Little Boy Blue

“Two or three Winters ago the manager of the Bowery Theatre produced a pantomime after the English popular model, which had quite a surprising success. ‘Jack and Jill’ (so was the composition named) attracted a character of audiences to ‘Old Drury’ (as it is reventially called in the vicinity) such as that precinct, hitherto consecrated to bleu fire, chords and dramatic justice, had seldom seen before.  But handsome scenery, picturesque dresses, magical transformations and expert acting, illustrating an unusual entertainment, were irresistible and Broadway audiences went in decorous deputations to see Mr. Fox’s pantomime.  The elevated success of that effort has probably spurred Mr. Fox to the new one and last evening, another ingenious affair, on the same English pattern, was represented at the Bowery Theatre, with a liberal allowance of title: ‘Little Boy Blue; or Hush-a-bye Baby, and Patty and her Pitcher.’  It is not a vain though to reflect that the pantomime is in fact one of the most legitimate of theatrical entertainments.  It is certainly almost as ancient as any description of performance now popular, and is composed with the strictest regard to unity and argument.  It is, moreover, the most conservative of all performances, for it knows no change in character, plot or principle.”