The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-10 00:00:00

TIIE PRINCESS'S.

Every Thespian hierophant in the metropolis pig
forth his most attractive bill of fare for Easter. Mon-
day, to lure those lieges whom the philanthropic
Crisp had not enrolled for the admiring gaze of the
Parisians, or the fascinations of the Crown and
Anchor, drawn to the suburban joys of Greenwich
Fair. Second to none, the enterprising manager of
this elegant theatre was last night rewarded by the
enthusiastic approbation of a well-filled house. The
entertainments commenced with Donizetti's celebrated
Lucia di Lammermoor. Mademoiselle Nau, as
Lucy Ashton, warbled her nightingale notes with
dulcet brilliancy, and was well supported by Weiss
and Allen, the latter of whom sang very sweetly as
Edgar. But the main attraction of the evening—
especially to the juvenile portion of the audience,
who mustered in considerable numbers—was the
grand extravaganza, entitled Noureddin and the Fair
Persian. It is now so many years since,—to
our shame be it spoken,—we have turned
over the pages of the " Arabian Nights,"
that we are unable to decide upon the degree of re-
semblance to the original story maintained in the
present adaptation by Mr. Edwards. When Lane's
edition of the wondrous tales appeared we resolved
on renewing acquaintance with the favourite studies
of our childhood, but were speedily scared by the re-
pulsive spelling of the proper names, which presented
old friends in a garb too outlandish to be endured ;
for we have ever loved to walk in the beaten paths of
orthography, nor could the sands of the Sacramento
tempt us to wade through a column of the Penetie
Nuz. Be that as it may, a better production in this
peculiar department of the drama has not been given
to the stage, and we prognosticate for it a long and
successful run. The rising curtain discovers the
fairies and their Queen (Madame Le Clercq) disport.
ing by the margin of a moonlit lake. A sprite is
summoned in the form of an ape (M. Plimmeri), and
commissioned to watch over the fair Persian, who is
about to be sold in the slave market of 13alsora. 'The
next scene introduces us to the mart, the preaiding
spirit of which is the slave merchant, Hagi Hassan,
(Mr. Wynn). Khacan, the Vizier, (Mr. H. Horn-
castle), a hoary-bearded old sinner, enters for the
purpose of making a purchase for the King. He
has considerable chaffing with Hassan, and is much
tormented by the Ape, who by this time has insi-
nuated himself into the good graces of the latter,
as being the master of Nekayah, the Fair Persian.
Hassan, in apology for his tricks, says,
" Although sometimes affairs may not look bright,
As long as we've an ape here, (a Napier) all is right."
This hit was loudly applauded. Nekayali (Miss
Kenworthy) is produced by the merchant, and at
once purchased by the Vizier. Being brought to his
house, she is seen by his ward Noureddin, (Miss
Emma Stanley), and they straightway, fall in. love
with one another, and resolve to run 0ff..., To facilitate
their escape, the friendly and sagacious Ape is
placed by them in the litter which is to convey the
fair slave to the presence of the King, and borne re-
verentially to the royal presence, whilst the lovers
are already off and away by a locomotive. We now
behold the Monarch of Balsora (Mr. Money) re-
posing in state, but on the apparition of the
hideous inmate of the palanquin he becomes
furiously irate, and sallies forth with all his
court to the annihilation of the audacious Noureddin,
and the recovery of his: purchase. He has, however,
to content himself with burning down the traitor's
house. Just as the flames were about to burst forth
in this scene, some noodles in the pit, sniffing the
approaching mimic conflagration, roared out
"Fire!" which sent a third of the audience flying.
Happily, the absurd mistake was almost imme-
diately perceived, and a few words from his Bal-
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grand banquetting chamber in the pavilion of Hare=
al Easchid. This transformation of scene had a
beautiful effect. They now refresh themselves from
the Caliph's table, in company with Ibrahim, his chief
attendant (Mr. Oxberry), whom the Commander of
the Faithful (Mr. C. Fisher) Ends drunk on his
return. However, he accords a gracious reception to
the enamoured pair, and furnishes them with a pardon
to Noureddin under his own seal, to secure his
safety with the monarch of Balsora, who is a vassal
of the Court of Bagdad. Previous to their
departure they are entertained by an exhibition of
his dancing girls, who execute a ballet, which was
warmly applauded. The grouping was remarkably
good, and a pas de deux by Mademoiselles Therese
Cushnie and Le Clercq excited a perfect furore. Le
Clercq (may her shadow never be less !) enchanted
the spectators with her exquisite combination of
agility and grace. The Ape, who remains behind at
the Sultan's special request, has sportively purloined
the seal appended to the pardon, so that on their
return to Balsora, the imperfect document is treated
with utter contempt by the King, who tears the lovers
asunder, and orders Noureddin for instant execution.
The block and grim headsman are prepared, and the
fatal mandate given, when the faithful Ape appears
with the imperial teal, and bursts of music-announce
the advent of the Caliph. The terrified ruler of
Balsora abdicates in order to avert the indignation
of his suzerain, and his intended victim is appointed
his successor in the regal dignity. Such is the out-
line of Noureddin and the Fair Persian, which pos-
tesses superlative merit as a spectacular burlesque.
The incidents are highly amusing, the dialogue
apposite and witty, and the mise en scene magnificent.
The plaudits, frequent and hearty throughout, were
tumultuous at the fall of the curtain, and the author
being unanimously called for, bowed his acknow-
ledgements from a private box. The extravaganza
proved a decided hit, and we pronounce the adapter,
the manager, and the performers to have deserved
well of their country.

ST. JAMES'S.
Magic bath still her votaries, and last night her
temple was crowded by those who are anxious to
psy honour due to her chief minister, Robert Houdin.
The great magician was greater than ever. His dis-
tribution from the corne d'abondance was upon a mon-
kter scale of liberalty, and his feats were performed
with infinite grace, elegance, and neatness.