Transcription
ASTLEY’S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
This pantomime is, as usual, from the fertile brains of Mr. Nelson Lee. The subject is particularly well suited to this establishment; it is entitled, “Bold Robin Hood, or the Pretty White Horse anf the Enchanted Princess of Sherwood Forest.” The curtain rises, discovering the fairy Morning taking her nap before the break of day; her sister Night makes her appearance, and takes from her the starry mantle, at white she wakes, and understands it to be the intention of the Fairy Queen, Sunbeam, to visit her abode. The fairy court arrives in mystic cars, magical gondolas, and fairy shells, followed by the Queen in her car of state. Here a consultation takes place as to who is to be the hero for the Christmas pantomime. Several are proposed and rejected. At last a subject is selected pure and free, which is soon rejected. At last a subject is selected pure and free, which is soon understood to be the dauntless Robin Hood. Morning is despatched with the charmed mandate. Gnatfly, a sprite, is summoned to aid the cause, when the fairy court depart to serve the fair and save the good. We not suddenly find ourselves in the centre of Sherwood Forest. The band of Robin Hood, attended by Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, Midge the Miller, Little John, and Will Scarlet, arrive. They receive instructions, when Robin Hood suddenly makes his appearance. He receives a hearty welcome from his comrades. He relates his adventure with the Sheriff of Nottingham. At this moment the Sheriff’s butcher approaches, whom they plunder of his provender, and separate to divide the spoil, leaving Robin Hood to pursue fresh adventures. Here the fairy Morning enters as a beggar, and is relieved by Robin Hood, for which good deed she delivers to him the mandate of the Fairy Queen, to fulfil which he departs, followed by the Friar. We are now introduced to the exterior of Horseshoe Castle, a scene composed entirely of horseshoes. In this enchanted castle is a beautiful princess, transformed within a pretty white horse—the particulars of which Robin Hood has been informed of by the fairy mandate. He knocks at the door, when Gobblegait, the Wizard’s porter, makes his appearance. By knocking down the porter they gain admittance, which takes them to the grand hall in the castle. Here Robin Hood perceives the approach of the porter, when Gnatfly rises with a scroll—
“To the stable where the Princess doth dwell,
Suffering beneath the Wizard’s spell.”
Robin Hood instantly darts off to her rescue. The scene now opens to the magic stable. Here we see the pretty white horse. Robin Hood, to dissolve the charm, fires an arrow, kills the horse, when the stable changes to a magnificent fairy temple, discovering the enchanted Princess. Sunbeam makes her appearance, changing her characters, when the usual pantomime race commences. No expense seems to be spared in catering for the amusement of the holiday folks, and doubtless the pantomime will have a long run.
The pantomime will be presided by a new and splendid equestrian spectacle, written by Mr. T. Blake for the peculiar resources of this establishment, entitled, “The Wars of the Jews.” In the circle some equestrian artists of high continental reputation will appear, and the entertainments, taken as a whole, promise to be worthy the taste and enterprise of the lessee, Mr. Batty.
