The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Boxing Ni ght at Drury Lane has come ancl gone , ancl the verdict—more gorgeous than ever—is the same ¦ is it has ever been since Bro . Augustus Harris took up the reins there u years ago . We do not say " Jack and the Beanstalk " is a finer pantomime than its predecessors , but it is not a whit behind them .

Bro . Harry Nicholls has laboured successfully in svriting the book , and has made the topical allusions very funny . Of course , the London County Council , the influenza epidemic , the dethronement of the Emperor of Brazil , and the restriction b y Parliament of the employment of

children on the stage are all dealt vvith in turn . Bro . Herbert Campbell is supplied with a most amusing song ( the funniest thing in the svhole pantomime ) , hy Bro . Geoffrey Thorne , anent Mr . McDougall and friends visiting the music halls as Paul Prys . Probably the author will add a couple of verses owing to the

encores it receives . The beanstalk is not of the usual growth , but appears at Drury Lane in the shape of the Eiffel Tower . Mr . George Conquest , jun ., plays the giant vvho carries off the Princess . He manages to make himself io feet high without being unable to move about with ease . Miss Harriet Vernon

again is principal boy , ancl as Jack plays vvith vivacity . Mr . Dan Leno makes an extremely comic mama , and sings some good songs . The Brothers Griffiths , of Blondin donkey renown , are the cow and dairyman . Roars of laughter are caused by their humour . Bros . Harry Nicholls ( who , by the way , appeared in

the World last week as the Celebrity at Home ) and Herbert Campbell are the King and Queen . As alsvays at Drury Lane , the burden of the pantomime falls on their capacious shoulders , vvhich they seem quite able and willing to bear . Long distant may the day be that they are disunited . Miss Faudelle , the queen of

the fairies , sings a lovely song , by Leslie Mayne , with charming effect . A spar between a man dressed up as a rooster and a real game cock is very amusing . The four prettiest things in " Jack and the Beanstalk " seem to us to be the ballet in the market place , where the dresses are lovely ancl the grouping effective .

1 he procession of Shakespearian characters , the grand procession of the gods and goddesses of ancient mythology , and pas de huit danced b y the Misses Wilson , Dearing , Charteris , and others . If the Granel Treasurer elect will pardon us making a suggestion , we recommend that these ei ght ladies should

have another dance at the close of the piece . We heartily join in the " Here we are again " of Bro . Harry Payne , the closvn . He has a good smack at the disclosures in the London School Board , and introduces much nesv business . Bro . Slaughter ' s music is full of melody , and exquisitely played by the orchestra .

Madame Katti Lanner is again responsible for the children ' s ballet , which is as good as ever , notwithstanding the recent act . Bro . Collins' stage management reflects the greatest credit , and the dresses by Wilhelm are lovely in colour and form . Good old Drury Lane ought not to tear any rivals with Bro . Augustus Harris at its head .

Bro . Marius has wisely revived an old and favourite burlesque , vvhich in the palmy days of that form of entertainment had a long run at the house—the Strand—particularl y devoted to those pieces . Many of our readers , like the writer , cannot have seen " The Field of the Cloth of Gold" in 1868 , so that it comes

now with a welcome from all . As it can only be played for a few weeks , owing to Mr . Geo . Alexander having become lessee of the Avenue in February , we doubt not it will be well resorted to . The quips and puns are very smart , vvhich proceed from the facile pen of the late Mr . W . Brough , and the company engaged

enter into the spirit of the fun . Mr . Chevalier , vvho has taken the place vacated by Bro . Arthur Roberts , works hard as the King of France , and has a very amusing song— " It ' s funny without being vulgar " — which ought to catch on . We take it the singer is also the composer . Mr . Geo . Capel , as King Kenry

yilL , is a second best , but might have made more »» his topical allusion to the recent prize fight . Mr . Julian Cross , though very nimble , cannot quite shake off melodrama . Miss Minnie Byron , who has not been seen for many a long day , dashingly plays the Earl of Darnley , and Miss Marie Linden , both in song and

dance , is sweet and graceful as Lad y Constance . I he management have gone back to the old style , and "TL *" 1 " - ? p ' eces * the evening . The curtain raiser—I he Express Train "—is amusing , and " La Rose JJ Auvergne" meets , as it always does , vvith favour , its music is some of the best composed by Offenbach . The three

vvho play in it are each resvarded for their singing qualities , and were well encored . Bro . Alec . Marsh and Mr . Joseph Tapley ancl Miss Amelia Griihn have never been surpassed in this oft-repeated musical operetta . But wh y does a lady who looks an English-Woman , and speaks as such , take an ugly German

of r ' n Tbe ( ouf ensemble in "The Field of the Cloth Brn TV A ' tu leaves noth - ng t 0 be desired . The dapper ° . u Albertson , vvith his genial smile , still presides as j nager , and long may he do so , and is ably assisted bewvi 1 i 1 enant - Mr * D ° ve Keighley . Let those who swfi , ¦ les 1 ueof these days go to the Avenue and see their own old-fashioned sort .

The Theatres.

Bro . Townley ( Geoffrey Thorne ) , who is responsible for several pantomimes this year , has again written that for the Grand , where on Boxing Day merry Islington flocked , being joined by a large contingent from other parts , ancl methinks for the next six sveeks from south , east , and west , people will be drawn to the

north . It is one of the most exhilarating pantomimes we have ever seen . At its first performance everything went svithout a hitch as though it had been running for sveeks . It teems svith witty lines and ingenious puns , and is mounted in a manner not unworthy that of the West-end . The allusions

to the County Council , Mr . John Burns , the gas strikes , the influenza , socialism , and certain political personages are all amusing without being spiteful . The most notable scenes for fun ancl frolic are the market place of Pekin , the willow-pattern temple , the Imperial baths , and the Egyptian Hall in

Aladdin s palace . Mr . Joseph Cheevers , svho , though we have never heard of before , we shall hope to see often , again , is the widow Chow Chow , and makes a great hit with his song " I ' m so happy . " Mr . Wilfred Shine , as Abanazar , svorks hard all through the piece . The Wishee Washeeof Mr . Charles Seel is very clever .

Mr . Fred Walton , as a toy soldier , made one of the biggest scores by his very clever buffoonery , which he never made too prominent . Miss Belle Black is a sprightly Aladdin . Miss Louie Wilmot makes and looks a good Pekoe . Miss Beryl , as the Princess , will do better svhen she learns to sing louder . Mdlle . Elsie is very graceful both in dancing and on her bicycle .

The author has kept pretty close to the text of the story , and from it eliminated a thoroughly funny and innocent pantomime , which makes both old and young roar with laughter . The music is capitally arranged , and the ballets and scenery are all that can be desired . The hearts of Messrs . Wilmot and Freeman ( lessee and manager ) must be quite at ease after the reception "Aladdin" met svith .

One of the prettiest and most tuneful operas to be seen just nosv is at the Avenue , where every afternoon "The Belles of the Village" is played b y Messrs . Nolan and Fitzgerald ' s Juvenile Opera Company . The actors and actresses are between the ages of 10 and 16 , and several show great talent as comedians and concert

singers . Master Bovill , as the beadle , seems born for the stage , for he renders his part vvith fluency and feeling . Master F . Allwood , as the sailor , not only acts but sings svell , and can dance a hornpipe like any of her Majest y ' s sailors on board of a man-of-war . The three boys who represent the oldest inhabitants of the

village , have quite caught the ways of the crotchetty , begging old men one meets vvith in the country districts . Misses Lizzie Dungate and A . Filber , as the squire of the village and Captain Plume , are in their line quite on an equality with the boys . Of the two little girls , Misses Rose Kilner and Begarnie , vve must say

that they promise to be Tagliones if they go on as they have begun . The good old English ballads introduced into the opera are very acceptable when sung so well , with such taste , precision , and clearness as b y these young folk . Bro . Marius is responsible for the whole production , which does him great credit , as well as the

trainers of the children , vvho seem to be apt pupils of Mr . and Mrs . Fitzgerald , and take a deli ght in gaining the applause of their audience . Since Christmas some harlequinade business has been introduced , which adds yet more to the enjoyment of the public who take this opportunity of hearing this pretty opera .

Mr . F . R . Benson deserves the encouragement of the public on opening the Globe Theatre with Shakesperian plays , in which for several years he has made a name for himself in the provinces . He promises a long repertoire , including "Twelfth Ni ght , " "Othello , " " Merry Wives of Windsor , " " Macbeth , " " The

Taming of the Shrew , " " Hamlet , " and " The Merchant of Venice , " and means to play them somewhat on the stock company scale—that is , changing the programme frequently . His first effort , " A Midsummer Ni ght ' s Dream , " does Mr . Benson the greatest credit , more especially in the way it is staged . The

cast for that comedy is very large , consequently the expenses svill be in proportion , so that the young lessee ought to be well supported by the public , particularl y those vvho profess to love the great English bard . Lysander and Demetrius are represented b y Messrs . Benson and Ross , Bottom by Mr . Weir , who all are

excellent . Miss Kate Rorke is sweet as Helena , and has got over the nervousness which we are told she displayed on the first night . Mrs . Benson is a good representative of Titania , and Miss Geraldine of Puck . The scenery is even better than the acting , and worthy of a long run . Mendelssohn ' s music is given svith great

effect by the the orchestra all through the play . The duet , " I know a land whereon the wild thyme grows " ( Horn ) , is sung by Misses Townend and Mitchelmore , ancl encored by the audience . We welcome Mr . Benson with his Shakesperian comedies , and hope he

will find they spell "fortune , for he certainly tempts it . Bro . Sir Edsvard Clarke , after making a big speech in Mr . Justice Butt's Court , svas at the Globe svith Lady Clarke and family . The Solicitor-General , like Sir Charles Russell , is devoted to the play , especiall y Shakespeare ' s .

Bro . Charles Harris , backed by the liberality of the directors of the Opera Company , Limited , of which Bro . H . J . Leslie is manager , has produced a pantomime at Her Majesty ' s , which one would quite expect from such an experienced and able stage manager . For spectacular pageantry , commend us to Cinderella ,

The Theatres.

Nothing seems wanting . The dialogue is good from the pen of the two authors who write under the title of Richard-Henry . We have a crowd of clever comedians , bevies of young ladies , of all shapes , sizes , and ages , dressed in costumes pleasing and somewhat dazzling to the eye , vve have a magnificent procession of

characters from Shakespearian plays , and last , but not least , sve have the brightest and cleverest star of America ( we may now say also of English ) fame in the person of Miss Minnie Palmer , who is unrivalled in her line of business . The question almost crops up in one ' s mind that there is too much value for the money . However ,

if the management is content to give so much , the public will not grumble . The ball-room scene has not yet been surpassed as a triumph of pageantry ; the beauty of design and magnitude of the scene have not been superseded in scope and grandeur . The burning of Ladybird ' s home is received vvith loud applause , and

the tiny firemen and engines all hel p to make up a brilliant picture of the most extravagant combination . We miss Miss Violet Cameron , vvho , on account of illness , has had to throw up her part , now well taken by Miss F . Robina . Amongst the crowd in the cast are Miss Laura Linden , Miss Lila Clay , Mr . Harry Parker , Mr . Shiel Barry , and Messrs . Charles

Coborn and John Le Hay as the tsvo ugly sisters . Probabl y as the pantomime goes on the various artists will introduce a little more comicality into their respective parts . Mr . Edsvard Solomon ' s music is just what one hoped for from that composer , and thoroughly suited for " Cinderella . " Her Majesty ' s has been gorgeously decorated and fitted up , and from all parts of the house a clear viesv of the stage can be obtained .

On Saturday evening , February ist , "Sweet Lavender" svill be played at Terry ' s Theatre for the 690 th and last time . After that date the house will be temporarily occupied for eight months by another management . In the meansvhile Bro , Edward Terry will take a pleasure trip to India , returning in the autumn to produce a new play .

Miss Annie Irish will produce her new play at Terry ' s Theatre at a matinee on Tuesday , January 21 st , in which the following ladies and gentlemen will appear : Mesdames E . H . Brooke , Le Thiere , Jo-iephine St .

Ange , and Roma and Annie fnsh , and Messrs . Fred Terry and Henry Pagden . The play will be stage managed by Mr . W . H . Vernon , and the business arrangements will be looked after b y Bro . Terry ' s acting manager , H . T . Brickwell .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . EX-SHERIFF HIGGS .

It is our melancholy province to record the decease —awful in its suddenness—of Bro . Ex-Sheriff Higgi , a brother who , by his kindliness of character and genial good temper , had won the goodwill and esteem of all svho knesv him . The ex-Sheriff died at the Hatel

Victoria , svhere he svas staying * svith his svife for the night . It vvas the intention of Bro . and Mrs . Higgs to be present at the ball that was given at the Mansion House on Monday , December 23 rd , in honour of the coming of age of the Lord Mayor ' s son . After dinner , and just as they svere about to leave

for the Mansion House , Bro . Higgs , during the absence from the room of his wife , was seized with a sudden stroke of apoplexy , becoming senseless in a moment . Medical aid vvas at once forthcoming , but the doctor ' s efforts proved unavailing , for he never recovered consciousness , passing away shortly before

one o clock , tsvo or three hours after the seizure . His wife and several members of the family ( who were summoned when the worst was known ) were present at the bedside , but , as before said , he vvas perfectl y unconscious , passing away without having spoken a word after the seizure . On the day in question , to all outsvard

appearance , the ex-Sheriff was as well as ever , there not being the slightest indication of the sudden calamity befalling him . On the Saturday he was present at the Bassishaw wardmote , dining in the evening with Mr . Alderman Stone , vvhen to his friends gathered together he appeared to be in the full enjoyment of health

and vigour . Ihe funeral will take place at Hi ghgate Cemetery about half-past tsvelve on Tuesday morning . It svas only quite recently that Bro . Higgs commenced to take any interest in public affairs . Indeed , his career as a public man may be said to have commenced vvith the time when he vvas elected , in conjunction with

Major Davies , as a Sheriff of London and Middlesex . Prior to then he lived in retirement at his house , New Barnet . Of his career as a Sheriff but little need be said , as the events of the year must still be fresh in the minds of our readers . His shrievalty , memorable from the fact that he served during the Mayoralty of

Sir Polydore De Keyser , was no less noteworth y by reason of the energetic manner in which he fulfilled the manifold duties of his office . Charities innumerable he supported during the year . Bro . Higgs was a Past Master of the City of London Lod ge , and a member of Peace and Harmony and the Alliance Lodges .

Ihe Right Hon . VV . E . Gladstone , M . P ., completed his Soth year on Sunday last , having been born on 29 th December , ISOJ , and an enormous number of letters and telegrams of congratulation svere received by the right honourable gentleman in the course of the day and on Monday . Among those vvho thus joined in paying him this honour being the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Khedive of Egypt , and others .