The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

We have already described the new architectural
and decorative improvements of this theatre, bat
we may add that their effect was greatly enhanced
last night by thesplendid lighting up, and the multi-
tudinous audience that filled and furnished it, as it
were, from its spacious floor to its now splendid ceil-
ing. It is indeed a very brilliant and magnificent
theatre, and cannot fail to attract ; for the tasteful
adornment of a public place of amusement has much
to do with its attraction. Mr. Falconer has made
a bold attempt, and bid highly for public approba-
tion, in his liberal venture at the chief of our thea-
trical establishments, and we trust there is every
prospect of his reaping an abundant success.

The performances of last night were in full keep-
ing with the building ; and the pantomime, with
its comic burlesque, or rather extravaganza intro-
duction, were admirably produced. Most judici-
ously the new lessee had secured the successful pen
of Mr. E. L. Blanchard, who has transferred so
many rhymes on to the stage, and expanded them
into dramas with a charming interest for boys and
girls, and with spectacular effects that delight all
ages. So experienced a hand—and we use the
word advisedly, for with such faciiity does this
gifted author pen these productions that they seem
to be to him what the work of cunning workman
is—an instinct and a habit. No one of all his com-
petitors so completely enters into the spirit of the
nursery rhymes, so deftly dwarfs himself to childish
nature, and so completely understands the humour
which children relish, and causes them to clap their
little hands and to shriek with perfect delight at
the gambols of Pussy and the quaint contortions of
theßaven. With this is mingled a thoroughly genial
nature, which loves to try and bring out all the
pleasant and good•natured side of human nature,
so that hie extravaganzas ever bear a sweet and
graceful moral.
He has on the present occasion chosen the charm-
ing and Goldsmithian story of " Goody Two Shoes,"
interweaving in it the legends of Little Boy Blue,
and the fate of Poor Pussy Cat who was put into
the well by wicked Johnny Green and pulled out
by Little Jacky Stout. The more spirit-stirring
rhyme of the death of Cock Robin by the fatal
arrow of the bold-faced Sparrow is also made good
use of.

The scenery, which is very beautiful, by Messrs.
Grieve and Telbin ; the physignomical illus-
trations and artistic designs, by the renowned
Dykwynkyn ; the ballet arrangement, by Mr.
Oscar Byrne; and the musical embellishments, by
Mr. Barnard, are all unusually extensive, novel, and
effective. There is a double corps of the Harlequin-
ade, consisting of Messrs. Harry Boleno and C. Lauri
for Clowns, Cormack and St. Maine for Harlequins,
Tanner and Deulin Johnson for Pantaloons, and
Madame Boleno and the Misses Gannis for Colum-
bines; and everybody will know that with such a
power of humour, frolic, and dexterity the fun is well
kept up. The hits at the recent events are numerous,
and the late Great International Exhibition affords
a ground plan for a great deal of the show and
humour. Mr. Boleno, of course, has a bedroom ; and
we can safely report that the sufferings which the
Pantaloons undergo, the humour and atrocities of
the Clowns, and the gyrations and bliss of the Har-
lequins and Columbines are by no means impaired;
and whatever may be the state of affairs, publicly
and politically, there is no symptom of suffering or
decadence in these matters at Drury-lane Theatre.
The great question on these occasions is, what sort
of a transformation scene is there ? To this we can
reply—there is none. But there is something quite
as good; for there is a capital theatrical and fairy
reproduction of the interior of the Great Interna-
tional Exhibition, which, lighted up with the
theatrical fire, and burnished into a phantom repre-
sentation, produces a most glowing scene. It drew
down thunders of applause. The comic business
starts from this point, and, as we have said, is
kept up with unwearied spirit by the double com-
pany ; and " Goody Two Shoes" may be added to
the long list of successful pantomimes this theatre
has produced.