The Sun. — 1844-05-28 (London, England)

SURREY. The inhabitants of the Surrey side of the Thames; and not a few on the opposite side, naturally expect an extraordinary treat at this old resort for theatrical entertainment during the various holiday seasons of the year. The house last night afforded a spectacle of unusual interest, both as regards the pieces announced and the manner in which they were produced. We have seldom seen so large an audience. It may safely be said that there was not a single seat in the galleries, the pit, or the more aristocratic parts of the theatre, which was not occupied at the commencement of the performance. What became of those who had determined to patronise it at half-price is a question which we leave them to answer. But we must say a word or two as to the bill of fare which created so eager an appetite. The first piece was a new and original domestic drama (in three acts) by an author of celebrity (they might safely mention his name in future at the Surrey)--entitled The Instrument of Torture ' • or, The Needle and its Victims. As will be guessed from the title, the plot of the piece was founded chiefly on the sufferings of a sempstress, and many allusions were scattered through the piece to the various facts which have recently been made known in connection with the distressed needlewomen of the metropolis. A worthy old gentleman, named Abraham Bags, an old clothesman in the Minories, of the Hebrew persuasion, is the employer of the heroine of the play, whose adventures, though they extend beyond the needle, are closely connected with that " instrument of torture" up to the close of the piece. By the bye, this old Bags puts forth a remark which may be worthy of being remembered, namely, that himself and his fraternity are, after all, not so guilty as respects this matter as some who profess to pity the case of the sufferers, or at least that they share the guilt with those who are ' not willing to pay a remunerating price for their garments. A word to those who profess pity should be as weighty as a word to the wise. The piece was listened to throughout with marked interest ; and on the falling of the curtain the announcement of its repetition was received with cheering from all parts of the theatre. Next came a new tragic-comical, operatic, historical burlesque, in one act, entitled Georgy Barnwell; or, the Unfortunate London Ap• prentice, a very pretty burlesque, indeed, and one which told well with the audience. In order to avoid the incongruity of a real murder, the uncle was stabbed with a pair of tailor's scissors, which, instead of killing him, entered a box of Holloway's pills, which he carried in his pocket ; and this contrivance prepared the way for a very satisfactory termination, as a part of which the repetition of the piece was announced. A Grand Visionary Fairy Spectacle, in two acts, entitled The Spirit of the Snow Drift; or, the Frozen Charm, concluded the entertainments of the evening. Mortals and immortals, fairies, sylphs, ruined towers, and old oak chambers, in turn, varied the scene, and did their best to, make the beholders forget the monotony of their every-day occupations. We cannot speak too highly of the getting up of the above pieces. The acting, too, was excellent, and afforded, to all appearances, universal satisfaction. We have little doubt that this theatre, while conducted as it is at present, will maintain its long-standing popularity.