Chapter Synopsis

Memoirs of a London Doll
March 30, 2009

Chapter 16: The New Grand Christmas Pantomime

Lydia Thomson is going to the Christmas Pantomime and there is much excitement. Of course, Maria will be attending also. For the Pantomime, Lydia made Maria a frock of thin white muslin and trimmed it with some little pink roses and she put a wreath of little pink roses around Maria’s head.

Lydia’s papa and mama and her two cousins, together with Lydia and Maria were seated in a private box at the theatre. As Maria looked around she saw Mr. Sprat, with his two sons and daughters. Looking further, she spotted the master of the doll shop, with his daughter and little Emmy. Then she saw Ellen Plummy with her brother, Thomas, and Nanny Bell. She also recognized her little lady mamma, Flora. Maria was happy not to see any signs of scars from the fire. Lady Flowerdale attended with Flora. This made her think of little Mary Hope to whom she had been taken by the dog, Nep. However, she did not see Mary Hope but did see the kindly painter, Mr. Johnson, who repaired Maria after the fire. She was very grateful to Mr. Johnson, which made her think of how much more gratitude she owed to Mr. Sprat who had made her. She looked up towards the gallery where he sat and caught sight of her little Italian mamma, Brigitta and her brother Marco.

The Pantomime began and it was magical. The settings beautiful, the music grand, and there were all sorts of dances which made everyone’s heart jump within and try to do whatever the music was doing. The Pantomime was enjoyed by all, especially Lydia. She fell back in such a delight that Maria toppled right off the box and fell to the stage. The little actress in the Pantomime, Columbine, picked Maria up and ran with her to her room behind the scenes.

DISCUSSION:

We find Maria has found, yet, a new mamma. Being dropped onto the stage at the Christmas Pantomime must have been a shock, but fortunately she was picked up by one of the little actresses, Columbine, who turned out to be a lovely little girl.
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That Pantomime must have been something to see. It sounded very elaborate. The opening was interesting with all the snow coming down and the fields. It seemed a little sappy, though, when Maria looked around and saw practically everyone from her past. I guess it could happen. It was Christmas and the Pantomime was obviously a big thing so everyone would be clamoring to go to it.

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