Cirrus@Austlit

This adaptation of William Brough's burlesque Papillonetta; Or, The Prince, the Butterfly and the Beetle (1865), 'with mutilations, versifications, and localizations by F. E,' was subtitled 'an exceedingly eccentric Easter, and (probably) castera [sic] extravaganza.' A review of the premiere published in the Argus proposes that the Brough's original work was one of his more average pantomimes and that Edwards had 'not succeeded in imparting to it any essential element of longevity'. The critic goes on to note that although some telling points were raised, overall the adapter's 'range of subjects... is distressingly limited. There is too much harping upon one string, and the allusions to an unhappy politician whom it is high time should be forgotten are so frequent as to become extremely tiresome' (11 April 1871, p.7).

The story begins in the dominions of Coccalorum, where the King of Coseyland and his state councillors are engaged in arranging, 'on the Art Union principle', the marriage of Prince Prettypet (described in the Argus as 'a frisky young scion of royalty, for whose reformation the matrimonial scheme has been set on foot'). Meanwhile, some revolutionary machinations are being planned by the prime minister, Rebellino, and his two sons, Counts Pollydore and Jollycore. When the prince is drawn towards a huge butterfly, he follows it far into the country and disappears. The king offers rewards for all butterflies brought to the palace, which eventually leads to the capture of Gauzewing, 'the attractive insect who has enticed the prince away'. When she calls out for assistance, Prince Prettypet returns to give her aid and is subsequently presented to the Butterfly Queen. The Queen promises to give him her daughter, Papillonetta, in marriage, if he can rescue her from the Scarabacus, King of the Beetles. He eventually liberates the princess from his rival for her hand, and the pair marry. The union is initially made unhappy through the revengeful intrigues of Scarabacus, but a magic potion is found that restores the princess to her normal self and at the same time utterly discomforts the beetle king. The evil plans of Rebellino and his sons are likewise defeated by the prince, and all ends happily in the comfortable regions of Coseyland (Argus 11 April 1871, p.7).

The scenery and incidents, according to the synopsis published in the Argus, are Council Chamber of King Coccalorium (including The drawing of the Art Union Lottery with special permission of the Attorney General); The Valley of Butterflies; Ebony Cabinet of the Beetle King; Brilliant Butterfly Ball; A Cottage Near a Wood; Apartment in the Palace of the King; A View 'by the Sad Sea Waves'; and the Throne of the Butterfly Queen.

The musical aspects of the pantomime comprised a mixture of popular songs and airs from such operas as The Grand Duchess. One of the songs known to have been included was a parody of 'Say to Him', sung by Maggie Stewart.