The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-25 00:00:00

Ten ran.

.. 1

SWEEPSTAKES of 10 SOVS. for Two-year-olds.
Strutaway
Mysterious Lady

LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
9to 1 agst Orestes.
12 to 1 agst Seahorse.
14 to 1 agst Balrownie.
20 to 1 agst Invasion.
40 to 1 agst lanthe.

DRU.RY-LANE THEATRE.

The enterprising lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith, re-opened this
theatre last night with a very talented troupe of eques-
trian performers, and, judging from the crowded state of
the house, and the approbation with which the enter-
tainments, as a whole, were received, a very successful
season may be anticipated. Mr. Smith is one of those
active and energetic individuals who richly deserve
every quantum of support that receive ; and should
our favourable prognostications not be verified, all we
can say is, that it will not be his fault. Most great
men have some grand aim or object in life, to the attain-
ment of which all their zeal and faculties are devoted.
That of Mr. Smith is to resuscitate the long-fading for-
tunes of our chief metropolitan theatre ; and, despite
gloomy forebodings, and the almost proverbial ill-success
of all who have taken it in hand, he perseveres in his in-
tention, and seems determined, if one attraction does
not bring well-filled benches, to resort to another, for
he is resolved, at all risks, to test the taste of the
public ; and it must in justice be said, that so far as he
has yet gone, he has not yet failed.
The programme of last night embraced enough to
satisfy the most extensive appetite for equestrian amuse-
ments, and for gymnastic and other feats of daring.
Much of what we saw was altogether novel, while that
which was not may be said to be an improvement o❑
former efforts of the same kind. The stage has been
entirely removed, and the circus is erected in its place,
occupying the whole width, but extending only a few
feet into the pit. The performance, although taking
place entirely here, was varied and highly entertaining,
and sustained the interest of the audience without
flagging to the close. The brothers Elliot were hugely
amusing with a pair of beer barrels, which they caused
to perform the most grotesque evolutions on their toes,
and flung from one to another with a fearless disregard
of broken noses. Signor Zamesou tumbled his " two
talented sons " about, and turned them inside out, with
a careless indifference that almost made one shudder at
the consequences. So pliant were their limbs, that one
would almost suppose they were composed of some ma-
terial like India rubber or gutta percha. Hernandez, as
usual, exhibited the very poetry of equitation ; and Mr.
Eaton Stone tamed the Wild Horse of the Prairies with
his wonted vigour and dexterity. The docility and grace
of the horse was exhibited to perfection by Mr. J. Russell
,and Madlle. Newsome, who managed two beautiful ani-
mals in a manner that drew down thunders of applause.
There was some excellent vaulting by a large body of
professionals, and an astonishing performance called La
Perch,e, in which Mr. J. Russell climbs nimbly
up a pole, reaching nearly to the top of the
stage, balanced apparently on the stomach of Sig-
nor Zamesou, and when on the top, tumbles about
in the most daring manner, totally regardless of his
perilous position. The evening's amusement ter-
minated with a double act, by Messrs. Hernandez and
W. Dale, in which these two famous equestrians strove
manfully for the palm. Mr. Barry made a most divert-
ing clown, and enlivened the proceedings by his humour
and jokes.