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master has some concealment, which he determines to ferret The countess has confided to Madame Schoonenberg (Mrs. W. Clifford) the secret of the expected visit of the baron, but as none of the party except the countess have any personal knowledge of the denounced patriot, they are thrown into a state of intense curiosity and trepidation. Meanwhile the real John Strong, who, on the preceding night had been made drunk by a stranger, and whilst in a state of unconsciousness, stripped off his clothes, and thrust him into a military uniform, makes his appearance at the burgomaster's, the object of his visit being to lodge a complaint against the unknown individual who had effected the irregular exchange of his apparel. He is, however, mistaken for the baron by the burgomaster and his wife; the latter causes him instantly to divest himself of his uniform, and to assume the dress of a cook, and the former conceals him in his wife's chamber from the inquisitive eyes of Krakwitz. Several other amusing dilemmas arise out of this mistake; honest John being ignorant of the mystery in which he has become involved in the burgomaster's house, and totally at a loss to know the cause of the alarming assurance, that "Your life is in danger," which he receives on all sides. The countess at length meets him, and, taking advantage of the general error, affects to treat him as her lover, in order to facilitate the escape of the real criminal, who is concealed in a summer-house in the garden. The chain of difficulties and stratagem is, however, suddenly broken at the moment that Krakwitz arrests John Strong as the fugitive chief by the intelligence that a sudden revolution had taken place, and the proscribed baron had been called to fill the office of prime minister. The mystery being cleared up, John Strong returns to his original station, and the piece ends. The characters were all well supported. Mr. Keeley's John Strong was a highly-coloured, and exceedingly laughable personation of the flattered and puzzled groom, who attributes to his own fascination the general interest which he excites amongst the ladies of the burgomaster's family. Mr. Tilbury's burgomaster was characteristically timid and fussy. Mr. Rogers made up for the part of Krakwitz admirably, and played the character with suitable briskness. Mrs. Clifford gave colour and aplomb to the part of Madame Schoonenberg. The two other characters, played by Miss Reynolds and Mrs. Humby, though trifling, were effectively sustained.

Mr.

Keeley announced the repetition of the farce amidst much applause.

ADELPHI.-We have anticipated the progress of events by raising the curtain at the various theatres in the metropolis, in order that our readers might take a peep at the entertainments provided for their delictation on boxing-night, but the management of the Adelphi Theatre has anticipated us, by producing its Christmas novelty a week before it was regularly due. The dramatic version of Mr. Dickens's Christmas fancy, The Haunted Man, was played, for the first time on Wednesday evening; and having a lengthened notice of the book under another head, we can only recommend our friends not to omit a holiday visit to the Adelphi, were it only to see the admirable acting in this piece, and the novel and beautiful stage effects introduced in it; and to enjoy a hearty laugh at the capital burlesque of The Enchanted Isle.

LYCEUM.-Mr. Planché has plunged into the brilliant stories of fairy history, and has brought up a charming fiction of the Countess d'Alnois's, La Princesse Rosette, upon which he has founded a dramatic extravaganza called The King of the Peacocks, which is to form the Christmas novelty at the Lyceum. The first scene represents the gardens of Florizel (Miss Fitzwilliam), King of the Verdant Valley, and the Chateau de Beauté, in which the Princess Rosetta (Miss Howard), the sister of Florizel, has been confined for sixteen years, by order of her father, in order to avoid the fate foretold by the fairy oracle, that she should fall in love with a peacock. Her royal brothers having released her from prison, the fairy Fickle seizes the opportunity of conjuring a peacock to her presence, with which she becomes so enamoured that she protests she will wed none other man than the King of these beautiful birds. To gratify their sister, King Florizel and Prince Jessamy, her brothers, set out in search of the King of the Peacocks, leaving the princess regent in their absence. The fairy Faithful supplies the princess with a protector in the sprite Fretillon (Mr. H. Marshall), "a green dog with one ear," that perpetually attends her. Meanwhile Florizel and his brother meet on their journey with a curious May-fly (Mr. John Reeve), who kindly conducts them to the palace of Argus the King of the Peacocks (Madame Vestris), to whom Florizel presents his

sister's portrait, at the sight of which the Peacockian monarch falls deeply in love, and instantly dispatches the Mayfly, with proposals of marriage for the original. The princess gladly accepts her distinguished suitor, and accompanied by her gouvernante, the Baroness Von Huggermugger (Mrs. Macnamara), and the baroness's daughter, Rumfizina, sails for the City of Peacock's, on board the Chinese junk, commanded by Captain Poo-lee-haa-lee (Mr. Harley). During the voyage the mischievous fairy Fickle puts it in the head of the baroness to throw the princess into the sea, and to substitute in her stead her daughter Rumfizina. Poo-lee-haa-lee is tempted by a flask of wine to assist in the base design; and in the middle of the night the princess and her attendant dog are thrown overboard. On the arrival of the Junk at the city of Peacockia, Argus comes on board, and is introduced to Rumfizina as the bride elect of his Majesty, who is, however, too wide awake to be so grossly deceived, falls into a violent rage, and consigns Florizel and Jessamy to the lowest depths of the hold, for having attempted to impose upon him, and a week's time is given for the production of the real princess. Meanwhile, the princess, protected by her canine attendant, floats on her hydraulic mattrass to the Peacockian shore, where she obtains shelter in the hut of O-don't-know-who (Mr. H. Hall), a Milesian fisherman. Being rather short of provisions, Fretillon is despatched to the kitchen of King Argus for a slight matter for lunch, but the unconscionable dog unceremoniously fills his basket with all the edibles prepared for the King's dinner, and escapes. A hot pursuit is immediately set on foot by the King's officers, who succeed in capturing the inmates of the fisherman's hut, and carrying them before his Majesty, who recognises in the receiver of his stolen dinner the original of the portrait whose beauty had inslaved him. King Florizel and Prince Jessamy are of course immediately released from their prison, and the delighted Argus, in his transport, forgives everything and everybody. In conclusion, the fairies appear, and the author points a moral, while the King adorns the tale, and the artist gives his notion of a grand spread in a splendid Fairy Hall.

PRINCESS'S.-Mr. Allcroft gave his twelfth annual concert on the 22nd ult., upon which occasion all the available talent of mark, both vocal and instrumental, of the metropolis were

engaged. The theatre was well filled, but when we take into consideration the comparatively confined area of the building with that of Drury Lane Theatre, and the crowds which there rushed to partake of the excellent and varied fare invariably provided by the concert giver, we felt disappointed that the attendance was not more numerous. The fact must, however, be ascribed to the general unpopularity of the theatre, and its unfitness for musical exhibitions. The programme contained upwards of fifty pieces, independently of four glees sung by Dumbolton's Serenaders; now, reckoning the encores, which were too numerous to signalise, the amount of music performed and listened to with unabated delight was positively enormous. With the exception of Madlle. Nissen and M. Thalberg, the artists were all" native and to the manner born,"and although there was much deserving of sincere praise, there were some essays which had been better left unattempted. Mr. Allen sang Wallace's pretty ballad from Maritana, "There is a flower that bloometh," but this gentleman's natural voice has departed, and the continuous use of his deteriorated falsetto effectually mars all his vocal efforts. We the more regret this as Mr. Allen is an intelligent musician, and we expected much from the promise of his early career. In the "A te o cara,” his singing was positively painful, and the vulgar shake introduced at the close was unpardonable. We would counsel Mr. Allen to retire from his professional labours until his voice, by repose, regains its pristine excellence. Mr. Charles Braham sang My Boyhood's Love" very charmingly, and Mr. Harrison was encored in "Is she a spirit?" from Laurent's opera of Quentin Durward, and in "Yes, let me like a soldier die." He sings to the gallery, and therefore must not be surprised if he fails to gain the admiration of the boxes and stalls. Miss Lucombe was received enthusiastically, and was deservedly applauded for her delicious interpretation of " The Breeze," and the brilliancy and neatness of her execution in a grand cavatina of Donizetti's. There was a terrible mixing up and disseverance of the programme, in consequence of the absence of Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. H. Phillips, and Miss Birch, who were occupied singing in The Messiah at Exeter Hall. After a considerable delay they arrived, and fulfilled their duties as promised in the programme. Reeves executed the "Fra Poco" and the duet "Sulla tomba," with Madlle. Nisen, in his faccustomed style. Thalberg played his marvellous fanta

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sias with marvellous power, Madame Dulcken performed a concerto, Master Thirlwall Paganini's "Dance of Witches" on the violin, and Mr. Lazarus an air, with variations, on the clarionet. Each were admirable on their instruments, and were loudly applauded. We left after midnight, when there were still fifteen pieces to be performed, and we confess, despite our real love of melody and harmony, that six hours consecutive listening to its strains, however exquisite they may be, is rather too much for our musical digestion.

Loder's new opera, Robin Goodfellow, commences the entertainments, after which a pantomime, entitled Bluff King Hal; or, Harlequin and the Charmed Arrow, will be produced for the mirth-loving lieges. The first scene shows the dreary abode of Discord, who deplores the present peaceable state of society in England, which he resolves to disturb, for which purpose he summons the Spirits of War, Law, and Liquor, who combine to create a European revolution, Happiness (the good genius determines to counteract their malign influence, and brings to view the Castle of Windsor, with the royal standard flying. The "National Anthem" is sung, at which the demons, in terror, disappear. Some allegorical scenes follow, in which Cupid, Hymen, and Industry figure. After which we are transported to the Gardens of HamptonCourt Palace, where William the Archer, and Lilla, his sweetheart, are walking, when Bluff King Hal enters with Queen Anne Boleyn, the infant Elizabeth in her nurse's arms, Cardinal Wolsey, and a royal train; Cupid touches the King with his arrow, when Lady Jane Seymour enters, and the fickle monarch determines upon marrying her. A dance of female toxopholites terminates the scene, which changes to a View of the Thames by Moonlight; Cupid and Hymen enter, and determine to favour William and Lilla's love. and to protect the girl from the King, who has been struck by her beauty. A boat enters with the monarch, who attempts to fish, and is only prevented from falling overboard by seizing the cardinal's nose; they land, and Lilla meets them, when his Majesty kneels to make love to her; William enters, and snatching away Lilla, places her in the King's boat, the King and cardinal attempt to prevent him, but the cardinal is knocked down, and William pushes off in the boat. The scene then changes to the Corridor of the Palace of Richmond; procession of domestics carrying bottles of physic, &c.; Henry appears

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