The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-22 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE 7HEAIRE.

Although for many years a pantomime with
superb decorations fiom the pencil of Mr. W.
Beverley has bee❑ the regular Christmas gift where-
with Mr. E. T. Smith has regaled the numerous
patrons of this theatre, so long a time has elapsed
since the salle (or audience part) of the house has
undergone anything like a renovating process, that
to the present generation the association of Drury-
lane with expressions significative of cleanliness
and brightness must almost appear like a contra-
diction in terms. However, such are the alterations
made by Mr. Falconer, the new lessee of the estab-
lishment, under the superintendence of Mr. Marsh
Nelson, that when he commences his visible opera-
tions on the evening of Boxing-day, the remarkable
phenomenon of a thoroughly renovated Drury-lane
will be presented to the holyday playgoer.
To make way for the present improvements the
ceiling and fronts of the boxes were entirely strip-
ped. The old box divisions of the dress circle and
the pit circle have been removed, and rows of chairs
extend without interruption from one end of the
tier to the other. The chairs are covered with
velvet, the floors are carpeted, and the walls of the
corridors have been newly marbled.

The new decorations of the interior of the theatre
are strictly in the style of Louis XIV., the orna-
ments throughout being in bas-relief, gilt on a white
ground. The ceiling is divided into panels, and
round the chandelier is a rich band of oakleaves and
_a trellis centre, while the large cove of the ceiling
is filled with trellis-work and rosettes in solid gild-
ing, with a wreath of oakleaves round.
The lower gallery and slips have been converted
into one amphitheatre, the front of which has been
divided into compartments with the trellis pattern,
while a medallion with a bust has been placed ever
each column. The fronts of the three tiers of boxes
have been altered to the "0 G" form proper to the
style or Louis XIV. They are richly decorated, the
trellis springing from a row of leaves on an orna-
mental base-moulding, while in the lower tier there
is an additional ornament of shields and laurel
wreaths. The columns between the tiers are
wreathed with laurel leaves, and branch lights
spring from the capitals. A massive enriched gilt
frame has been added to the arch and sides of the
proscenium, somewhat resembling that of the new
Theatre Lyric in Paris, although in a different
style.

The colour that appears in vivid contrast to the
white and gold decorations is a bright cerise. Ot
this colour are the curtains, hangings, carpets and
chairs throughout. The stalls, like the chairs in
the dress circle, are covered with velvet, with frames
in imitation of ebony.
Consistently with the rest of the building the saloon
is decorated with white and gold, the pilasters and
columns being in vein marble. The staircase and
rotunda are painted light green, with scagliola
columns.

Au interesting feature connected with the reno-
vation of Drury-lane is the restoration of the
"King's Room," arranged by George IV. during
his regency, but for many years used as a lumber
room. Newly brought to light, it appears as a
handsome saloon, with corinthian columns and a
dome in the centre. It has been entirely renovated,
a new lobby and retiring room having been added.

The Royal box, with which the "King's Room"
communicates, is restored to its old position on a
level with the dress circle ; and the box on the
opposite side (formerly the Duke of York's), is ap-
propriated to the Prince of Wales. Both these
boxes are redecorated and have circular fronts, but
the velvet hangings and sculpture with which they
are to be adorned will not be completed by Boxing-
night. Neither will the new drop scene which has
been painted by Messrs. Grieve and Telbin, to cor-
respond with the decorations.