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

STRAND.

Miss Swanborough having apperontly a mission to turn
into burlesque all that is noble or touching in history or
literature, has in due course taken the story of Tell in hand ;
but no reasonable fault can be found with the way in which
her poet has executed her e:ommission, for Mr. Francis Tal-
fourd has principally (I.'irected his comic powers to the laud-
able task of makir:g tyranny ridiculous. Indeed, there is
very
about this new Tell, except in the fact that he

is played by Miss Saunders, whose stature is somewhat low
whereas his Emma is Mrs. Selby, a lady who, like Rosalind
is "more than common tall.", Of course, the fine sentiment
which he is perpetually spouting is occasionally relieved by
such pathetic' reflections as would naturally occur to any
husband of fine feelings when he saw that his said. Emma
was a hemmer of his linen—which remark, strange to say,
was not called a nonstick. The daring of Mr. Tal-
fourd, in the way of verbal quips, is in fact something
almost without precedent. The plot run its course in the
way everybody knows, save that Albert's life is saved far
less by his sire's skill than by the enormous size of the fruit
which Liberty, disguised as an apple-woman, produces for
the ordeal. Certainly, if it eveer grew on a tree, that tree
must have been in a state of perpetual admiration at the
tom sua poma which for the nonce it was privileged to bear.
The peasant army by which the castle of Gesler (Mr.
Clarke) is stormed consists of women, under the command
of Mrs. Selby and Miss Oliver—it being very sagely re-
marked that women are sometimes unrivalled as " wor-
riers." Finally, when Gesler proposes to cede his castle,
Freedom appears once more, and, after lecturing in an
edifying way all monarchs in general, and the Emperor of
Austria in particular, as to the treatment of their subjects,
assures the fallen tyrant that he shall not leave his castle,
but that his castle shall leave him. She accordingly turns
it into an amazing apple orchard, and then takes her flight,
as we are let to conclude, to the place from whence she
came—that is to say, to the shores of this happy realm.
Tho heroine of the piece is Miss Marie Wilton, whose
part (Albert) ;entitles her to wear the most ravishing pair
of knickerbockers ever seen. If she had nothing to do but
to walk about in this charming vestment, she would win
the hearts of all beholders, but she has a somewhat consi-
derable role, which she plays with great animation. Miss
Oliver doth also enact with great spirit the character as-
signed her; and to these ladies, with Mr. Rogers (who
sustains the part of Gosler's factotum Sarnem with great
unction), is entrusted the main business of the burlesque.
The scenery is painted by Messrs. Calcott and Broadfoot;
and parts of it are very meritorious. There is also a very
pretty incidental ballet, in which Miss Rosins Wright in-
troduces her new pas called " La Belle Savoyarde.
Altogether the piece achieved an unequivocal SUCCOOO.

A STLEY' S.
The Christmas piece at the Royal Amphitheatre is t 1 very
attractive entertainment, and well sustains the reputation
which Mr. Cook has acquired by his intelligent and spirited
management of one of the most popular plao'es of public
amusement in London. It is written by Mr, Nelson Lee,
with parodies by Mr. R. Phillips, and it bears the ominous
title of "Harlequin Old Towler and 0-,0 Goddess Diana ;
or, This Day a Stag shall Die." JA. is ingeniously con-
structed and abundant in picturescrao incident and romantic
adventures. The action COMMP
es
Pan (Mr. Raymond) arrives during a revel, mounted on •
real buffalo, direct from J_ndia. The Fairy Progression
:c in Bacchanalia, where
(Miss Kate Carson) nes',, makes her appearance, and urges
them to provide the ClAristava
pantomime, exhibiting in a
tableau the subject of " Old Towler," which is accordingly
adopted. Tom Moody is the lover of the charming Patty
the daughter of Old Towler, whom the Fairy Progression
takes under ber protection. She summons the fairy police
to protect the lovers, and thwart the designs of Old Squire
Gameagola, who seeks to wed Patty ; they depart to inform
the Goddess Diana of their plans, and we are transported
to "Diana's Retreat, in the Land of Fairy Sports," where
they await the arrival of the Queen, who comes in her car
drawn by fairy palfreys, and commands Pomona and her
subjects to aid the lovers. The next scene takes pia". in
• Old Towler's House," on the morning of the chase. The
old Squire claims the maiden's hand ; but young Tom enters
and the lovers escape on two fleet hunters. The alarm being
given, the father and squire summon all their friends to
pursue them. A spirited love chase takes place, and is Pro-
tracted) until Bacchus instructs Will-o'-the-Wisp to mil-
load the Squire and Old Towler. Some comical mishaps
follow, but the chase proceeds until they roach the village
linendre.per's, where the usual shopping
is taking place,
when. the Squire, misled byWill-o' -the-Wisp, leaps through
the, window, to the astonishment of the inmates. We Ilest
'arrive at Whirlypool Mill, where the lovers enter exhausted'
appears, and the squire, attempting to enter the mill,
is unhorsed by the sails. Old Towler comes in at the
death, and claims the stag's antlers, which brings us
to the
grand transformation scene of "The Palace of PregresS
and Land of Charmed Palfreys," where Mr. Nelson's Lee's
comic budget follows. The harlequinade is supported by
Mr. Hildebrandt, Clown; Mr. Abbot, Pantaloon; Mr.
Richards, Harlequin; Madlle. Mazzoni, Columbine; &a a
whole family of India-rubber sprites.
the applause
The house was crowded in every part, and
of the audienee was most enthusiastic.

THE ALHAMBRA.
The entertainments at this great equestrian circus are of
a kind which can hardly fail to prove attractive at this fes•
tive season, and in truth the gathering of last night was
enough to content the most insatiable proprietor. There
was indeed an afternoon performance, but that of the even-
ing was the most remarkable for numbers. In addition to
the usual performance there was a novel equestrian harla-
quinade, entitled " The Golden Bull ; or Harlequin and the
Enchanted Horn," in which the trained bull, Don Juan,
and his tutor DanCastello, played conspicuous parts, clown,
harlequin, pantaloon, and columbine appearing vividly on
the scene. Both the bull and the spectators were in the
best possible humour throughout, and there can be little
doubt that the crowd of last night was the precursor of
several others of similar vastness.

CANTERBURY HALL.
So popular is this place of entertainment that no Christ-
mas novelties are needed to attract the public, who have long
since discovered that Mr. Morton knows well how to cater for
their amusement, and the admirable selection of music, to-
gether with the efficient conductor and the equally efficient
artists engaged, have secured for the Canterbury Hall afront
place in the ranks of the places of amusement of the
metropolis. The selections from Verdi's "Macbeth" and
Meyerbeer's " Dinorah" nightly delight the habitues of
the hall, while to strengthen the attractions nearly the
whole of Professor Sternd ale Bennett's charming cantata,
" The May Queen," is now being given. The Canterbury
Hall is also strong in comic vocalists. First and foremost
there is Mr. Mackney, the best nigger melodist in London ;
then comes Mr. Hodson, the Irish comedian and mimic;
and lastly there is Mr. Critchfield. Nor must the picture
gallery be forgotten. It contains some admirable works of
art, and forms an agreeable lounge, in which, while the
eye is gratified, the taste is elevated by the contemplation
of paintings which have been most judiciously selected.