The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

The
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.
t4ne Theatie Royal, Drury-lane—time-honoured
ld Drury"—is once more devoted to the represen-
,eb'et of the drama, and, as it is now under the manage-
efe,..,"°f Mr. Bunn, the only director of Drury who has,
eiee'sanY Years past, exhibited tact and judgment suffi-
te "‘ in his cateringa for the amusement of the public
rep_shle him to keep the theatre open through the
Theatre
f a season, we hope and believe that the
.e'leatrie)Royal,
Drury-lane, will, for many years to
flllteicentinue under his spirited management to be
that whilst
to its legitimate purposes ; certain we are,
the
tbwhilst he continues in the direction we shall have
the stage
Pieces, whether lyrical or dramatic, placed on
irk eLage and performed in the best manner.
chart
ueOse who saw the interior of the theatre only one
eerfrt fortnight since, when Jullien gave his last coli-
de,' Would not recognise in the present exquisitely
4_ prated salle the dingy " dust hole" which they
.L°4l quitted. In ten days the whole interior of the
theatre has been not merely cleaned and redecorated,
absolutely and entirely renewed. The ceiling is
.21 decorated in the Louis XVI. style, classically
erre
ged in alcoves alternating with shields, and
eete
tit; 'Y decorated with allegorical figure- and represen-
e lens of fruits and flowers. Toe pannellings of the va-
epee •
ie circles of boxes have been entirely redecorated,..
graeltice: white, and gold, and the. effect is light and
tre'itt and at the same time brilliant in the
:eel:tile. The prosenium has likewise been
tperl°rated in white and gold, and the royal box is
eet gem of tasteful and costly decorations. The
of these decorations reflects infinite credit on the
ere' c'f Mr. B. Her witz, who was their designer. Tu
ehtlan the whole, there is a magnificent new centre
ketidelier, which has been designed and erected by
ve-4rs• Pellatt. Within ten minutes after the doors
ererpecieliened the pit and gallery were crowded to
fore,lewing, and before the commencement of the per-
tsiirhnes every seat in the dress circle was occupied,
wei.st the first and second circles of boxes were very
h filled—indeed, to procure a seat anywhere in the.
°llse, circleexcept at the very back of the second and third
of 's was after the performance had begun a matter.
ree:leeeding difficulty. At seven o'clock the curtain
the' and discovered the whole company assembled on
l
Aeitiall'age; the band struck up, and the Natioanda
eti was sung. At its conclusion Mr. Bunn
eed to the footlights, and was welcomed with .
re-
newed and hearty plaudits. He addressed the audo•
ee as follows ;
ot",tildiss and Gentlemen,—To use the language of one
to"greatest favourites, Grimaldi, on the very spot;
tad .°,ll this very anniversary, Here we are again
litre been
could but be aware of the obstacles which
vroe'een thrown in our way, you woul vary muchd3
veer how we got here.—(Laughter.) But ten ay
ltd passed since Vie parish in which this theatre stands
hous"°t contain another such ally dust-hole as thisr
414 la which we are assembled. I trust to your
PleuieseY to say what it looks like now.—(Cheers.) T
tffset,:ag, change which you contemplate has been
ke •" °Y hands, but lam sure you will concur with
It hate thinking that hands could not have done
h ? there not been hearts in them. Some years ago
tea24:l4 the honour in this theatre of explaining the
("Pee why I restricted the performances to ballet
ouch
etand
%ter, .It arose from this, that those who wanted n
theat'aumients were sure of procuring them at another
and le over the way. This argument no longer exts
_s,
inttherefore have the honour to announce that
it
euti°n to give you every description of entertain-
mentna that research and industry can devlse.—(Cheers.)
ray oeanY• Misrepresentations have been circulated as to
actual, and future intentions, that I have
niy iff."_° be due to the public and myself to state what
0n ate
really are. I cannot better illustrate the
teeepli upon which my success depends than. by
Area°te which I haver elated on a former occasion, and
used
t° sitienee of another audience. Formerly there uvss.hde
Pleyed't the orchestra of this theatre a foreigner,
heie the bassoon. In his youth be was an a
mi-
fluousPerfor lli-
mer, his notes being exceedingly mehee
yet audible through the whole house; but ww_t.
all, hlB °k those liberties with him which he takes i n
4ratel:,erlotes could with difficulty be heard beyondhthetor
'tars— the pit. The gruff old gentlemen, sy
pen
orre accustomed to take up their position in who for
`Blow the house, at least grew impatient, and roared,
see,. louder ;' the little boys in more remote regionslt
fe •
poorhe cr
me .y, and shouted Blow louder,' till at as
audie InUsician turned round in anger, and, facing his
! exclaimed, 'Ladies and gentlemeu,deiresi all
sera well for tkese people to shout Blow lou but
ladit:: vind to come from ?'—(Laughter.) And now,ie ta
Mysll3Y4elstend geutlemen, to point the moral and 94,,,
elf d: -„Say, do ma the honour to find the wind, and I_
eau to tile rest.—(Loud cheers.) I will do what 1
tO 'curve your patronage, and, should it be granted
sieeer'elhere is not a heart amongst you that will be more
The Y grateful than mine."
4tde'rrsagedy
With -°n performingofFazio then commenced, Mr. J. R.
the utgreatherself to
the ungrateful part of Fazio
efrec', and Miss Glyn exerting
0_
$i most to fulfil the requirements of the part
the f
; at the conclusion she was called on by.
the c° ee' who had repeatedly applauded her during
lee Ilseappearance
of the performance, and on her
the
stage " exhausted that she nearly fainted on
the directionAt the conclusion of the play, the band, under
aiGee,, of Signor Schirra, pertortned the m atge-
tverture to William Tell, and then came h
I:temesu, newel_ comic Christmas pantomime, entitled
,11" egzttn
1-I(igarth, or The Two London Prontic_ens:
411stie-4 be gathered from the title the " Idle and 1
'de APprentices" of Hogarth have furnished the
thenexP°n which this pantomime is founded, but withmon
bet exception of the idea there is nothing in
great et the work
h/QabvieeauP'efrtoor,lilal moralist ; we have not even
of the playwright and that the
a single
--Rogarth's immortal series. But if we
Of pantomime
Hogarth we have Mr. W.H. Payne, the Lord
ever
,get
ei `whose appearance at Christmas is
last eieele°rned by delighted thousands, and who wasi
come gut greeted with the hearty and heartfelt we -
to)leelisifreeltatile. is never accorded save to
.an
Certes the industrious apprentice
his
fW. H. Payne is infinitely more amusing than
g's ifec'd "e dull gentleman who is Hogarth's hero—
forty, ustrY is indefatigable, and he has at least " a
eahibireen.tiee power" of serving customers, as wash
Playbill'' in the grocer's shop, where, to quote
he
to per Phraseology, he made the nearest approach
deueortual motion ever witnessed. In this scene
who
seldom, h the
eiia,te, a burlesque Truandaise with Chapin°, h
Part of the master's daughter, wand
elese a" we seen any imitation more grotesquely
n
this thane Was Payne's imitation of Perrot
.1.
immortal is worthy to rank with h
a.l imitation of Macready. The Idlee
sik4d theirrwas well represented by Mr. H. Paynel
'eatati 18sea Coveney made most fascinating repr
tier_ yes f
()' -industry and Knowledge. The s_F.eh-o
chef, lon the introduction is very beautiful.
ilia the the haunt of Idleness and Ignorance to
eaged. Industry and Knowledge was capitally
vated ' and tke latter representing richly cumltsi:
l'ihich Country through which run fertilizing streams,..e
t
leer
snare
adirsetanccreo,ssiesda by magnificent bridges, w.itail
4a the 11"3:1 train is seen traversing a railroad
beautiful specimen of landscape
4,14 painting. The departure of an excursion
tile a of charity childrenin this scene amused..
the lidienee vastly. The last scene, in w_hinh.
hi_e transformation takes place—the Fairy lieoe..
deYeed."lB exceedingly beautiful, and in this is intr
Was short but very graceful divertissement, whichplace,
see ,o,o`uneh applauded. The transformation takes
kir -1e have Mr. J. Marshall as Harlequin, Mr. u•
34,71411 as Clown, Mr. Barnes as Pantaloon, Mr.
lift as as Sprite, and Miss Falser as Columbine.
I.
leet:tfer harliquinade company has seldom been col-
within the
Qoiu ,within the walls of any theatre. Of .
to rfluite of Miss Falser it is impossible
the 'Peak in terms of too high praise ; to
ere esprightly agility and arch naivete which
binetne esbential characteristics of every good Colum-
' eha adds a gracefulness which is most fascina-
hiltand which her predecessors have too seldom ex-
thet ed• She is the best and most graceful Columbine_
41._ we have seen for the last twenty years. Mr. d •
47raban
lyr is a most active and neat Harlequin, and Mr.
feneearshall is an admirable Clown, full of bustle and
ob 4, In the course of the harlequinade he performed
Wiee violin a grotesque and most amusing burlesque
hiolk"res performance of " The Carnival de Venise,"
the -" was most rapturously applauded, and
apin• vliPortune introduction of which raised the
pit,ts„ of the audience to " vociferous applauding
par, which was kept up to the conclusion of the
e He then gave an equally close and
0(111IY ludicrous imitation of Bottesini, and another
ise Ernst• He was encored again and again. There
as likewise a new polka introduced, which wass
p'sefully danced by Mr. J. Marshall and Miss
theer• The last scene represents the opening of
ott Great Exhibition on the Ist of May, 1850, and for
de see the programme does not exaggerate, when it
siv crib" it as one of the most elaborate and eaten-
, it e scenes ever introduced on the English stage, and.
eenlight have added also, one of the most magnif
e„,„"' Some of the tricks were excellent, and all
etisnt with much greater neatness than is usual on
thee first night of a pantomime. The applause at
Will Conclusion was enthu-iastic and the pintornime
1, no doubt have a long run, ifithere is an unsparing
ese
trodtasde of the scissors; it is too long, and the in-
- sho„lleeet°rY scenes are heavy. The introduction
the-I be curtailed at least one half, and then, when
• heedg things are thus brought close together, it
len a most amusing production, and will have a
lengthened run.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.
mAnother burlesque from the prolific pens o. f the
13rough has been produced as the Christ.m.a.ss
pritro' by Mr. Webster, for the amusement of
tale ns• We had almost' imagined that every fairy
ban,:ver written had come through the hands of
rn writers of burley ups, Not co, however.
Sized Hamilton's story of the Alayflo,ver has been
t Ponan by the two clever authors in the present
"'Lee, d manufactured into, perbal)9l one of the

bast pieces of the kind they have ever writecn. The
dialogue is live l}, spirited, and full of wit end
Toe hits at the lollies of the day are numerous, and
the puns, all laughter-moving., are of every variety of
excellence. There is a rattling fire kept up, which
perpetually tickles the risible faculties of
the audience. The plot of the piece is as
follow.; :—Hardbake the Great, King of Candy,
(Mr. James Bland), has a daughter, the Princess
Radiant (Mrs. L. S. Buckingham), who has got such
a " killing" pair of eyes that no one can see her face
and live. " What's to be done for the people" that
they may not be utterly annihilated by her piercing
glances is satisfactorily answered by Count Vaide,
Lord Chancellor (Mr. Henry Bedford), who an-
nounces a coming man, who will undertake to do
something. That person is Pooh-pooh, and by
donning a pair of green spectacles, he is enabled to
look the radiant lady in the face—nay, more than that,
tale- s her portrait. This done to his satisfaction, he
starts in search of his brother, Prince Pie conix, and in
a forest, after having fought and vanquished lions,
tigers, griffins, and dragons without number, he meets
Mayflower (Miss Collins), who is in the power of the
witch Dentate (Buckstone). With that ready gal-
lantry and knowledge of the supernatural which all
burlesque heroes seem to learn intuitively, be con-
trives to rescue her from the power of the
aforesaid witch, and elopes in the most approved
style on the " man Jingle," and that feat being
accomplished, the curtain falls on the first act. In
the second Buckstone turns Bloomer lecturer (!), and
the Princess Radiant takes the command of a troop of
amazons. Mayflower again falls into the witch's
power, but, by one of those coups invariably intro-
duced to windup an extravaganza, happily she is, by
the intervention of the fairy Serena, transformed into
the Princess Brilliantond, of course, is " given away"
to the valiant Pooh-pooh. Prince Phoenix, too, who
has been hovering about the stage in the shape of a
mysterious parrot, is also made to fill his proper
position in society, and espouses the Princess Radiant,
and all is wound up in a " blaze of triumph," with no
end of red and green fires. The burden of the piece
rests on Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Miss Collins, and Mr.
Buckstone. The Pooh-pooh of Mrs. Fitzwilliam was
an extremely clever performance; and the arch im-
personation of Mayflower, by that talented and
rising young artiste Miss Collins, was most
delightful. Buckstone's " Dentata" is also most
felicitous and irresistibly comic. The audi-
ence were certainly greatly amused with his
grotesque figure as the witch, but when, in the se-
cond act, he came on in full Bloomer costume, their
mirth knew no bounds, peal after peal of explosive
laughter bursting from all parts of the house. Even
if the piece were not so gorgeously mounted as it is,
Mr. Buckstone would be sufficient to insure for the
Princess Radiant a run. It was completely success-
ful, and was announced for repetition every evening.
There were vociferous calls at the conclusion for the
authors, who came forward and bowed their gratitude.
The burlesque was preceded by the Beggar's Opera,
and followed by the Two Bonnycastles. The house
was crowded.

ADELPIII HEATRE.
The new Christmas burlesque at this theatre,
Little Red Riding Hood, is founded upon the familiar
nursery story of that name. The wolf of the tale is
transformed into Wolfram, Baron of Burliburg, "a
robber of the Rhine and the rhino," of course repre-
sented by Mr. Paul Bedford. Miss Kathleen
Fitzwilliam is Trudchen, or Little Red Riding
Hood, the daughter of. Grimbold (Mr. G. Honey)
the Baron's seneschal, a good specimen of a genuine
melodramatic villian of the blackest dye. Red Rid-
ing Hood is provided with a lover, Otto Von Rosen
(Miss Woolgar), the rightful heir of Burliburg, who
by a coup d itat turns out the old Baron and takes
his place. Besides these characters, we have Miss E.
Harding as Kind. heart, the good fairy of the piece,
snd Mr. 0. Smith as Aldebaran, another alias of the
" Old Gentleman" who goes about doing mischief for
Kind-heart to remedy. It is needless to add that the
burlesque was as well acted as it was possible. All
London playgoers have repeatedly applauded Miss
Woolgar as the lover, Paul Bedford as the tyrant,
Miss E. Harding as the good and beau-
tiful fairy, and 0. Smith as the Old
Nick of Adelphi burlesques. The present one
contains several goo d parodies on popular airs,
and
ex-
cellently sung by Paul Bedford, Miss Woolgar,
Miss K. Fitz William, who looked like the original
Red Riding Hood walked out of the story-book. Two
of the scenes, the Submarine Pavilion of the Rhine
Witch, and the last, the Blaze of Triumph and Rush
of Water, are really gorgeous. The burlesque was
perfectly successful, and when somewhat curtailed,
will, no doubt, for a considerable time, in the words
of the play-bills, produce "an overflow to all parts of
the theatre." The performances_ commenced with
The Forest Rose, with Mr. Silsbee, and
fortu My Pre-
cious Betsy, with Mr. Wright, who nately
seems entirely to have recovered his voice, and, of
course, kept the audience in a roar of laughter the
whole time be was upon the stage.

LYCEUM THEATRE.
The holyday season had an auspicious commence-
ment at this agreeable theatre yesterday evening.
Never had a manager better cause to he pleased with
an audience, and it is but justice to say that the en-
thusiastic and rapturous bursts of applaused the so frmore
e-
quently bestowed during the evening, an
sub,tantial proofs of approbation afforded by a house
crowded to excess in every part, were fully merited
by the talented couple who now wield the managerial
sceptre at the Lyceum. Long before the com-
mencement of the performances every awere
able corner corner in boxes, pit, and gallery
completely occupied, save the seats secured
by the box-keeper's notices affixed thereto, and which
were looked upon with envy by the less provident
parties, who trusted to early arrivals as sufficient
is-
to
ensure favourable positions for the evening. T
appointments were, however, submitted to with be-
coming good humour, for all appeared to think
the
any
temporary inconvenience cheaply purchased by
just and proper encouragement thereby
amusemafforded
ent.
to
the popular caterers for the publio
The entertainments commenced with Mr. Slingsby
Lawrence's new and eminently successful comedy,
The G.tome of Speculation, his
in which Mr. C. Mathews
as Affable Hawke, convulsed the audience
by
admirable management of his various duns, suiting
himself to the disposition of each, alternately bullying
and cajoling, until he not merely appeased the ruth-
less creditor, and obtained further breathing time,
but also extracted an additional sum from his.pocket,
and added largely to the debt which was about to be
enforced without the slightest further indulgence.
His treatment of the old miser Earthworm (Mr. F.
Matthews) was peculiarly amusing, getting SOOl.
from him just after 31. had been paid as an instalment
to save his family from starvation. There is something
inspiring in the prospect of a densely crowded house,
which had the usual effect, not only on Mr. C.
Mathews, but on all the subordinates. Certain it is,
that he surpassed himself, and presented one of the
most finished pictures that has ever been presented to
a London audience. Notwithstanding the anxiety to
behold the new labour, which it was truly anticipated
would prove a new triumph of the veteran Plancbe,
the first piece was listened to with an attention, and
as heartily applauded, as if it had constituted the
chief attraction of the evening. At length, after a
pleasing overture, the curtain once more drew
up for The Prince of Happy Land; or, the
Fawn in the Forest. The laureate of fairy
land, once more drew on the inexhaustible stores,
supplied by the Countess Daulnoy. La Biche au
Bois was the tale selected on the present occasion,
and Planche has followed the original closely, but
without servility. The first scene is a grotto and
fountain, at which Nigretta, Princess of Ethiopia,
comes to seek the assistance of her fairy godmother,
Carahossa, in consequence of being jilted by Prince
Felix. The phantom of her rival, the Princess Desi•
derata, is raised by the fairy, who promises speedy
the
vengeance on the Prince and Princess,
former by being compelled to marry the
sable complainant. The next scene is one
of those gorgeous pictures for which the Lyceum
has rendered itself remarkable. The fair Desiderata
(Miss Lanza) is discovered sleeping in the Point-lace
.Chamber in the Tower of Tapers. On waking she
communicates a dream to her attendant, Floretta
(Madame Vestris—who was received win which she
ith an enthu-
siastic welcome on her appearance),
sees, and falls violently in love witb, Prince Felix, ac-
cording to the approved precedent in such cases made
and provided. This vision induces her to reject wi'h
disdain the addresses of ten potentates, just commu-
nicated by her father, the Grand Duke of Vert-and-
venison (Mr. Frank Mathews). An ambassador
thentarrives from Happy Land, bringing with him
a speaking picture of his master, which is at once re-
cognized as the original of the vision, and 'the off
however
er is
at once joyfully accepted. A difficulty
arises. The Prince is dying for love, and nothing
but the immediate celebration of the nuptials can
preserve his life. On the other hand, the Princess
will fall into the power of the Fairy if she beholdsf
daylight within the first twenty years of her life, o
which seven days are as yet to come. This impedi-
ment is removed by the Ambassador undertaking to
have her conveyed in a close litter, impervious to the
light. There:is then a prospect of,Happy Land, in which
the Prince hears with delight of his good fortune,
and sets out to meet " his better half half way,
Then comes the " Black Gang Chine,": in which the
project of the malicious fairy is to be carried into
execution. The serenaders of the Princess of
Ethiopia are engaged to attract the attention of the
guards of Desiderata, which they succeed in doing
so effectually, that they were loudly encored. The
samestho
(lu, Oe Obsipovl
hones")
agains e,11; wa
(aci Boum:
lt
edsecondrushedf time paid, and they
fN,„iwgraertdtato(tienarmdeor:yn
the curtain, and let day-light in upon the unfortunate
Desiderata, who is forthwith turned into the Wbite

Fa NIL" " The Peerlas Pool," with the grand
vaalering of f,:iries for the fruit and flower,
is another of those brilliant pictures in which the
frequenters of the Lyceum delight. The fairy
bullet was admirably performed, and Miss Rosina
Wright was greeted in a manner becoming an
established favourite. In the second act the
faithfdl Floretta is brought by fairies to tha
retreat of the White Fawn. Pressing a ring
which she had received from her mistress,
she sees the fairy Pine Apple, who offers her assist-
ance to the mistress of the ring. Through her aid
Floretta not only obtains an interview with the
Fawn, but it is also granted that the Princess
shall resume her original form every night at
sunset, and retain it until sunrise. Felix, who
has lost his way in the forest, receives from
a bow and arrow from the Indian Chief Tan-tee-vee
and goes in pursuit of the Fawn whom he aims at.
The Fawn is brought in wounded, and is known to be
the Princess. At nightfall Desiderata herself appears,
with the cruel shaft piercing her ear and hand. The
fairy Carabossa and Nigretta then appear, and
threaten the complete destruction of the unfortunate
Princess, which brings on a contest of generosity be•
tween the lovers. Floretta, however, again invokes
the fairy Pine Apple, who restores happiness, con-
quering the malignant Carabossa and her sable
protege. The piece, concludes with a scene
of extraordinary splendour surpassing even
theaconcluding tableaux of King Charming, or,
the Queen of, the Frogs. The curtain fell amid
torrents of rapturous applause, during which Madame
Vestris and Miss Julia St. George, who performed
the Prince most admirably, were called for and led
before the curtain in turn; a compliment which
many were disposed to pay to Miss Lanza, who made
a decided hit on her first appearance, and who will
prove a valuable acquisition to the company, as well
as a vocalist has an actress.

OLYMPIC THEATRE.
The genius of pantomime has certainly taken up
ber abode at the Olympic. Could the celebrated John
Rich re-visit the scenes of his labours and triumphs,
be would, doubtless, at this plum-pudding period,
make a friendly call upon his brethren in Wych-street.
In fact, no one can do better, if he desires to witness
a pantomime of the good old English standard, whose
effect is heightened by the inventions and improve-
ments of modern pantomimic science, and not destroyed
by the unnecessaryinnovations of pretending reformers,
than visit the company of the veteran Farren. The
occupants of the gallery, after all, though their up-
roarious conduct and free criticism, would have led to
the supposition that they were the most tremendous
of reformers and innovators, are as much wedded to
old customs and usages as Sir Harry Inglis or Col.
Sibthorpe themselves. To them the pathetic song of
" the old woman and ber hot codlings" has a peculiar
charm, and the thieving propensities of the Clown,
and the roguish connivance of the Pantaloon, an endur-
ing interest and attraction. The success last
night was not equivocal, but as great as any ambi-
tious author could desire. To say this, however, is
almost superfluous, when it is known that
the prolific brain of Nelson Lee—the very im-
personation of pantomime himself—supplied the
budget of fun, wit, and jollity for the
delectation and amusement of the audience.
His former efforts were a guarantee that he would not
fail on the present occasion. For a period now nearly
reaching over a quarter of a century he has endea-
voured, and that successfully, to excite the risible
faculties of little and great children during their
Chrismas holidays. He would seem to be a dweller
in fairy land, who drops down among us just before
boxing-day, to make us acquainted with the nymphs
and other beings in the other region, in whose society
he takes such especial pleasure. This year history
forms the ground-work of the pantomime, and Nelson
Lee's fancy, which, of course, has a considerable
range, supplies the superstructure. He instructs as
well as amuses. The period chosen is the beginning
of the twelfth century; the subject William Rufus,
the red-haired and red-whiskered monarch ; and the
scenes Harrow-on-the. Hill, Westminster, and the
New Forest. Hume and Smollet have not been
followed to the letter, nor is Doomsday Book sup-
posed to give a correct account of the situation or
relative distances of the spots selected—but that is
nothing. In the first scene we are trans-
ported to the magical Halls of Fiction, on the
island of Great Romance. Certain sprites, overpowered
by cloud and difficulty are pouring ever heavy story
books to find a subject to please their mistress—
Great Romance, a story-teller of imaginative disposi-
tion—on her return from earth. This pompous lady,
who is well supported by Miss Rawlings, suddenly
appears from the regions below, and, after a brief con-
sultation with her servants, resolves
" To call on fact to aid her in her diction,
Then form a pantomime of fact founded on fiction."
By a magic whirlwind the spectator travels to the
enchanted Grove of Daffydowndillys, where there is a
questionable union of fact and fiction. Here Miss
Wyndham Snowdrop leads the mazy dance, followed
by a stream of animated beauty. This fancy ball
/es Jullien, is kept up with great spirit by the corps
de ballet, who are attired in the most light and beau-
tifully coloured of fairy dresses, and look charm-
ingly. Miss Wyndham is not only a graceful and
agile dancer, but a good actress and vocalist, and
possesses the additional qualifications of a good leg
and ancle and a pretty face. The arrival of Queen
Fancy (Miss J. Adams) in an enchanted car of
animated butterflies, leads to the consummation
of Great Romance's idea, and the pantomime is forth.
with named Red Rufus ; or, Harlequin Fact, Fiction,
and Fancy. The plot is simple and intelligible :—Sir
Walter Tyrrell, the renowned archer, is to be united
to the Faire Alice Bullseye, the daughter of a bow
and arrow merchant, of Harrow-on-the-Hill. King
Rufus has a passion for her, and desires to. satisfy it
by the destruction of Tyrrell's hopes. Accordingly,
after the curfew had tolled the knell of parting day,
and warned people to put out their fires and candies
and go to bed, he comes, in company with his friend
Beauclerk, to Harrow, and carries off the fair maiden
to Westminster. Rufus subsequently has a dream, in
which he is told
"Rufus, Rufus, Red,
To-morrow will your life be sped."
But disregarding the warning, he goes on the mor-
row to hunt in the New Forest, wo suppose by rail-
way, for he journeys thither very quick, and then
loses himself amidst the labyrinths of that rich
plantation. Tyrrell has followed his foot-
steps with a determination to be revenged,
and when in a lonely part of the forest attacks him,
sword in hand. A fierce combat ensues, and, after
much fighting, which elicited loud and hearty laughter
from the audience, they give in, from exhaustion,
neither having succeeded in inflicting a fatal blow.
Tyrrell takes advantage of the pause to send an
arrow into the eye of the hunting monarch, from
which be eventally dies. Then comes the transfor-
mation of characters. Mr. A. F. Forest is Harle-
quin, Miss Lees Columbine, Mr. G. Tanner Panta-
loon, and Mr. Edwin F. Edwards Clown. They all
sustained their parts in a way which redounded much
to their credit. Mr. Edwin Edwards deserves especial
notice; he is inferior to no Clown in modern times,
and promises to become one of the first favourites in
London, where he appeared last night for the first
time. As a tumbler he is certainly unsurpassed ; one
of his great hits was walking backwards and forwards
upon a ball up an inclined plane, and then descending
in a similar way. He exhibits two
dogs, which are the most skilfully-trained
specimens of the canine race we ever saw ; they
waltz, play at leapfrog, ascend and descend ladders,
and perform other acts which none could believe un-
less be saw them. The scenery was splendid through-
out, arid the dresses said much for the taste and ex-
ecution of Mr. G. Allen and Mrs. Rawlings. Mr.
Shalders, who is the scene painter of the establish-
ment, enacted the part of Rufus with his usual broad
comicality. The allusions to the events and topics of
the day were few and far between, but all were good.
Among the best hits was one with reference to the
splaeteepnetr exhibitioni bed,ulparticular
the
ha
ud r
,whhuic h
tt
hnr
oo tw only nhl
iymwuapkeons the
the
floor. The clown was the victim in this case. The
first piece, the Road to Ruin, was listened to with
some impatience and interruption, though the caste
was excellent and the acting very good. The only
drawback last night was the announcement that Mr.
Diddesr, who was to have been Sulky, was too in-
disposed to appear, and that Mr. Cooke would read the
part—an apology which was received in the best pos-
sible humour.

PRINCESSES' THEATRE. 1
To announce the production of a new piece at this 1
theatre without having at the same time to record its
legitimate and complete triumph would cause no little
astonishment to ourselves or to our readers. Such is
the admirable spirit of its management, liberal in
outlay, exact in discipline, and clear-sighted in taste,
that nothing unworthy of approbation is brought
upon the boards ; whilst the efficiency of the troupe,
individually and in the aggregate, guarantees the
success of the representation as far as depends upon
the performers. We looked forward, consequently,
with perfect security to reaping considerable enjoy-
ment from assisting at the representation of the pan-
tomime ushered into public existence last evening;
but we are compelled in justice to confess that, as
regards comic richness and variety, the agreeable an-
ticipation was exceeded by the reality. In the
department of dialogue it is much smarter than the
Christmas piece of last year, and, in the strictly
pantomimic, the achievements of the Grimaldi
and Eller of the day, with their associates,
are exhaustive of the vocabulary of praise.
A nautical adventurer, celebrated in familiar song, is
the hero of the piece which has been launched upon
the tide of popular favour under the title of Harle-
quin Billy Taylor; or the Flying Dutchman and the
King of Raritongo, and in which the fortunes of
Mr. William Taylor are set forth in the manner fol-

lowing. The opening scone discloses the submarine
ca,veres of he IN erei3ee, wrier° the deep sea nymphs
sad trizons are beheld in gleaming garb The fairies
Corelia (Miss Yivesh) reed (Miss Desbo-
rough) discuss the goods they have iu store fur their
favoured hero, but their anticipations are frustrated
by the unexpected appearance of Britannia enthroned
oe one of her wooden walls, a scenic effect which was
greatly applauded. The ()Jean Queen dismisses a
press-gang to seize the fated Billy, who in the
succeeding scene is discovered in busy preparation at
the sartorial board for his approaching marriage.
The wedding suit donned by his representative (Mr.
F. Cooke) is one of the most ludicrous fashion, and
the aspect of his lady-love (Mr. Wynn), as a full-
blown Bloomer, equally provocative of mirth. This
clever pair of actors contributed a large quota to
the jollities of the induction. The press-gang
seize their victim, who makes a deadly resistance
with a monstrous pair of shears, and transfer him to the
" gallant Thunderbomb," the quarter• deck of which
is next beheld crowded with tars in masks of laugh-
able hideou ness. They are speedily boarded by the
Flying Dutchman (Mr. Leber) and his ghastly crew,
and after a tremendous engagement Billy Taylor
jumps overboard, and is cast on the shores of Rari-
tongo. The moonlit scene of the marine residence of
the sable King of t his region is exquisitely beautiful.
Here he is on the point of espousing the Princess of the
royal nigger-house, basely preferring ambitious pros-
pects to his early love, when his faithful betrothed,
who has followed him in disguise of a sailor, "under
the name of Richard Carr," avenges herself by shoot-
ing him through the head. As Richard Carr, Wynn
manifested a highly appropriate development of fun-
' datnental symmetry. Britannia again comes on the
scene, and restoring the defunct delinquent to exist-
ence, transforms the leading personages. Billy Tay-
lor becomes harlequin (Mr. Cormack), his true-love
i changed to Columbine (Miss Carlotta Leclercq),
the King of Raritongo to Clown (Mr. Flexmore),
and the valorous Admiral of the Thunderbomb,
whose top-boots denoted his commandership of the
Horse Marines, to Pantaloon (Mr. Paulo). Rich
and rare were the consequent freaks and boundless
the approval of the spectators. The " hits"
flew fast and thick, and scene followed
scene till an inimitable climax was arrived
at in " The Bird's-eye View of London by Moon-
light," in which the serenading of Clown and myriads
of cats upon the house-tops baffles all description. It
was literally " a screamer," and the Brothers Sala and
Mr. Ellis here worthily brought their excellent store of
mirth to a crowning pitch of glory. " The Home of
Britannia in the Floral Realms of Light" brought
down the curtain amidst unanimous testimonies of
adhesion. The success was unqualified, and de-
servedly so, for the pantomime both possesses intrinsic
merit, and is superbly put upon the stage. Cormack,
who received a very warm welcome, fully sustained
his reputation as the prince of harlequins. The
brilliant activity and finish of his dancing excited
great applause. Miss Leclerq, to a spirited and re-
fined agility, adds a piquant joyousness that renders
her impersonation of Columbine singularly happy
and fascinating. La Belle Carlotta, who is thinner
than she was last season, wore, last night, a most
tasteful yet simple attire, which became her exceed-
ingly, and helped to make her look the character to
perfection. If Falser be the Empress, then Le Clercq
is the Queen of Columbines. Flexmore, the "great
gun " of the affair, was hailed with a universal feu
de joie of affectionate greeting, and• rattled through
his nefarious career amid continous explosions of mirth.
His customary imitation of the Stars of the Ballet
were most effective, and the assumption of suitable
costumes which he has now introduced lent them a
novel and peculiar zest. He had an immensity to do
and did it iamensely well. Paulo, well kiinvn as a
satisfactory representative of the hoary caitiff Panta-
loon, did his decoirs well,; and last and least in sta-
ture, but not in merit, we must rnake mention of
Miss Kate Terry, who was a most regal little Bri-
tannia in the introduction, and in the last scene bat
one danced a Mazourka wonderfully well. This very
clever little creature yielded the most marked plea-
sure to the juvenile portion of the audience in parti-
cular. In this pantomime the scenery, dresses, and
appointments are in first class style, the tricks capi-
tal, and the piece from beginning to end " all alive."
If any "cutting down" be deemed essential, we re-
commend that it be done with a very sparing hand,
and that there be no omission or transposition of
scenes. There was nothing in the slightest degree
to be excepted to on the score of tedious-
ness, and it should be borne in mind that every
pantomine shrinks of itself some twenty or thirty
minutes after the first night or two. In short, the
management have produced an entertainment blame-
less in the composition, the getting up, and the per-
formance, and whoever wishes to enjoy a thoroughly
good legitimate pantomime will find no reason to re-
pent an evening's visit to Harlequin Billy Taylor.
The house was crowded frem top to bottom long be-
fore the conclusion of the first piece, the Merchant cf
Venice, of which some of the less important portions
passed off in dumb show, owing to occasional ebulli-
dons of inconvenient hilarity on the part of the gods.
There must have been at least a thousand persons in
the pit, and the denseness of the Olympian region was
something awful to contemplate. At the fall of the
curtain a call was raised for Flexmore, who came
forward and claimed indulgence for the imperfections
necessarily attendant on a first night's representation.
The performances were over shortly after twelve.