The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-28 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

The crowds of pleasure-seekers who look foiward
to Boxing-day were greatly favoured yesterday by
fine dry weather, and clear bracing air. We sub-
join an account of some of the principal entertain-
ments which were presented to the public.
COVENT GARDEN.
Last evening a genuine holiday audience assembled in
this magnificent edifice. The theatre was crowded in every
part; but although the pit and gallery were filled to the
brim, very little noise or interruption was interposed by the
occupants of those parts of the theatre. 'I he Christmas en-
tertainment provided by Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. Har-
rison, the enterprising managers of Covent Garden Theatre,
consisted of Mr. Balfe's new opera of " Satanella," and a new
pantomime, entitled "Little Red Riding Hood; or, a New
Little Pantomime for Little People." At length the opera
was brought to a close, and what we believe, on this parti-
cular evening, was the great attraction—namely, the pan-
tomime—began. The overture being over, the curtain
rose on the first scene, which is laid in the clouds. Italian
opera (Miss Ranoe) having, while abroad, heard certain
rumours, is on her way back to London to inquire how far
these rumours are true, when, she meets her mother, the
Genius of Music (Miss Mortimer) who introduces her to
English Opera (Miss Emily Burns). After some happy
allusions to the Pyne and Harrison management a compact is
entered into by English and Italian Opera for the latter to
have the former's quarters at Covent-garden during the
winter months, when suddenly Pantomime (Miss Crankell)
enters and claims to have a finger in the pie. This is at
first objected to, on the score that Pantomime is vulgar, and
will never do at Covent-garden. The objection, however,
is overruled, and Pantomime's co-operation accepted. We
are now wafted to the Kingdom of Roses, where Queen
Moss Rose (Miss Ellesmere) reigns supreme. Cupid (Miss
Williams) informs her that her protegie, Little Red Riding
Hood (Miss Clara Morgan), is in love with a certain Colin
(Mr. H. Payne), but that Wealthiana, the wicked Genius
of Money (Miss Morrell) has determined she shall wed a
certain old and very unprincipled baron, impersonated by
Mr. W. H. Payne. Queen Moss Rose replies that she will
never consent to such a sacrifice of her favourite. Weal-
thiana now appears, and a scene of violent recrimination
ensues. Wealthiana declares that she will give the Baron
a potion which shall restore his youth. Queen Moss Rose
replies, that though he may be young and captivating all
day, at six o'clock she will, by her magic power, change him
into a wolf, The next scene introduces us to the Baron's
studio, where he is pursuins his, experiments as an alchy-
mist. Wealthiana then enters and gives him the
magic potion, which gradually restores kim to
youth. The ci-devant jeune homme then drives over to see
Little Red Riding Hood, whom he eventually pursues, as
a wolf, -to her cottage, where we are treated to the well-
known nursery rhymes, " Pull the bobbin and the latch
will fly up," &c. The conclusion may, of course, be easily
imagined. The unprincipled nobleman, who, as the bills
term him, is a very great brute, attempts to carry off his
victim, after having previously drowned her grandmother
in a waterbutt which is conveniently near the window. At
the nick of time, however, Queen Moss Rose appears and
transforms the aristocratic nobleman into Clown (Mr. Flex-
more), the grandmother into Pantaloon (Mr. Barnes),
Colin, the lover, into Harlequin, and Little Rod Riding
Hood into Columbine.
The various characters wore well supported, and' the
authors' words were given with much greater clearness than
is usually the case in pantomime. The resemblance of Miss
Emily Burns to Miss Louisa Pyne, and that of Miss Ranoe
to Madame Grisi, as Norma; were very striking. Mr. W.
H. Payne was inimitable as the wicked Baron, and with his
head man, Roberto (Mr. Fredk. Payne), kept the house in
a roar as long as he was on the stage. The scene of the
old English village festival, in which he comes on driving
a tandem, drawn by most wonderful horses, that indulge
in kicking violently, but are speedily tamed by being
shown Mr. Rarey's card, was excellent. No less success-
ful was Mr. Flexmore as Clown. His appearance was
greeted by a hearty shout of welcome, and his admirers,
whose name was legion, were all delighted with his efforts.
Miss Clara Morgan was a pretty and accomplished Colum-
bine ; Mr. Henry Payne a most nimble and elegant Harle-
quin, and Mr. Barnes as senile and mirth-provoking a
Pantaloon as could be desired. The dresses and appoint-
tnents were rich and well-conceived, and the scenery such
as to reflect the highest credit on the artists engaged.