The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-27 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DRURY LANE.---'-It is usual at this period of
the year to bring forward a new Pantomime, and
for the double purpose of giving a salutarywarn-
ing against vice, and more effect to' the Pantomime,
to represent the Tragedy of George Barnwell.
The Tragedy, no doubt, would have been very
impressive i f Mr. COOPER'S Barnwell, Mrs. WEST'S
'Mi/zzood, and Miss SMITHSON'S Maria, had been
properly heard, but the bustle of eXpectation for
the Pantomime prevailed till it commenced. The
Pantomime is entitled Gog and Magog, or liar.
lequin Antiquary. The principal object of this
Pantomime is to represent the different aspects of
London in ancient times, and as it is at present ;
and the contrast is rendered amusing, though the
piece-altogether is very far from being the best
of- the kind which we have attended. Many
references to temporary scenes and incidents, of
course, are introduced, and, as. stated, compre-
hends historical allusions " from Ar.taCn'S
magic lantern down to the Tread The
piece commenced with the appearance of Robin
Goodfellow, surrounded by Mirth, Laughter,.arid
Sport, and other of the deitieS who "preside over
this festive season,
,and they proceed •to the
venerable Council Chamber tit Guildhall, where
the aforenamed illustrious-personages, Gog and
31a-og, who for so many tedious years have
guarded the privileges of the worthy Liverymen
of London, are exhibited in all their silent
grandeur. Fearful lest the " Genius of Innovation"
should disturb them from their posts, they call a
council of the other " ornaments" of the city, to
consider the best, and most effectual means of pre-
serving their places. This gigantic congress con-
cluded, Mirth,' Sport, and Laughter, 'continue
their•career to St. Paul's, Lincoln's' Inn, out to
Vauxhall Bridge, and round to the turnpike-gale
at ilampstead-road;culling alt the' beauties on
their road, and making most judicious and
learned observations on- every 'thing they
meet, and thus they see London as it is, and
compare it with London as it was. A great
variety of tricks are necessarily introduced,
none of them very novel, and not. a dew most
clumsily executed. Some portion of the scenery
is' extremely beautiful, and particularly the re-
presentations of the Cathedral of St. Panl'S, and
the view at Vauxhall. Ittno Y was the Har-
lequin, SOUTHEY the Clown, and Miss TIIEE the
Columbine; and they • all exerted themselves
very ably ; but the piece, on the whole, was
not very successful. All the subjects of Pan-
tomime have beensO hackneyed, that allowance
ought to be made fot the difficulty of produc-
ing any thing novel, and this piece will no
doubt be improved as it proceeds' by additional
incidents and scenery. There Was much oppo-
sition when it was announced for repetition. this
evening.' The audience was `by no means so
numerous as might be expected at this period,
when the holiday folk's in general thrdng to such
entertainments. • • •

COVENT GA RDEN.—The Tragedy of Douglas
was represented last night at this Theatre, and,
Mr.. MASON performed the • hero of the piece
with :a proportion of merit that deserved •more
attention, but general expectation of the new
Pantomime excited general restlessness and some
tumult. There were many persons in the gallery.
who wantonly assailed the Pit, throwing orange
peels and.other missiles. The Pit retorted.and be-
sides that species'-of ammunition attacked the Gal-
lery with halfpence, &c. 4k.c. This " puny battle"
continued some (line but no Peace-officer attended
to restore order. .After the Tragedy a new
Pantomime was produced,under the title of liar-
lequin :and the Ogress, or' the Sleeping Beauty of
the Wood.' As our country Readers will' no
doubt expect to know the story we subjoin a
brief outline of the