The National Register. — London, England, 1819-01-03 00:00:00

.11N. TUE DILIM.I. COVENT OARDVN. Sn'curiar sennight the play of George Eittraree :vat Abrinell, and suece . eded by a new Pant o mime. T he now production is entitled "finefegliin Munchouren ; or FountaiN of Lore," and is founded, as the title will rtatdilv intimate, on a well known work, the by word furr every thing that is extravagant and incredible. The•first scout: opens with a view of mountains of snow near Mount :Etna, the burning lava of which _radi ally meets the snow, and discovers a village whieli had before lain concealed. Baron Mynehvisen is seen stretrhed asleep on the ground, and his horse hang ing on the steeple of the village church, to which he had been tied by his master, and where the subsiding snows had left him. The villagers who pass that way express their surprise at so singular an object, but are more astonished when the Baron, by cleaving the bridle with a pistol shot, brings his horse down in :acts., and rides away. Lord liontv Dandy is intro duced in the following seem to the house of Sir Biter° Frorticat as the lover rf the Knight's daughter, who rejects his addresses wih seam, and bestows her affec tions on the Baron. 1 bey fly to a cavern in Mount (Etna, where Vulcan. notid4 a throngof G:yetaps, is seen at work, sorronnued by thtinderbolla and armour. He grants them an admissim to the boudoir of !Ivies, w::o, attended by the Loves and Graces, receives them with condescending kindness, and promises them her protection. As they are 'pursued to this voluptuous ratreat by Sir Hilaro and thy Lord, the goddess fulfil : : her pmmise by cooverting the lovers into Harleq • and Columbine, the father into Pantaloon, and Lord 'lumpy Dandy into the Clown. A series of hair breadth e , rapes, and a long chapter of accidents, ensue : but Venus, mindful of all whom she has once favonred, makes the lovers happy at last by celebrating their nuptials in a magnificent chamber described as " the Fountain of Love." A selection of the adventures or the renowned Mtn (-house,' as the subject of a Christmas pantomime, seems hardly to merit commendation for its propriety ; f:r the wonder is that it should have been so tardily made. The happy choice of a subject is not, however, always attended with an equal felicity in its manage ment, a truth of which the composition we arc treating of' is in sonic respects an example, We certainly Au not object to the texture of the fabric, or the general progression of the action. There is no want of interest in the natter; or variety in the latter. But what is techically called the business of the stage sometimes languishes ; we missed some of that dexterity in the delineation of grotesque appearances and ludicrous situations, to which Ise have been accustomed on Si milar occasions. The unity of the characters was distinctly preserved, the heroes being as precipitate in their nteaanres, as rapid in their motions, and as patient under their disasters, as any of their predecessors : but there was ton little of illustration, and an absence of nil novelty. Whether these strictures apply most to the composer or the performers, we have not the means of determining Nothing certainly could surpass the effect of firitnahli's opening scene; but we have been so ate custonital to see him luxuriate in his vocation to display such superfluity of good humour amidst its hardships and exploits, that we fear we are hardly competent judges of his last performance. Of the Hattrin we can say nothing ; of the Columh'ne, that at least it was graceful Mid easy. NVith reaard to the lee orations and mechanism, the utmost praise is fitirly doe : the latter was surprisingly perfeet fipr a first night's public expe riment. One or two of the transtiirmations were also ingeniously conceived, as well as cleverly executed. The venery reflects high credit upon the artist, and will probably, in conjunction with the other qualities which we have pointed out, secure a considerable share of favour to the piece, ulthengh very unequal to mane recent productions of the same nature. DRURY LANE THEATRE. The usual Christmas entertainments of George Porn well, and a new Puntomine, wereproduced at this thcwre on Saturday week. The nuntorritne was railed "liar. 'clothe and (be Dandy Cob. or 18 1 8,“ and the title was at least attractive ; but the author of the piece t.ceruell ignorantly to have eon( dyed that this was every thiug, and that the ludicrous name and grotesque dress of a dandy were a sufficient passport to two hours of insipid bustling and pointless trick. That strange nondescript, lately detected in our streets, and hunted down (we are harpy to sad - ) by pub lie ridicule and popular odium, WAS presented, not like a ‘ivatitnis animal in a menagerie, the ludicrous or malignant qualities of Whose nature might be shrivel tip fur the amusement and Korn of the spectat , rs, but like a stuffed carcass tumbled about by means, and affording entertainmcot only from its eh suid txternid apiscuranie, or Elntastienl costume. It would In supertltaais to attempt the emulysis of a story that kcmerl to havc neither spirit nor object, and which wa s redcerned by any whimsicality of invention or spiv :o r of seenely to cutup:issue fur sceli radical defects. It couauenee.s with the view edit dukdy &cm- TION.IT, ItEGISTETt. lug apartment, wherein a dandy taylor, a dandy shoe maker, and a dimly staymaker (if we remember rightly) are dressing up dandy characters, according to the supposed rules of the.art, singing a chorus to the air of Me Dandy 0 The Genius of Pantomime (le seends not in radiance, or trine clouds as usual, but from a panel in the wall acetic. The transtiirmations take place, the usual St. Vitus' dance atnong the regular characters of the piece is exhibited, and they all set out on their respective employments. Not one of the tricks that subsequently takes place could draw a smile from a holiday sellout boy, (Amp' in the single assistance of a dandy butcher, who puts a piece of mutton in his neckcloth for a stiti;ier. We should be sorry.to express this opinion of a of entertaituniatt which is usaally got up at u considerable expence to the establishment ; but in this ease we are relieved by a consideration that no great loss has been incurred, and that the scenery was as meagre as the tricks were gross and spiritless. We mean by this to convey no censure of the performers, who performed the stupid things they had to do as well as could have becn expected. Miss Tree (as Colfunbine,) played a solo on the flageolet with great taste and execution, in which she was encore:in but neither her exertions, nor that of her coadjutors, could ward off the public disapprobation of the piece as a whole. The disapprobation began early to maniticst itself, and the crisis was hastened Ly a person in ode of the dress boxes, who, whether he acted Hadelptin or not—is Nether he meant to protect the audience against the stage, or the stage against the audience—succeeded in overpowering, by the clamours to which he gave o , c3sion, ill the efforts of the performers to sustain any thing like public interest. By the time the curtain was dropped all was tumult and " wild linter,' and neither the efforts of the Clown (Mr. Bradbury), who came forward to announce the piece flit a subsequent night, nor his ridiculous appeal to two children, whom he bore in his al ins, could prevail upon the audience to allow him a hearing. By-the-bye, we may mention that this Clown, before he is again allowed to exhibit his antics, should be reap died to make an apology to the public foot his perse.-ering resistance to their will, and the impertinent manner in which he testified his dissatisfaction at their decision. On Monday night the tragedy of finG4/a w.ts per formed at this Theatre for the first time these three years. The part of the heroine of the piece was as signed to Mrs. W. West. The galleries and pit were full at the rising of the curtain, but the confusi on of Babel seemed to'have pervaded the former. The holi day gods appeared to have visited the Theatre, not for the purpose of listening, but with a predetermination neither to hear themselves, nor to suffer others to do so. From the commencement of the tragedy to the Ailing of the curtain, the c:mfusion of sounds was unremitting; scarcely a sentence uttered 'to the stage was audible to the audience. The whole performance was dumb show. Under these circumstances, it is not to be expected we can speak of the periltrmance. As fa as we may pre sume to judge, front the few sentences which we could at intervals partially hear, Mrs. West acquitted herself of the tal assigned to her, under all these disadvan tages, in a manner which added to her credit as an ac tress, and would, but for the circumstances to which we have alluded, have proved highly gratifying to the audience Mr. 11. liemble played Biron, but was even more indistinct than Mrs. Wesi. The Tragedy was Mowed by the. new Pantomime, the opposition to which commenced with the rising of the curtain. Major M`Naughten, the Gentleman who addressed the audience on Saturday night, and against whom, it is said, r. Bradbury hurled defiance by shaking his fist at him, again declared his opposi tion to the piece ; but his voice was drowned by the applause of the pit and galleries —the' Major soon after quitted the Theatre, obser% ing, he would leave the piece in the bands of the public. Mr. Bradbury, on his appearance, was called on for en -apology, but did not notice the call, and sevend pugilistic eonteststook place between his friends and opponents. It is but justice to him to him to say that he exerted himself' is a most as tonishing manner to deserve applause. The uproar and confusion between the contending parties became so great, that Miss Tree, in consevence of smitten indis position, arising from alarm, in the midst of her dance Wilted, and fell lifeless into the anus of those on the stage at the time, who fintanately caught her. She tint appear for several scenes afterwards; ;old, when , she did again come thrward, it was evident she was . scarcely able to support herself. When the curtain dropped, which it did amidst a din of approbation and opposition, there was a loud call for the Maxager.— Mier wine time had elapsed, Mr. S. Kemble came fbrward, and addressed the audience to the following effect :—" Gentlemen, I regret extremely that, being absent from the Theatre 1 was nut able to attend your first call. What arc now your commends with me?"— ( From the Boxes, "V itialraw the piece ; it is a shame and ill:grace to the ::tags."—From the Pit, " No, no, it is only the Dandies w ho disapprove of it, and not an Engli..h I üblic !")—Mr. Ktanbie reAnued: " Gentle meat, it is the wish of the Proprietors c o ed the .itanagers of this Hollse, toylease. They have no.object but your pleiuure and satisfaction; the piece b;:a Lava adverthaal r O. .1 for to-morrow. Will you permit its repetition? It may be rn altered ac to me-n your approbition."—(Cr er from the Boxes, " no, witialtaw it now "—frm the Pit, " Try it again ; never mind the Dandies r') —" Ladies and Gentiemen, could I ascertain what OM yoar sviAses, they would be imataliately c ompli e d wi : h. I understand Mr. Bradbury has untOrtitnatily given you offence; is it your wi.h he should come f4irward he is most ready to do so if you desire ir.—(Cries of " Yes, yes. Let him come forward and apologise.")— Mr. Kemble bowed and retired, and soon utter Mr. Bradbury appeared. The noise was :13W tremendous. After a time, however, he obtained a hearing, and ad dressed the audience as follows:—" Gentlemen, I mi. derstund I have been so unfortunate as to incur your displeasure. May I ask in what:" Nn answer.— " Bravo, Bradbury," from the Pit, and an appeal to the Dandies to say what he had done. A Gentleman from • the boxes said, " Rmn-mber Saturday Mr. Bradbury resumed, "Gentlemen, I declare solemn ly, I would not willingly offend any individual, and inn ignorant what I have done." T4e same Gentlemen from the boxes directly observed, " The Gmstlenten cc' mm you insulted has quitted the Theatre." Mr. Bridbury rzsomel -" If I insulted that Gen:lernin, he can defend himself; and I am ready to meet him, or arty man liviug.."—llere the uproar beeann: so great, that he could obtain no further hearing, and a quantity of oraage being thrown at him, he bowed and re tired. The cry for the Manager was resumed ; Mr Kemble did not appear, and the Theatre was soon after cleared. The new Pantomime was again performed at this Theatre on Tuesday night ; but the p-thlic were not yet satisfied that they ought to be pleased with it, and its repetition, in opposition to their will, hail produced no change in their epinion of its defects. During the greater part of the performance, the tumult of mixed applause and disapprobation was greater than on the previous night ; and at the end the opposition was more decided. The Highland Chieftain, or Major, (as he wits called,) was at his post as the opponent of the Clown, and to his motions the • enemiessif the Panto mime looked as the signal of the decisive conflict. The Manager was luutlly called for, but Mr Bradbury (the clown.) made his appearance betbre him, with something that seemed like a liorsewhip—tor whom intended (unless fiir the Chieftain) we cannot. tell. After a pro fusion of bows, and a genuflection with which he sap plicsted a hearing, he was o liged to retire among a storm of hisses, without being able to utter u syllable. The Manager was again loudly called for, but did not arrive till upwards of a quarter of an hour. During this interval several orators started in different parts of the house as candidates fin. public or playhouse favour. The Chieftain maiwaineil his post, and employed verr vehement oratorical gestures, which we believe were his only figures of speech : lie was answered by a fe male orator from the lower gallery, whose hands ap peared as eloquently active to all parts of the house, as her tongue no itoubt did to those who were near her.— ( She at first poured a volley of no very savoury expres sions upon him, masked by a large straw bonnet ; but afterwards, disdaining to take ulYantage of this cover, she threw it aside, and encountered her antagonist without any defensive armour. After a great deal of contusion and tumult, Mr. Kemble at last came oft the stage, and after beseeching a hearing, which he did not obtain, announced, us Ise understood, that tlie Pantomime should he withdrawn. The Chieftain gave the signal of triumph by waving his hat, and the ati dirtiee soon dispersed. This theatre, sa fertile in nnvelties, added on Thurs day night another to the long list of its new pieces. The title, and the poem from which it was taken, gave promise of a treat to the lovers of nteloeframe. • The story upon which it was funneled, is Walter Scott's Morrikon. The incidents in that zioent are in one • opinion sudkient to :Ilford full scope to the contriver of a melo-dramatis: romance. The whole of the incidents in last night's drama are those which may be found - hi • that poem ; but some of the most interesting are oath , ted, and notitiog new is substituted. In fact, the an ther (or, as we may better call him, the transposer, Mr. Stephen K•enble, MY we understand) has taken it firr granted tim‘ every one of his auditors was well am. quainted with the ',Wry of amnion, and he accordingly threw a few s;'its leading incidents tvether, without, we must say, any other connection than that whi :t their memory might supply. The piece opens sviCla the trial of Constance (Mrs. Orger), fin- running aw.lyi • frin her epopellt, anti a conse.vent broach sot Tier . gions vow. She is. condeinaed by the Pcior and his assistant judges, but.by u lucky interference is relieve', front impending starvation by Clara Fa:-Ciare (Mrs. W. West). She is then, by cue of tin ~.: sudden ticM. sitions which are only fkund in et•entn:: anti tionadees,. made the page of diardtiwt, whose last;•eti lv d. bad e 04,401 had pre% iati.6y been ; and atter a te.v vaponringi spe ee hes, while :..cut tanning, is withdrawn tytil pablie view till the last seine, when she is intro..l.lOti time enough to bemoan the death • of' her ..enipas,l inkblots lover Marsaioa (Mc. If. Kettle): detail, of the piece are tau nnaternits and taco tdigested to be put lulu any compact _him lie f00.r.../i