The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-27 00:00:00

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o the juggler, till he throws him into a mesmeric
trance. While in that state he steals from him his
magic key that unlocks the gate of Castle Perilous,
and carries off the Princess lodging her safely there.
The juggler, finding he has been foiled, attempts to
climb up the rocks to the castle, but being assailed
by loud voices he looks back and is turned into a
stone. The Prince Firouz and his sister next arrive
and essay the same venture, which they accomplish,
arrive in Castle Perilous and have a regular flare up
with Shawl Singh, its temporary master. A quarrel,
which is likely to end in a regular fight, is compromised
10941 Singh agreeing to give up the Princess Chins-
wrah to Prince Ferouz, and take' his sister Malmamouna
instead. All matters are comfortably arranged when
the Djinn arrives and releases the juggler, and is
about to inflict summary vengeance on them all,
when the Peri Queen opportunely interposes, and
destroys the demon power. Thus everything is made
to' end happily, and the curtain falls upon the
arrival of the combined Courts of Persia and
Bengal, and the triumph of the lovers. We have
only apace to observe that the scenery was most mag-
nificent throughout, and the acting generally good.
Mr. Keeley did ample justice to the character of the
juggler ; we have seldom seen an abler illustration of the
mock heroic, or one in which the ludicrous points were
better elicited. Mrs. Keeley was, as usual, the prince
of buylesque princes ; and Frank Matthews strode the
stage with a pomposity of regal dignity and state
ludicrous in the extreme. All the leading features of
the day were touched upon in turn, and occasionally
with telling effect—railways, the Ministerial crisis,
Norfolk sauce, all came in for their share. The piece
was decidedly successful, and with some judicious
curtailment, and when the machinery has got into
better working order, it will, no doubt, have a good
run. It was announced for repetition amidst general
applause.
•

SADLER'S WELLS.
This delightful place of public amusement pre-
sented a rich treat to the holiday folks yesterday
evening, who thronged to it in vast crowds. The
performances commenced with Moore's celebrated
tragedy of The Gamester, in which Mr. Phelps
sustained the character of Beverley, embodying in
most vivid and natural hues the varied feelings with
which the author invests his hero. Mr. Bennett
played the part of Stukeley in a most masterly
manner, while Mr. Marston, as the chivalrous friend
and impassioned lover, Lewson, was equally effective.
Mrs. Beverley was sustained by Mrs Warner,
who depicted in the most pathetic and truthful
manner the fond, confiding, and enthusiastic wife.
The other characters were equally well sustained.
The pantomime next followed. It was entitled Har-
lequin and the Steam King, or Pervonte's W,shes and
the Fairy Frog. It opened with the scene of the
Grand Laboratory and Abode of Science, in the Realms
of Steam, which presented Science (the Steam King),
enacted by Mr. Lingham, surrounded by his Court,
composed of the allegorical characters of Wisdom,
Study, and Experience (Messrs. Knight, Franks, and
Graham), who are sitting in conclave, when their de-
bates are interrupted by the arrival of the engine of
Science, ii the shape of a steam- carriage, and, with
the celerity that characterises these performances, the
scene changes to the Palace of Mirth, in the Land of
Laughter. Here we are introduced to the deity of
the place, Mirth (Miss G. Lebatt), with her attendant
sprite and willing minister of drollery, Brightstar
(Miss Stephens), who is sent by her on a mission,
and the scene concludes with her departure in her
fancy car, a gorgeous piece of machinery, radiant with
stars, and arrives on the borders of the Enchanted
Lake, where reside two simple country folks, Per-
vonte (Mr. F. Fenton), and his mother, Dame Dum-
plin (Mr. F. Hartland). The former, in conse-
quence of his jocular temperament, as well as
services rendered to the Deity of Mirth, is invested with
the virtue that belongs to the Cap of Fortunatus—to
wit, the power of obtaining whatever ha wishes. This
power is exercised very freely, and a series of
humouros transformations succeed. By it the
great King Cockchafur (C. Stilt) is punished for
certain misdemeanours, while his haughty daughter,
the Princess Prettyprout receives her deserts for a
neglect of her duties by having the honours of mater-
nity thrust on her in the shape of two children. The
equitable exercise of his power induces the fairy
Brightstar to further reward Pervonte, who is trans-
formed into Harlequin, while his lady-love, from a
simple attendant at the Court of the above-named
potentate, is changed into Columbine. Other changes
follow, which produce those characters which belong
to 'every performance of this description, namely, Pan-
taloon (Mr. F. Hartland) and two Clowns (Messrs.
Gramani and Stilt). The quintette then enter on their
migrations, and the audience are introduced
to a variety of scenes, ludicrous positions, and
humorous transmutations. Among those that deserve
particular notice from their allusion to the present
times, we would mention a curious change that takes
place in the inscription on a little chest, which instead
of the original " Punch for the People," is replaced
by that of " Pepper for Peers," and of " Wellington's
last mighty Deed," in which the doors fly open and
exhibit the Hero of Waterloo as a Brobdignagian
tobacco stopper. The new pier at Gravesend also fur
nishes food for some sly jokes and practical witticisms.
The decline of the Shakesperian drama is alluded to
by the representation of a large public-house, bearing
the inscription, " Will Shakespeare to be let to an
improving tenant," as well as the substitution of
foreign professors and foreign commodities in this
establishment, which typifies one of the national
theatres. The railway mania is pleasantly alluded to,
by a large placard in Capel-court, which contains the
announcement of the formation of a most promising
(but anonymous) railway, with the name of the
chairman, Captain Stilt, and the names of several
directors, which are followed by, the ominous initials
of D. 0.0., P.R., 1.G., S.C.A., M.P., cum multis aliis.
The whole concludes with a splendid scene of the
Palace of Rainbows, and a grand finale, in which the
lovers are united, and dramatic justice awarded to all
parties.

OLYMPIC.
Last night the Olympic commenced its second
season under the management of Miss Kate Howard,
and no sooner were the doors thrown open than the
house became filled from top to bottom with as noisy
and boisterous an audience as ever was assembled
within the walls of a theatre of the same size and
dimensions. Yet still good-humour prevailed
throughout the whole of the evening, and jokes
passed freely from the pit to the gallery, and from
the gallery to the pit. Perhaps the high and mighty
gods were now and then too severe in their satirical
observations upon the dress and appearance of the
tenantry of the boxes, and even of the performers
themselves. But let these pass ; they were
drowned in the notes of a shrill warbler of the
" Polka," "We may be happy yet," and many
other popular airs with which street orchestras have
familiarised the million. The entertainments com-
menced with La Dame de St. 7'ropez ; or, The
Poisoner, but the majority of the audience appeared
to receive both this and the interlude of the Day after
the Wedding, which followed, with the greatest in-
difference. At length came the pantomime, and
with it came a volley of shouts of " Hats off!"
" Sit down !" " Silence !" and then all became hushed
and still. It was called Fortunatus ; or, The Magic
Cap and the Three Lucky Wishes, but the
title had little or no connexion with the
incidents. Some of the tricks and transformations
were good, and rewarded with applause ; but the ma-
chinery was sadly defective; and what with the
Clown being hoarse and unable to sing " Hot Cod-
lings," and the Harlequin lame and only able to
dance with difficulty, the pantomime closed amidst
a tumult of yells, and shouts, and hisses, that made
the walls of the building shake again. Nevertheless,
the pantomime contains some excellent tricks, and
no less tasty and picturesque scenery, and, after
another rehearsal or two, the machinery may become
more pliable, and the thing itself go off with more
success.

ASTLETS.
The performances announced for boxing-night in
this theatre were Mazeppa, the Equestrian Feats in
the Circle, and the Pantomine, which was entled
Harlequin Don Quixote de la Mancha; or, Sancho
Panza and Dulcinea del Toboso. Of illazeppa it is
needless to speak ; and the Scenes in the Circle were
carried out with more than usual spirit.
The opening scene of the pantomime, viz.,
the Crystal Cave of Christmas, was very grand,
and the " abode of fancy," where the materials for
the pantomime are collected, under the auspices of
Christmas, also presented a grand appearance. In
fact, it may be said of the scenic effect throughout,
that it was magnificent, and the adventures of Don
Quixote, as they were briefly pourtrayed in a sort of
moving panorama, excited much amusement, as did
also the animal who reprerented Rosinante. With
regard to that portion of the pantomime where clown
and pantaloon make their appearance, we regret to
say that the fun usually attendant on those worthies
was entirely absent. The changes were without
point, and out of place, and the jokes, if such they
might he called, were of the very lowest order. There
was that particularly hurried and geni appearance
about all the pantomimists, which is often obser-
vable in product:o is of this kind, where
the actors endeavour to make up by bustle and ges-
ticulation the absolute want of good tricks and posi-
tions. Towards the close of the pantomime the
impatience of the audience began to be manifested in
various sibellations, and at the fall of the cur-
tain the noise was pretty general. The rhymes
in the beginning and ending are very childish
and forced, and in some instances positively
absurd. Another great objection to the panto-
mime is its great length, the performances not
being over till a quarter past one; and even then one
scene was omitted. In fact, although the hero of La
Mancha could be made to furnish ample materials for
, amusement, yet in this instance he has been spoiled,