Parades and Processions, Sports, &c.
One of the features of the performances in the Roman Circus Maximus was the grand procession which preceded the sports, and in which all who were about to exhibit took part. These will be reproduced during the stay of Mr. Myers’ establishment at the Crystal Palace; the chariots, constructed on the classic model, gorgeously decorated and lavishly plated, and drawn by horses of the highest breed and mettle, being daily paraded on the great course constructed on the First and Second Terraces, as before described. There also will take place from time to time the hurdle-races, steeple-chases, and other entertainments, in which the great resources of Mr. Myers will be utilised. The classical character of this portion of the entertainment will be maintained by the decorations, which have been entrusted to Mr. Fenton, and in which, amongst other items, the fasces and ova, which formed important features in a Roman circus, will be reproduced.
Acrobatic and other Entertainments.
The miscellaneous entertainments given by Mr. Myers are of great variety; in fact, he is able with perfect ease to change his programme daily, such are his resources. An attractive item is the performance of the Japanese troupe, brought from Japan expressly for Mr. Myers, and in which the brothers Moto and Assa exhibit a flexibility which implies the possession of spines of abnormal elasticity; while Gingero and Como-Ketchy go through a series of balancing feats which cast into the shade all contemporary performances of a like nature. Especially wonderful is the business with the bamboo ladder, up and down which, while it is supported on the chest of one of the performers, the other runs with the greatest rapidity, standing on his head on the top, creeping in and out between the rounds; and which at last, at a given signal, falls to pieces, leaving only one side-piece, with the acrobat standing on the top. A band of Bedouin Arabs also appears in those bounding feats which seem the speciality of the sons of the Desert. Miss Charlotte Felix’s troupe of performing dogs go through a series of interesting tricks, which illustrate to what a pitch of perfection of training these sagacious animals can be brought; and a number of clowns, headed by the well-known Hulines, add zest to the interludes by their quaint sayings and grotesque tricks.
The Equestrian Pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood.
The latest addition to the varied attractions of Mr. Myers’ establishment has been a gorgeous spectacular pantomime on the subject of Little Red Riding Hood (Le Petit Chaperon Rouge), which was produced in Paris in April last, at a preliminary outlay of 120,000 francs, and which forms one of the most striking features of the Crystal Palace performances. The charming little story of Perrault has been ingeniously adapted to the equestrian resources of Mr. Myers’ hippodrome. The pantomime opens with a pretty ballet, in which the fairy Good Heart and her attendant fays take part. Little Red Riding Hood next appears, with her basket, and is surprised by the wolf, but is for the time being saved from danger by the appearance of a host of little hunters, whose horns terrify the savage beast, and who chase him on their tiny ponies till they unfortunately lose his track. The wolf then slays and devours the grandmother, and disguises himself in her dress to deceive more effectually his intended victim; but she is saved, of course, by the entrance of the young prince, who captures the wolf, and encloses him with some trouble in a great cage. A grand bal champêtre follows, given by the fairy Good Heart in honour of Little Red Riding Hood. The circus is transformed into a garden, with copses, alleys, flowers, tended by little gardeners. Little Red Riding Hood, transformed by the fairy into a princess, appears; guests of all nations, and all classes of society, arrive, in appropriate dresses.
Distinguished Orientals, comprising the Shah of Persia and Chinese and Japanese ambassadors, are intermingled with dukes and duchesses, marquises and marchionesses, of the Western world. Waltzes, quadrilles, and galops are the order of the day. A skipping-rope dance by Little Red Riding Hood succeeds, in which time is kept to the music with wonderful precision and exquisite grace. Now appear the gala chariots, to convey away the prince and princess. A procession of miniature chariots, richly gilded, each bearing two footmen, sumptuously dressed and heavily powdered, are drawn in, each by six Lilliputian horses with lavishly plated harness, and conducted by little coachmen. The arrival of the great allegorical chariot, drawn by six magnificent horses, all arrayed in dazzling silver-plated harness, and bearing the colours of various nations, forms a suitable finale to a spectacle which consists of a series of tableaux of more than an hour’s duration, which have never been surpassed in originality and richness, and which will surely be more effective in the Crystal Palace than it was in the great court of the Magasins Réunis.
W. G.
Note.—This little book aims merely at giving a short account of the rise, progress, and magnitude of Mr. Myers’ Great Hippodrome, and a brief abstract of the entertainments which will at various times be offered to the public during his visit. It will be readily understood from its contents, that his resources are so vast, that it would be utterly impracticable to use more than a portion on one day, and that the programme will from time to time be selected from the items of which the foregoing is but a résumé.
CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.