The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-24 00:00:00

Hodge-Podge" and the Metropolitan

Theatres

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to the
lessees of the metropolitan theatres against Mr. Morton,
manager of the " Oxford and Canterbury Music Hall Com-
pany (Limited),' ;in that a piece was performing at the Can-
terbury
Hall, which infringed upon their rights, and was a
violation of the "Dramatic Act." Evidence was produced
for and against at the last examination, and the magistrate
(the Hon. G. Norton), delayed giving his decision until
to-day.
His Honour wished the evidence to be read over, which
having been done, he proceeded to comment upon the ar-
guments advanced upon both sides. The counsel for the
prosecution had done his utmost to convince him that the
lessees were quite disinterested in the matter, and that it
was purely as a public duty, and for the promotion of
morality that they had entered upon the case. His
Honour gave them doubtful credit for that, and thought,
on the other hand, that it came with a very bad grace
from them that they should endeavour to exercise arbi-
trarily a monopoly which was placed in their hands by
the Dramatic Act. After hearing all the evidence, and
considering the great expense which Mr. Morton had been
put to in bringing it before the public, and also the serious
results it would have upon similar places of amusement, he
had thought it right to see for himself the nature of the
piece before giving his final decision. Accordingly, on
Saturday night last (in company with Sir Thomas
Henry, the chief metropolitan magistrate at
Bow-street) he took the opportunity of visiting
the Canterbury Hall. Nothing could exceed the courtesy
and obliging demeanour of Mr. Morton. Every facility
was given him to inspect the machinery and appliances by
which the piece is produced. Of the piece itself he could
not possibly speak in too high terms. The manner in which
the figures are brought upon the stage, and the chaste-
ness of the illusions, are almost beyond description. In fact,
they reminded him of the fairy scenes he had read of
in his younger days. Altogether, he might say it was gor-
geous in the extreme. Whatever might be said as to the
morality of music halls in general, his opinion was, that if
they were all conducted in the same orderly manner as the
Canterbury, and such pieces produced as "Hodge-Podge,"
he had no doubt whatever that they would have a very
beneficial effect ; and, while adding to the enjoyment of
the masses, would not, inhis opinion, be detrimental to their
morals. But with regard to the question at issue,'he had his
duty to perform;
of the piece, its wonderful effects, and the pleasing nature of .
the performance, he had an Act of Parliament whereby he
must give his decision. There can be no doubt that the
piece called " Hodge Podge " is a pantomime, and a very
perfect pantomime too ; and though there had been various
opinions expressed as to what constitutes a pantomime, he
himself, after giving it his most careful consideration, had
made up his mind with regard to " Hodge Podge." How-
ever, he had very great reluctance, indeed, to put a
stop to the performance of such a piece. He would much
rather delay'giving his decision for some days to allow Mr.
Morton time, should he wish to do so, to apply to the Lord
Chamberlain for a dramatic license. He considered that
such a place of amusement as the Canterbury, conducted
as it was in the most orderly manner, and affording to the
visitors an elevating and agreeable entertainment, was well
entitled to such a license. When he stated the fact that
during all the time he had sat upon that bench there had
not been a single complaint against the management of that •
hall, he thought that circumstance would go far with the
Lord Chamberlain in granting a license.
Mr. Morton having stated that he wished the decision
postponed to give time for an application to the Lord
Chamberlain.

The Magistrate accordingly delayed his decision till to-.
morrow week.

In the event of Mr. Morton being successful in getting a
license (of which there is scarcely any doubt), the public
will still have the delectable pleasure nightly of witnessing
this marvellous and unique illusion.
This question has created great interest amongst the
theatrical and music-hall proprietors, and the court was
crowded for some time before the case came on.