally the het,
Valencia from the plethora of a easlfi, which
distinct round of applause. We think we may
raise for this Easter piece, when submitted to cools r
it an Easter Monday asdismes, meant
he play Mr. Pell and his WOO% Wolk, " ass% "
oared the audience with a Widths et their ENO
melodies, to which Juba himself added seine ef them
mean achievements which ant sullsi Kr. Dielisok
ter entertainments were Omsk Many " width
era at all to Bait the Surrey audience, adage dos
pantomime of "Mother Game." Net
the first WWI el sossm, who the
writhe kooks oldie Iso swat comat
at pericritanse by semperbea b
d say that it was a very dull affair, quith
lore modern panaholosa, EMI so enterlaishm
r was crowded la all pare.,
e• wadiesee were
n commonly OlNSWlliere
T" every dm minute*, while efronlMit et
ty ware dying shout In all diremiems. Is b *sally
dtat manages will persist in gemming their pl.
the bold of a slave.ski , or at least that the pimple
ist In he so should sat submit ID their
we 'non Christian resignation.

VICTORIA.
Meetainmenta provided at this theatre for the
r tha holiday folks wen elf the pad old sword and
bed, kw whisk skh bare has always been alo-
ne umspr bilniSies well the aisle °this patron
ben wbb ay exteemileery novelty, and therefore
r caters he that ameseseat in a manner whisk his
Irrigate esmeinces hits meat laid to a favoumble
des of the sew Mien on this occasion were " CIA-
/veto° ; his Straggles for Life and Death," and
[aid of Ir, Mei ; or, the last Deed of Gerhard." It
quite sepsriluotte to describe the iagredients of which
etee were couspoeed, and it will be endisisat to state
r wen as fall of movirg aceidsets and startling
the mat enthusiastic " hero wonhipples" of this
mild desire. " Clarence Clevedm" wee a limig:athl
three sets, and each set tetaithated with a
deb pm great eatiefaceitm to the andisam, w ,fa
mes, were almost tempted to demand re more.
ideal itharecten were a muss emirs, ea QM meals
a scubas mike (Clortere himself), a weaderlag
a young lady Mu beloved of Messer), sad a
nilie►likorftparty, who knows everybody's t mi-
-1 who always makes km swamies at a moment
Trtimmi is sheet to take place at mystery to be
test, In rapid eneemelos, an es-
Lver li.liag skew chambers, wild glees, cliffs by
y mandees, dilapidated hovels, yawnisi
spiesdid saloons, and eery description of rage
kith from time immemorial have fumed the 'Beb
it's stock in trade at this far-famed place of resort.
swat woe deeply pathetic as the heroine, and the
were mite charmed by her devotion to her father
magistrate abovementioned), and to Cloven*.
s, her lour. Mr. Dale played the father most
ly, be be seemed to labour under the difficulty of
ilpd to lower his voice much below its natural ma-
le old friends, however, before the certain, did not
megeles him, and he wu repeatedly greeted with
•of " Brsym Dale !" Kr. Johane,lir. Lam, and
:budges performed the other importaat charastere,
audience were delighted with every this' they meld
The piece was, of course, completely successful, and
el. new drams, "The Maid of Velitri," shared a
creme. _ . .

atter production was of a lees homely, but if peals
I mantis, chit/sitter than the former. A set of Italian
were the ch,el 'Mors in the wine, and their expioits
ificiently effective, although not particularly novel.
we wee crowded in every part.

Oxbibitiono.

HOUDIN, THE CONJUROR.
est Houdin give list night the first of his
which are to be his farewell, performance,. He re-
in the bills of performance—not without a dash of
dice which mixes itself with every parting, whether
at of a lover or a conjuror—that
order to perpetuate an agreeable souvenir of his visit
nanny, all the most popular and the men surprising
tents will be executed on these farewell occasions,
distribution from the " =rue d'alimadenes" will
s with extended liberality and profusion."
ire bound to say that both these promisee were amply
but night. Tile performances were indeed highly
appeal' to the least excitable organs of wonder ; and
e cornucopia there gushed a torrent of fans, bonbons,
oohs, and journals, in quantities sufficient to supply a
Wince with parting gilts.
111 the present week this liberal conjuror will exhibit
ceders and distribute his pimiento every_ evening.
sib also be a morning performance on Wednesday
Way.

CREMORNB GARDENS.
splendid resort wee opened yesterday with a
niebt fete, the fiat of a series that had been sa-
d by the levee for the gratification of the holiday
rewious to the commencement of the regular niunml
kinetic swan. The weather wee net propitious, yet
dens were literally crowded.
thief attractions wee an aerostatic novelty—a sort of
nic feat in nubierus by Lieut. Gale, achieved by
of a double car, the aeronaut at a certain altitude de-
r ose from the other to • diltiuice of about 30 foot,
en, by means of a rope-ladder, descending from the
to the lower air, and after igniting petards
her combustible., remanding. This wee followed
variety of 10111111111.1511 in the theatre. Om was
ballet, entitled " Choriveri," introducing those very
pantominnatc end dentate, Monsieur Denbo, Monsieur
glut, Monaieur C. Stilt, and Mdile. Theodore. The
family, Mr. J. Booth, the characteristic dancer, and
ireill•knows performers in a similar style, also comet-
their efforts to enliven the tampon .
he
terminus of the new • d la Versailles,
was beillisatly illuminated, a 'Ovoids Mork' of L'Are
mane an Banding de Male Champs Illyeles hod bees
11, for the purpose of introducing a benatifal Mbleass
'—the Death of Nihon --misused by Mr. T. Theinp•
rah chameteristio nmeical, illuminative, sad pyrites-
hits.
re was a weval sad lestrumentol concert, and the baud
Garde Mobile National* of Paris materially matri-
to the pleasures of the oveniag. A ball and display of
the terminated the @mamma.

THE cotosasrm AND CYCLORAMA.
darday, the Odedeure, with ite newheiEsetf
dew, the Cyanoses, had its fair shave of *I-
It is sesseaskst arprisiag that a still kw of
sees ef rightism, does sot set tetrads this gnat
hew sow Wt its amps (or daisies have loses
id hew their we aristocratic altitude to the level of
Wale posh*. The pewees& of Paris by Night
ha ea nd who see it. The great a of melockee
I sped vat like as ilkoneeted nap beanatb the pl.
n which the sinter made. god whew le leaks
as ansobes, pastes, prism, Isseteles, etre*. end
like *ether Assadwes.—the whslet
lighted up, kr his medeatiss by
new gad csowbeene. Frees .kb de
le Fun* mild we mg hue to • kw Edna*
he skin owl sew *hue, the
hrepredelation el the Pawl=
Wes boars end eter the greet
kW eye is thus easeewl, the ear of the endow is
mod by wee well.kiewu minas= hem Deethewe,
ef, end epekr. Prase this bigniesoly enlaced dial-
Ihe niter penis the srellinew fade of the
o—the , with he weasehl asked
1, led the. to the eke& mks, sled lbws to the
✓olhey sad news, got ftwed the ames et
Mho Ap these sights may well Wish few hew el
POI sad whoa the Mar is tired el eleadig ahool, he
nit se the sends ef the et pieel=er•• • w••
hies hen fm hard manes mull elleeimme
Wenn thin. 'anted. the Caenten
Wm the deft of garde ef annidene, sine
We *we WI pistons, sad Mew sad nude I with
▪ *a possio sd?nmm,aadpluto.epies of Dalin
kirks squat wthese asee with pest kid by
hos Iwo.

MOVING PlOll7ll/11.
111 RIVAL
Moods M I,gisAlPTlL—Thitallfra.
let ofAsorioul sosoLlodl et woe
doihdalisk prow Oka «odd Dot mid. to Idoto
owldsoiwoy who offromod mot
Mit the wok as prosnood to= also oak
." ion; osplamoory sod sosolotisol," it ofddli ttool
• toodaysiod. However lam, mod however bag them
bk basing fro. the viritoro isitsiday,
'balls as* Or ha Odom to Loam.