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

DRURY-LANE-

With what anxiety, judging from the immense audience
that assembled last night, must Mr. Smith's annual tribute
to jolly old Father Christmas have been looked for, the
entries to boxes, pit, and galleries were in very short space
of time after the doors opened filled to overflowing, and
hundreds, after standing in the mud and rain and enduring
the totture of the pressure, were unable to obtain admis-
sion. Those, however, who were in fortune's favour seemed
bent on enjoyment, and it was with great difficulty that
" King Rene's Daughter," the first portion of the entertain-
ment, was allowed to proceed to an end. Although " the
gods" permitted the piece to finish, it was only on the con-
dition that it should be gone through in dumb show, for
not a single word was heard beyond the footlights.
At the sight of the green curtain an immense cheer
arose, and then, certainly not with breathless silence,
the pantomime was patiently waited for. The new panto-
mime, is entitled " Jack and the Beanstalk ; or Harlequin
Leap-year." The scene opens on the consultation of certain
astrological almanack makers, who confess themselves
puzzled in their meteorological prophecies by the proverbial
fickleness of the " Weather," who shortly appears to vindi-
cate herself. A procession of the months, with their attri-
butes, passes before her, and the idea of tempering the
severity of winter by a pantomime being introduced the
subject is discussed, and all the " Jacks " of fairy story
being paraded for selection, "Jack and the Beanstalk" is
chosen. The story then runs through the well-known inci-
dents of the child's tale, in the coursed' which Tom Matthews
assumes the character of Jack's Mother. His fairy patroness
guides him to the " Grotto of the Pixies," which is the
fast effort of Mr. Beverley's skill in the scenic display.
Unlike his former works, Beverley this year chooses moon-
light, and a more beautiful work of art than his fairy grotto
has never been placed upon the stage. The audience were
in ecstacies, and it was not until the talented artist had
bowed his acknowledgments that the pantomime proceeded.
In this scene a grand ballet, performed by Madlle. Mor-
lacchi, Balbo, a troop of coryphees, and other lady dancers,
amounting to 100, deserves special praise for the beauty
and gracefulness of the groupings. A scene of gloom suc-
ceeds, and then we have the scene of the pantomime, " the
good fairy in her floral home." To attempt to describe the
wonderful combination of colour, spangles, gold and silver,
and ruby and emerald fire, would be impossible. After the
audience had looked on for a short time in mute
astonishment, a loud cheer burst forth, which made the
alls of Drury resound again and again. For nearly
five minutes this hurricane of applause was kept up, and
then came loud cries of "Smith," " Beverley," and
" Roxby." The favoured trio made their appearance,
bowed their thanks, and then came the transformation.
The comic company consisted of two Harlequins (Messrs.
Milano and St. Maine), two Columbines (Madame Boleno
and Miss Sharpe), two clowns (Boleno and Flexmore), two
Pantaloons (Tanner and Beckingham), and we really know
not how many sprites. Tom Matthews plays his part in the
opening, and comes in for his full share of applause. The
pantomime for 1859 will bear comparison with any of Mr.
Smith's former productions—gorgeous as they have been.