The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-28 00:00:00

CITY OF LONDON THEXTRE.

On Thursday, at this newly-decorated theatre, which
is under the management of that chief of panto-
mimists, Mc. Nelson Lee, there was an overwhelm •
ing audience. Five minutes after the time an
nounced for opening the doors, the whole of the
house was filled, so that those who were not punctual
had to suffer from the absence of that convenience
which is always the handmaid of comfort upon such
occasions, notwithstanding the fact that the spirited
proprietor had, by his recent arrangements, furnished
additional accommodation in the boxes for 130 per-
sons seated, with a large extra amount of standing
room. The drama of Giralda having been most
efficiently performed and excellently received, even by
the tumultuous "gallery gods," the main feature of
attraction—the pantomime—was produced. It was
entitled Knife, Fork, and Spoon; or, Harlequin
Breakfast, Dinner, Tea, and Supper, a comic repre-
sentation, the production of Mr. Lee himself, the whole
of the working being superintended by the author.
In " plate the first" is represented the magic balls of
" Knives, Forks, and Spoons," where the cooks con-
nected with the " gastronomic retreat" are attending
to their several duties. In the " Golden Grove of
Prosperity," in Fairyland, the Queen of the Fairies
(Mrs. Richard Barnett) opens the fairy court by
summoning the fairies, and the revelry commenced.
A grand ballet was then performed, at the conclusion
of which the Queen (Plenty) arrived in her magic
cornucopia, being assisted from the same by Mirth.
A solo by the Fairy Queen having been introduced
(which is a good parody upon the well-known convi-
vial song, " For he's a jolly good fellow,") and
heartily encored by the audience, the banquet was
proposed, to which the whole of the fairy court, of
course, consented, they being, specially willing to
assist the Queen in her novel idea. Breakfast,
afterwards Columbine (Miss Slater), Dinner (Mr.
W. Milbourne), Dame Tea (Mr. Coreno), and
Supper, afterwards Dandy Lover (Mr. W.
Stevens), are then introduced, when the scene
changes to the " Council Chamber at the Guildhall,"
where Turtle (Mr. Harmer), Gourmond (Mr. Wilson),
and Blowout (Mr. Green), are seen assembled in
great consternation, finding that Dinner had bolted
with Breakfast. A council was thereupon held, and
the swordbearer summoned to capture the Dinner.
A troop of " infantine" beef-eaters were consequently
summoned by the S word-bearer, who started on his
mission, the Aldermen swearing by " Gog and Magog
to furnish him with supplies." After singing the fol-
lowing song in chorus
To eat and drink is our delight,
We luxuriate from morn till night;
The city feasts will bear the belle,
Our Corporation a tale will tell,
Thanks to the Roast Beef of Old England,
Oh the Old English Roast Beet"—
Aldermen depart, and the scene changes to the Halls
of Plenty and Good Cheer. Dinner arrives with his
Bride (Miss Ross) Breakfast, and the whole of the
meals of the day succeed in honour of the event. After
this Dinnerchanges to Harlequin, Breakfast to Colum-
bine, and Supper to Clown (Mr. George Parry.) A view
of the Great Industrial Exhibition for 1851, is admir-
ably given, as are also those of the several shops :
these, we believe, are by Mr. Morelli, who has ad-
mirably done his part, as: has also Beaumont, the
painter of the scenery. Walker, the furnisher of the
masks and decorations, and. Mr--Wilson and Mr. Her-
ring, the inventors and preparers of the many and very
various dresses used throughout the pantomime, seve-
ral of which are very splendid, and all of them of a
most modest chareieter. Of the entire performance,
it is only necessary to say, that it was well received
throughout, and if the pantomime reflects additional
credit upon the ingenuity of the talented pantomimist
who has produced it—which it does—its worth is
rendered greater by the very excellent, spirited, and
careful manner in which all parties assisted in laying
it before the public. To judge from the exhibition of
Thursday on the part of the audience, a long run,
with bumper houses, is certain. The illuminated
finale was received with the most rapturous applause,
the curtain falling just before twelve o'clock.