The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-06 00:00:00

THE FORTHCOMING CHRISTMAS
IVOVEL7IES.

(From the Era.)

For some time past the metropolitan malingers
have been busily preparing for the holidaye, and at
this moment the various theatres exhibit a scene of
activity in every department which would astound
those -svho are not aware of the amount of artistic
skill and mechanical labour called into requisition
for the pleasures of the people. Reserving till a
more seasonable period the details of the novelties
in preparation at each house, we here append the

titles of the several pantomimes and burlesques
that will be produced on Boxing-night at the prin-
cipal establishments.

The ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN,
will have a grand pantomime, with a burlesque
opening, by Mr. J. H. Byron, founded on Madame
de Villeneuve's charming story of " La Belle et la
Bête," and under the familiar title of "Beauty and'
the Beast," presenting the old fairy tale in a novel
point of view. Mr. W. H. Payne and his clever
sons will have, with Mr. Charles Fenton, the prin-
cipal characters in the opening; and the scenery
will be from the fanciful pencil of that able artist,
Mr. William Calleott.

DRURY-LANE, always a great house for this kind
of entertainment, will open, brilliantly re-decorated,
under the management of Mr. Falconer, and with
a new burlesque grotesque pantomime, entitled
" Little Goody Two Shoes ; or, Harlequin Cock
Robin." It has been written, as usual, by Mr. E.
L. Blanchard, and the incidents of Oliver Gold
smith's simple story, from which the first portion
of the title is derived, will be illustrated by Miss
Lydia Thompson as the heroine. The new scenery
by Mr. Grieve, the masks and character-appliances
by the ingenious Dykwynkyn, the dances by Mr.
Oscar Byrne, and the introduction of some remark-
able mechanical changes, will render the opening
unusually attractive. The Harlequinade will be
supported by Mr. Boleno and Mr. C. Lauri as
Clowns, Mr. Cormack and St. Maine as Harlequins,
and Madame Boleno and the Misses Gunniss as
Columbines.
The HAYMARKET adds to the continued attraction
of Mr. Sothern's impersonation of Lord Dundreary
a new burlesque, by Mr. William Brough, founded
on Dr. Johnson's well-known tale of " Rasselas,"
in which the adventures of the famous Prince of
Abyssinia will be depicted after the usual fashion
I of extravaganza.

The PRINCESS'S will have the advantage of Mr.
William Beverley's valuable pictorial aid in a new
pantomime, furnished by Mr. EL. Blanchard, and
entitled " Riquet with the Tuft; or, Harlequin and
Mother Shipton." Mr. Belmore and Mr. C. Sey ton
will have the chief parts in the opening, and the
pantomime company will comprise Mr. Milano as
Harlequin, and Mr. It. Power as Clown.
The LYCEUM will not open under Mr. Fechter's
direction until the first week of the new year,
when a new drama and a fairy extravaganza will
be produced.
The OLYMPIC produces a burlesque on the sub-
ject of " Robin Hood," written by Mr. F. C. Bur-
nand, and enriched with some picturesque sylvan
scenery. The music will be composed and arranged
by the experienced Mr. James Tully.
The STRAND has its usual contribution of a bur-
lesque, by Mr. Byron, who has this year turned
Sir Walter Scott's novel of "Ivanhoe" to the ac-
count of extravaganza.
The ADELPHI is supplied by Mr. Byron with
a burlesque on the subject of " George Barnwell,"
Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Paul Bedford, and Mrs. Alfred
Mellon filling the chief parts.
The SURREY pantomime is entitled "Harlequin
and Mother Goose ; or, The Queen of Hearts who
made some Tarts, and the Knave of Hearts who
Stole them," Miss Julia St. George and Miss E.
Webster playing prominent characters in the open-
ing.

The BRITANNIA has a pantomime on the " Ara-
bian Nights" story of " The Sleeper Awakened."
The GRECIAN has selected the capital German
legend of " Number Nip" for the development of
Mr. George Conquest's remarkable talent aa the
hero.