The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-27 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

The admirable spirit of taste and liberality which
has characterised the management of this theatre
ever since its fortunate devolvement upon such effi-
Cient chorcegi as Messrs. Charles Kean and Keeley,
gave reasonable promise that the new Christmas piece
would prove to be one-of more than ordinary attraction.
Our anticipations have been borne out by the event.
It has been our lot to have assisted at the representa-
tion of many pantomimes, but seldom have we had the
good fortune of witnessing the production of any en-
tertainment of this nature more calculated to ensure

a successful run. Though the introductory dialogue
lacks spirit, Alonzo the Brave and the Fair Imogene ;
or, the Baron all covered with Jewels and Gold, is on
the whole a decided hit, creditable to the management,
the arrangers, and the performers. After a rattling
overture, in which the national airs of several nations
are skilfully interwoven by Mr. Hughes, and which
was loudly and deservedly applauded, the rising cur•
tain displayed a very beautiful scene, " the Castle of
Infidelity, by Moonlight and Sunrise." The
change from the lunar to the diurnal illumination was
strikingly effected. Equally applauded was the
military advance, and final triumph of the fairy host
of Fidelio (Miss Daly) who, with their antagonists
,Iparshalled' by Infidelio (Miss* Vivash). contributed a
striking, array of .briHiantry attiresland ,faseinatieg•
combatants'. 'The ti?xt scene teitetenting "Ihe-Greea
before the Castle cif Don Guzzleirian,Nnttotludies the'
valiant AlOn.zo"iipiiiii;ii his'aEloreti Ibibgene 'eiith bit
the ardour of affection, and anon giving her an airing
in a wheelbarrow. In this scene, and all throughout
the rest of the introductory part, the very clever per-
formers, F. Cooke and Wynn, as the hero and the
heroine, were absolutely delicious. The former was
W. H. Payne redivivus; the latter, equally at home
in the fascinating as in the ferocious, imparted a se-
ducing grace to the role of the easily-won lady almost
.sufficient to atone for her subsequent inconstancy.
Alonzo, summoned by the trumpet to the field,
arrays himself in arms. A solemn interchange of
vows takes place, off he goes where glory waits him
at the head of a most villanous looking crew of war-
riors, having bid a, touching farewell to his
betrothed. But, • alas ! for woman's constancy,
soon after his departure arrives "-the Baron-
all covered with jewels and gold" (Mr. Stacey),'
a fac- simile of the Nepaulese Ambassador, riding on
a hippopotamus, who, by the profuse display of gor-
geous wealth,
" A dazzling heap of wealth, and gold, and glitter,
Magnificently mingled in a litter,"
wins the false one's heart and hand. The boudoir of

Imogene, preparatory to the nuptial ceremony, re-
veals to the fickle fair the phantom of her forsaken
and defunct lover, and of course she falls frantically
into hysterics. Preparations ensue for the marriage
banquet. Here there was some hitch last night,
through the awkwardness of some of the subordinates
(as there naturally will be somewhere on the first
night of any pantomime), and thereupon a few geese
among the audience unreasonably hissed; nor were
they quite appeased, being palpably enamoured of
their own music, until after the apparition of Alonzo's
ghost scaring the revellers from the festive board,
when the 'signal splendour of the transformation
scene, with the friendly fairies rising grouped be-
neath one magnificent unfolding passion-flower,
evoked such a torrent of applause as drove the
sibilants to shame. Then commenced the feats and
comicalities of the established characters, Harlequin
and C.). Divers capital hits were enacted, for
which " see the playbills," and then go and see the
original, ye adults and juveniles. It is, we should
say, impossible for any other house to present such
en array of pantomimic excellence. Of Flexmore, the
clown of clowns, it is almost needless to speak. The
".inimitable"—and never was appellation more justly
bestowed—was welcomed with general shouts, and
showed forthwith that " Richard was himself again."
Very properly declining to sing that stereotyped stu-
pidity, " Hot Codlins," in compliance with the de-
mand of some unenlightened deities of the gallery,
he gave a " Vocal and Terpsichorean Exhibition"
with immense talent, his imitations of Carlotta Grisi
and Perrot being superb. ' He was altogether, if pos-
sible, more than ever a "host in himself." Cormack
thoroughly maintained his established position of being
the first Harlequin on the boards. In appearance and
execution he was the very beau ideal of the character.
Never were his agile lightness and the remarkable
neatness, combined with brilliancy, which
renders his dancing so Much admired by
all competent judges, more admirably developed, or
more thoroughly appreciated and applauded. He had
the good fortune to have the co-operation of no ordi-
nary Columbine in Miss Carlotta Leclerq, who looked
singularly pretty and graceful in her dress of simple
white, which contrasted most tastefully with Cor-
mack's glittering costume. The part of gentle Co -
lumbine is seldom sustained by a clanger of such excel-
lence as Miss Leclercq, and it was consequently quite
a treat to witness The pas de deux introduced at inter-
vals by this accomplished pair. Paulo was, as usual,
a capital Pantaloon, banged and buffetted by the re-
morseless Flexmore, but ever fresh and ready for
more. The impersonation of the Sprite by H.
Wright was one of the most perfect things in the
piece. We were among the first to hail the talent
evinced by this very clever and rising young artist
last season, and are pleased to find that his extraordi-
nary natural abilities in his difficult line of business
have evidently received the improvement resulting from
careful practice in the interim. Flexmore may well
be proud of his pupil, who is already a valuable ac-
quisition to any theatre ; nor need he fear " letting
him out," for we feel cettain that the junior has
it in him to achieve feats which would make
the spectators rub their eyes, and establish a firm
conviction, in many worthy individuals, that be had
not a single bone in his entire body. Such an
ensemble of pantomimic talent, as presented by the
five whose names have been recounted, is wonderful;
sad, we are strongly inclined to suspect, unique in
the metropolis. The last scene of all, " A Grand
Allegorical Tableau, the Crystal Palace of all Na-
tions," was splendidly beautiful, and the curtain de •
scended amidst the unanimous cheers of a house
crowded in every department to the utmost limits. The
miss en scene was first-rate throughout. Previous
to the pantomime, the exquisite delineations of the
Stranger and Mrs. Haller, by Mr. and Mrs. C.
Kean, were enthusiastically appreciated, and we con-
gratulate those matchless artists, and the pair of emi-
nent comicalities associated with them in the ma-
nagement, on the prosperous results which must
ensue from their successful catering to the public
aste on the
-first " Boxing-night" of their dynasty.