2-982-554 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Madame Celeste as the Arab Boy, in "The French Spy", at the Standard Theatre, 1858. London stage production. Celeste, 'a pantomimist of the highest mark', plays the part of '...a dumb girl, inspired with a passion for a French officer, and who disguises herself as a military volunteer, in order to be nigh the beloved object. In this capacity she is engaged by the commander of the Gallic army to dress in the manner of an Arab visionist, armed with a bow and arrow, that she may visit in safety the city of Constantina, and learn the designs of the Arabs, whom the French are about to besiege in their stronghold. It is arranged that, in the case of success, the supposed Arab-boy should shoot a despatch into the air attached to a fiery arrow. This purpose the heroic dumb girl perfectly accomplishes, and the victory of the French is thereby secured...The Dumb Girl has to make herself understood by means of signs, and Madame Celeste is mistress of all the resources required by such occasions. She dances, she gesticulates, she suggests by attitude, action, and more shadowy intimations, the information she would convey in the most significant manner'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858