Transcription
[image of horse and rider]
SCENE FROM THE NEW PANTOMIME OF “HARLEQUIN AND O’DONOGHUE,” AT ASTLEY’S.
ASTLEY’S THEATRE.
Last week we were compelled, by want of space, to notice the pantomime of “Harlequin O’Donoghue; or, the White Horse of Killarney,” at the above theatre, too briefly. The piece is by the author of “Bluff King Hal,” and, like that, promises a very long run. All our readers who are fond of Irish legendary lore must know that Prince O’Donoghue was a good Prince of Ireland, who (for what cause has never yet been discovered) was doomed to ride upon the Lakes of Killarney until the silver shoes on his horse should be worn out by the waters. This is the ground-work of a very good pantomime; the author making O’Donoghue the good genius, and Whiskey, personified, the evil spirit of Ireland. O’Donoghue takes two lovers under his care, who, to please the Hag of Mischief, are to be brought to ruin by her offspring Whiskey, whom she disguises as Paddy Carey. Lord Bullfrog. Father to the lovely Kathleen, determines that he who can produce the best horse shall wed her, and puts her up as a prize. Dermot, her favoured lover, fears not, for he possesses a horse of surpassing breed: but alas, in an evil hour, Whiskey Tempts him, and at dice he loses his beloved steed, and with it all his hopes. At this moment, O’Donoghue takes pity on him, and Dermot promising to “stick to the water-cure,” he takes him to his “Stable of the thousand steeds” at the bottom of the lake. Here he lends Dermot a horse to ride the race with, the next day. He comes so amongst the hills of Killarney, and wins the fair Kathleen and Dermot’s fairy steed into his possession, but this proves his ruin; for the horse seeking his native home, carries Whiskey and Kathleen to the bottom of the lake, and thus Whiskey’s power is destroyed by water. O’Donoghue, having lent Dermot his own “white horse” to pursue the runaway spirit, follows to the bottom of the lake, and rescues his love, and bringing her safe again to earth. Here the characters are changed, and the harlequinade begins. The scenery, by Mr. Dalby, is all good, particularly the “Lake of Killarney,” which we have chosen for the subject of our illustration, at the moment O’Donoghue, which is nearly all silver, is very superb Mr. Harvey and his graceful wife, are very good as Harlequin and Columbine. No fault can be found with the Pantaloon of Mr. Revolts, and Mr. Henderson has long been acknowledged a first-rate Clown. The theatre has been so crowded ever since the production of “Harlequin O’Donoghue,” that nightly some two or three hundred persons are accommodated with places on the stage during the scenes in the circle.
London: Printed and Published at the Office, 198, Strand, in the Parish of St. Clement Danes, in the Country of Middlesex, by WILLIAM LITTLE, 198, Strand, aforesaid.—SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1851.
