The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-21 00:00:00

THE SUN,

WHITSUN AMUSEMENTS.

THE THEATRES, &e.
HAYMARKET.

Though there was nothing of novelty at this most
attractive place of amusement, the standard pieces
sufficed to draw together and delight a tolerably large
audience. Douglas Jerrold's comedy of the Catspaw
was the first piece, and ran like a stream in summer
sunshine sparkling along. The burlesque of Ivanhoe
followed, and concluded the performances ; but as
both pieces have been already fully noticed, we are
not on the present occasion called on to say more than
that their attraction appeared to be as great as ever—
no mean test of their merits—considering that the
first piece was played last night, we believe, for the
tenth time, and the second piece fur the forty-
second.

ballet, invented and produced by Mr. Flexmore,
called The Contrabandist, in which the agile and
grotesque powers of that unequalled pantomimist,
and Illadle.-Aurias singular brilliancy and facility of
execution, formed a rare combination of excellence.
%V have never seen Flexmore exert himself more
happily, even at the Princess's, where be was the
" right eye" of that once attractive establishment—
but deserted now is the tent of SUEM ! It is hardly
fair to place this first-rate ballet at the end, when the
spectators are naturally beginning to feel somewhat
languid after the many previous pieces. Such artistes
as Flexmore and Auriol are not to be postponed to
either the splendour of " the lake of gems," or the
rich comicality of " Bones" himself. It is said that
arrangements are being made for giving a series of
operatic entertainments at this theatre next month.
In the mean time, we cordially recommend those who
desire to spend a pleasant evening, and to be inte-
rested and amused by talent and variety, to pay a
visit to the Surrey during the run of the present
progamme.

A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
The attraction offered yesterday evening at this
popular and delightful place of entertainment for the
Whitsuntide holidays, consisted in the revival of the
grand military, equestrian, and dramatic spectacle,
first produced with considerable eclat in 1843, called
The Afghanistan War; or, the Revolt of Cabul, and
British Triumphs in India. This drama, founded on
the memorable and eventful wars in India, calls into
action all the unequalled resources of this famous esta •
blishment, and vividly pourtrays, by a rapid series of
striking spectacles and animated tableaux the more
interesting and memorable incidents and events which
characterized that historic struggle to confirm British
rule over the tribes and the territory of India. The
piece consists of three acts, the first of which repre-
sents the insurrection of Cabul, the wild rebellion of
the Cabullies, the destruction of the British buildings
by the Ghazees, and the devoted gallantry of the
British soldiers, the death of Shah Soojah, the
Sovereign, the peril of Lady Sale, and the conflagra-
tion of the city, the principal mart of Central
Asia. The second act embraces the spectacle of the
Khyber Pass on the two terrific days in January,
1841, the fortress of Jellalabad, the struggle of the
British, a sortie of the besieged, led on by the gallant
Sale, and the final destruction of the Affghans. The
third act embodies a series of striking incidents corn-
memorative of the British triumph in India. The
principal characters were well sustained by Mr. Syl-
vester (Lord Ellenborough) Mr. Nelson (Sir Robert
Sale), Mrs. Moreton Brookes (Lady Sale), Mr. A.
Powell (General Nott), Mr. Moody (general Pol-
lock), and Mr. Widdicomb (Major-General Elphin-
stone). The graver part of the performance was
pleasingly relieved by the humours of Mahoney
McHandel (Mr. T. Barry), Taffy a Tap (Mr.
Johnson), and Jenny Nettles (Miss Lydia Pearce).*
Mr. T. Barry's " Sprig of Shillelah" on " the light
fantastic" was a unique and unrivalled per-
formance in its way, and was deservedly encored.
The piece of the evening over, a series of amazing feats
of equitation followed in the " Cirque Olympique,"
in which Mr. A. Powell, Miss Barrand, Mr. Charles
Adams, and Mr. J. Bridges exhibited in succession
their prodigious skill. The performances of La
Petite Jeannette, the infant prodigy, and her dimi-
nutive pet steed, Harebell, elicited the applause and
admiration of every body present. The scenes in
the circle were enlivened by the drolleries of those
unrivalled jesters, Mr. T. Barry and Mr. Wheal ;
the performance of the former on "the first fiddle,"
drew forth peals of laughter, and should be heard
and seen to be appreciated. The laughable farce of
the Two Gregories concluded the entertainments of
the evening, which were witnessed by a numerous
audience.