The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-28 00:00:00

THE STRAND.

Mr. H. J. Byron's new burlesque, "Orpheus and Eury-
dice," which was produced here on Saturday evening with
unequivocal success, is, in some respects, one of the most
meritorious of his efforts. It is skilfully constructed, neatly
and pointedly written ; and he has evidently expended upon
its composition even more than his usual care. The clas-
sical story is travestied with genuine humour, and the
dialogue, while it is refreshingly free from unmeaning
verbal distortions, contains a more than ordinary amount
of real fun. The hearty laughter with which Mr. Byron
has so often shown his faculty of convulsing an audience is
in this instance unalloyed with the slightest dissatisfaction
at the means by which it is aroused, and if the drollery is a
trifle less rollicking than in some others of his pieces it is
certainly far more sterling. We shall not pretend to aura
vel the web of the plot or to describe in detail the amusing
parody of the ancient legend which has been fashioned by
this clever writer's facile and sparkling pen. It must suffice
to say that he has distorted the incidents into a very amus-
ing shape, and has produced a caricature which is mirthful
without coarseness, and ludicrous without unseemly extra-
vagance. The action is brisk and laughable, the dialogue
flashes with sallies of real wit, and some of the songs are
excellent. These intrinsic merits of the piece would alone
have sufficed to justify the peals of hearty applause which
accompanied its progress and swelled into redoubled vehe-
mence when the curtain fell. But it must also be stated
that the materials furnished by the author were used after
the happiest fashion. Few burlesques have ever been better
acted or more admirably placed upon the stage. The cast
was in all respects excellent. The place of honour is of
course due to Miss Marie Wilton, who, as Orpheus, reap-
pealed here after a too protracted absence. The enthusi-
astic greeting which she received, and which for a moment
almost overpowered her, must have afforded to her pleasant
evidence of the high esteem in which all lovers of really
good acting hold her unrivalled talent. We have often ex-
pressed our opinion that she shines more brilliantly in higher
walks of art, and have even ventured to grumble at her de-
voting to burlesque the genius of whose service comedy
stands so much in need. Bat we most frankly own that this
discontent is lulled into a temporary slumber when we
are witnessing her impersonation of one of those jaunty
heroes of extravaganza whom no living artist can portray
so well. Her piquart sauciness, pinning grace, admirably
expressive deliveiy, pleasant singing, and crisp and buoyant
dancing, are all unmatched in our day upon the stage, and
she possesses more than any other actress the faculty of
investing such a part with the full measure of boyish pert-
ness without the smallest loss of womanly fascination. As
Orpheus she displayed all these familiar qualities in nu-
diminished force and with captivating effect. Miss Ada
Swanborough played Eurydice with marked ability. This
young lady's progress is unceasing, and each new character
in which she appears affords fresh evidence that her dra-
matic powers are rapidly ripening into maturity. She spoke
all her lines with telling point, sang capitally, and acted
throughout with unflagging vivacity and force. Miss
Maria Simpson was a gorgeous and most dramatic Fraser-
pine, and Miss Fanny Hughes a graceful and agreeable
Apollo. Mr. George Honey, who played Pluto with an
infinitude of quaint humour, did himself gratuitous injus-
tice by blackening his face, a proceeding which, as it has
never even hinted that the classical monarch of the lower
regions was a negro, iris not called for by the part, and
proved sadly destructive of facial expression. But his
acting was pre-eminently funny, and his thoroughly ar-
tistic 'singing came most agreeably into play. Mr. C.
Fenton was a satisfactory Charon, and Mr. D. James, who
made his first appearance here, created a favourable ire.
pression as Aristeous. The Clotilda of Mr. A. Wood was
not deficient in fun, and was at the same time commendably
free from exaggeration. The burlesque has been mounted
with liberality and admirable taste ; Mr. C. Fenton's new
scenery is extremely pretty and all the dresses are charac-
terised by a richness and elegance which cannot be too
warmly praised. We must not omit to add that Mr. Frank
Musgrave has selected and arranged the music with re-
markable judgment and skill, and that his burlesque treat.
ment of some popular airs is extremely happy. " Orpheus
and Eurydice"' was received with acclamation by a densely
crowded audience, and will doubtless prove one of the great
hits of the season. All the principals were called for at the
fall of the curtain, and then Mr. H. J. Byron was sum-
moned and hailed with a tempest of well-deserved applause.