The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-28 00:00:00

SADLERS' WELLS.

Who has not heard of Sadlers' Wells and its panto-
mimes? or what person is there whose sides have not
shook with laughter at witnessing them? To the holi-
day folks it will be some satisfaction to know that in
Anno Domini 1846, the far-famed Sadlers Wells has
not " bated one jot or tittle" of its former attractions, or
its claims to the merited support of the laughter-loving
people of the metropolis. The new pantomime, called
Harlequin and a Happy New Year, or, the White Cat and
the King and his Three Sons," was equal, if not superior
to anything which has been produced for some years at
this or any other theatre. Mother Bunch's dioramic
illustration of fairy land, and the enchanted lake and
forest, were got up in the best style, and reflect great
credit upon the taste of Messrs. Fenton and Finlay.
Among the incidents calculated to lash the follies of the
age were the Wellington statue, upon which the "Moral
engine of Parza" being brought to bear, causes the
arch of Burton to crumble beneath the superincumbent
weight, and engulfs in its ruins the mammoth horse,
while its colossal rider, in his huge dimensions,
walks his " half hour" on the stage in evident discom-
fiture at the loss of his charger, and Trench standing
by, bewails the catastrophe with the most grotesque
lamentations imaginable. The Prize Peasant, in another
scene, receives his medal for his twenty years service,
close by the spot, at " Stuffpig's Agricultural Establish.
ment and Experimental Farm," where the appetite of an
enormous pig is beingfully attended to by some dozen men
in smock frocks. The Duchess of Marlborough is not
forgotten. Attired in the veritable "ladies shooting dress,"
designed by Punch, she brings down a pair of pheasants,
and is seized by one of the myrmidons of the law, but
shortly liberated on the ground that " ladies are alloy; ed
to kill." The Duke of Marlborough's mansion is "open
daily from ten to four, admission one shilling—children
nalf price." The ducal poulterer invites purchasers to
purchase his game, and finally " makes game of John
Bull." The ghost of the game-laws " goes off with a
tremenduous explosion. " Shakspeare drawn by the
tragic muse, is "removed from Covent Garden to a
smaller house." Time and space would fail to go
through all the parts worthy of notice. One exact
likeness we must not, however, pass over, which waa
neither more nor less than the living type of Clown (Mr.
Charles Stilt), who, judging from the progress he has
already made, and the effects of parental " training up in
the way he should go," will one day excel even his
father's doings, strange and wondrous as they are. Mr.
C. Fenton was an excellent Harlequin ; and all praise is
due to Miss Caroline Barnet, for the very tasteful man-
ner in which she disposed of the laborious character of
Columbine ; and as for Pantaloon (Mr. Johnson), Sprite
(Mr. R. Stilt), and Clown (Mr. Charles Stilt), their
achievements were of a most extraordinary kind. Mr.
and Miss Maskell danced the pas de deux Neapolitaine
with the greatest preoision and accuracy, and received
loud and long continued plaudits from all parts of the
house. We were sorry to hear that in consequence of
the sudden illness of Mr. Phelps, he would not be able to
make his appearance in The Stranger. His part was,
however, well sustained by Mr. Marston; and Mr. Hos-
kins, at a brief notice, played Baron Steinfort in a
creditable manner. Miss Laura Addison's acting in the
part of Mrs. Haller, was the best performance of that
lady's which we have seen for some time. The house
was crowded in every part.

SURREY.

The performances at this theatre commenced with an
entirely new drama, from the pen of Mr. Edward
Sterling, entitled The Hand of Cards, produced with the
effective concomitants of new scenery and additional per-
formers. The drama was one admirably calculated
to attract the lovers of sight seeing, as many tremendous
positions were announced in the bills. It would be un-
necessary to follow the production through its entire
plot, suffice it to say, that all those engaged sustained
their parts with spirit, and the piece appeared to give
unlimited satisfaction, not one mark of disapprobation
being heard during the whole evening. Indeed,
although the attention of the audience was sufficiently
engrossed by the piece, it was evident that they were
expecting with impatience the grand attraction of the
evening—the pantomime—which was entitled, The King
of the Castle, or Harlequin in the Land of Dreams. The
production, by Mr, Farebrother, affords ample scope
for splendid effect, and it must be said that the scenery
was arranged on a scale of magnificence very creditable
to the management of the theatre. The curtain rose to
a scene representing the Land of Dreams, with the ex-
terior of Imaginary castle and the Enchanted lake.
Lunario is discovered sleeping, and under the protection
of Nymphalia and her train of fairies, by whom a clever
little ballet is enacted, Lunario dreams that he is united
to the Princess Adorina. The scene is well changed to
the Illuminated Castle and Grotesque Hall of Statues
(we did not observe the Dnke of Wellington). The scene
was well got up, and a clever effect was produced. A
combat takes place between Fatterissimo, the Chamber-
lain, and the Prince Leanini, for the love of the Queen
Lollipoppi. Peacock Castle is then presented, and
Scrunchall, the monarch, dispatches divers state affairs,
and discovers the elopement of his daughter, who has
been transported to Lunario by fairy power. All start
in pursuit, and arrive in the fairy grove, where Scrunch-
all and Lollipoppi are transformed to Clown (Herr R.
Deulin), and Pantaloon (Herr N. Deulin) ; whilst Ado-
rina and Lunario are transformed into Columbine
(Madlle. Theodore), and Harlequin (Herr Deulin). The
Chamberlain becomes Punch, the only competent per-
son. The real fun of the evening then commenced, and
no expense has been spared to render the tricks amusing.
Most of the situations and tricks were entirely new, and
there wiis little or none of the advertising system which
has of late been introduced into pantomimes. The thing
went off admirably, and though somewhat long in conse-
quence of its being the first night, and so many new
effects being introduced, there is no doubt that the prac-
tice of a few nights representation will render it such as
will sustain the high reputation of this theatre for its
Christmas amusements. The Deulin family, by whom
the principal personages were represented, went through
their parts with their usual spirit and agility, and the
concluding scene, the Temple of Refulgent Brilliants,
was very good. It is but justice to observe that a more
orderly Boxing night has rarely been witnessed at' this
theatre, every word of the performances being clearly
heard, and nothing disturbing the harmony of the even-
ing except interjectional remarks of doubtful propriety
from the pit, with reference to hats in the front. The
curtain fell amidst the loudest applause.