The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-20 00:00:00

Theatrical .Prospects for Easter.

The same respect is hardly paid nowadays to
Easter by theatrical managers that used to be paid
in the olden time. Burlesques and extravaganzas
were wont to be r. served expressly for the season
after Passion Week, just as pantomimes were kept,
particularly for Christmas. The season is now out
of joint, and commands no eipccia.l regard. In but
few theatres notes of preparation are sounding for
some production about to honour the holidays in a
marked degree. The manager at Drury Lane is un-
doubtedly eager with his new drama, " The Great
City ;" but Mr. Chatterton's new offering in-
volves no honour to Easter ; it exposes no holi-
day specialty ; it has no seasonable inference ; it
might as well have been brought out in thr
dog-days, in the autumn, in the period pre-
ceding Christmas. As a drama abstractedly consi-
dered, we hear from many quarters the best ac-
counts of the Drury-lane piece. Mr. F. B. Chat-
terton, an excellent judge and of large experience,
confidently reckons on a great success that will
carry him on triumphantly to the end of the season.
Everything is being done for the new play that could
possibly conduce to success and a prosperous career.
We know what Mr. Chatterton has effected for
" Macbeth," " King John," " Faust," and other
works. Why should he not carry his energies, his
experience, his liberality, his judgment into an
original production ? Of Mr. Halliday's drama we
know nothing. It is a tale of London life, and
that the name tells us. We shall have much to siy
of the new play at Drury-lane on Monday night.
The HAYMARKET THEATRE has provided itself
with a new Piece for Easter, if not exactly a new
Easter pieee. The distinction is patent. The new
piece is entitled " A Wild Goose," and has been
written with an eye to Mr. Sothern'speculiar talents.
Of course there is a part for Mr. Buckstone, as
there should be in every play in which Mr. Sothern
appears. It is unpardonable to separate two such
actors. We have no idea to what the new piece
relates, or on what it is founded. The first per-
formance had been announced for to-night, but the
bills inform us that the continued success of Mrs.
Scott Siddons, the new stage enchantress, in the
character of Rosalind in " As You Like it," neces-
sitated engaging her for three nights more, which
entailed the putting off of the new drama till Wed-
nesday.
The LYCEUM THEATRE is satisfied with the large
amount of patronage bestowed on "The Duke's
Motto," with its strong cast (Mr. Fechter principal),
its stirring scenes, its powerful incidents, its excit-
ing denouement, and makes no now sign dramati-
cally. A new divertissement, however, is announced
to follow " The Duke's Motto" on Monday. It is
entitled " The Satyr," and will be supported by
the well-known Spanish dancer, M. Espinosa, his
first appearance in London these five years, Mdlle.
Sophie, and the ladies of the corps de ballet.
The NEW HOLBORN THEATRE is precisely in the
same predicament with the Lyceum, if predicament it
may be called where there is nothing to fear. Mr.
Boucicault's racing drama is likely to run out this
year's Derby, if indeed it do not spin on to the
Doncaster St. Leger in September. The drama of
" Flying Scud" has surpassed the expectations of
author, manager, actors, and public. Its success at
this moment indicates no falling off from the first
week of its production.
At the STRAND THEATRE the Easter attraction
will be a new and original classical extravaganza,
written by Mr. IVilliam Brough, entitled " Pygma-
lion ; or, the Statue Fair." The story of the pie&
having been told to ourselves, may be told to our

readers- -Pygmalion, the celebrated sculptor, having
conceived an aversion to the female sex, has sworn
never to fall iu love. This determination angers
Venus. She commands her son Cupid instantly to
make Pygmalion fall in love, which task Cupid
fulfils by wounding the sculptor while asleep with
a charmed arrow, that has the power of making
him fall in love with the first female form that
meets his eyes-when he awakes. The first female

form he sees is that of a beauteous marble statue he
is at work upon, and with this statue, in obedience
to the spell, falls in love at once, though knowing
well the exquisite creature is but stone of his own
cutting. The burlesque abounds with songs, dauccs,
_ _

farcical situations, &c. The: scenery is by Mr. C.
Fenton, and the music composed and arranged by
Mr. Frank Musgrave.

At the OLYMPIC THEATRE Raster is intended to
be honoured by the production of a grand new my-
thological burlesque, by Mr. F. C. Burnand, en-
titled "Olympic Games," with new scenery, dresses,
&c. In consequence of the great success of " The
Liar," with Mr. Charles Mathews as Jack Wilding,
the new comedy is for the present postponed.
•

The ADELPHI THEATRE makes the usual concessions
to the holiday period. On Easter Monday will be
produced a new and original musical drama, in one
act, called " Garibaldi in Sicily," the music from

the combined forces of Messrs. J. L. Hatton and J.
G. Callcott, in which the popular songstress Miss
Constance Roden will appear. We may state en
passant that Mr. J. Clarke, of the Prince of Wales's
Theatre, will make his first appearance this evening
in a new farce, entitled " A Fretful Porcupine."
The PRINCE OF WALES'S THEATRE and the NEW
ROYALTY THEATRE both abide by the performances
which have already engaged and enchained public
attention. The former rests satisfied with the new
comedy of " Caste" and the farce of a " Quiet
Family ;" the latter cries content with the success-
ful drama of " Meg's Diversion" and " The Latest
Edition of Black-Eyed Susan."
SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE opens this evening
for the summer season, under the management of
Mr. W. H. Swanborough, with the popular drama
of " Rip Van ninkle, a Grand Fairy Ballet, and
the celebrated Strand burlesque of "Aladdin; or, the
Wonderful. Scamp."
The SURREY THEATRE reopens this evening, with
the highly successful drama of " Time and Tide."

MARKET B.—This day.