Title:	The Sphinx
Description:	Scene from the new Extravaganza of The Sphinx, at the Haymarket Theatre.
Theatre:	Haymarket
Source:	The Illustrated London News, Apr 14, 1849, p. 245
See Source:	Go to Source Images (8.6 MB)
Review:	The Illustrated London News, Apr 14, 1849, p. 245

[First Part was Missing]

rapid hits at topics of the day, showers of puns, and selection of popular music, exceedingly clever.  To say that it was performed to the top of the tree is scarcely necessary.  The present cast at the Haymarket includes certainly the best burlesque performers we have upon the stage.  The extravaganza was announced for repetition every evening amidst unqualified applause, and the authors, being loudly called for, had to appear before the curtain to acknowledge the compliment thus paid to them by a crowded audience.  They can take their places amongst the first burlesque writers of the day.

Our illustration portrays an incident in the fourth scene, where Œdipus enters at the head of a body of peasantry, whom he has armed against the Sphinx.  The King is alarmed at the warlike "demonstration," but Œdipus quiets his fears by assuring him that his "agitation" has been a peaceable one; and thus parodies in mock heroic style--such as Miss Horton alone can accomplish--the "Death of Nelson:"--

"Twas in Trafalgar-square,
(You've seen the fountains there)
This morn at half-past ten,
   I a meeting did convoke:
   For half an hour I spoke,
Unto these gentlemen.
   I roused their pluck, and made them brave,
   Three cheers the gallant Thebans gave,
And thought my speech a beauty.
   To fight the Sphinx then off we ran;
   And I expect that every man;
This day will do his duty."

This hit at one of the great events of 1848 was highly enjoyed by the audience and was re-demanded.