CHRISTMAS THEATRICALS.
THE abundance of theatrical novelties, suitable to the season, that have been brought forth this week according to annual custom, has completely nonplussed our ubiquity. We occasionally contrive to make ourselves "like Cerberus, three gentlemen at once ; " but to be thrice three, was rather too difficult a task even for that mul- titudinous pronoun the editorial " we." It was no easy matter to decide in which direction to turn our steps. " The bills were all before us, where to choose; " but to make choice of the best Christ- mas Pantomime, without having any other data to go upon than the list of scenes and characters, was as perplexing as the selection of a twelfth cake to the juvenile founder of " a feast of sweetmeats and a flow of negus." The enlightened amateur of confections knows that the quality of the cake is not to be judged of by the ornaments with which it is decked, as well as we do that the attrac- tions of the play-bills are no test of the goodness of a pantomime. As he, therefore, is content to rest upon the reputation of a GRANGE or a JARRIN, so we relied upon the consummate skill and taste of the fairest of caterers of Christmas entertainments; and the result has amply repaid our confidence. The various accounts that we have seen of the different spectacles and pantomimes at the other theatres, all bear us out in awarding the palm to Vasms.
The subject of the new mythological burlesque at the OLYMPIC, is the classic fable of Perseus and Andromeda; and the scene is laid on the shore and in the caves of "the deep, deep sea." Am- phitrite, the termagant spouse of Neptune, suddenly returns from a tea-party at Jove's, the lord mayor of the sky, in a tower- ing passion at an affront that has been put upon her by one of the company who depreciates her charms.. To revenge this insult, she commands her briny lord to deluge the globe; and his entreaties to mitigate her fury, and be content with the inundation of it few kingdoms, are all in vain. The appearance of the great American sea-serpent, however, induces her so far to commute her demand of the destruction of the whole world, as to be satisfied with ths serpent devouring all that comes within his reach. The music r appears in propria persona; and beggars the accounts that he been given of his enormous extent, by apprizing Neptune that hi,. tail having already twice encircled the globe, he shall soon re- quire to be measured for a new ocean. What little portion tho capacity of Neptune's ball of audience enables him to display of his dimensions, are certainly not unfavourable to this belief. His head is modestly ornamented with a simple straw hat, but his tail is splondidly emblazoned, and looks as if it would make a tunnel from pole to pole.
Perseus bearing of the ravages committed by the Yankee monster, resolves to fight him, and sends him a challenge by Nep- tune. The hero enters, in the person of VESTRIS, mounted on a milk-white winged horse, armed \iith the mgis of Minerva, and. bearing Medusa's head at his saddle-bow. The Yankee is seen. approaching the rock where the fair Andromeda is chained, smoking a cigar, and armed with Uncle Ben's rifle. He presents his piece at Perseus, but it misses, Neptune having wetted the priming ; and Perseus puts him hors de combat, by disabling his larboard fin.
Having delivered his betrothed from the sea-monster, and un- chained her from the rock (where she would have fainted but for the timely refreshment of a pot of porter), the hero has to contend with foes on land; but these he masters, by showing Medusa's head, with its hissing periwig, which transforms his opponents to statues.
This is the best of the Olympic burlesques ; which is saying .a great deal. The rhyming dialogue is lively and pointed, the puns are good, and the parodies excellent. VESTRIS sings one of " Di tanti in imitation of PASTA; and a most pleasant and graceful piece of mimicry it is. The divinity of the lyric stage could not be offended at it. BLAND, as Neptune, sings a parody of "The Sea," in good bluff style : and there are various Italian and popular airs introduced very happily, but not in all cases sung effectively. There is plenty of fun, but little vulgarity ; even the slang terms are surprisingly free from it. The scenery is beau- tiful, the accessories are splendid, the costumes in correct taste and of the richest mateiials. The contrast between the homeli- ness of the allusions and the classic style of the costumes adds point to the humour, whose breadth is not lessened by a proper degree of refinement. As a spectacle, it is superb ; as a burlesque, elegant; as a whole, unique.
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