The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-25 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

The doors of the ever-famed Astley's were thrown
open last night for another season, and ere ten mi-
nutes had elapsed, the silence which for two or three
weeks past had been suffered to reign triumphant in
the body of the theatre, was disturbed by the joyous
shouts and whistling of a good humoured and nume-
rous audience. The house, daring the short recess,
has undergone some slight change; and those of our
readers who are in the habit of frequenting Astley's
will be glad to learn that many improvements which
time had, no doubt, suggested, have been introduced
for the convenience of the auditory. Crimson cur-
tains have been added to the back of the
boxes, and each tier is decorated and lined
with orange and blue upholstery, giving
the house a cheering and comfortable aspect.
Mr. Batty sustained his former popularity in pro.
ducing another new and grand military spectacle,
plentifully interspersed with startling and exciting
incidents. It is founded on an event which occurred
during the disastrous Penin-ular war, and is entitled
The Maid of Saragossa; or, the Spanish Amazons.
No doubt many who read this notice are familiar with
the celebrated painting of the late Sir David Wilkie,
representing the defence of Saragossa by the Spaniards
against the beseiging of the French army; if so,
this will give them an idea of one of the prin-
cipal scenes is the spectacle, which is taken
from this picture, and certainly forms a very effective
tableau vivant. The piece opens Kith the retreat its
the mountains of a party of Guerillas, who are sum-
moned by the army stationed in Saragossa to aid
them in repelling the attacks of the French, and from
scene to scene we arrive at the city walls of Sara-
gossa, where a terrific encounter ensues-between the
two armies. At the moment when the Spanish sob.
diers, exhausted by the severity and heat of the en-
counter, are. about to retreat, they are
rallied by the appearance of the Maid of
Saragossa, who throws herself into the midst of
the fight, and by her heroism and courage reinvigo-
rates the army of Ferdinand, King of Spain, who is
thus enabled to save the city of Saragossa from fall-
ing into the hands of the French. In the succeeding
scenes we see Angostina, the Maid of Saragossa,
crowned with laurels for her previous prowess ; hut
she forgets the glory of the moment in her grief for
the less of her lover, who has fallen into the power of
the French. Again she assumes the part of an
amazon, and, heading a troop of female warriors,
goes forth to her lover's rescue. She has scarcely
succeeded, ere another attack is hazarded by the
French, and for a second time Angostina, by her
prowess end undaunted courage, saves her native city
from destruction. These are the principal features of
the piece ; but there is an episode introduced, which
we have altogether omitted mentioning. It is made
up, as episodes generally are at this theatre, of an
humble village tradesman forsaking his home and his
sweetheart to follow the calling of a soldier. An
Irishman, too, is introduced, but why or for what
purpose, no one save the author can tell; but perhaps
it would not be an Astley's spectacle without an
Irishman. The piece was admirably placed upon the
stage, and was supported with much spirit and ani-
mation by a numerous corps dramatiqUe, amongst
whom were Mrs. Ismay, who played the heroine,
Messrs. Harwood, Lemon, Egan, and Hart. The
piece elicited a great deal of applause, and if a little
curtailment is made in the dialogue it may keep
possession of the stage for five or six weeks. It was
followed by the performances in the Cirque Olyrn-
pique, and Arena of Equitation, which brought be- -
fore us a Parisian artist, named Madame Dumos, who
is an exceedingly graceful and elegant equestrian;
nor must we omit to mention in equal terms of
eulogium, a Miss Isabelle, who, though considerably;
the junior of Madame Dumos, is nevertheless a clever
and accomplished performer. The evening's
entertainments terminated with the farce of
the Sleeping Draught, the chief character of
which was played by Mr. Charles Marsh, who, it
will be remembered, was the Clown at Covent-garden
last season. He is engaged here as the principal
Clown, and there can hardly be a doubt, from the
mirth he excited, and the applause he won last night,
that he is destined to become as popular on the other
as he was on this side of the water.