The Drama.

Evans . " A hit , a palpable hit , " is made by Mr . Arthur Cecil , in the character of the little French Doctor Cains . Mr . Cecil ' s forte lies evidently in the region of eccentric comedy , for this is nothing less than a masterpiece . The " merry wives , " Mrs . Ford and Mrs . Page , are acted with sufficient vivacity by Miss Rose Leclercq and Mrs . John Wood , whilst Miss Furtardo makes an attractive and modest

Anne Page . The chief blot in the representation is found in the performance and general make-up of Messrs . Pistol , Nym and Bardolph , FalstafPs not too obedient or reputable followers . It would seem that the old type of utility actor is fast dying out . No actor who can speak a few lines with decent elocutionary skill is content to appear in any other than one of the leading parts of a play ; and

the consequence is that parts like these , affording excellent scope for acting , are frequently handed over to indifferent artists . In our opinion , the make-up of the representative of Bardolph would have caused all Windsor to follow at his heels had he ventured to appear so disfigured in the streets . As regards the scenery and stage

appointments , every praise is due to Mr . Holhngshead for the taste and care bestowed upon them ; in no case can they bo said to •' overstep the modesty of nature . " We are also pleased to note that The Merry Wives of Windsor is to be followed by A Mid summer Night ' s Dream .

The pantomimes this year are , as usual , resplendent in variety of colour , scenic effect , and magnificent costumes . As for the humour , the old rollicking spirit of pantomime seems to grow duller as time rolls on , and what with elaborate openings , an endless succession of ballets , and the gorgeous developments of tho transformation scene , the harlequinade is driven farther and farther into the region of

midnight until it seems almost probable that our immediate posterity will see it abolished altogether . COVENT GARDEN in particular has always held the reputation of producing the grandest , costliest , and dullest pantomime of the London season . Perhaps , however , we ought not to look for fun in an entertainment where , as in this instance ,

so much is always done in the way of spectacular magnificence . The real beauty of some of the scenes in this year's pantomime , such as the frozen dyke of Dunmow , the surprising spectral effects produced in tho scene of the Great Bed of Ware , and the surpassing magnificence of the transformation scene , will probably cause people to overlook the fact that the performance affords little ground for merriment .

At DRUKY , the Yokes family furnish the fun , and there is an abundance of it ; but even hero the humour of pantomime is , to a certain extent , overshadowed by the triumphs of scene-painter and machinist . The scene of the Garden of Jewels is a marvel of spectacular ingenuity , and is of itself sufficient to justify a visit to

tho theatre . Mr . Fred . Yokes sustains with characteristic ability , and we may add agility , the role of Abanazar the Magician . Mr . Fawdon Yokes appears as Kariac , whilst Miss Yictoria Yokes makes a most delightful Aladdin , and her sister a fascinating Princess Badroulbadour .

The Drama.

The story of Sinbad the Sailor supplies the groundwork of the pantomime at the HOLP . ORN , and a great deal is made of this time , honoured subject . The scenery is very effective ; and one scene , the Home of the Black Ants , is as good as anything presented this year . Miss Maggie Brennan makes a most sprightly and vivacious Sinbad , and she is well seconded in her endeavours by Messrs .

Vincent , Moxon and Fnrtado . The AMPHITHEATRE , too , under the management of Mr . Hollingshead , bids fair to maintain a prolonged prosperity with its pi-esent programme . At the SURREY , Messrs . W . H ., Harry aud Fred . Payne prove , to delighted audiences , that the salt and savonrof Pantomime ai'e not yet banished from the London stage ; whilst ASTXEY ' S , with its gorgeous Circus pantomime of Aladdin , fully maintains its old reputation .

Glancing to the provinces , wo observe that Bro . Steele , at the Victory Theatre , Aldershot , has achieved a genuine success in a pantomime founded on the well-worn topic of Jack and the Bean Stalk . Miss Millie Steele plays the part of Jack , and carries all

before her by tho sprightliness and grace of her performance . Tho transformation scene , which is supposed to represent the Dream of Endymion , is a magnificent affair , and the concluding harlequinade has an abundance of hearty fun wherewith to enliven the holidayseeking public .

The Music Halls , like the theatres , have their Christmas season , and at most of them an entertainment , of a move or loss seasonable character . Mr . Morris , the " Proteus , " late of the Charing Cross Theatre , appears in his extraordinary performance at the London Pavilion and the Royal Cambridge , whilst the Royal , under the management of Bros . Sweasy

and Adams , presents a most varied programme , including the " dancing Quakers , " Riley and Barnum , and the great ventriloquist , Lieutenant Cole . A little excitement was created here on Tuesday last , by tho announcement being made , by Bro . P . Corn , that Mr . Lament , the boatswain of the ill-fated " La Plata , " was in the hall , the news being received with great applause . It may also be noted that the benefit of Bro . Adams is announced for the 25 th instant .

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