The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-18 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE.

The Easier attraction provided by Mr. Wallack for the
patrons of this neat and comfortable little theatre, bears
the designation of The Magic Branch and the Golden Glories
of Fairy Land. The author is Mr. Frederick Daniel Collie.
The plot is very simple. King Blowemup (Mr. G. Cooke),
whose exchequer is in a very sad state, forms the project
of replenishing it by marrying his daughter Brilliant (Miss
F. Garthwaite) to some wealthy suitor, but the lady, who
entertains the idea that she ought to be allowed to choose
for herself, exhibits strong symptoms of rebellion, and
escapes from the paternal authority, with the romantic in-
tention of enrolling herself in the militia. In the course of
her rambles, she falls into the power of Brimston-sulphurio
(Mr. W. Shalders), a gentleman whose name is as attrac-
tive as his appearance, for his distinguishing-ornament is *
prodigious long tail,which generally trails along the ground*
but which for the sake of convenience he sometime*
carries under his arm. From the castle of this demon the
damsel is eventually rescued by Doti Constant (Miss
Harriet Gordon), whose efforts nothing can withstand,
seeing that he is an especial favourite of Radiant, the
Fairy Queen (Miss Mashaia); and the headstrong monarch
eventually abdicates in favour of the young couple, con-
ferring on them the sovereignty of an undiscovered city.
The parts were well sustained, particularly those of Miss
Gordon and Miss Garthwaite, aud many of the allusions
to the principal events of the day were fully understood
and appreciated. Many of the scenic effects were more
than usually brilliant, and the audience were so highly
delighted with one of the fairy scenes that the call for the
manager was almost universal. Mr. Wallack, after a little
delay, made his appearance, and having acknowledged the
compliment, the piece was allowed to proceed, and brought
to 4 successful conclusion. The author was then honoured
with a similar call, and had every reason to be gratified
. with his reception. The burlesque was preceded by Cloril
L and followed by the farce of. The Secret.

GREENWICH FAIR.
A harsh wind, and an occasional monitory speck of
rain, although it did not prevent the holiday makers from
crowding to Greenwich yesterday, yet had considerable
effect in checking the anticipatory exuberance of spirits
which is wont to exhibit itself on the road on sunny
Easter Monday mornings. Everybody wended towards
his or her pleasure with a serious, business-like air, as if
determined to go through with it according to rule, like
any other day's work ; but thero was little Volunteer sing-
ing of popular ballads on the part of the young men, and
hardly any of that display of gay costume into which the
seinpstresses, soubrettes, and maids of all work of the
great metropolis are accustomed suddenly to blosiom on this
their great annual holiday. The general impression loft on
the mind of the philosophic observer was, that Greenwich
Fair *as a declining institution—that marvels in ginger'
bread were gradually giving way before marvels in science
—and. that even that inexhaustible witticism in timber,
" the fun of the fair," must before long perish under the
ban of heads of kindred material, but more solemn el-
rooter. Greenwich Fair is, in truth, certa.inl 11ng
away. Eichardson'e was present in name ;but in ,25
very
3
much diminished glory. The theatre had not the gayy
! compact look which used to distinguish it in the time of
the great man, or even of his worthy successor. In an-
other corner stood a Lilliputian circus, in front of which
"ndeprshaelaallywienodfoerimi eg(liotbhee,
an Athlete did gratuAeul
a:lute:de of that theatre was
werhowileda,m,
tehlaatncabletlhyouMgherrtyhme
better than the inside of any other in the fair," it gave
only the faintest possiblei idea of the visual sensations that,
might be realise(i th
" all for the small charge of one
penny." The crowdynwho'filled the narrow avenue which is
now all that the builders
have left of the fair ground, were
of the lowest possible description. In the park the
crowd was equally 'dense, andvery little better in
quality- All the traditional forms of fun were preserved,
but the glory of the day had departed. People looked
through the pensioners' telescopes at the Observatory, but
showed no excitement at the wonders they disclosed.
They threw at the three sticks, but neglected to put up
the pin oushions when they won ; and, although young
ladies who stood about the gate invited the people to tea
in their usual friendly way, there was not that warmth
about their hospitality which used to distinguish it. People
in short, crowded the railways, the boats, and the busses,
to got to the fair, and having zealously performed their
pilgrimage, crowded with equal zest to get back again,
remarking as a bad omen for Greenwich, that they had
not seen a single menagerie in the fair.
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