The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-28 00:00:00

DRU.RY-LANE THEATRE.

Another version of Dumas's Corsican Brothers, said
to have been very successful in the United States, with
Mr. Brooke in the principal part, was brought out here
last night ; and, as far as acting, scenery, and " getting
up" are concerned, did great credit to the lessee ; but
the piece is by far too long, and requires as much com-
pression as would bring it within three acts of ordinary
duration, instead of five, drawn out to the extremest
I verge, as at present. Its representation occupied from
7 until past 11. This might be submitted to by our French
neighbours, who have a greater appetite for dramatic en-
tertainments than we have ; but the English theatre-going
public has not so much patience, and get tired even of
a good production if it extends beyond the usual limits.
It is unnecessary to enter upon the plot of a play so
thoroughly known and so often described, especially as
the chief points are so strictly adhered to. Great pains
have been taken to give vraisemblance and breadth of
illustration to the important scenes, and extremely suc-
cessfully in most instances. The chief point of illustra-
tion is the interior of the grand Opera-house at Paris,
with a masked ball. This scene is very splendidly got
up and very cleverly contrived, including a grand diver-
tisement, with a large corps de ballet ; and it gave a
colour and animation to the Brame, which otherwise too
often dragged its slow length along. The double part
of Louis dei Franchi, and of Fabian dei Franchi, which
was taken by Mr. Brooke, is a very laborious one,
and calls for a greater amount of technical skill
than of genuine artistic talent. The rapid changes of
dress and position are remarkably cleverly managed,
and the various poses and positions extremely well de-
lineated. The characters have little variety, and give
but an occasional opportunity for those bursts of passion
in which Mr. Brooke's power chiefly lies. His merit,
indeed, consists in the judicious manner in which he
keeps carefully within the calm characteristics of the
part. His general appearance, his rapid changes, his
effective quietude are the principal qualities of the per_
formance. The changes are rendered with great dex-
terity, and must have baffled the acumen of those not
accustomed closely to watch such theatrical artifices.
The last act had a new effect of the funeral in Corsica,
under a moonlight, and seemed to embrace a new me-
chanical contrivance that will be very telling. The
acting, except in the principal character, requires little
notice. Mr. Mead made up and played Chateau Renaud
very effectively, and was fully recognised by the audience.
Notwithstanding they were fatigued by the too great
elaboration of this story, they manifested their approba-
tion at the close, and, if judiciously shortened, there is
no doubt the splendour of the illustration, the natural
interest of the story, and the real interest that is so
continuously maintained in it, will cause it to be at-
tractive, and to have a considerable run. The house was
crammed in all parts, and the majority was greatly
pleased. Mr. Brooke was most generally called for,
and Mr. Mead was also called, and finally the lessee
himslf, who bowed his acknowledgments.