t Imam null Zusir.
An extraordinary amateur performance at the Olympic Theatre on Saturday last has given the theatrical world matter whereon it may dis- course during a week when by the usages of the land dramatic entertain- ments are prohibited as impious, though legerdemain feats and every species of non-dramatic buffoonery are recognized as perfectly lawful and fitted for a grave and religious people.
The performance in question was a pantomime, played by members of the " Fielding Club," for the benefit of the same literary gentleman on whose behalf Mr. Thackeray recently delivered a lecture at the Maryle- bone Institution. Those of our readers who are not initiated into the mysteries of this great metropolis may perhaps bear to be informed that the "Fielding Club" is an assemblage of some of the best wits of the day ; that the sosthetical tenets it professes belong more or less to the " hat" theory; and that its members are connected with the best society in Landon.
Any performance whatever by this noted Club would have insured an ample amount of patronage; but the vivacious Fieldingites were deter- mined to do something worthy of themselves. In tragedy or comedy they would probably have attained no more than that respectable me- diocrity which we find in most hmateur exhibitions, and that would not at all have suited the character of the Club. Mr. Albert Smith, who is the Aristarchus of the " fast" school, and withal one of the grand mag- nates at the Fielding, could not afford to have his name mixed up with dulness, and his less renowned associates would naturally feel actuated by a similar sentiment.
Apantomime thcretre was selected as the species of drama in which these fiinarkable amateurs might most worthily shine. An introduction on
the subject of Guy Fawkes was furnished by Mr. Albert Smith, who took upon himself the leading character of Catesby ; a clever verse pro- logue, in which the state of the stage is discussed by Shakspere, Modern Drama, (personified,) and the Spirit of Pantomime, was contributed by Mr. Tom Taylor; and lastly, the " comic business" was—at least, so we suppose—arranged in committee. Thus a complete pantomime was put together ; destitute, indeed, of mechanical tricks, but containing all the action proper to the personages of harlequinade. The attempt was a bold one, and we have no doubt that many of the audience visited the theatre expecting rather to be amused at a failure
than to witness a triumph. However, the Fieldingites had studied their
art under Mr. Payne, a most experienced pantomime professor, and had put forth so much zeal and humour in the execution of their strange task, that they sent away all beholders in a perfect glow of admiration. We have no doubt that at this moment a great number of the fashionable world firmly believe that there is not in London a better Harlequin than Mr. Bidwell, a better Clown than Mr. J. Robins, a better Pantaloon than Mr. Arthur Smith, or two better burlesque combatants than Mr. Albert Smith and Mr. T. Holmes. It was well for the pantomimists born and
bred that Columbine was played by the excellent Miss Rosina Wright ;, for she could to a certain extent maintain the dignity of the profession notwithstanding the formidable galaxy of amateur talent in the midst of which she was placed.
As the public to which the Fieldingites addressed themselves was too genteel to be crowded, the tickets issued did not command more than a comfortably attended house. However, while the supply was limited the demand was enormous ; and hence another performance of the pan- tomime is contemplated.
As the performance is really very curious, and the object of the charity is most deserving, we trust we shall not be suspected of undue puffery when we state, on the authority of the bills, that communications for seats to witness the repetition of the pantomime are to be addressed to Mr. E. Yates, Mr. Arthur Smith, or Mr. W. Hale, at the Fielding Club, Maiden Lane, Strand.
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