The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-23 00:00:00

THE EASTER NOVELTIES.

(From the Era.)
Easter is still recognised at most of our theatres as a
Period when some novelty of a light and pleasing character
should be brought forward. The new productions this
Easter are not numerous, but they are sufficient to maintain
the histrionic traditions of the season, and burlesque, in-
vested with the sparkling robes of Spectacle, takes her
wonted place, at least upon the boards of two of our princi-
pal theatres.
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN.—ROSSiea
opera of " La Gam', Ladra " will be performed on Monday
for the first time these eight years, and Mdlle. Lotti will
aPpear for the first time as Ninetta.
3funoliv-LANE commences its Italian Opera season on
AirTidaY with Bellini's popular opera of " Ls Somnambula."
lle Victoire Balfe appears as Amina, Signor Badiali as
,Itopensodolfo, and the new tenor, Signor Morgini, as Elvino.
The
e opens will be followed by the National Anthem and a
fi
ldivertissement, entitled "Ariadne," inwhich Mdlles. Stefan-
ot Morlacchi, Mathet, Pasquali, Maraquita Rosa,
osehetti, and a numerous corps de ballet, will appear.
The interior of the theatre has undergone considerable alte-
rations at,ions to increase the accommodation of the subscribers
the public, and the embellishments received during the
recess have greatly added to its appearance. Notwithstand-
ing the large expenditure involved the prices during the
season will be only those of the old play-house period.
The HAYMARKET produces a new classical extravaganza,
h' out the polished nof Mr. Frank Talfourd, which, under
the title of "Electra," tells anew the story of Orestes, and
Places in a new electric light the impressive incidents at-
tending his return, as given by the old lireek dramatist. Mr.
Compton is (Egisthus; Mrs. Wilkins, Clytemnestra; Miss
4. Ternan, Orestes., Miss Fanny Wright, Pylades; and Miss
Eliza Weekes, Electra ; the extravaganza, ending with one
allr. F. Fenton's grand "transformation scenes," represent-
ing a congress of the four great powers of Earth, Sea,Air, and
Pire, through whose mediation it is hoped a lasting and not
dishonourable piece may be happily concluded. Mr. Pal
grave Simpson's successful and original comedy of " The
'World and the Stage," with Miss Amy Sedgwick as the
heroine, will precede the novelty of the evening, and the
farce of " A Daughter to Marry" will bring the entertain-
runts to a close.
ROYAL PRINCESS'S.—With such a splendid and popular
revival as "King Henry the Fifth," drawing all London
to the Princess's, and furnishing a subject of universal
conversation—as yet, too, only in the first blush of its
novelty—Mr. Kean has been spared the trouble and ex-
Pense of an Easter spectacle.
1, The ADELPHI revives the comedy of "The Serious
amilY," in which Mr. Benjamin Webster sustains the
principal part, and follows it up by the production of a new
burlesque extravaganxa, founded on Le Sage's famous
novel of "Le Diable Boiteux," under the Anglicised ap-
pellation of " The Devil on Two Sticks." Mr. J. L. Toole
plays Asmodeus, and the other parts are distributed among
alessra. Paul Bedford, Eburne, Romer, C. J. Smith, Mrs.
Mellon,K Miss Kate elly, Miss Eliza Arden, and Miss
Keeley. " The Pretty Girls of Stillberg," with Mr.
w ebster's celebrated embodiment of Napoleon, will be the
afterpiece.
The OLYMPIC preserves an unchanged bill, the new
comedietta of " Nine Points of the Law," and the favourite
drama of "The Porter's Knot," being considered sufficient
to. meet the demands of -the period, whilst " Boots at the
ran" is retained in his old situation.
al-
...The STRAND produces a new comedietta by Maddison
don, in which Miss Maria Simpson makes her first ap-
pearance at this theatre ; and revives, with new scenery,
the Popular burlesque of " The Maid and the Magpie," to ,
Which-Mr. Byron, the author, has appended some additional
"rigs and speeches. " Vandyke Brown" concludes the
AsrmanceLEy'sproceeds with its dramatic illustrations of the
verley Novels, and produces a grand spectacular adapta-
tion of Sir Walter Scott's historical romance of Ivanhoe, in
'w.hich tournaments and processions, and all " the pomp and
pageantry of glorious war" are to be depicted with novel
and The Scenes in the Circles will be also novel
varied.
The SURREY increases its attractiveness by the produc-
tion of a new drama called " Oceola," founded on Captain
Mayne Reid's novel of that name. Mr. Creswick sustains
e Principal character. A burlesque extravaganza, en-
Thetitled " Th.e Tailors' Strike," will follow.
CITY OF LONDON produces Mr. E. Falconer's ad-
Mired play of "Extremes," with Mrs. Weston in her origi-
nal character. A new Hibernian drama, called "The
Heart of Old Ireland," is also announced.
The STANDARD THEATRE, where Mr. and Mrs. Barney
Williams have so thoroughly established themselves that
they are re-engaged, and appear in three of their most
popular pieces.
The PAVILION will be opened by " Jim Myers" as an
American Circus, with all the usual attributes of that par-
t4eular kind of entertainment—acrobats, equestrians, and
gymnasts of all degrees of strength and flexibility contend-
ing for the honour of gaining the applause of the holiday-
makers.
At the ADELAIDE GALLERY, re-christened the THEATRE
OF VARIETY, a troupe of juvenile comedians will appear,
known as the Livermore Family, and including a child
aged five years, that has been endowed
with the soubriquet
of The Infant Keeley,
The various Saloons of the metropolis are stimulated by
competition to give an extension of their programmes and
an increase of their vocal and instrumental forces.
The public gardens will be opened, and at the iooLoGt-
CAL, KEW, ROSHERVILLE, and CAMBERWELL, a variety of
attractions will be found. The CRYSTAL PALACE, where
the numerous shrubs and spring flowers are now in full
bloom, and upward of 100,000 tulips are in their highest
floral perfection, will provide some out-door amusements
specially arranged for the occasion.
CREMORNE opens with all its old
heightened by the introduction of many new
producednewon ones Ainntehwe
ballet, entitled " The Magic Star," will
theatre; and the popular Marionettes will figr in a new
apropos quizzicality called
" Our Reform_ . A concert,
music, and a display of fireworks, with minor amusements
innumerable, will constitute a strong programme for the
lovers of out-door recreation.
._
At the POLYGRAPHIC HALL, taking advantage of the
absence of the proprietor, Mr. W. S. Woodin, who is still on
his triumphal march through the provinces the old fa-
Voirite of the public, Wizard Jacobs, makes his first appear-
ance after a prolonged tour through California and Austra-
iia. The varied attainments of this professor of the
necromantic art, combined with the announcement
his
approaching retirement, will, doubtless, secure for him of
an
abundant show of patronage.

ESCAPE OF A DARTMOOR CONVICT.—A cony].Ct
6ffected. his escape from the Dartmoor prison a few days
84'0, but was hotly pursued over the Moor by the authori-
ties. The fugitive was ultimately captured at Buckfast -
leigh, a distance of 14 miles from the prison.
ME MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT RAMSGATE.—AI-
though the evidence adduced at the inquest favours the im-
pression that the deceased committed suicide, much uncer-
tainty on the subject still prevails in the public mind at
Ramsgate, which might possibly be removed if the deceased
could be identified, and the circumstances under which he
came to England ascertained. With this view the following
''titulars are added to the accounts already published.
The deceased, Heinrich Matterig, alias Maltinger, arrived
at Southampton on the 31st March, and is believed to have
ueett a passenger from America by the steamship Bremen,
Capt. Nessels. The German Bible thrown by him from
an omnibus on the Dover and Deal road on Friday, the Bth
P-Pril, was published in 1756. It is Martin Luther's trans-
ation, containing the Old and New Testaments and Apo-
crYpha ;it measures six inches long, three and a-half inches
broad, and two inches thickcalf-bound, somewhat
:worm-eaten in the covers, and has brass clasps and fasten-
-1,!:?gs. Inside it is a scrap of paper, on which four or five
German letters and the date 1827 are written. The state of
preservation in which the book appears leads to the belief
that it is a family relic, and therefore the deceased, if he
wished' to avoid identification, would necessarily be anxious
to get rid of it: The condition of the deceased's clothing, as
already stated, speaks of slender means, and it is evident
that his account of himself as a gentleman travelling for
pleasure, and his announcement of his intention to visit
Paris before making the tour of Scotland; were not correct.