The Sun.
London, England, 1832-04-24 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN.

The Hunchback was played here last night for the sixth
time, and received with the usual tumultuous shouts of
applause. It was followed by a new grand melodramatic
Chinese tale of enchantment, under the title of The Tar-
tar Witch and the Pedlar Boy. The opening scene was
one of great splendour and effect, the pass of Kou-pe-
koo, displaying the chain of rocks, with falls of water,
and hanging•bridges across deep chasms, over which passed
the procession of Prince Azinz (who was admirably and
spiritedly personated by Mrs. VINING) on his way to the
city of Homana. The grouping of the troops was skil-
ful; the effect nearly equalling that of Bonaparte crossing
the Alps. The music, too, of this scene was spirited,
martial, and appropriate, and the scene was rendered still
more animated by a Tartarian pas de trois, energetically
performed by M. D'ALBERT, Mrs. VEDY, and Mrs. BED-
FORD. Maga, the Tartar Witch (Miss TAYLOR), then
appears, and by her supernatural powers imparts awe to
the Tartar troops, and arouses interest in the spectators.
She is preceded by a species of beacon blue light on the
mountain's top, and almost at the same instant she is seen
amongst the Tartar troops, and cheers them to attack the
ChinesePriuceAzini,who is proceeding by that route. The
Chinese procession is seen passing the mountains, and is at-
tacked and eventually defeated, amidst tnost picturesque effect,
by the Tartars. The battle was vigorously and skilfully
managed, the Tartar witch Maga deciding the confi!ct
against .A2int. The Prince, however, escapes with life—
is again met by Bonaska, the Chief of the Tartar horde
(Air. W. H. PAYNE), who, however, as he is capturing
the Prince, is shot by a Chinese Pedlar Boy (Miss
Poona). But Bonaska is not killed, though ne suddenly
disappeared, but it turned out that he was protected by the
Spirit of Fire, whom Maga served. Then appeared the
mystic cave of Maga, where she conjured the appearance
of the Spirit of Fire, who arose amidst blue fl ime and in-
cantations—granting
Magu's prayer—and restoring the
Tartar Chief*Boaska. Tne Chinese Prince is saved by the
cunning intrepidity of thePedlar Boy. ThePrincb'altcquey,
Chinque-te to (Mr. KEELEY) here occasions much en-
tertainment by his cowardice, and then by his accounts of
his own heroic exploits. The Pedlar Boy is triumphantly
received at Court, where take place splendid entertain-
ments, mingled with song and dance, of the most tasteful
and variegated character. The shawl dance, in which the
Prince took part, was the most effective performance of
the kind we ever witnessed. It was greatly applauded.
The celebrations were in the grand Hall of the Lanterns.
and were in honour of the approaching nuptials of Azirn
and Cepht renza, the Princess of Homana (Miss CawsE).
There was here a most laughable episode, arising out of the
unneighbourly jealousy' and watchfulness of a neighbour,
in the course of which KEELEY has to escape from
a courtship scene, via the chimney, and to traverse
house-tops ad begrimed with soot ! Ile, however, gains
his Ebra (Mrs. KEELEY.) Then proceeds the main
story, the Prince's marriage. The ceremonies are inter-
rupted by the re-appearance of Bonaska, abetted by the
magic power of Maga; they surprise the palace—carry
off the Prince and Princess, and thus intercept the nup
tial'. Maga is stimula'ed by the desire of revenge—hav-
ing had her husband kill d by the power of the Princess's
father. The Prince and Princess are conveyed to 1,
frightfully magnificent prison or cavern, described as an
excavation beneath the tower of the " Thundering Winds."
They are confined, and are promised confinement tiler:
for life. In it is placed the idol of the serpent, holding
the magic flame—the talismanic power of the witch May t,
but should that light he extinguished, there is no Prome-
theau spark that can re-illumine it; and luckily the " lit-
tle spark," alias the Pedlar Boy, who had before rescued
the Prince, was conveyed by accident to the cavern in h

chest brought by the marauders from the palace. He
h and the peculiarity of the idol, and the witch's power ;
and happening to be able to get nut of his box, be ran up
the bide of the serpent idol, and extinguished the light.
The witch lost her power—the Prince's followers rescue
him and the Princess—and Bonaska, the witch, &c. va-
nish by sinking into the earth. The piece then promptly
cmcludes, displaying the nuptial ceremonials amidst most
brilliant scenery, dazzling costume, illuminations, trium-
phal arches sod bridges. The coup d'ceil well deserved
the applause with which it was greeted, The several
performers—Mrs. VINING and Miss Cawsv, Mr. and Mrs.
KEELEY, and last, and if also the least, of great use, little
Miss POOLE—all exerted themselves most successfully.