The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY
,EVENING, DECEMBER 27, 1853.

CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

DRURY LANE.

The lessee of Drury Lane is the greatest of all mo
dery " Smiths." Last night he achieved another ma-
nagerial triumph in the production of a right good
pantomime "and no mistake," entitled King Humming
Top and the Land of Toys—a glorious pantomime from
the pen of E. L. Blanchard, a veteran in good "acts,"
though (in years) one of the youngest of our dramatic
favourites, renowned among all laughter-lovers as the
author of the Artful Dodge, and dear to the hearts of a
whole generation of children as the author of Harlequin
Budibras. On the rising of the curtain we are introduced to
the Realms of Novelty, situated above the sun, because,
as it is stated, there is nothing now under it. The
attendants and ministers of the Empress Novelty—
Fashion, Design, Capital, and her follower, Success—
are awaiting the return of their mistress, who has been
presiding at the Dublin Exhibition, and who returns in
her triumphal Emerald Car; and Miss Featherstone
illustrates the novelties of the past year in a series of
brilliant parodies. What may then be termed the Mas-
que of this tripartite exhibition commences, and we are
introduced to Prince Chameleon, who, blasjd by excess
of every sensual delight, is seen in his prismatic palace,
the victim of ennui. Wearied of his existence, he is
about to cast himself into the stream that flows through
his delicious gardens, when lie is stayed by the Spirit of
Happiness (Miss F. Williams), who transports him to the
realms of King Humming Top and to the Land of Toys,
thus renewing his boyhood, and, with it, all the
freshness of soul he so languishes for. In this territory
of Toys, and in this region of Youthful Delights, he
meets King Humming Top and his army of Tops, the
Princess Skipping Rope and her attendant bevy of Kites
and they receive all the representatives of the various
Toy nations. Processions and revels ensue here, which
do great credit to the artistio ingenuity of the property
superintendent, who has shown great fancy and fertility
of invention in the adaptation and masking the innu-
merable symbols of toyish and boyish life. It need
scarcely be said, this scene absorbed the wonder and the
admiration of all the juveniles in the house. An alarm
of toy trumpets interrupts the revelry, and the Queen of
Beauty invades the youthful territory. Cricket, rowing,
archery, &c., are arrayed against her, but in vain—the
imperious Queen triumphs. The Prince penetrates her
labyrinthe bower, and finds Happiness by the possession
of true love. This concludes the first part of this ela-
borate piece. The transformation now takes place, and
leaving the real of fancy, we light upon earth. King
Humming Top becomes Clown, and the familiar "How
d'ye do," and " Here we are," of our old jocose friend,
Tom Matthews, greets our ear. Mr. Halford, dropping
the petticoats of Dame Nutcracker, hobbles out as dear
old silly Pantaloon, and the Prince (heretofore elegantly
performed by Louise Blanche) is turned into the rest-
less Harlequin. True Love, becomes the gentle and
faithful Columbine.

M. Milano is an excellent Harlequin, dexterous, agile,
and animated—full of indefatigable spirit and activity,
and an admirable dancer to boot. Madlle. Annie
Cushnie looks extremely handsome and lady-like as
Columbine, and enacts the part with effective graceful-
ness and accomplished expression in the "poetry of mo-
tion." These artistes are a valuable acquisition to the
Smith establishment, and on this, their first appearance
here, completely secured the cordial affections of the
audience. The same may be said of Madlle. Terese
Cushnie, one of the most skilful and pleasing danseuses
of the present day, and who, by her brilliancy and faci-
lity of execution, drew down great applause. Madlle.
Louise Blanche was splendid in appearance, and excel-
lent both in her acting and dancing. Wonderful were
the-evolutions displayed in the comic part. A band of
grotesques, the Ethair family, pile themselves up to the
ceiling, and toss themselves about, as if made of India-
rubber. A monstrous real giant is subjected to the
gibes of the wondering Clown and Pantaloon. A swarm
of young Clowns and Harlequins appear, and Master
Beckett almost rivals as a miniature Clown the great
prototype before him. The adventures of the illus-
trious quadruple or rather quintuple party, for Miss
Charles appears as Harlequina, involve allusions to the
events of the past year—Sydenham Palace, Penny Re-
ceipt Stamps, Turkey and Russia, and other domestic and
foreign transactions, are hit at with the usual panto-
mime satire. One of the best of these is the putting the
Pantaloon into an envelope ; and the scene where the
respective residences of Mr. Harlequin, Mr. Clown, and
Mr. Pantaloon are shown in juxta-position, is very
humorous. It is, however, impossible to particularise
all the incidents, frolic and fun, and we opine will be
useless, for certainly no one who takes any interest in
such matters but will see this production overflowing
with attraction for children, great and small. If girl-
hood and boyhood are still made of the same stuff, and
the schoolmaster has not too much invaded the season
of holiday, we predict for this pantomine a very long and
jolly career. Whatever its fate, the unremitting energy
of all concerned, and the liberality and costliness shown
by the lessee in getting it up must deserve applause.
The verdict, however, rests with our little friends, and
their imprimatur was given with a roaring laughter
which was indisputable ; and this being followed by that
of their parents and guardians, Old Drury can boast of
a success and a pantomime that resuscitates the glories
of the day, or rather the night, of Mother Goose.
In conclusion let us not forget Tom Matthews, whose
clown was as jovial, and bustling as ever, and provoked
shouts of laughter from all parts of the house.

between the acts of the first piece, and between the first
piece and the pantomime raised their sibillant remon-
strances, their presence would never have been brought
to the notice of the rest of the audience,

description. The various performers did their parts ad-
mirably. Madame Vestris, "ever fresh and ever young,"
appeared for the first time this season, and had a very
hearty reception from the audience. A numerous and
excellent ballet corps, with Miss Rosina Wright at the
head, added greatly to the attractions of the piece, which
at its close received the marked approval of a crowded
and enthusiastic house. The performances terminated
with the comic interlude of Patter versus Clatter, in which
Mr. C. Mathews, as usual, kept the audience in a con-
stant roar.

carried through the "Realms of Air," attended by a
train of fairies, to the "Town of Toys." The inhabi-
tants of the town are represented by 100 interesting-
loolrin.,-; children, expressly engaged for the occasion.
Kiiag Nutcracker arrives, attended by the kernels of his
various regiments, which are composed of picked men
from, the best toy-boxes in the Lowther-arcade, and
other equally celebrated military depots. A juvenile
military band performs martial airs, and a grand
review of infantry and cavalry takes place, followed
by a sham battle, in which the latter are overthrown
by an egregious puff. The town is afterwards besieged
by General Bonbon at the head of artillery, and a gun
laden. with brandy balls, peppermint drops, and ladies'
fingers, having been discharged against the battlements,
the imhabitants gladly capitulate. The arrival of the fairy
Abeirnethia puts an end to the hostilities, and the usual
transformations take place, Mr. Flexmore appearing as
Clown, Mr. Bologna as Harlequin, Mr. Griffiths as Pan-
taloon, and Miss Goward as Columbine. The tumult of
the -pantomime now proceeds with the usual well-pre-
pared accidents and feats of posturing, diversied by Flex-
more, with a new ditty by E. L. Blanchard, called A
Chapter of Clowns, and a solo and various imitations on
the penny ophicleide.

Tie dialogue of the introductory portion of the piece
was sharply written, witty and effective, abounding with
numerous political hits. It was well supported by the
performers, whose acting, and the greater portion by far
of them were children, drew forth loud and continuous
praises from the audience. The piece was well received.
The scenery, which was well painted and appropriate, was
magnificently got up, and the style in which the whole
piece was put upon the stage was highly creditable to
the management of the establishment.
The theatre had been newly decorated, and the gallery
considerably extended—improvements which add greatly
to the appearance of the house. The performance yes-
terday commenced with the operetta of the Irish Emi-
grant, in which the principal characters were taken by
Miss Rebecca Isaacs, Miss Reeves, and Mr. George
Hodson, who made his first appearance this season.
The afterpiece, which prolonged the evening's entertain-
ment to a very late hour, was Stirling's new farce, The
Pet of the Public, in which Miss Rebecca Isaacs took
the part of Mdlle. de Laney. It is hardly necessary to
say that the house was well attended.