The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-25 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S ROYAL, AMeIIITBE'ATRE.

THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.
Last night added another laurel to the well-earned
wreath of the enterprising lessee of the Royal Amphi-
theatre. The occasion was the production of one of the
most wonderful and exciting stage representations ever
placed on the boards of a theatre, entitled The Fall of
Sebastopol. The spectacle is from the prolific pen of
Stocqueler, the author of most of the battle pieces that
have delighted the frequenters of Astley's of late years,
and abounds in striking incidents and startling effects.
In a military spectacle, such as The Fall of Sebastopol,
plot is generally out of the question ; but the author of
this piece has contrived to interweave a very pretty love
incident, which adds greatly to the interest of the play ;
and, with this exception, the spectacle consists of a series
of artistically arranged tableaux. At the termination of
an excellent overture the curtain rises, and we discover
a party of French troops and vivandieres enjoying them-
selves with music and dancing, when suddenly the French
and English Generals arrive, and, atter exchanging mutual
compliments, we learn that the great prize to be con-
tended for is the town of Sebastopol. After this an-
nouncement, which is received by the troops with loud
cheering, " Partant pour la Syrie " is heard in the dis-
tance, and shortly after whole regiments of French in-
fantry, consisting of the line, the Zouaves, and Chasseurs
de Vincennes, accompanied by their respective military
bands, arrive at the scene of action. The way in which
this incident was arranged was admirable, and the ap
plause that followed it was most enthusiastic. The suc-
ceeding scenery gave an excellent idea of the harbour of
Balaklava, a night in the trenches, and the interior of
the celebrated Malakhoff ; and the first act concludes
with a capitally managed representation of the prepara-
tions for a sortie by the Russians. The second act com-
mences with a view of the English earthworks, and here
one of the great effects takes place—namely, a review
of the British troops, which actually consisted of
some five or six hundred of the Grenadier,
Coldstream, and Scote Fusilier Guards, the
Rifles, and Artillery. As the Guards marched
round the arena in review order it was per-
ceived that many of them bore on their breasts the Cri-
mean medal, and when it became known that the men
then engaged in mimic warfare had taken part in the
actual struggle, the applause became uproarious, and
round after round followed in such quick succession, and
the excitement became so great, that a scene presented
itself to us such as we have never witnessed in a theatre
during the whole of our experience. Another good in-
cident was the " towing" the Lancaster gun up the road
by the tars of the naval brigade. A party of artillery-
men having to convey the gun to a certain position find
it impossible to proceed, owing to the heavy state of the
road, are about abandoni' g the gun, when the sailors
arrive, and they, learning the true state of affairs, take
the horses from the gun, perch their fiddler upon
the breach, and to the tune of "Jack's alive" con-
vey it to its destination. Then comes the crowning
effect of all—the attack on the fortress of Sebastopol.
In this scene all the resources of the establishment are
brought to bear, and the result is one of the most extra-
ordinary theatrical illusions it is possible to imagine.
Russian troops emerge from the trenches, cannons flash
from the fortifications, shells are thrown from the bat-
teries, but all in vain; the gallant Allies become masters
of the place, and on the clearing away of the smoke, the
Imperial eagles of France are discovered planted upon the
Malakhoff. This effect electrified the audience, and he
curtain descended, amidst a hurricane of applause, upon
one of the most successful military spectacles that has
ever been produced on the boards of a theatre. The
whole of the principal performers were recalled, and
then Mr. Cooke was summoned to receive the reward
he so richly merited from a crowded and delighted
audience.