The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-27 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE THEATRE.

Last night the denizens of the north-western part
of the metropolis were entertained with their "boxing-
day" treat in the shape of pantomimic amusement,
provided for their especial recreation by Mr. Nelson
Lee, the well-known caterer of the fun for the Christ-
mas holidays, in conjunction with Mr. Watts, the
lessee of the theatre. The house was excellently
attended, the pit being densely packed, the gallery
most uncomfortably filled, and the boxes respectably,
attended. The performances opened by the presenta-
tion of a new drama, entitled Clara Charette ; or, a
Daughter's Sacrffice. Although the " unities" are
not very closely followed in the composition of this
piece, it abounds in some very excellent points, which
are well calculated, in the hands of Phillips (Charles
St. Remmy), from the Norwich boards, and the
heroine of the piece (Mrs. Kirby, from Worcester), to
" shoot folly as it flies." The drama was well received,
and when the curtain fell the applause rendered by
the audience was most enthusiastic. The produc-
tion is from the pen of Mr. William Collier. The
pantomime, which succeeded, is entitled Harlequin
Fairy Land; or, the Princess Zela and the Wishes
Three. There is something peculiarly fine in the
opening scene, which presents an Arcadian bower by
moonlight, most beautifully presented and richly put
upon the stage. The distant chorus is heard behind
the scenes—

" Fairies, won't you come out to• night—
Come out to-night—come out to-night?
Fairies, won't you come out to-night,
And dance by the light of the moon?"

The entire company of fairies trip forward in obe
dience to the request, and the effect of this opening
was expressive, and augured well for the interest
sought to be realized in the introduction of the pan-
tomime. Of the opening of the piece, so far as
the words went, which were written by Mr. Watts,
however, it was not possible to hear a single
word, nor indeed could any sentence be dis-
tinctly understood throughout the whole of the
performance, such was the boisterous good temper
of the audience. Fortunia, the Queen, arrives
on earth, and having named the fact to her
fairies that in the course of her journeyings she has
met with a beautiful Princess whom she calls "Zell',"
who had refused to wed for money, who despised
wealth, and longed for domestic happiness alone, a
council is held, and it is decided that the fair Princess
shall be received by the fairies. The proclamation is
issued, after the arrival of the Princess by " special
train," in the grand hall in Ratchkill Castle, that
" the hand of the Princess Zela is to be disposed of
that day, at one o'clock, in the said hall." Several
competitors appear : the Prince of California bids
high ; the Demon of Gold bids still higher ; but the
Prince of Love, though " Knight of Poverty," who
offers all his store—" pure love alone," is tha favoured
party. The father refuses his consent to the choice
of the Princess. He said—
" Convey them to the dungeon! 'tis the fittest place
For those who would their family disgrace."
Zela remembers that she once had a dream, which
exhorted her to call to her aid, if ever she was so
circumstanced, a magic glass, and a magic branch,
on the former of which she would see three lovers.
California was represented with its gold and its glitter,
and its misery, to which the Prince and the Princess
repair, and after some experience in the " golden
regions," the Prince is convinced that all is not "gold
that glitters"7-that wealth does not constitute happi-
ness, and therefore he eventually consents to his
daughter and the Knight of Poverty's being united,
which takes place and happiness succeeds. At this
point the Fairy Queen appears, and the transforma-
tion takes place. Moreland is the Harlequin, Lynch
the Pantaloon, and Paul Pietro is the Clown, the
Columbine being Miss S. Healey. The performances
of the whole of these parties was active and highly
efficient throughout. Mr. Lee's " hits" at the popular
topics of the day were excellent, and astonishingly
well received, as they certainly deserved to be. Their
piquancy was evidently well relished by all, the
gallery " gods" evidencing their approbation by