On this page
-
Text (2)
-
No. AK1.TJOVKMBEB 13,1858:1 THE LJAPER. ...
-
IIaytiax Linenati.—Tho Cftronlqvo Pansic...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Drurylane Tiieatj2e.—Mn Tully's Arranee ...
revulsion is in store for them , when- shaking Ins new acauisition somewhat rudely , Meremont discovers the secreted papers . Molinet adopts instantaneously the position and airs of a successful emissary , and -the Baron is so happy at his own narrow escape from disgrace that he introduces him . to the notice of the Minister , who , of course , undertakes the care of his future happiness and that of Paquita , who appears to claim him at the fall of the curtain . The Tale of aCoatis skilfully contrived so as to give the evergreen artist the opportunity he so delights in , of being unceasingly before the public in the most embarrassing circumstances . He is thorough y himself as Mere onont , and on Saturday no less than ever held the iidniiring crowd under his perfect control . We were glad to observe that he was no less than ever enthusiastically welcomed by a full house .
LYCEUM . —M . Jullien ' s last novelties are an -operatic selection from the grand and popular " J ) er Frelschutz , " and " The Kiss Polka . " In the first , the principal melodies of Weber ' s glorious -work are well arranged for the ophicleide , cornet , flute , and oboe ; and are , we need hardly say , most admirably played T > y Messrs . Hughes , DuhGme , Pratten , and Lavigne . The audience were highly delighted with " The Kiss Polka , " in which a certain sound which we have reason to think is well known , and not unpopular , is produced by the orchestra in time and tune . M . Wienawski continues progressing in public favour . His arrangement of some beautiful and plaintive Russian thenies is very musical , and not being
spoilt by over embroidery , can be enjoyed by persons of taste as well as by the votaries of mere mechanism . EOYAL GRECIAN THEATRE . —The spirited proprietor of the Grecian seems , since his admission upon the roll of licensed theatres , to be making a -vigorous push to take something like a standing among them- The Fugitives , a stirring tale of an escape from the mutinies , at which we have been present during the week , would , for general effect and high-class decorations in point of scenery and costume , have been admitted to a distinguished positheillion had
tion , before the advancing taste of -m demanded a quality of entertainment in suburban theatres that our fathers would have considered first-rate in the patent ones . The fugitives are an English indigo planter , David Layall , his wife ( Miss J . Coveney ) , and their daughter , Helen ( Miss Amilie Conquest ) , who , on the point of the latter ' s marriage with William Hood , -a military officer ( Mr . Gillett ) , are driven from their home and narrowly escape assassination by their native servants . They are traced through dramatised perils of flood and field , founded on facts familiar to all who have read or
heard much of recent Indian affairs , and , after the murder of Lai / all , are ultimately saved by the Royal Naval Brigade . We have already spoken of the scenery and costume as effective , but we may add in conclusion that , taken in conjunction with the innocent ; libretto , which is , in this case , free from all vulgar pandering to the lower tastes , they may be regarded as , and do , in fact , compose , an instructive and valuable whole . We were as pleased to observe such correctly illustrated sketches of Indian life laid before a " lloyal Grecian" audience , as to note the intelligent appreciation with which they were received .
THE NEW BRITANNIA THEATRE . — We have long been aware that a " welKaccustomed " tavern in the vicinity of Shoreditch had for some years past included among its attractions a saloon for dramatic performances , and that theatrical stars of no less repute than Messrs . Leigh Murray , and Anderson had been engaged there at very high rates of salary . But largo and frequented as we knew the Britannia Saloon to be , we were not prepared for the imposing theatre which the proprietor , Mr . Lane , has leon enabled—we presume by the patronage oi the lower orders—to erect , under a recent license from the Lord Chamberlain . Wo are , nevertheless , able to state that Eaat London now boasts of a
dramatic temple second to none in the metropolis , and far superior to most , in point of handsome solidity andfitnesd for its purpose , having a largo and wellarranged audience room , a stago of the largest dimensions , and scenic arrangements of the most povfect order 5 and , what ia most important , ready means of exit . The Britannia has been built in the Bhort period of four months , from the designs of Messrs . Hill and Paraire , of St . Swithin ' s-lane . Its ample vault is supported upon iron columns , and those again roat upon massive arches ami piers of
masonry , calculated , it would seem , to last till doomsday . The numerous staircases are of stone , and little of any material but iron , stcno , and brick ia visible outside the audience part of the house . This latter portion has an imposing nir of solidity , those concerned having borne in mind that their visitors would mainly bo * of the -rannli-and-ready sort , upon whom knickknaoks of upholstery and linondrnpory would perhaps bo thrown away . The solid composition mouldings in front of the boxes aro simple , but rich in design , and arc coloured whlto on a very palp pink ground , relieved , by a faint
blue . The proscenium is flanked by huge twisted pillars , and frames , between the acts , a handsome classic drop-scene by Beverley . The ventilation is well secured , for a passage round the pit , and in close connexion with the street , supplies the air ; and the ceiling not being covered , as in many other theatres , by workshops or store-rooms , affords issue for an ample upward current .- A sense of comfort is therefore experienced at the Britannia which playgoers have often enough sighed after , but generally despaired of in first-class theatres . The lighting is effected by sixteen chandeliers instead of a central one , and from these a high amount of illuminating duty is obtained by the adoption—such , at least , is our impression—of a dioptric arrangement of crystal prisms , between and among which every ray from the jets disposed above them has to find its way ,
and by which , of course , it is increased and multiplied ad infinilum . The drama of the evening was The Brigand ' s Secret , admirably mounted in every respect , the principal characters of Jacqueline , MatthioU , and Pippo being sustained by Mrs . S . Lane , Mr . George Clair , and a promising comedian , Mr . S . Sidney . We are glad to record the opening of another large , handsome , cheap , and well-conducted place of amusement , and to remark for the hundredth time the sense of propriety and mutual interest which makes assemblages , that no stretch of courtesy could call genteel , to second the efforts of respectable managers for their entertainment and instruction without the necessity of police interference . From this point of view the Britannia Theatre , like the Canterbury Hall , of which re spoke last week , is well worth the notice of the cosmopolite and the
sociologist . THEATRE ROYAL BltrGHTON . — Mr . and Mrs . Alfred Wigan , who have been two j'ears absent from the stage , have reappeared as above , before a numerous and very fashionable throng . The piece selected was Mr . Tom Taylor ' s 'Still Waters Run Deep , in which the pair took their usual characters of John Mildniay and 'Mrs . Ilector Sternkold . They were very flatteringly received after the comedy , and were . no less admired in their well-known excellent performance of The Bengal Tiger , ih which Mrs . Wigan ' s Miss Yellowleqf'is one of her most successful
imper-. EGYPTIAN HALL-Mr . and Mrs . Howard Paux / s" Patch wo rk . "—This pleasant pair announce at last a migration , and the sign of the pagoda pattern plate announces the imminent return of Smith from Canton . We are glad to note the growing appreciation of this little entertainment , and of Mrs . Howard Paul ' s great talent , which we much regret to see cramped in the trifling arena of the Egyptian Hall . Her ' imitation of Sims Reeves is just now the most attractive , of her pieces , and is worth the applause it wins . In tone , dress , manner , and lineaments , she has contrived so to " double " the renowned tenor , that visitors imperfectly
acpondered over these an stand-point , have determined to feel the public pulse on the question of a second Crystal Palace . They are , undoubtedly , at present to be regarded as mere candidates for popular favour and applicants foi pecuniary support . It is natural , therefore , thai their allegations in favour of their project should be received with doubt and . scrutinised with suspicion . But the superiority of the new site is , after all , the only one of them that is of present importance , foi its admission or refutation will virtually settle the whole question . We have ourselves long held—grievous though it be—that Sydenham is comparatively inaccessible to the million , and that a
journey there is a lengthy pilgrimage to the industrious mass of the middle classes . It is as clear that a railway station at Muswell-hill might be placed in easy connexion with the now existing railway girdle of London , and with all the main and branch cispontine lines . We are of opinion that a palace and park , even far less attractive in beauty of scenery or value of contents than the existing one , will , on such a site as that in contemplation , attract three visitors for one who now finds his way across the troubled ocean of the City and through the desperate straits of London-bridge ; and the statement of the promoters , therefore , that this tripled revenue will remunerate shareholders in than half the
an enterprise saddled with less capital and expenses of the Cyrstal Palace Company , passes into the category of truisms . Any ~ attempt to set up the beauties of M us well-hill in rivalry with those of Sydenham is an obvious absurdity . We are content to admit that there , are natural beauties ; but the views over Essex ,. Kent , and Surrey , which we find alluded to-in the prospectus before us , are , to say the least , somewhat mythical , and look like trying to prove too much ; Superior accessibility by an enormous population is guarantee enough'that visitors will be forthcoming . Visitors will bring shillings and pounds to the treasury if the place is pretty , the music good , and the eating and drinking first-rate ,
withconsiderations from outei its attractions have been increasing month by mont under the recent excellent management ,, and _ hav produced a steady increase of revenue that , if no yet adequate to the payment of good dividends upoi an overgrown capital , still shows signs of being ulti mately able to pay something respectable , if no handsome . ' Our new candidates for popular suppor remind us again that had the expenditure of tk < original projectors at Sydenham been less lavish , a , nc had fewer gigantic crotchets been forced upon th < company by maniacal or ambitious schemers , the present revenue would have secured a fair remuneration upon the adventure . Some long-headed and , we presume , long-pursed individuals , then * who have
out need of many lectures on astronomy and geology . Shillings and pounds carefully husbanded by a prudent directorate—who , in turn , should be carefully looked after in time ( as Lord Leonards recommends ) by a wide-awake proprietary—will make dividends . The chronological illustrations of English History , by pictures , statues , armour , & c , and the course of Ethnological Geography , proposed to form part of a course of instruction , are good suggestions . It is not improbable that a great northern cricket-ground , riding-school , and gymnasium may bring grist to the mill . The reserved land would , not' be an ineligible site for agricultural meetings , like those at Chester , Derby , and York , and this
quainted with her style and personnel , or unaware of the nature of the imitation to be presented to them , might , w . e are sure , withdraw in the full faith that they had listened to his performance of Mr . Balfe ' s beautiful ballad . As the " unprotected female" Miss Selina 8 ' mgleheart , the burden of whose song is " the sorrows and hardships poor females must endure , " ' Mrs . Paul is also excellent , and the long and vapid story of her lovelorn life is quite as amusing as the celebrated engineer ' s tale of Albert Smith . But the charming nwrceau of all is »* Molly Duolnn , " the
gentle Irish maid of all work , whose brogue is very pretty , and whose delicate nursing and prattling to the baby entrusted to her , are simply pathetic and so natural as to be beyond praise as artistic . We must not forget Mr . Howard Paul while speaking of his better-half so warmly . He is successful in the pretty Yankee sleighing song " Peggy , dear , " and remarkably good as the "ModernLadies' Man , " and pretended Captain , Mr . Puppington Loll , A . H . M . S ., which means not on or of , nor after , nor about , but at her Majesty ' s service .
would , of course , be remunerative . There are , in fact , many chances that such an undertaking would prosper , if " got up" in the first place with common , honesty , and afterwards worked with sagacity . But wo are by no means desirous , -while we admit its interest and feasibility , to undervalue or depreciate our old love . Wo are convinced , on the contrary , that by the spur of competition new speed will be got out of the Sydenham team , new beauties developed , new facilities ( including a , direct line to Southwark-bridye ) bo ollored to tho million , and far
greater px-oflta realised for the proprietary , whose best chance lays in some spur of this kind . Instead , therefore , of deploring their loas of un hitherto unprofitable monopoly , wo rather congratulate tho old Crystal Palace shareholders upon the foreseen shadow of coming events , which we cannot believe will in any way obscure their glories ; and us for ourselves and other citizens intramurally interred and opon occasionally to suburban joys , wq can but rejoice at this , and ovory prospect openod to us , of a new , cheap , and beautiful place of resort and eutertuimncut .
PROPOSED NEW CRYSTAL PALACK AT MUSWKLL-HILL— Ho who first conceived that a second Crystal Palace could under any circumstances prove a successful speculation must have been an , original and penetratingperaonj but by far the bolder enterprise is his who dares announce such a view to tho public Wo have most of us been accustomed to regard tho doings of tho first and present Crystal Palace Company with tho eye of alternate censure and compassion . Wo havo contracted a habit of regarding its position as normally one of doubt and
Uilllculty , and seem to havo forgotten , of lute years , that by dint of almost Herculean exertions on tho part of a few directors , the gravity of that position lias been very materially alleviated , bueli , howover , has been the case . The projectors of a new Crystal Pulace at Muswell-liill , the suggestion of which haa caused considerable sensation In fine-art circles , remind us that the Sydenham enterprise has , in truth , Boon its worst of days . They remind tho public ia their prospectus of a fact that we have often takou occasion to notice in those columns that
No. Ak1.Tjovkmbeb 13,1858:1 The Ljaper. ...
No . AK 1 . TJOVKMBEB 13 , 1858 : 1 THE LJAPER . 1223
Iiaytiax Linenati.—Tho Cftronlqvo Pansic...
IIaytiax Linenati . —Tho Cftronlqvo Pansicnno contains tho following facetious story : — Tho Emperor Paustln I ., who imitates Franco in nil things , and has , like her , princes , marshal * , ( Hikes , counts , oollotfoa , and universities , reuonllv resolved to establish an academy of forty mombora , like tho world-ronohnicd firotiqh Academy . But it was not easy to aoioct thu forty , every inhabitant of tho empire who could write his own name thinking himself qualified . So hia Majesty decreed that
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 13, 1858, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13111858/page/15/
-