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

SURREY.

'I he transpontino atmosphere is congenial to pantomime,
and Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick, the lessees, and always
successful caterers of this pcpular establishment, never
allow a boxing-day to pass withoutHoducing one of the best,
if not the best, specimen of this peculiarly English class of
entertainment, which mark the introduction of the Christ-
mas theatrical season. "Harlequin King Holiday, or the
Fairies of the Enchanted Valley, and the King that Wunce
Killed a Cat," which is the title of the Surrey pantomime for
the season of 1859-60, is quite equal in all its main features
of broad burlesque, grotesque situation, uninteruptable puns,
satirical hits at follies, fashions, and fears of the day
—clever harlequinade, wonderful transformations, first-rate
daneing, and last, but not least, beautiful scenery and artis-
tic groupings, to any of its predecessors. Perhaps there is
less of plot in the burlesque introduction than usual, the
whole point turning on King Holliday, the sovereign of the
merry boys, and King Carewuncekilledacat, the ruler of
the miserables. There is, as usual, something of love and
of jealousy—persecuted lovers who, after escaping a thou-
sand difficulties in propria persona, aro permitted to win
happiness by a probationary servitude in that doubtful state
of existence, Harlequin and Columbine pursued by their
relentless enemies, Clown, Pantaloon, and their attendant
sprites—but always to the disadvantage and discomfiture
of the pursuers. Thore are numerous combats between the
hostile armies of the rival potentates, but although that of
the Miserables is composed of giant spearmen, whose height
would have made Frederick of Prussia indeed believe him-
self invincible, they are most disgracefully beaten by a com-
pact band of diminutive but well-drilled little lady soldiers
who form the body-guard of King Holliday, and who are
represented by thevery efficient corps de ballet under Miss
Elizabeth Webster, assisted by Mr. Chapino's juvenile
troupe. One of the most important characters in the bur-
lesque is a certain continental magician, the friend and ally
of the King of the Miserables, one Grimgribber, in the
shape of whose nasal organ, formidable spearlike moustaches
and general make-up, and above all his ruling propensity
to get into quarrels, we are at little loss to discover a strik-
ing likeness to a powerful continental sovereign. This im-
portant personage, who belongs to the questionable order
of beings, and seems to have as many friends in the lower
regions as on earth, is the chief plotter and planner of all
the mischief, but finds himself outwitted at last, and com-
pelled to undertake the unthankful office of Pantaloon. Mr.
E. Marshall played King Carewuncekilledacat, and with
great humour parodied Mr. Chas. Kean's Lear, Charles Fox
of the Campbell Minstrels, and Mario in some of his leading
characters. Mr. J. Lauri as Harlequin, Mr. Crouste as Clown,
Mr. Tapping as Pantaloon (in the absence of J. Lupine, who
had been cast for the part, but was prevented by illness from
attending), Miss Lizzie Marshall as Columbine, and the
Zelekis as sprites, formed a pantomimic corps rarely excelled.
Amongst the scenery the Fairies' Home in the City of Love
and the Transformation scene, the Enchanted Valley and
the Lake of Silver Waters, are specially deserving of notice,
as being perhaps the most successful efforts of Mr. Dalby's
pencil, and displaying a combination of light colour, and
groupings of the highest order of stage art. Tho house was
full to overflowing, and with an audience entirely composed
of King Holiday's adherents. There wore one or two un-
rehearsed effects before the curtain—the most noticeable of
which was a voluntary chorus, in which pit, boxes, and gal-
lery joined, of the two popular songs, "Willie, we have
Imissed you," and " Wait for the waggon."