At the Lyceum and the New Strand, the old fashion
of making Whitsun- tide a theatrical festival has been revived. At the former, we have one of those pieces called " revues," which are produced M Paris as regularly as pantomimes in London, but which are more of a rarity here. Their function is simply to make the topics of the day to pass in a sort of hu- morous review before the audience, with as little connecting plot as pos- sible. The Lyceum piece, which is called Novelty Fair, anticipates the year 1851, and takes for its principal scene of action the pavilion devoted to the " Grand Exposition " Personations of Britannia, France Peace, and the British Lion, bring about wholesome remarks on liberality and international amity ; and the articles brought to the exhibition furnish themes for satire against existing absurdities and abuses. The dialogue of the piece, by Messrs. Albert Smith and Tom Taylor, is very smart and pointed ; and herein its chief merit consists. Its weak point is the small op, portunity it affords for histrionic display ; the "Year 1851," who appears in person as chorus, acted by Mr. C. Mathews, being really the sole promi- nent character. As a spectacle, there is no attempt to rival the former brilliant productions at this house ; though some tableaux, representing the state of foreign European countries, for the laudable purpose of making us satisfied with our own, are managed prettily enough.
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