The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-27 00:00:00

HAYMARKET.

Excepting in the crowded state of the house, the audi-
ence which was assembled here last night offered but few of
those signs which generally distinguish "Boxing Night"
from all other nights of the season. Mr. Bernard's comedy
of the "Evil Genius" was listened to throughout with as
much quiet attention and enjoyment as though it, and not
the pantomime, had been all the novelty of the occasion.
What a contrast to the days when those time-honoured
precursors of pantomime, " Jane Shore" and "George
Barnwell" used to be played through tumult and uproar,
which reduced them to mere dumb-show. Surely our audi •
ences, even down (or up) to the gallery, have become much
more humanised.

On the termination of the "Evil Genius" a slight effer-
vescewe and a few of those dulcet sounds usual on these
occasions marked the excitement which attended the com-
ing of the new pantomime of " St. Valentine's Day; or,
Harlequin and the Fairy of the True Lovers' Knot." Im-
mediate quiet and attention, however, followed the com-
mencement of the overture, which contained an appropriate
feature in the introduction of occasional solos on a very fine
toned knocker, the sharp rat-tats from which were given
with a smartness and artistic finish which were worthy of
the practised hand of a professional " twopenny."
The introduction which leads to the harlequinade is by
the author of the pantomimes which have been so success-
fully produced at this house for several seasons past, and,
like them, it is constructed with much feeling for the graceful
and the elegant. The playbills tell succinctly the story :
how a certain Bishop Valentine, in former times, being the
friend of all true lovers, used to assemble his proselytes on
the 14th of February; how each swain presented to the
maiden of his choice a letter containing pictures and
verses, which afterwards became termed a " valentine ;"
how one Sylvanus, being in love with fair Phoebe,
a pretty milkmaid, is rendered jealous by their enemies—
Scandal, Gossip, Hate, Spite, Malice, and other such
characters—how, after having quarrellod, a friendly fairy
invites them to a festival in her spring-flower abode on
the eve of Valentine's-day—how even here they are pur-
sued by the adverse powers, and how eventually all is set
right by the intervention of Bishop Valentine, when the
transformation of the characters leads to the harlequinade.
The scenery throughout is excellent, that of the intro-
duction being by Mr. Frederick Fenton, while the artists
of the harlequinade are Messrs. O'Connor and Morris.
Among the most conspicuous effects may be named the
" Spring-Flowered Dell," and the transformation scene of
the " Gigantic Envelope and opening of the Fairy Valen-
tine." In the first-named scene are some beautiful imita-
tions of crowns, flowers in coloured glass, displayed with
brilliant effects of light, while the envelope scene is one of
those elaborate and gradually-developing displays of com-
bined gorgeousness and elegance which aro now generally
expected in a pantomime of any (pretension; nor will
any amount of reasonable anticipation be disappointed in
the present instance. Tho effect on the audience was such
as to cause the immediate call for Mr. Buckstono and the
artist, who were compelled to appear on the stage before the
business of the scene could proceed. The pantomime proper
then begins, and is carried on with great liveliness and
bustle through a series of animated scenes, in the course of
which aro hits at strikes, Big Ben, rifle corps, and other
topics of the day, ending with a tableau of the Channel
Fleet off the Eddystone Lighthouse during the great storm
of November last.

It remains only to speak of the acting. Miss Louise
Leclercq was a most fascinating Phoebe, and acted and
danced with a grace and refinement which could not be
surpassed ; while Miss Weekes, as Sylvanus, was a most
assiduous and attentive lover; nor should we omit a word
of praise to Misses Denvil and Williamss, who, as Cupid
and Hymen, spoke with a distinctness and point but too
seldom achieved by very young ladies in pantomimic intro-
ductions. The characters in the harlequinade were sus-
tained by Mr. Arthur Leclercq as Harlequin, Mr. Chailes
Leclercq as Clown, Herr Cole as Pantaloon, and Miss
Fanny Brown as Columbine—a capital pantomimic quar-
tett. The Harlequin is nimble and vigorous beyond the
average, dances well, and makes his leaps with a dash and
precision that could not be improved. The Clown is active
and gymnastic rather than humorous, but humour of late
has become a rare quality in clowns. The Pahtaloon is as
patient a scapegoat as could be wished, and takes his fair
share of the active business, while the Columbine is a skil-
ful and graceful dancer.
With the exception of one or two alight hitches, the pan-
tomime went remarkably well for a first night, and it was
so decided a success as to promise ample and well deserved
return for the care and cost which must have been bestowed
on its production.