Graphics, Image for Gracioso and Percinet
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)

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Title:	Gracioso and Percinet
Description:	Scene From Gracioso and Percinet, at the Haymarket Theatre.
Theatre:	Haymarket
Source:	The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1844, p. 409
Review:	The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1844, p. 409

HAYMARKET.

Mr. Planché, the originator of the elegant school of burlesque, which has since become so popular, and to whom we are indebted for such pleasant reminiscences of "Fortunio," "The Fair One with the Golden Locks," and all the costly extravaganzas during the Vestris dynasty at Covent Garden, has again drawn from the graceful stories of the Countess d'Anois and produced a new dramatic nursery tale entitled "Gracioso and Percinet." At the commencement, we have Mr. James Bland, the king of burlesque potentates, as King Uxorious, a widower unexpectedly bewitched, who, in consequence of his ceaseless weeping over the decease of his first wife, is recommended to go a hunting for another, under the care of his chief huntsman, Lord Nimroddy (Mr. Caulfield). In pursuing the sport, himself and train arrive at a castle, inhabited by a wicked fairy, disguised as the Duchess Grognon (Mrs. Stanley). The duchess has a capital cellar and at last prevails upon the King, who is somewhat of a grasping disposition, to marry her. On her arriving at the palace, she finds the King's daughter, Gracioso (Miss Julia Bennett), so beautiful and so popular, that she immediately conceives a violent hatred for her, and imposes a variety of strange tasks upon her, which it seems impossible that she can accomplish. Percinet, however, "a fairy prince, and the perfection of lovers," comes to her assistance, and aids her in getting through her labours; and in the end, the pair are both made happy.

The dialogue is smart and abounds with happy turns and allusions, and the mise-en-scene is unexceptionable, not perhaps presented with the brilliant effect which distinguished that of "The Fair One with the Golden Locks," and one or two others of the Christmas fairy productions of the same author, but still excellent and complete in its way. Several favourite arias, among them-- "When other lips," from the "Bohemian Girl," were introduced, and those sung by Miss Horton drew forth repeated applause. The whole piece passed off most successfully, the curtain having fallen amidst enthusiastic plaudits.

The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1844, p. 409

The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1844, p. 410

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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."