After much secrecy as to details and a lat deal of speculation as to probabilitics, Mr. W. S. Gilbert's domestic pantomime "The Fairy's Dilemma" was produced last week and is filling the Garrick theatre to its utmost limits at every performance. It is whimsical in the extreme, and lacks butene element for perfect, enjoyment—music. All the way through one seemed to see opportunities for solos, duets, and quartettes innumerable, and I think matters were made worse by the orchestra, who duly performed selections from all the famous Gilbert and Sullivan operas between the acts. There is very little plot, but any amount of smart dialogue, most of it quite up to date. A good Fairy has found so little occupation that she is threatened by her Queen with punishment unless she is more energetic. She enlists the sympathies of the demon Alcohol and between them they hatch a plot which, if it comes off, will quite re-instate Rosebud in her Queen's good graces. The scheme does not work and in order to save themselves from dire disgrace Rosebud bears off her victims to the "Realms of Radical Rebabilitation," where she turns them into Clown, Pantaloon, Harlequin, and Columbine. In their true characters these unfortunate mummers are a Judge, a Clergy man, a Baronet, (who is likewise a member of the Household Cavalry) and an Earl's daughter. Inthe end the Demon and Fairy decide to retire from business and marry and therefore—on condition that the clergyman will tie the-all-important knot for them—Rasebud restores them to their original status before the final curtain. It was all truly Gilbert~ successful show it promises to be. The ian and immensely funny; only, as I say, one missed poor Sullivan so much.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.