The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-20 00:00:00

SADLI:It'S IVELLS.

This Theatre opened last night, and was as usual
thronged at an early hour. The house has been much
improved as to decoration and ornament since last season ;
and from the patronage and favour always conferred by a
certain portion of the public upon Sadler a Wells, we feel
confident the manager will have no reason to regret hi■
expenditure, or to complain of the unkindness of his
friends. After the Caledonian divertisement, called the
Birth-Day, the melodrame of the African Shire was per-
formed. The frequenters of the minor theatres will re-
collect that this ',Wee was first performed and favourably
received at the Surrey ; ■nd we venture to assert, that it
has lost no interest in the representation by being trans-
planted. The great attraction of the night was of course
the Pantomime, which abounded in Clowns and Colum-
bines, there being no fewer than six of these active anal
necessary characters. The scenery was excellent, and ex-
hibited many well-known views of London. The audience
manifested their approbation of the night's entertainment
in the moat unequivocal manner.

SURREY THEATRE.
There is a more than usual goiet,' de emu,- apparent
among the idlers at the Easter holidays ; for they are gene-
rally accompanied with tine weather, and all the cheerful
recollections of spring. The Proprietors of Theatres greet
them most welcomely, as a season that is likely to afford
them a profitable harvest, and provide for them with due
diligence. The Management at this Theatre has not only
produced three new pieces for the holidays, but it has em-
ployed the short time afforded by the rec.‘s, for entirely
re-embellishing the interior of the house, which has been
done with great taste. The front of the boxes is now
ornamented with rich gilded mouldings on a pink ground,
and the upper part of them is finished with velvet drapery
of the same colour. The proscenium has been retouched,
mud the whole interior of the house has a brilliant effect.
The first piece that was performed, ertitled 7'he Fire-Wor-
shippers., or thr Pariblim• of Pie Peril, is taken from Mr.
Nhiore's pislai of the tonic name. The spectacle contains
a great el, al of very splendid scenery, and affords oppor-
tunities for the introduction of several interesting inci-
dents, conneeted with the ancient Ghebers and their Arab
conquerors. An unfortunate accident occurred at the end
of the first act of the spectacle, in a scene where a real
camel was brought upon the stage. In leading him out,
he trod upon a trap-door, which gave way, and the poor
animal ten through the aperture that had been occasioned
by the bolts of the door breaking. Mr. Gallon, who was
upon its back, threw himself on the stage and escaped un-
hurt ; but we regret to say, the camel died in great agonies
in about half an hour after the accident happened. The
Manager came forward, and requested the iniulgence of
the audience in permitting him to curtail the last scene of
the first act, in cons: quenee of the accident ' • which reason-
able request was of course acceded to. We understand
that the camel had cost Mr. Williams, the proprietor of
the theatre, above lon guineas. The scene of the next
pier'', all vl Piqs is Madrid, or the Painter's Stsdy, is
laid, as its name imports, in that country which is not
more fertile in bigotry than it is in burlettas; it is a very
lively production, and not a had version of the P.rtrait
erreantra; the fun of which consists in the intrigues of
chambermaids, and the ardour of two lovers, who each
procure a living loan to represent the ghost of the poet.
These living ghosts arc brought to the study of the paimer,
for him to exercise his skill, which gives time, in the con-
fusion that arises, for one of the lovers to run away with
his daughter. The last piece, entitled The Floating Bra..
eon, or Norwegian nee-kers, is a very pretty vehicle for
conveying vantms incidents, characteristic of the valour
and feeling of British sailors. The dialogue is spirited,
and the scenery very creditable to those who arc engaged
in that &Fathom. The bonne was well tilled ; and, with
the exception of a few minutes interruption in consequence
of the accident we have noticed, the performances went off'
Cliron ely well.