The Sun. — 1836-12-27 (London, England)

GARDEN.  The performances commenced with the well-known musical drama of Bob Roy ; but, notwithstanding the cast embraced the whole strength of the company, including Mr. Vandenhoff, Mr. W. Farren, Mrs. W. West, and Miss Turpin, the play passed off in dumb show. The entertainments were concluded by a performance entitled Harlequin and Georgey Barnwell ; or, the London 'Prentice. With the recollection strong upon our minds of the lone- vista of fantastical splendours which have glittered before us in times gone by, Georgey Barnwell has led us to the conclusion, that either the wands of the pantomimic magicians of the present age have lost their power, or that we have ceased to possess the faculty of appreciating the scenes of enchantment which they create as they deserve ; but however this may be, true it is that this pantomime did not impress us with the belief that its merits were at all equal to those of our favourites " of the days that are over," or that it was half so bright and joy-inspiring as the far-famed Mother Goose, Harlequin Gulliver, with its good-humoured giants and dainty Lilliputians, or a host of others which we could name. While we make this declaration, we are bound to admit that our relish for such amusements may have been diminished by the devastating hand of time, and therefore as the audience evidently enjoyed, as their laughter and applause amply testified, the fun and frolic of this piece, we are reluctantly compelled to confess that an incapability to appreciate its excellence may have resulted from some dimness in our own judgment, rather than any want of desert in the piece itself. With respect to the plot, little mare may be said of Harlequin and Georgey Barnthafir/that it closely follows that of the well-known tragedy on which it is founded, with the exception of the introduction of those spirits of good and evil which are so essential to the purposes of a pantomime. The different characters are under the influence of the Spirits of Idleness and of Industry, and, as in the original, the unfortunate 'prentice is induced to commit the crimes of robbery and murder at the instigation of Mrs. Millwood, a frail fair one, and a votary of idleness. Georgey Barnwell, however, is under the protection of the Spirit of Industry, and, instead of expiating his offence oa the scaffold, his uncle is restored to life, and he is transformed into a merry Harlequin, while the other parties are converted into Columbine, Clown, and Pantaloon. The Mirthful and Motley scene then commences. The veteran Ellar was the Harlequin of the night, and Mademoiselle Theresa Schmidt was as lively and effective a Columbine as we have recently seen. Air. C. J. Smith made a highly favourable debut as Clown, and Mr. Clarke was admirable as Pantaloon. The scenery ,Was gorgeous and effective, and the tricks and contrivances tor the most part were exceedingly happy and well executed ; but it struck us that much more might have been made of the suggestions which some of the scenes, especially that rePresenting Mr. Barry's design of the new Houses of Parliament, wore calculated to furnish. The abode of the Spirits of Idleness and the house of the Spirits of Industry, were beautifully painted scenes, as were the dioramic Walk from Southwalk to Camberwell, and the view of the Tower of London. The " Rice mess" was a palpable hit and the measurement of the superficial inches of the lead-Ing London papers, drew forth great laughter, as did the fall of an illustrious personage from Mr. Green's omnibus balloon, leaving his great coat and umbrella behind him. There were besides those we have mentioned a great variety "other amusing feats ; and after Madame Louis Irvine had