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

DRURY-LAIVE.

The magnificent fairy opera of the Magic Flute was
performed at this theatre last night in a style of very superior
splendour. The grand scenery and decorations necessary for
the initiation of the novice who is to undergo the perils of
the Temple of Isis, could not fail in giving satisfaction to
the juvenile company. The adults were charmed with the ex-
cellent singing of Miss Romer, Mr. Seguin, Phillips, Temple-
ton, Balfe, and, in short, all the performers who support the
opera. The curtain fell amidst loud applause. After the opera,
the audience were amused by the second act of the popular
ballet named the Devil on Two Sticks. Wieland, as the
Diable Boiteux, was excellent in grimaces and dancing.
We cannot praise too highly the exquisite performance of
Miss Bailin, who danced the celebrated Cachoucha in the
most admirable style, so much so that she was greeted
with a rapturous encore. The whole concluded with what
was termed in the bills an original, good-humoured, and
perfectly illegitimate drama and Easter extravaganza, found-
ed on popular sporting subjects, called the Meltonians.
The object was to convey 'an idea of the pranks played by the
Meltonian Club of Hunters, to give living tableaux of the
celebrated sporting prints by Aiken. It is not deficient in
dramatic effect, being seasoned with puns and a spice of low
humour, which meets the taste of a large portion of the town.
Some of the scenes are uproarious in the Tom and Jerry
style. Mr. Threadneedle, a retired merchant tailor, is dragged
by his family to Melton Mowbray. His wife has a strong de-
sire to reach that town, in order to see the genuine Melton
oysters, which she believes are only found in that part of the
country. Mr. Threadneedle, who finds himself annoyed by
the Meltonians, expresses a wish to see them all in their
shells. He wishes to have the chimney-sweeper to sweep
his chimneys, and is told that the man cannot come because
he must follow the hounds. This excites the spleen of his
servant Lumber, who say s it is natural for a sweep to be par-
tial to the brush, but there was reason to expect a sweep who
followed the hounds would come to the dogs. A description
is given of a hunt, and one of the riders is thrown into a pond.
When taken out, nearly dead, and covered with duck-weed, it
was said he looked like the Green Man and Still. A beau.
tiful hunting song, " The Dawn of the Day," was sung by
Frazer with good effect, and encored. We have then a scene
in which the Meltonians are seen lurking at the toll-bar; they
paint the man's pigs red, and produce a great deal of fun. In
consequence of a wager laid by Lord Rarsborough, that his
hunter will leap over a five-barred gate in his dining-room, op-
posite a large tire, a fine horse is brought on the stage, and the
exploit is performed in good style, much to the pleasure and
satisfaction of the audience. The last scene in which the
Meltonians are engaged is a grand contest with watchmen, the
pulling down of signs, and other freaks, in which they corn,
off victorious. It is impossible to give an idea of a plot—the
piece has none ; but with all its irregularity, it was loudly ap-
, plauded.