The fairy piece at the Olympic, Puss in Boots, must
not be passed over with only the brief mention that our space last week permitted us to make of it ; for it holds a first place among bolyday theatrical enter- tainments. As a spectacle, it is as complete as if Queen Mab had devised it ; and the text of the fairy tale could not have been more rigidly adhered to had Mother Bunch herself been the Licenser. Objections have been taken to the humanized version of Puss, but we think without reason ; for the boots he wore indicate the biped character he assumed in order to serve his young master ; and the whole story goes to show that his aspect had much more of the man than the cat—else the Ogre would not have transformed himself into a mouse : therefore we are de- cidedly of opinion that CHARLES MATHEWS iS sufficiently feline in his attire, with his fur hood, gloves, and tail. The leading incidents are realized in a most picturesque manner : the costumes are superb ; the scenery—especially the moving Panorama of Puss's progress before the King's coach—is beautiful ; and the metamorphoses of the Ogre into the lion and the mouse, are capitally managed. The dialogue is not particularly witty, but it is laughable— which is quite as good for the purpose—and as full of puns as the play- bill. The parodies are apt and well introduced, and the music is selected with taste, and for the most part well sung. VESTRIS, as the Marquis of Carabas, is attired in one of the most sumptuous and ele- gant dresses ever graced by a lovely wearer ; and the fashion of the cos- tumes of the King and his Court is as admirable as their magnificence. BLAND, as the King, burlesques regal pomposity with great gusto ; and BROUGHAM, as the Irish Ogre, amplifies his voice to the giant proportions of his person. Miss DOWTON, the young debutante who plays the Fairy, deserves praise for the sweetly simple. style in which she gave two or three old favourite airs. All little lovers of fairy lore should go and feast their eyes on the splendour of Puss in Boots.
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