The Express.
London, England, 1865-01-05 00:00:00

THEATRICAL REPRESENTATIONS IN MUSIC,

HALM.

• •
PROCZEDINGB AGAINST THE ALHAMBRA PALACIL

Mr. Frederick Strange, proprietor of the Alham- '
bra Palace, Leireeter-square, was eumniesed Wore Mr.
Tyrwhitt, at tki• Merlboroughatmet Polieneouria, peter-
day, ler "that on the 27th December, at a mistaie
=..of paha) retort, called the Royal Alhambra
Leioteter-equars, be did unlawfully hare and
keep the said house sad place of public resort for
the public performance of stage playa, without au-
thority, by virtue of letters patent from her Majesty, or any
of her predecessors, and without license from the Lord
Chamberlain of leer Majesty's Household for the time
being."
Mr. Beaky, bonneted by Mr. Roberts, appeared in sup-
port of the summing ; sad Mr. Poised, instructed by Mr.
Lawrence, wee far the defendant.
Mr. bean said he appeared ea behalf of the plaintiff, the
proceeding being, in fact, instituted by a number of lessees
of licensed theatres, amongst whom ware Mr. Maplesoe, of
Her Mejesty'esTheatre ; the Opera Company, Coireetec;
Newry Faleaser and Chattertee, Drury-lase ; Mr. Fenner,
Lyceum ; Mr. Webster, Adolph! • Mr. Buekstone, Hay-
market ; Mr. E. T. Banith,Aatley's; and Mr. HoraceWigaaof
the Olympia, upon whose information the present sum-
mons wee taken out. The proceeding natant Mr. Snapp
was instituted by no personal feeling against that garotte-
man ; it wee taken simply for the purpose of enforcing the
prolamine, of an act of parliament. 5 and 7 Vic., entitled
" Au Act for the Regulating of Theatres."
Evidence was then given respecting the nature of the
entertainments exhibited at the Alhambra Palace, Mr.
Horace Wigan deposing that be had men a ballet performed
there, the dancers bens attired in fancy costumes, and the
stage supplied with scenery.
Mr. Henry Bonham Donne, Inspector of theatres and
examioer of stage plays in the Lord Chamberlain's office,
was then examined—He said, I have bent to the Alhambra.
1 saw the whole of she 11 o'clock performance. I saw no
difference between it and the ordinary ballet. I did not
know there were two kinds of ballet till informed by Mr.
Wigan. I agree that there cannot be ballet without paste-
mime, but that there could be a ballet without diming.
There was pantomime is it. The Lord Chamberlain ex/w-
-enn power over ballets when there is manioc to do to.
I know of an alteration being made in one ballet after its
first representation—after it bad been performed some
nights. 'Unless the place was lionised, it would not be under
his lordship's jurisdiction.
By Mr. Poland—l consider there is a story in the ballet
at the Alhambra. I cannot tell you the story in the ballet.
I sever could understand a ballet in my life. There were
forty or fifty persons on the stage, and apparently two
kinds of dresses. I think a story was acted. There was
an engagement, some reeistanee, thee some expression of
' triumph, and at the end a recoaciliation by the prieeipal
dancer. There was no individnel character. I should call
it pantomime, accompanied by dancing. Copies of ballets
with the plots ere not sent to the Lord Chamberlain. If he
found anything wrong in a ballet he would interfere.
Re-examined by Mr. Bealey—l do not think the ballet
could have been represented at the Mansion-house unless
the Mansion-house was fitted up like the Alberni:ars l'alsoo.
I should gall it a stage pectoemance.
After bearing Mr. Poland for the defence, who contended
that no case had been made out ageism! his client. and that
. Ithe musk sad dancing license, nudist the 25th of Geo. 111.,
justified the performances at the Alhambra
Mr. Tyrwliit said on such an indefinite matter differed
views would be eatertained by. different
parties. He would
. not venture to express au opinion now, -but he would say
, I that it would be very much better if parties would make
ii a case for the superior courts. It was certain that • magic
1 i taste's decision would satisfy nobody, for it was not to be
supposed that parties so deeply interested in the question
! I at issue would be content with a decision in a pollmoourt.
1 lie was ready to give a decision, believing that the matter
. could not stop in a police-court, to enable the parties to
, take the question to • superior court and get the decision
of the judges. He did not suppose there was any immediate
, burry for his decision. He would look over the endows
I and cases in point carefully, and then apprise both sides
i , when he was prepared with his judgment.

The ordinary income of the Liverpool corpora-
tion jut year amounted to 145,7291., of which 12,4911. w
contributed by the markets. Th. obligatory expenditure
was 92,6511., sad the surpine income 63,0774 The extra-
ordinary o:pendant:, included 200,0001. rewired aa caw
palmation few Um lon of the tows dam.
CISYSTAL PAIACM. 01111 SAILLINO DAL
WrimilliDAT. JAN. 4.—Mlodsdass wa Maw* 2,976:
dam by moat WM* 1.271 9144 Oa.