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

that everything intended to be represented on the
stage should be first sent to the Lord Chamberlain:
Mr Frederick Strange, proprietor of the Alhambra
The Act was a salutary Act, it was pays yi to pro-
Palace, Leicester-square, was summoned before WTI- .
vide for the safety of the public, and to insure good
manners and decorum on the stage. There were no
Tyrwhitt, at the Marlborough-street Police-court,
such powers in the Justices Act, an 1 tin license they
for "that on the 27th of December, at a certain place
had power to grant for music and dancing did not
of public resort called the Royal Alhambra Palace,
cover entertainments of the stage. Their licence
Leicester-square, he did unlawfully have and keep the .
only sanctioned such dancing as was indulged in by
said house and place of public resort for the
.public
the visitors ; it did not allow stage dancing or
without authority performance of stage plays by dancing with scenes. He contended that the two
virtue of Letters Patent from her Majesty or any
Acts, that of the 25th of George 111. and the sth
of her predecessors, and without licence from the
and 6th of Victoria, ought to be read together. The
Lord Chamberlain of her Majesty's Household for
Acts were introduced for the purpose of regulating
the time being." d• m places where the idle and disorderly congregated,
Mr Besley, instructed by
Mr Roberts,
p appeare
support of the summons; and Mr Poland, instructed and where robberies were likely to take ace, and
the defendants. for the further purpose of preventing anything in-
by Mr Lawrence, appeared for . . .
ous to morality or decorum from being repre-
Mr Besley said he appeared
on behalf of the plain- .J
tiff, the proceedings being, in fact, instituted by a rented on the stage. He was satisfied the Court
would find that what was represented at the Alham-
number of lessees of licensed theatres, among whom
the name of a ballet was a stage ra under
re Mr Mapleson, of Her Majesty's Theatre ; the b
we
repre-
Opera Company, of Covent-garden ; Messrs. Fal- sentation within the meaning of the Act. He had
toner and Chatterton, of Drury-lane ;Mr Fechter, no doubt that great expense had been incurred in
of the Lyceum ; Mr Webster, of the Adelphi ; Mr presenting the ballet before the public, but he was
Buckstone, of the Haymarket ; Mr E. T. Smith, of satisfied that the ballet as there represented was as
Astley's ; and Mr Horace Wigan, of the Olympic, capable of being written as an opera. An opera
upon whose information the present summons was might be played only from stage directions, but then
taken out. The proceeding against Mr Strange was those stage directions would indicate to the Lord
instituted by no personal feeling against that gentle- Chamberlain whether anything improper was likely
man, it was taken simply for the purpose of enforc- to be represented, and would thus enable him to
ing the provisions of an Act of Parliament 6 and 7 stop the performance, or, if necessary, to have the
Vic.,entituled an Act for the Regulating of Theatres. place closed.
The second section of that Act enacted that it Mr Poland—Would you have the story of a ballet
should not be lawful for any person to keep any written ?
house or place of public resort in Great Britain for Mr. Besley did not see any impossibility in the
matter. There was the ballet of " Esnieralda," and
the public performance of stage plays without
Letters Patent from the Crown or licence from the no one could doubt of that being a stage play within
the meaning of the act. As far as the penalty was
Lord Chamberlain or from the Justices of the
Peace therein provided, and that every person
concerned, he was content to leave that matter in
the hands of the magistrate. At the same time he
offending against this enactment should be liable to
would say, if Mr. Strange would consent to with-
such place of resort was kept open. It was agreed a penalty not exceeding £2O for every day on which
draw the ballet now representing at the Alhambra,
between the solicitors on both sides thatiin order to he should be content with a nominal penalty.
raise the real issue certain points should be ad- Mr. Horace Wigan, lessee of the Royal Olympic
miffed. It was admitted by the defendant, "that he Theatre, said,--On Tuesday, the 27th ult., I went
kept a house of public resort withing the meaning of to the Alhambra Palace. There was a regular pay-
the
act, and that it was necessary there should be a place, and the basement was fitted up like a theatre,
license from the Lord Chamberlain if any matter with this difference, that there were tables about.
was presented there which came within the meaning The place was lit by gas chandeliers, the same as
of the definition clause in the act of Parliament as any other London theatre. There .was an orchestra
to what constitutes a stage play." It was further —a very full one, and there were footlights to the
admitted that the defendant possessed a music and stage. It appeared to have the usual stage appurte-
dancing licence, granted by the Justices under the nances—wings, flys; dropi, &c. There was a set
25th George 11. By the second section of the 6th piece, with cascades, and rocks, and real water, and
and 7th Vic., the question was raised whether cer- zigzag steps among the rocks. There were several
taro performances at the Alhambra did not come ladies present—about 60 or 70. They were perform-
within the meaning of the act, and were in fact ing a ballet and wore the usual ballet dress, and had
stage plays. The definition of " stage play" was wands, palm branches, or bull-iushes, and performed
that it should be taken to include every tragedy, the well-known ballet called " The Dagger Dance."
comedy, farce, opera, burletta, interlude, melo- They went through the pantomime of attack and
drama, pantomime, or other entertainment of the defence and putting to death an imaginary enemy,
stage, or any part thereof. Before producing evi- who appeared to be on the floor. (Laughter.) There
dente it would be his duty to call attention to the was no chief dancer. What I have described was in
state of the law, and the various enactments that the first scene, but was not the first scene. Any-
had been passed. The Lord Chamberlain licenced thing that represents acting without words is panto-
stage plays for the metropolis. In the country stage mime. A ballet may exist without dancing, but can-
play licences were granted at special sessions, and not without pantomine. Only two kinds of ballet
music and dancing licences were granted in the same are known to me—ballet divertisseinent and ballet of
way ; they were signed, sealed, and read by the action. A ballet of action is a ballet in which a story
clerk. It would be, important to notice that fact, is told, a ballet divertissement is one in which no
for if it were contended that the music licence fable is narrated, but a mixture of pantomime and
granted under another act of Paaliament justified dancing, in which incidents are represented by
the defendant in his proceedings, his reply was that pantomime. If you were to call upon me to dance
the provisions of the act under which music and ' the Cachuca I could very well do it even here, but
dancing licenses were granted were perfectly con- if I did so it would be no ballet, but if I did it on
sistent with the later acts of Victoria. the stage it would be a ballet. In the ballet at the
Mr Tyrwhitt—You say that a music and dancing Alhambra the dancers formed themselves into ranks.
licence does not enable the defendant to act plays. There was only one scene. It was divided into three
Mr. Besley—The defendant could not legally different and distinct portions. Ballets of action do
give stage play representations without leave of the not always consist of one scene, but ballets diver-
Lord Chamberlain. The powers given to the Lord tigsements do. I have had some experience in putting
Chamberlin to license plays were intended to insure ballets on the stage ; the ballet-master gives instruc-
the safety of the public, and the observance of 1 tion. A ballet is usually composed. Ballets are
rules which should have for their object the observ- I composed by other persons than ballet-masters. The
ante of good manners and decorum during such re- ballets of " Masaniello" and " Gissella" were writ-
presentations. He would first state what the Royal ten. I could put any ballet into writing. I could
Alhambra Palace was. It was a building on the east by reading a ballet realise in my mind what I saw.
side of Leicester-square ;it had been erected some By Mr. Poland—l could put the ballet I saw into writing.
I think I could put the first set of quadrilles into writing.
time, and was now under the management of the
t Mr. Tymhitt—lt would be a set of stage directions,
defendant, Mr. Strange, the sole proprietor. The
telling the dancers how they were to proceed ?
building was one of no mean pretence ; inside it was 3fr. Wigan—Exactly so.
highly decorated, so as to be consistent with drama- Mr. Poland—Suppose the "Lancers" and "Sir Roger de
tic representations. The stage in size was little in- Coverley" were danced in fancy dresses on the stage of the
ferior to that of Drury-lane. In front was the or- Alhambra, what would you call it ?
chestra, and a space like the grand yard in the Mr. Wigan—A theatrical entertainment.
time of Elizabeth, where persons could sit down at INlirr. .. i
Polrand—_l
If in plainthstclothes ?
table and take refreshment, drinking and smoking Mr. Poland—lf if
evening adfeessa,c,ceisories.
just as used to be the case at the Blackfriars Thea- Mr. Wigan—Yes; I should then call its
stage entertain-
tre, with the exception that in the olden time the pit ment. My definition of a stage entertainment is something
was open to all the winds of 'Heaven. There was no represented in a theatre, and which cannot be represented
pit at the Alhambra, the area appeared to be divided without the accessories of the stage. I would not call private
into three sections for admission, in each of which a theatricals a stage representation.
different price was asked, and it was in those places Mr. Poland—You said the dancers went through the
the public could sit at tables and smoke and drink. pantomime of attack and defence. Was that the case ; or
did they merely advance and retreat ?
From each corner there was a range of 12 columns, Mr. Wigan—They flourished daggers. Some advanced
which supported a cornice, and between the columns and some retreated. They all hadthe same kind of weapons.
was a splendid chandelier. There were two rows of The dance is a very well-known dance. Others can give a
boxes, which, however, he believed, were termed bal-
better description of the ballet than I can. All the ladies
Tisearewnot
was not Tlheehyo
nkledpnt
ot itme
call_
ltl oa the
e nmtluesimca.nlhV hat
canies. This would give a t eneral idea of the
ow-
audience part of the Alhambra. It would not be lug to a lady in a dance a pantomime. If youg indicate any-
necessary to notice the refreshment counters placed thing it is a pantomime. The're are pantomimists who aro
round the building. There was no open uncovered not dancers. I should call a contortionist a tumbler.
floor where the public could dance, as at the Casinos. Mr. Poland—What ! though he don't tumble ?
There was a stage, with proscenium, footlights, side Mr. Wigan—He does tumble. Some call themselves
, scenes, drops, and everything necessary. to stage contortionists, some sprites, and some gymnasts. I should
representation. There were also flies for the ur-
not call that an entertainment of the style which may be
P peaerfeeosrmao ed witthhoutth accessohri.es. The first and foremost
pose of winding up and letting down scenery.
There was also a drop curtain made of damask lights, rtyo.was A
pantomtirneie,wie
ahwmeellant
-kntohmemsceennteelyrt,acinumrteainnt,
and adorned With gold stars ; the back of the stage in which there is a story or legend acted by men and
was provided with the appearance of rock and women. Words are spoken in some of the pantomimes,
-water. He believed there was a real cascade ; in butel that has only of late years been permitted. Had the
fact, there was everything to tempt the public to go 1 haevenheoernPfiannetdalooAn done so in former days they would
nsosoon as dialogueh begins pantomime
to the Alhambra. Mr. Besley here proceeded to 1 ends. There were
read from the Theatrical Observer an elaborate There was a premiere da
menna one tanedstalee ata the Adlhto amhbera.
account of the decorations and performance at the I superior person to the rest, as they made arcadesppeare for her to
Alhambra. There was a ballet, with 50 or 60 1 walk under. They were not all dressed alike. The chief
dancers. It was asserted there was no pantomime' dancer was dressed as an ordinary ballet dancer. It was a
or anything in the nature of a pantomime ; what I stage play. I should say "Sir Roger de Coverley," or any
dancethon the stage was a stage play. In what I should
was represented being a ballet divertissement, such as
term
had been extensively introduced lately into operas. and takeepreit
ftrehearhemwenertse taabnldes
persons
seats for persons to sit
The question to decide was this—were such perf or- labout. There were di;isions
between were a
thetabblelee
at to
tom move
minces of the nature of a pantomime or stage play? . prices. I saw no traps used, but there might have been
He contended that no ballet could be performed 1 trap doors on the stage. The scene remained unchanged.
not
without, the aid of pantomime. The ballet dancer It wasa drop curtain, but a curtain well known among
theatricals. The curtain is called a tableau curtain, similar
required to be taught pantomimic action, for with-
to one used by Mr. Charles Kean at
out such action it would be impossible to convey draws up in festoons. A ballet of actionthies Princess're sents,edand
what was intended to the audience. The ballet was a certain number of dancers representing characters.pre by
Re-exami
an art which must be acquired under professors. ned by Mr. Besley—l did not see one of the
. s when I was at the Alhambra,
The word " ballet" did not occur in the
since.interprets-
one Most of but I have seen
tion clause, but there were the words, ~ stage,
plays • •
imaginary killing.the dancers were taking part in the
of Lord Kenyon in
or parts thereof." The decision Mr. John M‘Lean, comedian—l have been five years in
the case of " Gallena v. Laberie," was in favour of the profession, and am acquainted with all sorts of enter-
his
argument that performances having the charac- tainments on the stage. I went with Mr. Wigan to the
ter of stage representations must be licensed by the Alhambra. I saw the grand divertissement, but I had seen
Lord Chamberlain. The learned gentleman here
the other
divertissement the night before. It was more
simple in its general character. Both were ballets divertis-
quoted Lord Kenyon's opinion at length, also the
_, , tissements. Feelings and wishes were expressed by actions
,‘Queen v. Sandy De v ~ De Begn es v• Annisteu, 7 by the performers. That is what I understand by panto-
and " no— - ,
,
--, appellant v. Colson, respondent.
efer " mime, though there may be a ballet without dancing. I
The latter case r ' red to certain performances at wrote a description of the ballet at the Alhambra. I un-
Margate where twoderstand by pantomime something opposed to speech.
Perwms were enabled to repre-
sent about 14 different characte Mr. Tyrwhitt—The merit of mimic acting consists in
Mr. Tyrwhitt—They called .
it
I think.
expressing meanings without words.
a duologue, Mr. M‘Lean—Yes; I recognized the grand divertissement
Mr. Besley—The i
per ormers personated a variety
d as being a reproduction
of the ballet scene from the panto-
of characters, one of them IN •
as a briefless barrister. mime of Drury-lane Theatre last year. I recognized not
My learned friend Mr. Poland appeared in the ac- only the general arrangement bnt the music as well. I did
tion that was tried.
• not recognise the Dagger Dance. The scene was different,
Mr Poland—But not in that character. (fall of real water and rock built up at the
Laughter.) but there was a
Mr. Besley—lt was decided in that easeth
t if back. The ladies were theatrically clad, and provided with
pantomime occurred the performances, beino. that
1- wands.(Mr. M‘Lean read his description of the ballet.) The
minutes in its eensed, were illegal. Pantomime was older 11
- grand divertissement occupied about 33
than rters of an hour.
per-
tragedy or comedy. . formance, or it might have been three-qua
prepared with one set scene.
All ballets divertissements are
Mr. Tyrwhitt—l suspect you will have to consult
By Mr. Poland—There were no daggers at Drury-lane.
the Shade of Thespis to decide that. The
scene was similar in its arrangements. The rocks
Mr. Besley only relied on the authority of books, were built up, and the ladies came down a winding path-
the legends in which told us that pantomimes and w. ay. I have seen similar scenes. The same kind of dress
miracle plays, in which the performers did not speak is seen in all ballets. There were different principal
but only represented the incidents by gestures, were wereegrrs.
groups
The principal dancer has her own solo. There
en-
the first performances. Pantomime existed from tertainment, inuthite ballet. I should call it a dramatic
the earliest times, and was performed at Courts by renting statues a dirffWeenstenthit d something. I think repre-
entertainment.„ ng• That is called a " draw-
persons under the protection of the Sovereigns and ing-room
the highest nobles. Pantomimes were, therefore, Mr. Poland—Some years
re representing
m the statue of George Canning, the statesman,
he had quoted had passed, and when the word pan- call thag t ? House of Parliament—what would you
tomime was omitted in the Act. The word was, Mr. 31`Lean—I should not call that an
e
however, put into the next statute, the object of the the stage. If representing a group I shoutlert
call
in of
it
an
Statute being to give the Lord Chamberlain despotic tasoinni e_n_t of the stage ; numbers would. make a difference.
authority over all such places, to give
I h
him authority uld not call anything a representation
without speaking or action. of the stage
to make rules for their guidance, and to close the Mr. Vincent Rourke, of Drury-lane Theatre,
actor—i
places if necessary. The statute further required have been 20 years in the profession, and am acquainted

Theatrical Representations.