The Sun.
London, England, 1838-04-17 00:00:00

ASTLEYS

Was openedoflatshtenight,
Deserts,for thore
taheeasFonre,nwchithi:
Epgieyepet,eivivtli,tilcehd,
imposing spectacle and variety and beauty of
fTorhegPraansdsaagned
irn
scenery, exceeded anything we have ever witnessed at this
house. The piece represents the privations and sufferings of
the French army in Egypt—the Battle of the Pyramids—the
Surrender of Cairo, and its subsequent revolt, and the defeat of
the French troops at Acre by Sir Sidney Smith. Although
the details of a continuous siege cannot be expected to be very
minutely borne out in the space of a dramatic representation,
sufficient is preserved to afford some idea of the horrors of war.
The Siege of Acre, neither of so recent occurrence, nor so
memorable in its results as the Battle of Waterloo, cannot, as
a drama, be expected to meet with such unprecedented
success, nevertheless we venture to predict that it will
be successful, for it possesses, to a great extent, the elements
which rendered that piece so attractive. During the
entire performance the thunder of the " gods" rolled un-
ceasingly ; and the approbation of the pit and boxes, though in
less deafening peals, was as unequivocally manifested. Bona-
parte was well sustained by Mr. Gomersal, who delivered the
speeches to the troops with good taste and correctness,
especially the first which silenced the murmurs and discontents
that were quickly rising into mutiny. There is, however,
one palpable ordssion in Mr. Gomersal's Napoleon—
no snuff-taking ; a habit to which every school-boy
knows he was slavishly addicted. Mr. Campbell, of Sad-
ler's Wells, personated Ben Bulkhead, an English sailor,
with considerable ability, and Mr. H. Widdicomb, as a black-
s. m ,or cook, exci‘ed roar. of laughter. After an interval of
a few minutes from the fall of the curtain, it was again raised,
when the whole corps appeared and sang " God save the

Queen," the audience rising and standing uncovered. Feats
of Horsemanship and Gymnastic exercises succeeded, which it
is needless to observe were executed with that ability and
success which have raised Astley's Circle so high in public
estimation. Mr. Hicken, M. Goutard, Herr Mottle, and the
celebrated Mr. Price, having materially contributed to the de-
light of the audience by their unrivalled feats. The pigmy
ponies of M. Goutard arc particularly deserving of notice, for
their sagacity and amusing tricks almost rivalled the judgment
of Mr. Ducrow in engaging their services. The interlude of
the Omnibus followed, in which a Mr. Sloan appeared as Pat
Rooney, with no inconsiderable share of success ; and Robinson
Crusoe concluded the evening's amusements, and introduced to
our notice our old favourites Bologna, Norman, Ellar, and
Leclerq. There was a full house, and during the latter part
of the evening a crowded one. From last night's specimen,
this season bids fair to add fresh laurels to the brow of
Ducrow; at least, it can lose none, which, if any doubt, they
should witness, and be convinced.

VICTORIA.
The Easter novelty at this theatre last night, was an Eastern
spectacle, entitled, the Fiend King, or the Ruby Cross and the
Last of the Magi. The plot consisted of the hairbreadth es-
capes of an Eastern Prince attached to Christianity, from the
machinations and treacherous designs of his brother, who
usurping the throne, was the last of the Magi, or fireworshiP-
pers. Of course, the former was aided by a good genii, with
her attendants ylphs, sprites, elves, and fairies, while the latter
held under his control the usual horde of demons, fiends and
monsters. After multitudinous mischances, terrific combats,
incantations, and lastly a siege, the Christian Prince triumphs,
the traitor falls, and virtue and valour are rewarded. By the
aid of some very effective scenery, the ingredients we have
enumerated furnished forth an interesting performance. The
spectacle was preceded by a melodrama called St. Clair of the
Isle; or, the Outlaw of Barra, a good adaptation of the ro-
mance of that title, and the interlude of Hide and Seek. The
first introduced for the first time to the London boards a Mr.
Maddocks, whose debut was deservedly successful, and the
interlude restored to the theatre that old favourite of Surrey
audiences Mr. Vale, who was most raptuously received. We
regret to say that the house was not so crowned as might at
this season naturally be expected ; the audience was, however,
much more orderly and good-humoured than in these holyda3s
is generally the case.