STAGE-MANAGERS Lieut.-Col. TULLY with Lieut.-Col. TILLOTSON and
Colonel ONSLOW, not to mention their talented assistants headed by
Captain DANN, Master of Ring, have given us a real good show. The
Olympian BOSSY KIRALFY must be anxiously awaiting the return of the
natives from Islington to Kensington, and Sir DRURIOLANUS must have
owned that the military managers have run him very close as a master
of crowds and of thrilling dramatic situations. Who would not rush
out to fight Zulus, or any other savages, to stirring sounds of First
Horse Guards' band, and cheered by all sorts and kinds of inspiriting
music? You march to a popular song, you build bridge to polka, you
make zerebas to the lilt of a waltz, you charge to a galop, and you
return victorious to the National Anthem! Hurrah for the life of a
soldier, at Islington!
[Illustration]
Here the Art of Artillery Driving can be seen to perfection: three
times round, clear posts and out again to deafening cheers. Bayonet
exercise of Second Battalion Scots Guards is full of point; while
the display made by Gymnastic Staff of Egyptian Army shows how our
soldiers can advance by leaps and bounds. Excellent device! Enemy
dumbfounded and bothered to see our athletic warriors jumping over one
another's heads, turning somersaults, and finally heaping themselves
up into pyramids--a real Egyptian puzzle this--with hero at apex
waving flag. Why, a whole army of fiercest enemies would take to their
heels rather than fight with these dancing dragoons, and hosts of
Mussulmans would flee before such men of muscle. For these tactics no
arms required except those already naturally belonging to the corps.
So inexpensive! Yet to these merry infants-in-arms the art of war is
no child's-play.
The new effects, and one among the numerous attractions, is the Grand
Historical Military Pageant, performed with the greatest success by
the 3rd King's Own Hussars and the Buffs. Nothing buffo about the
Buffs. They appear as Cavalier cavalry and infantry pikemen of JAMES
THE SECOND'S time, and as cavalry and infantry from that date down
through the Georgian period to the present day. The great change is
noticeable in the hair, from long flowing curls and periwigs to the
short crop of THOMAS ATKINS. Altogether a brilliant success, and
should bring in a handsome amount for the benefit of the Military
Charities, to whose funds this show makes an invaluable contribution.
[Illustration]
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"HONOURS EASY."--The _St. James's Gazette_ suggests that if leading
play-actors are to be knighted, why not principal music-hall
singers? Well, not yet; as the chief music-hall singer is already "A
CHEVALIER."
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[Illustration: _Youngster_ (_who has just had a Penny given to him_)
"'OW MUCH IS THEM GRAPES, MISTER?"
_Shopkeeper_ (_amused_). "THEY ARE FOUR SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE A
POUND, MY LAD."
_Youngster._ "WELL, THEN, GIVE US A 'A'PORTH O' _CARROTS_. I'M A
_DEMON_ FOR _FRUIT!_"]
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