The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-18 00:00:00

IVIII7SUNTIDE AM USEM EN TS.

The various excursions by rail announced for
Whit-Monday were extensively patronised ; those
by steamboat and van were, perhaps, less so than
on former occasions, owing to the uncertain aspect
of the weather. The afternoon, h)wevcr, fully re-
paid those who ventured forth despite the somewhat
threatening clouds and wind of the earlier part
of the forenoon—the wind, just after midday,
veering round to the S. W., the slight rain it brought
up soon exhausting itself. This was a cheering cir-
cumstance to thousands, both young and old, and
the change was immensely enjoyed.
GLOBE THEATRE. —The attraction provided at
this elegant little theatre for the holiday folk was
a new burlesque, by Mr. Byron, entitled " The
Corsican Bothers, or the Troublesome Twins."
The melodrama has been very closely followed, and
altogether one of the most entertaining and splen-
did pieces ever presented to the public is the result.
The text of the burlesque displays the same origi-
nality, the same inventive and creative resoure.as,
and the same copiousness and peculiarity of thought
and expression as are apparent in his numerous other
productions. Mr. E. Marshal, as Madame dei Flunki,
kopt the audience in almost incessant laughter by
her clumsy and exaggerated solicitude for her son.
Mr. J. Clarke was capital as Fabien ; and Mr. 11.
Andrews as Orlando, Mr. Tisdale as Collona, two
ragged, murderous-looking Corsicans, who had
been at feud, but were induced by Fabien to give
up their Vendetta, were also extremely good. Mr.
Ilurlestone has a very good little part; into which
he throws an immense amount of, fun, and he also
makes every one of the puns committed to Lis care
tell with remarkable effect. Of the se, nery it is
impossible to speak too highly. The Jardin Mo-
bile, and the closing tableaux, the Birth of Beauty,
are both worthy to rank with the most magnificent
productions for which the late Madame Vestris was
once so celebrated. The piece is destined for a long
run.

GAIETY .-I

•" Columbus ; or, the Original Pitch in

a Merry Key," is the title of a new opera bouffe,
from the pen of Mr. Alfred Thompson, wltich the
proprietor of this elegant and commodious theatre
has placed on the stage for the entertainment of
those who expect novelties during the Whitimatide
holidays. The piece was pro limed last night before
a thoroughly well-rilled house. The story of Colum-
bus and his important discovery is the basis of this
very amusing extravaganza, and with the narrative
the author takes the usual privileges and makes the
voyage of discovery much in rc agreeable w a Lon-
don audience who accompany him and the mutinous,
but sometimes jovial crew, front the Court of Fer-
dinand and Isabella of Spain to the Newfoundland
of Kokatouka than it could possibly have been to
the great navigator himself. There are five very
fine scenes by Messrs. Gordon, Telbin, and Son,
and Matt Morgan, all well worthy of this highly
and artistically decorated theatre. This ballet is in
its way so exquisite that it will probably prove the
chief attraction of a piece which, for the splendour
with which it has been got up and the liveliness of
its general effect, has had few equals on the Lon-
don stage.
SURREY THEATRE.—A new piece, described in the
play-bills as a great American drama, entitled
" The Fire-fly," was produced at the Surrey Theatre
last night. We shall not follow the story further
than to say that in the three acts of the drama
Leonard Grantley (Mr. Shepherd), the hero, has to
csmtend between love and gratitude in the shape of
the Duchess di Rhona, an Eigliah lady loved from
b:3yhoo3, and the Fire fly, a lady with a wonderful
horse and a perfect mastery, not only over her
stead, but over the army itself, which makes her
the grand central character of the story. Miss
Edith Sandford, a young and handsome lady, made
her debut in this, the principal character, and the
energy, grace, and spirit thrown into a very
arduous performance richly merited the recala at
the close of each act, and the shower of flowers
which had to be carried off the stage.
ASTLEY'S THEATRE.—Commemorations of the
great "Battle of Waterloo" in " sham fights" and
stage spectacles of " mimic war" having long since
ceased, the revival of the dramatic representation
of " the battle of giants"—as the great captain of
his age, the Duke of Wellington, designated it—
waa last night a source of attraction at Astley's
Theatre. " The Field of the Cloth of Gold" fol-
lowed, and elicited the admiration of a crowded
and fashionably-attended house.
ST. JAMES'S HALL.—The St. James's Hall Christy
Minstrels give several extra performances this
week. The programme has undergone a great
change. What with new songs, new coruicalities,
and the new talent which the management have
provided for the holiday season, there is a good
likelihood that St. James's Hall will prove one of
the most attractive of the great centres of attrac-
tion during the Whitsun Holidays.
ST. GEORGE'S HALL.—The " Royal Christy's Min-
strels" entertain their patrons at St. George's Hall
immensely. Last night they performed the ope-
retta " Twice Married," and a burlesque adaptation
of Offenbach's " Barbe Bleu," and in each of those
pieces the weight of the business fell upon Mr. E.
Kelly and The Only Leon, but the sex of The
Only Leon was a rare puzzle to all who wit-
nessed the acting. The small hands and feet and
the delicate arms and legs were called into court by
some to prove that The Only Leon must be a lady ;
while others as rigorously maintained that the mas-
culine manner, and, to some extent, the voice also,
as clearly indicated, one of the rougher sex. This
debate was no small part of the enjoyment of the
evening, but as this is a matter on which every one
ought to judge for himself, or for herself, as the
case may be, and as neither he nor she can do
so without seeing The Only Leon first as Carlotta,
the Spanish danseuse, next as Victorine Lepage, the
French prima donna, and lastly as Bullyette, the
bride of Barbe Bleu, we say to both see her, and
you will be both gratified and puzzled. Mr. B.
Kelly acquits himself as an excellent actor and

singer.

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, HOLBORN.—A series of
highly-attractive promenade concerts has com-
menced here, and will be continued nightly for
some time to come. The artists engaged include
Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, Miss Sofia Vint a,
Madame Emmeline Cole, Mdlle. Liebhart, Mr. Ver-
non Rigby, Mr. Maybrick, Mdlle. Constance Skiwa
and Herr E. Paure (pianists), and Mons. H. Vieux-
temps (violinist). Theres is besides a band of 60
performers. The concerts bid fair to be a great
success.
MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—The old-established wax-
work exhibition in Baker-street is always a great
centre of attraction at holiday times. Judging by
yesterday's attendance of visitors the present Whit-
suntide will be no exception to the rule that has
prevailed so long. The exhibition keeps open twelve
hours every day, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A portrait
model of the notorious William Sheward. has ren-
dered the Chamber of Horrors more repulsively
attractive than ever.
POLYTECHNIC.—It speaks well for the manage-
ment here, and the good taste of the public, that,
although the Royal Polytechnic Institution is one
' of the oldest established places of amuseinent, it
continues to be still one of the most attractive and
best patronised, notwithstanding the numerous
counter magnets that have of late sprung into exis-
tence.
ROYAL MUSIC HALL (WESTON'S).---7.The Holborn
establishment gives notice of an entire change o f
company. Harry _Rickards, Fred. Coyne, Annie
Adams, Kate Bella, Mr. Liskapd: -mid the Martens
n-4-e
Family are among the engageme. There is also
a full band of twenty instruments, under the general
musical direction of Pat, Corn.