The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-12-27 00:00:00

COVENT GARDEN.

The Pantomime here, Friar Duro* or the BIISZCJI
Read, is a very anitt%in,7, an.l a very glittering .one.
Nit as the author of the play-hills has made a friendly
advance in the way of an offer, to abridge our de-
scriptive Libours by an outline of the story, we ■hall
accept the challenge; Lakin; to ourselves the credit
of the information it contains, without, however, be-
coming responsible fur the bru'.en head of Friscian, or
any other of the accidents accompanying it. here it
is:—

Friar Bacon, as the old legend informs us, was a famous
scholar, and 'nadir.' in the University of Ocfurd, near
which ancient city he was born, in the reign of the Third
Henry of England. Bacon was the greatest Conjuror ober
beard of, far exceeding the renowned Dr. Faustus, oho ob-
tained his art by the most diabolical means, while Bacon
acquired his power of magic, like the Rusicruclans of old,
In a way never to be accounted for, and practised it always
to innocent and good purposes. His fame was spread
throughout the Continent, which brought on him the hatred
of one Vandermast, a German Necromancer, who, having
beard that Bacon had made a Brazen Ileud, which was to
Worts tilm of all that past in every region, came to Eng-
land with the determination to destroy his rival, and seize
the Brazen Head ; yet, by Bacon's foresight, he foiled
his enemy la the attempt. Until one day, being over-
come with fatigue, he omitted to watch the moment
when the Head (like to another Gracie) was to speak,
and tell his fate, and reward his labours ; by this neglect,
the charm was broke, the Head was destroyed, and the Spi-
rit of the Bra:. Bead, to punish the Prior, takes from
him his magic power. and gives it to the 3lotley Hero; and
transfbrms the Herniae. Voting Morley, Melissent,the Page,
■nd Miles, into Pantaloon, Itortrquln, Columbine, Lorre,
and Cleve, who are compelled to continne in those cheese-
ten until the B /lead shall he restored to its protec-
tor, the Spirit of the Head ; ■nd thus COll/1111.111%3 the usual
escapes, tricks, changes, sod metamorphoses of the liar-
lequinsde.
'ihe most remarkable feature in the Pantomime is the
splendour of its scenery ; and the most striking instance
of its excellence in that respect, consists in the exhibi-
tion of a voyage from liolylieml to Dublin, and a
mooring panoramic view of the vessel's course until she
enters the Bay. There are many other scenes that de-
serve to be mentioned with praise, bat we have selected
the boldest experiment, which was completely success-
ful.—The Dramatis Persuade being thus conducted to
the sister island, visit Doneybrook fair, where they are
well knocked about, according to ancient custom. We
did not recognise among the number of their adventures
any new tricks, and we could have wished for a few of
the favourite old ones. The most amusing accident of
the night was the explosion of a steam coat►, from
which the clown and his companions narrowly escaped;
this whimsical exhibition caused a good deal of !ugh.
ter. The whole of the machinery worked very well,
considering that it was but the But night, and we think
It probable that, when its length has been curtailed, it
will bear many repetitions.
ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.
A new kind of performance was undertaken .last
eight at this Theatre, under die tide of Soirees Asoo-

mates.
The first part of the entertainments was ea the phos
of those Ombrer Missoiter, which for massy years - at.'
The we copied from another paper res. tracted crowds of Parisian Haderis to the galleries of
peetiagP:=llAidermais Weed haring bees drowsed; rile Polais Itgal. Tbs whole stage was separated
is we lad untrue. The Alderman, U appears has me from the attains" by a thick geese, through which
see 66rted at MINIS. see the forms and actions of the performers weaned 1

. ••••• •••• •-•••• . • .

•Eimar!sr',

-

the appearance of well-defined,
A vocal F:xtremets followed, in
rrsql,N, Miss (honor, and
J.Sumt, FEINT, H. Putt LIM Hi
appeared in their proper subs!
much applause fur rations airs
executed with mu( h skill and etTe,

The sconded part consisted
LowioN, or A hectare on Licing
made to rpeah nut of bottles.
were those of lisarrenbenA,•• a
who gives excellent imitations
Actors, and that of Don GI
STEvaNsnx) who, in a medley of
details a series of whim-lead ad,
came out of the third canto of
The whole concluded bv a
performed by children, whose
whilst eoncealed person§ suppli%
correct tones and emphasis fro.,
seined the imaginary 1 •ves and courtsh:p of Gmy
Fusckr? and Joeta Tahiti, a baker's daughter, and
excited much laughter. The whole entreainment dis-
played mock inceonity, and occasionally no small dc-
gree of wit and satire, and is entitled to a f,suurable
reception from the public.

"d, musing sbadowsrr
in %%Ilia Miss J. Sit-
Messrs. BIIO.IOMLIST,
H l.; M.l N, and GucLozN,
hvance, and obtained
and glees, which they
effect.
of Do( for Fatotss in
Ilcwls, which are
Tlic must entre:tin:fig
melancholy Manager,"
a of our most popular
horaoni, (by 31iss
of dialogues awl song•,
adrentnrea " since she
a Noble Lord's Poem."
Grand Puppet Show,
e action was excellent;
ied the di.tlogur in most
rom behind. It repro-