The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-05 00:00:00

TR'EATRES.

DRURY-LANE.
Last nicht, after the performance of the tragic play of
on a Tale in the " Arabian Nights' Ent,!rtaititnenta," seas
Pizarro, a new afterpiece, entitled di.`sfts Hassan, founded
produced at this theatre. The music is adaptAl to the
English stage by T. Cocke, from Webur. The plot of the
Abon Haman
piece is 35 follows:
holt of Bagdad, by uniting his fortunes with those of Zulenta (Miss
(Mr. Horn) has given mortal offence to the ea-
(irritation t, who has herself become equally obnoxious to the Sul-
tana on account of her marriage with Hums. The young couple,
in consequence of the loss of their respective patrons favour, are
reduced to great extremities, and determine, under the advice of
I Zabouc (Air. Harley), to counterfeit death, as their only means of
living any longer, or reinstating themselves in the god graces of
the Caliph and his spouse. The stratagem is attonlingly adopted,
and Hassan betakes himself to the naive, where he finds the Ca.
liph in a
.particular good flu:none. smoking a social pipe, and relates
his fictitious tale of distress, and the death of Wentz. Tne
Monarch is touched by the recital of his misfortunes, and orders
hint two hundred pieces, trod six supernumerary wives from his
own establishment, by way of consoling and supplying Ms loss. In
the mesa time Zulenin has been playing off an equally successful
hoax upon the Sultana Zobeide (Mrs. Urger). The Rants of the
young couple are thus supplied, but they are interrupted, as was to
be expected, in the height of their gaiety, by the myeatrance of the
Grand Chamberlain (Browne) and Nouramoul (Mrs. flarlowe),
despatched by the Monarch and his spouse. who, on comparing
'notes, have found themselves rather tniatified by the contradictory
statements of husband and wife. Accordingly those functionaries
appearjur, the purpose of ascerte.initig the genuine ghost ; but dis-
agreeing in their subsequent representations, and being ban,.
boosted by the alacrity and ioleautty of Zabouc, the Caliph and
Sultana come in person to investigate the case. An explanation
takes place in consequence, and the piece terminates in the dead
dive becoming reconciled to their patrons, and extricated from their
difficulties.

Notwithstanding the slightness of those materials, there
is as much bustle and activity in this little performance as
is usually to be met with in others of a similar nature. It
possesses some agreeably extravagant and equivocal situa-
tions, and not a few very indifferent puns. The music, as
we have already said, is an adaptation from Weber. Tice
overture does not possess any of those strange and unearthy
efualities predominating in that of Der Frei:olll,ft, which,
in that astenishing effort of musical genius,
Came on the sense like sounds from other spheres ;
Beard by the spirit—not the body's ears."
The overture to the present piece is, on the contrary, full
of lively and animated movements, and characterisetl by a
certain amenity and cheerfulness of manner equally pleasing
in its ',say. The music throughout is of a similar character.
We were particularly pleased with a concerted piece at the
close of ate first act; and have no doubt that, when the
several performers, vocal and instrumental, become a
little more mellowed in their parts, this little piece
will become a favourite with the lovers of genuine
melody. With respect to the performers, they acquitted
themselves generally with considerable ability, and did
every justice to the parts allotted to them. Miss
Graddon gave two or three songs in the character of
Zulema, with more than her usual effect, and got through
the speaking and acting part of Ler performance with a con-
siderable share of archut.ss and ability. This ►ady has of
late manifested powers that were not at first attributed to
her. We think her gradually acquiring more firmness of
tone, and precision in execution, than she before po:sessed.
Messrs. Bedford and Horn acquitted themselves with
their usual ability ; and Harley has a part which fits hint
to a hair. There is no actor possessing more mental and
physical activity than Harley ; his veins are filled with
quicksilver, end there is a vitality in all he does and says,
which is the very exuberance of youthful animation. No
man is so well calculated to play the eccentrics of the drama,
and none possesses a greater portion of what he would him-
self denominate easy assurance, but which the world gene-
rally calls brass. He is the true intriguing French
valet (we have none such in England, except on the
stage), and is as easy with his master as an old glove.
We must not forget Mr. George Smith, who played a
dunning butcher with a bell so long as, only to be dis-
charged by a joint-stock Company, and sharpened his
knife as if he had been all his life in Leadenhall-market.
Brcwne and Mrs. Ilarlowe were sufficiently absurd and
amusing as filesrour anti Non2,:nwal. The piece is consi-
derably indebted to the scene painter and decorator, and
we should be disposed to think it will become a light and
pleasant summer evening's entertainment.