3-021-347 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scenes from the Christmas pantomimes: "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" - the Enchanted Cavern in the Garden of Jewels, 1865. London stage production at the Royal English Opera by Mr. E. L. Blanchard. 'Mr. Grieve's scenery is gorgeous, Mr. W. H. Montgomery's music remarkably attractive, and M. Desplaces' ballet splendid. The manners and customs of the East are imitated as closely as possible in the decorations and business of the scene...the African magician, Abanazar...[and] his dumb slave, Kazrac...are impersonated by Mr. W. H. and Mr. F. Payne...lo! the terrible Bo Ghee pays his dreaded visit, to impart the knowledge respecting the wonderful lamp and the means of possessing it...the wonderful lamp is seen burning...in the Subterranean Cavern of Jewels...In the subsequent passages of his career we find the Magician assuming further disguises...but Aladdin ultimately recovers the lady by the strangest of means. The treacherous Magician is punished by Bo Ghee. The transformation scene reveals the glories of the Wondrous Lamp of Day - glories which we cannot attempt to describe...The success of the pantomime is decided'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.