The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-12-26 00:00:00

THE PANTOMIMES

OF all the amusements by which the juvenile popular
tion, as well as the " children of larger growth," are at
once attracted and delighted, none claim a higher rank, or
are accorded a more general favour, than the Pantomimes.
The broad grimaces and "quips and oddities" of Clown
and Pantaloon, the sylph-like elegance of Columbine,7and
the magic spells of Harlequin's fairy sword are indispensa-
ble adjuncts to the merriment of the Christmas holidays;
and in preparing such attractions all our theatres have
been busy. To-night those fairy revels will be unfolded
to eager throngs ; and in affording some slight key to the
amusements, we shall be in some degree devoting our
labours in accordance with the spirit of the time.

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, the piece selected is founded
on the many adventures of the renowned St. George, and
its title is " St. George and the Dragon, or Harlequin and
the Prophecy of the Spirit of the Mersey." The author
of the opening and story of the pantomime is Mr. J. B.
Buckstone, who has earned a reputation as designer of
" The Child of Hale," "Tim Bobbin," " The Legs of Man,"
and "The Butterfly's Ball" pantomimes, which were pro-
duced in the order in which they appear, and gave the
utmost satisfaction. The dances and the actions of the
ballet have been arranged and will be directed by Signor
Lauri, who will appear as. Harlequin, supported by Miss
Marshall as Columbine, and his two clever brothers as
Clown and Pantaloon. Mr. E. Fitzwilliam has selected
and arranged the overture and music; the scenery is by
Mr. Dearlove, jun., the machinery by Mr. B. Jones,
the properties by Mr. Bromley, and the dresses by Mr.
Jeffries. The scenic effects will, we understand, be more
gorgeous than on any former occasion. The comic busi-
ness is rich in humorous positions and transformations,
and the whole will conclude with a magnificent diorama
of the progress of the allied armies in the east, views of
the principal scenes being given. The following is the
outline of the story of " St. George and the Dragon," as
adapted for the pantomime :
In the first scene, Kalyb, the wisest woman of the
woods, makes her appearance from a thicket. Not daring
to " call upon the powers above to tell her how to win St.
George's love," she invokes the aid of the " shadows of
black night." Four demons appear, to whom Kalyb tells
her griefs, how
44hrilis kept in bondage by six knightly
chiefs, who hay allied her love." But there is a
seventh whose lo he especially wishes to gain, and she
asks the demons the way to accomplish her purpose, for
she will " never wish to win another." She admits she stole
him when a baby, and now that he is grown to youthful
manhood she desires to see him all her own. But his
soul sighs only for martial glory, and she proposes to give
him bright armour and a steed, and to try her arts of
enchantment, in order to tempt him to her arms. The
demons admit the scheme to be a good one; but when
she disappears they laugh incredulously, exclaim that do
what she will it is sure to be "no go," and sink " taking
sights." The next scene is an enchanted cave, into which,
after a dance by enchantresses and satyrs, Kalyb leads St.
George, attired as a Roman boy, and attended by a group
of little pages, dressed like himself. Kalyb invites St.
George to caress her. He turns away, and when she asks
him what she can do to secure his love, he replies that she
were must first make him lord of the enchanted cave, and then
reveal his birth, name, and parentage. Kaylb consents

to all he asks. She unfolds io him the stori; of his birth
and parentage, and then leads him to a couch, and sits at
his feet. Satyrs squeeze grapes into golden cups, St.
George drinks, enchantresses and satyrs dance before him,
and during the dance, Kalyb presents him with her silver
wand. Armour is brought by her command, and she and

the enchantresses buckle it upon St. George. She next
presents him with the sword Ascalon, telling him to

" Rigbtly use i

No strength cangeafc: no battle-axe can bruise it."
The " good steed Bayard" is next introduced, richly capa-
risoned, and presented to the knight, that he may be " fit

.es to the
The

for tournament or fight." The scene then chang
exterior of the Brazen Castle, with enchanted rocks

)avid of Wales, are discovered

,hrough their prison bar
;roans are heard as they

of chains and
St.

id clanking
:o and fro impatiently