Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

[ The following were omitted last week owing to press of matter . ! DRURY LANE . Mr . Edward Falconer having removed to this theatre , shows that he is equally determined to secure success as he was at the Lyceum . Since the theatre has come into his hands it has undergone a transformation as great and startling as ever was expected by Harlequin's bat or Enchanter ' s wand . The interior

has not only been thoroughly cleansed and renovated , but alterations of the most important nature have been effected . The ceiling and fronts of the boxes have been entirely stripped . Tlie old box divisions of the dress circle and the pit circle ha \ se been removed , and rows of chairs now extend , without interruption , from one end of the tier to the other , after the manner of Covent-garden in the English opera season . The lower gallery and slips have been converted into one spacious

amphitheatre , the front of which has been divided into compartments . The fronts of the three tiers of boxes have been altered to correspond with the general re-decoration of the house , which is in the best style of Louis XIV . In all the embellishments there is combined a general splendour of effect , with a delicacy and purity of detail creditable in the highest degree to the taste and judgment of Mr . Marsh Nelson , under whose superintendence the renovation has been accomplished .

The house is as comfortable as it is brilliant . It was crammed to overflowing on the opening night , and when the curtain rose on the pantomime the spectacle presented was as magnificent as can be conceived . Little Goody Two Shoes made good way with her auditors , and was loudly and vociferously applauded . In presenting her upon the pantomimic stage , Mr . E . L . Blanchard has blendedher history with that of " Cock Robin and Little Boy Blue . "

The grand feature in the pantomime is the scene of the Wood Nymph's Hermit , a lovely picture by Messrs . Grieve and Telbin , the foreground of which is occupied by a brilliant company of fairies , splendidly massed together by the skilful hand of Mr . Oscar Byrne . In this scene a grand ballet takes place , in which Miss Lydia Thompson ( Goody Two Shoes ) dances the " Pas de Forget Me Not , " , ' and the two Miss Guinniss the "Pas de Double Heartsease , " both with immense effect . A subsequent

scene is distinguished by a genuine hit of grotesque comedy , in an operatic version of " Who Killed Cock Robin ? " The various queries , relative to the death of " the household bird . vith the red stomacher , " and the feathered artisans who are to furnish his obsequies , are chaunted in sepulchral tones by Mr . Glindon . The different attributes of the undertaker birds are sung in response behind the scenes , and at the end of each couplet the fly with "his little eye , " the beetle with "his thread and needle , "

the owl , the linnet , and the bull who is to toll the bell , "because he can pull , " hop , skip , or jump on to the stage . The humour and fun of this scene are inimitable . The harlequinade is double , and full of pantomimic drollery . It is supported by Messrs . H . Boleno and C . Lauri as clowns , Messrs . Cormaek and Main as Harlequins , Messrs . Tanner and D . Johnson as pantaloons , and by Madame Boleno and the Misses Guinniss as columbines . The activities of these ingenious artistes were

loudly applauded ; but there can be no doubt that the grand charm of the pantomime is felt to be in Miss L ydla Thompson ' s really delicious impersonation of the heroine . She is , in point of fact , the very life and soul of the performance , aud richl y deserved the plaudits that were lavishly bestowed upon her . A more genuine success was never attained on any stage .

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA . Harlequin Beauty and , the Beast ; or , the Gnome Queen and the Good Fairy comes from the inventive brain of Mr . H . JByron . Though hardly so lavish of puns and other jenx de mots as in some of his burlesques , Mr . Byron has treated the old nursery tale in a sufficiently clever ancl diverting manner , drawing upon the libretto of the French opera Zemire et Azor for certain of his materials , inventing others of his own , and , on the whole

, conveying a very fair pantomimic retrospect of those familiar adventures which end in the union of au enchanted prince with a tender-hearted beauty , who loves and proves true to him , in spite of the untempting exterior under which he is at first presented to her . The grand featnre of the entertainment is found in the transformation scene , devised and executed by Mr . W . Calcott . This is a marvel of scenic ingenuity and splendour . It is entitled "Moonbeam and Sunli ght ; or , the

Descent of Morn ' s First Ray , " and is illustrated by two separate paintings in . one tableau—one representing Night and the other Day . The scene thus arranged depicts the gradual approach of dawn in a beautiful dell , brightened by a flowing stream , the translucent waves of which are represented with exquisite skill . The moon for a while maintains her sway over the region made lovel y by her beams , but ultimately , of course , is obliged to yield to the superior powers of the sun , and " morn ' s first ray " descends upon the dell in the shape of an apparently unsupported female figure . The effect is enchanting . There are but two scenes in the pantomime proper , but they are quite sufficient .

HAYMARKET . Mr . W . Bi-ougli . the adapter of Sasselas , Prince of Abyssinia ; or , Tlie Happy Valley , has not felt himself bound to any strict adherence to the incidents described in the original , and has even called in the authoress of "Dinarbas , " intended as a sequel to Dr . Johnson ' s story , to _ furnish him with additional characters . In this way lie lias contrived to construct an entertainment distinguished by much wit , and groat elegance , and entirely free from aiiy admixture of the coarser elements of mere pantomime . " Rasselas " introduces uo clowns or

columbines ; hut , by a poet's license , disinters the ponderous form of Dr . Johnson , and places it bodily before the eyes of the audience in the well got up person of Mr . Tilbury . This is one of the striking features of the piece , and is well arranged . The Doctor is introduced as a sort of chorus , and is made to explain the purport ancl progress of the extravaganza—a duty which he performs in language of the most massive ponderosity , while he is all the while insisting on the virtue of simplicity in diction . Miss Louise Keeley assumed the part of the discontented , but ultimately thrice happy Prince Rasselas , and

plays it to admiration . The dash and vigour of her acting could hardly he surpassed . She had the advantage of being most ably supported by tfie dry humour of Mr . Compton , the comic majesty of Mr . Chippendale , and the solemn pomposity of Mr . Tilbury—each great in his way . On the musical side of the character she is also well sustained by the vocal abilities of Miss E . Romev and Miss Winter , and many pleasant songs are sung between the three . A good ballet scene is introduced in front of the fortress and gardens of au Arab chief , in which Mdlle . Idalie , from Her Majesty ' s Theatre , greatly distinguishes herself by a variety of agile and graceful pas . The scenery , painted by Messrs . O'Connor and Morris , is exceedingly effective , and gives rise to frequent expressions of high admiration . Mr . Sotheni as Lord Dundready still holds his place in the theatre .

ADELPHI . George de Barnwell ; or , Harlequin Folly in the Realms of Fancy" is from the pen of Mr . H . J . Byron , ' and presents an ingenious combination of burlesque and pantomine . All the best comic actors ofthe house—Paul Bedford , Toole , Stephenson , Miss Woolgar , Miss K . Kelly , take part in it . The acting of Mr . Toole alone , as George de Barnwell , would suffice to secure a lasting popularity to an infinitely inferior piece . The story of the misguided ' prentice ' s career having been run through with much grotesque humour , the the usual Christmas is introduced

harlequinade , and well sustained . The transformation scene ( painted by Mr . James ) is exceedingl y beautiful . It represents a cavern , with various vaulted roof ' s and pillars , which are richly interlaced with branches of coral . At the back is a waterfall ; nymphs rise on each side from the water , below and above the cascade ; others appear elegantly grouped , and gradually descend , until they form an arch , resting on the side groups . When the tableau is so far completed female figures commence their descent on each side ofthe higher part of the cavern

, appearing to depend entirely upon some delicate and graceful festoons of golden branches , while another gi oup of figures appears mistily through the cascade , but the following scenes were far below mediocrity , and the South Eastern Architects ought to bring au action for a gross libel ou their taste and professional ability . During the pantomine the astonishment of tht audience was excited by the performances of Arthur and Bei-trand , the two clowns of Rothomago , from the Theatre Imperial du Chatelet , { some of whose contortions ' are absolutely marvellous .

ST . JAMES'S . This house opened on Boxing-night , under the auspices of Mr . Frank Matthews , the new lessee , when , in addition to a variety of other entertainments , a "Serio-comic Fancy Fair , " written by Mr . H . J . Byron , and entitled Go Idenhaiv the Good , was presented . The piece affords ample scope for the introduction of several effective tableaux , the scene in which Goldeuhair is formally re-admitted to her elfin home being the most brilliant . The dialogue is lively and tellingand the sterlingracy humour thrown into the princi pal cha

, , - racters keeps the audience in continued merriment . The acting of Mr . and Mrs . Frank Matthews , as well as of Mr . S . Johnson , who sustains the truly comic character of Spilliken , serving-man to Grunts , merits the highest commendation . ROYAL WESTMINSTER . Mr . Boucicault ' s pantomime is entitled Lady Bird ; or , Harlequin Lord Dim & reary , and it contains two grand transformation scenes—