The constructive ingenuity of Mr. Planche, the pictorial excellence of
Mr. Beverley, and the managerial spirit of Madame Vestris, have been em. ployed to good purpose in the production of a grand spectacle founded on the story of the Seven Champions of Christendom. Mr. Pituiche having departed from the old plan of giving St. George a monopoly of achieve- ment, and having allowed each of the illustrious seven a fair share of prow- ess, everybody in the company save (alas!) Madame Vestris has got some- thing to do. Indeed, when it is considered that there are seven champions with each a mistress besides foes and squires, the wonder is not that all hands are full, but that enough are found to go through the work. The adventures, which, from the nature of the subject, are more than ordinarily various, afford great room for scenic illustration; and allusions to the poli- tical state of Europe are readily uttered apropos of the birth-places of the several heroes. As is generally the case with Mr. Planehe's holyday pieces, the grand spectacle predominates over the comic extravaganza; • though the local " hits " are more frequent than usual, and special burlesque func- tions are intrusted to Mr. Charles Mathews, whose chattering songs, ad- mirably sung, are exceedingly effective. In two or three of the scenes Mr. Beverley has almost surpassed himself. Mr. Stanfield having abandoned the occupation of scene-painting, this artist is clearly without a competitor in his profession; and even if Mr. Stanfield returned, Mr. Beverley would still remain as the founder of a school of his own.
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