Punch, or the London Charivari
Volume 107, October 13, 1894
edited by Sir Francis Burnand
MAKING THE RUNNING WITH "THE DERBY WINNER."
Druriolanus has scored another success. And why not? Surely he deservesit, for, with the assistance of his two collaborators, Cecil Raleigh andHenry Hamilton, Sir Augustus Harris has trained a Derby winner that willcarry all before him over the Drury Lane course until the place isrequired for the pantomime. And the training has been most judicious.The problem the three stable companions (for the piece is nothing if nothorsey) set themselves was to produce a drama that would fill the GrandNational Theatre both before and behind the curtain. This problem theyhave solved to the satisfaction of all parties.
"Three to One on."
The method adopted is simple enough. Take, for instance, the First Act.One of the authors no doubt suggested the interior of a country house."Quite so," says Druriolanus, "a nobleman's country house. I will showyou how to do it." And he does. "O Todgers's can do it when it likes!"Gorgeous hall with a billiard table thrown in at the back to give anidea of the luxury and magnitude. And then the company! Earls andCountesses and Lords and Ladies and a Duchess! Why, even the villain isa major in a crack cavalry regiment, and the low comedian a surgeon whohas worn the Queen's uniform. Apparently to give the latter additionalaristocratic gloss, the Duchess is made to be in love with him. And theplot? Why, of course. Let Miss Alma Stanley arrive direct from India tosow discord between my Lord the hero and my Lady the heroine. This shedoes, looking charming in her villainy, and wearing a striking costume.My Lord tells her "to begone" (a most unreasonable request, by the way,as she has arrived at the Hall in the middle of the night, withevidently any number of boxes), but she won't. Miss Alma Stanley prefersto faint in my Lord's arms, to the great indignation of my Lady. Tableauand curtain.
Next, please. The Downs, and a trial of the 'osses. Then we have a meetof horses, saddle and otherwise. The "otherwise" are harnessed to apony-chaise that looks as if it had come from the Lowther Arcade. MissAlma Stanley rides in on a steed of her own. My Lord, the hero, objectsto the gracious presence of this fair equestrian, and gets ahorse-whipping for his trouble. Then the trial comes off. The nobleanimals canter across the stage. The dramatis personæ describe theirprogress to one another as they make the running behind the scenes. Allfirst-rate and life-like. Haven't we seen it ourselves in the earlymorn? Then they reappear (amidst immense enthusiasm) as cardboardprofile in the distance, to make a final entry in the horseflesh fromthe O. P. wings. Capitally done, and a great success. Stalls, Circle,Pit, Boxes, and Gallery, all delighted. So are they with the militaryball at York. Nearly everybody in uniform. Hussars, Gunners,Highlanders, Fusileers, and Yeomen. My Lord the hero appears as Colonelof his county Yeomanry. Quite right, he has left the service, and takento the reserve. Then there