The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-18 00:00:00

STRAND THEATRE,

Mr. Byron has chosen the story of "Orpheus and Eury-
dice; or, the Young Gentleman who Charmed the Rocks,"
as the subject of his Christmas extravaganza at this theatre.
The piece opens with the abode of Orpheus, and Orpheus
(Miss Marie Wilton) returns to Eurydice (Miss Ada Swan-
borough) after an unsuccessful attempt to get his plays ac-
cepted and his novels published. Eurydice is persecuted by
Aristaaus (Mr. D. James), a rollicking young sportsman,
who, under pretence of introducing Orpheus to a publisher,
worms himself into his good graces, and lends him some
money to go and purchase wine. In Orpheus's absence Ads-
tams attempts to carry off Eurydice, who, in running away
from him through the garden, receives a fatal bite
in the heel from a serpent, Feeling herself settled,
she goes to the Styx, followed by Aristeous, in
a most dejected condition. Orpheus returns, and
learns from Clotilda (Mr. A. Wood) the fate of his
wife, and determines to follow and, if possible, bring her
back. Apollo arriving opportunely, presents him with a
celestial lyre, which is only to be used in cases of the very
greatest emergency, and which possesses the power of
compelling all present to obey the wish of its possessor.
Armed with this valuable instrument, Orpheus seeks
Charon (Mr. C. Ferton) and crosses the Styx, having
previously assisted in paying out the perfidious Aristrus,
who has given him bad money and got him into consider-
able trouble with- the wine-merchant, Pluto and Proser •
pine happen to be giving a little evening party on the
Eurydice'steivoennionfgrorfoBpine,who arrival, and Pluto falls desperately
w
in love with the new comer, much to the indigna-
tion
of Orpheus, Fisateasroeuhseddthteo
Faursieene.se
Oofn
the
arrival however, Proserpine falls in love with
her
slighted position by the
the handsome young visitor, and on the discovery of the
double attachment an ambroglio results, which is not to be
found in Lempriere) but which serves, viz., materially to
increase the "dramatic" element of the piece. As the oc-
casion appears to warrant the employment of the lyre's
magic power, Orpheus plays it, at the same time expressing
a desire that the opposition party shall dance, despite their
will. This has the desired effect, and Orpeus is about
to escape, when the pleadings of his wife restrain him.
Pluto at last, however, urged by the jealous Proserpine,
determines to allow Orpheus to depart, promising him
his wife shall join him if can quit Hades without look-
ing back. This, at the first blush, appears easy enough
to accomplish, but Orpheus finds it a diffioult task,
from the fact of its containing so much of the "no compul-
sion but you must" element, and he turns, and is conse-
quently retained as a prisoner. He, however, again employs
his lyre) and a charming melody which he performs not only
softens the hearts of his enemy, but mollifies the rocks,
which split asunder, and disclose the brilliant transforma-
tion scene, which brings the extravaganza to a climax
There is an underplot, detailing the love-making of Clotilda
and Aristseus, in which they are assisted by Apollo, and
this is worked in with the leading plot in a natural and
effective manner, The scenery, which is by Mr.
Fenton,
promises to be rich in the extreme, the dresses will be in
excellent taste, and the entire mounting of the piece worthy
the liberal management of this most popular theatre.

AN opera by Mr. Benedict, called " Esmeralda,"
is now said to be the new piece to be neat produced at
at Covent Garden. Mr. Macfarren's " She Stoops to Con
quer," is also said to be destined for the same stage.

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