Graphics, Image for La Tarantula; or, The Spider King
THE ADELPHI THEATRE CALENDAR
A Record of Dramatic Performances at a Leading Victorian Theatre
Formerly the Sans Pareil (1806-1819), later the Adelphi (1819-1900)

COMPOSERS,
MUSIC & SONG

MUSICIANS
& SINGERS

DANCE,
ENTERTAINMENT
& SPECTACLES

MANAGEMENT
& BACK STAGE

Title:	*La Tarantula; or, The Spider King*
Description:	La Tarantula; or, The Spider King by Albert Smith. Spiderion, King of Spiders, was played by Sidney. Luigi played by Sarah J. Woolgar and Loretta by Céline Céleste.
1st Performance:	Dec 26, 1850
Theatre:	Adelphi
Source:	The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1850, p. 514
See Source:	Go to Source Images (9.1 MB)
Review:	The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1850, p. 514

ADELPHI.

Here Mr. Albert Smith presents us with "The Tarantula; or, the Spider-King."

The piece opens with a scene, representing the Realm of Reptiles, in which Spiderion, the King of the Spiders, and other unearthly objects, are brought into notice, so as to constitute a Monster Meeting, which is terminated in a skilful manner by its transformations into a cloud. In a subsequent scene, the height of the ridiculous is attained in a "coaching incident," in which a car is introduced, drawn by horses made of boys, two to each horse.

Luigi (Miss Woolgar) is the victim of the tarantula receiving what is supposed to be a fatal bite, and, on the strength of this belief, Luigi's betrothed, Loretta (Madame Celeste) is affianced to Dr. Omeopatico (Mr. Wright), but Luigi's recovery slightly deranges this secondary arrangement, and restores the status quo. In the course of the piece, "the village in flames" furnishes opportunity for a very brilliant and effective scene.

The illustration is a most effective tableau of the principal characters.

COMPOSERS,
MUSIC & SONG

MUSICIANS
& SINGERS

DANCE,
ENTERTAINMENT
& SPECTACLES

MANAGEMENT
& BACK STAGE

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Originally published by Greenwood Press as The Sans Pareil Theatre 1806-1819, Adelphi Theatre 1819-1850: An Index to Authors, Titles, Performers, 1988, and The Adelphi Theatre 1850-1900: An Index to Authors, Titles, Performers and Management, 1992.

The Adelphi Theatre Calendar revised, reconstructed and amplified. Copyright © 2013 and 2016 by Alfred L. Nelson, Gilbert B. Cross, Joseph Donohue. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License, with the exception of graphics from The Clip Art Book, edited by Gerard Quinn and published by Crescent in 1990. These images are reproduced in accord with the publisher’s note, which states "The Clip Art Book is a new compilation of illustrations that are in the public domain. The individual illustrations are copyright free and may be reproduced without permission or payment. However, the selection of illustrations and their layout is the copyright of the publisher, so that one page or more may not be photocopied or reproduced without first contacting the publishers."