The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-27 00:00:00

SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE.

This establishment last night produced a new pan-
tomime, entitled Harlequin Robin Hood and Little
John, or Merrie England in the Olden Time. The
performances commenced with The Stranger, and, as
far as we could form a judgment amid the impatient
uproar which prevailed, the characters were extremely
well?, supported, Mr. Phelps, Mrs. Warner, and Mr.
H. Marston being the principal performers. But no
performance, however able, could satisfy the impa-
tience of the auditors, who gave repeated and mani-
fest signs of dissatisfation, and the last act of this fine
play was mere dumb show, the cries of " Pantomime"
being so loud and incessant, that even those in the
boxes next the stage could not catch a syllable. And
after all, who could blame ? It is Christmas time,
and they wished to be merry. No man could be
grave at a Chrismas pantomime. Gravity is as much
out of place on this occasion as a Merry Andrew at
a funeral. " Dull Care" has no business there—no
knitted brows or long faces—the Spirit of Christmas
chases them all away. Sadler's Wells was so full last
night, that we don't think it could have held a dozen
more—in fact, many were, from want of room,
obliged to go as they came. It would have been hard
to see a careworn countenance ; and the hundreds of
human faces, of every colour and complexion, from
brick-dust to black-lead, that thronged every avail-
able corner, all was laughter and good-humour. The
pantomime opens with Old England (Mr. Coreno),
surrounded by his old English subjects, Old King
Cole, Alfred, Tom Thumb, &c., carousing. In the
second scene Young England (Master G. Newman)
comes forward, and the following dialogue occurs
:
Old England—Peace ! Happiness! Content I a pretty
joke,
Ending, like other Theories in Smoke;
And how accomplish this by one so knowing?

Youug England—l'm small as yet, but still I'm daily
growing.
Old England—And,: puppy, may I ask, what you have
done,
To claim such notice?
Young Englund—Lime just begun.

Old England—Begun, to make (things worse, all trades
are crying,
Silence is sulky, and the Drama dying;
Shakspere's turned out of doors by dancing belles,
And finds a refuge at " Old Sadler's Wells."
To aid his cause, a dish I now prepare,
And though a trifle, still old English fare.
The allusion to Sadlers's Wells was received with

loud applause. The third scene is the exterior of
Squire Gamewell's mansion, in which the old English
sports and hospitality were pourtrayed. But we need
not mention the history of the piece; it will be suffi-
cient to name its principal features. The bubbles of
the day were all introduced, and with excellent effect.
Captain Warner's long-range and the new baths and
washhouses. Then there was the Cattle-show, and
an exhibition of prize pigs and prize paupers. The
latter, and many other excellent ideas, were borrowed
from our friend Punch. There was a royal aviary
and a union workhouse, and the stage paupers almost
equalled the realities, which is saying a great deal.
Harlequin (Mr. C. Fenton) did all a Harlequin could
do, and Columbine (Miss Louisa Waite) danced to
admiration. The Clown was well personated by Mr.
C. Montgomery, who kept the audience in a continued
roar. It will be sufficient to add, that the scenery
was admirable, and the dresses appropriate—that all
manner of gymnastic feats were performed—walking
on two stilts and walking on one, and walking on one
another. There was a full house, and the actors
seemed to feel it, for they threw all the energy and
humour they possessed into the performance. In the
discharge of some stage fireworks, in the tenth scene,
the head-dress of one of the female actors caught fire.
It was, however, instantly extinguished, but the inci-
dent seemed to throw a momentary gloom on the
audience, by reminding them of the late lamentable
occurrence. But this was only momentary, and
scarcely noticed. All was fun and merriment, which
continued, unabated, till the curtain fell, amidst
rounds of applause.