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

LYCEUM THEATRE.

" An exceedingly premature but thoroughly apro-
• pos Revue (we quote from the playbill, and for once
the playbill speaks truth) entitled Novelty Fair! or,
Hints for 1851," was produced here last evening,
' with the most complete and most deserved success.
' It is in every respect a brilliant and sparkling affair;
, the dialogue is brilliant and sparkling, the scenery is
brilliant and sparkling, and the acting is brilliant and
sparkling. The scene opens in the Library of Time,
and while Old Time is poring over his " musty re-
cords" of bygone years, and calling up their ghosts
bodily to revive his recollections of the past
in order to aid him as to his judgment of the future,
behold that very fast young gentleman 1851 appears
before him, reproaches him with being slow, seizes
him by the fore-lock, and rushes off to the grand ex-
position
" While toiling Time pants after him in vain."
It is needless to say that this very fast gentleman is
Mr. Charles Mathews, who acts as a sort of chorus to
the drama and showman to the exposition, singing a
series of " patter" songs as he only can sing them,
and which (to the credit of Mr. Albert Smith,
the author of this extravaganza, be it re-
corded, are as witty as they are voluble),
full of hits at all the extravagances and follies of
the day. The National Gallery, the Trafalgar foun-
tains, the filthy Thames, the Panorama " rage,"
Almacks, the Casino, all are personified, and all
" shown up" most humorously by the "Great Show-
man," 1851. We have Britannia (Miss Julia St.
George) acting as money-taker to the exhibition, and
the British Lion (Mr. Frank Matthews) admirably
made up a 3 a something between a lion and a Bumble,
with a most facetiously wagging tail, acting as Beadle.
France (admirably represented by Miss Eardley, a new
engagement here, and who promises to be a great ac-
quisition to the establishment), arrives, and notwith-
standing the slight diplomatic fracas, friendly relations
are preserved between her and Britannia by Peace (Miss
M. Oliver). Then we have a series of tableaux of the
Industry of the various Nations. The Industry of
France is fighting behind a barricade, and, on the
conclusion of the fight, the combatants, on the appear.
ance of La Folie, join in a merry dance, and we have
a pas des Debardeurs beautifully executed by the
ladies of the corps de ballet. The Industry of
Italy is the siesta; dolce far niente. A group
of Neapolitan peasants asleep basking in the sun,
are aroused from their slumbers by the singing
of Britannia. In this scene Miss St. George sang
several of the gems of the Italian Opera very exqui-
sitely, and was deservedly much applauded. The
Industry of Spain—the fandango; as for real; industry
there is none—not so much as even the " musical in-
dustry" of Italy'. The piece concludes with the
" Prize Medal,' a gorgeous scene, representing the
triumph of Britannia. The applause at the conclu-
sion was enthusiastic. Mr. Charles Mathews and
Miss Julia St. George were called for, and having
been honoured with the usual ovation, Mr. Albert
Smith made his appearance in obedience to repeated
calls for the author, and was received with all the
honours. The house was crowded.