The Sun. — 1844-02-29 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY APPREHENSION OP A THEA.  TRICAL COMPANY AND AN AUDIENCE.—III consequence of information received by the police authorities that some theatrical performances were carried on nightly; at an establishment near King's-cross, Battle-bridge, where gangs of young thieves and the worst. of characters congregated, to the nuisance of the respectable inhabitants, arrangements were made, under the direction of Mr. Superintendent Massey, of the G division, for the purpose of making a capture of the performers and the whole of the parties assembled in the theatre ; and last night, between eight and nine o'clock, a numerous body of the police, accompanied by Mr. Massey, Inspectors Penny and Barton, Sergeants Archer, Finck, &c., repaired to the scene of action, where several officers, some of whom, were ' disguised as butchers, dustmen, and other characters, had paid for their admission, and became part of the auditory, for the purpose of giving their evidence. The entrance of the house in which the entertainments were to be exhibited was fitted up with a proscenium, scenery, and all the paraphernalia of a theatre, with a door-keeper, and money and check-takers. The exterior was placarded with announcements, that the " Grand melodramatic piece of Maria Marten, or the Red Barn Murder, with other novel and spendid entertainments, would be exhibited, interspersed with music, singing, gymnastics, tumbling, and legerdemain, would take place ;" and "only • a penny" would be charged to witness the performances, which were "never equalled" in the known world. The audience having waited with great patience, the curtain at length rose, when the piece of Maria 3lurten was commenced by automaton figures of the most grotesque appearance, and were made to move with wires, so that they "suited the action" to the words, which were repeated by some one behind the scenes who also worked the wires. At length the officers, who had been so organised that it was impossible for anybody to escape, rushed behind the scenes, captured the whole of the "automaton actors," including the wretch " Corder" and his victim Maria Marten; also the figure of death and all the minor characters. The scenery, machinery, and decorations were then seized and packed up, and, together with the audience, doorkeepers, money-takers, and "saloon" keeper, were taken to the station-house, followed by an immense crowd of persons, and the utmost curiosity and interest were excited in the neighbourhood, and the interior of the station-house had the appearance of a strolling company's barn, in consequence of the scenery, dramatic costumes, &c., with which it was bestrewed. No less than 83 persons, men, women, and children, consisting of notorious thieves, young prostitutes, dustmen, sweeps, and parties of the lowest and most debased kind, were placed at the bar in batches," and locked up. Mr. and Mrs. Poulter, who described themselves as comedians, it appeared were the "managers" of the company; Henry Frazer, a bald headed old man, who said he travelled with an exhibition, and was also a comedian, was one of the principals ; he was recognised as a veteran showman at Bartholomew fair. Mr. Frazer, jun., was also a comedian, who acted as door-keeper; Master Wildman, aged 13 years (in theatrical costume and rouged), was the fidler ; and Mr. Frederick Barnes and Mr. Sheppard displayed their talents in gymnastics, legerdemain, the fantastic toe, and the vocal department, and assisted in the scene shifting, machinery, &c. They were all committed to durance vile. The taking down the names and charges, &c., against them occupied till a very late hour, and crowds of persons assembled round the station-house, and remained a considerable time before ther were dispersed.