The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-04 00:00:00

THE .THEATRES.

• .
,DavRT-LANE.—After' the representation of
Wild Oats, last night, animated by all the spirit
of Mr. Er,r.tsTox, and a respectable support: of
the other characters in the Comedy, Miss CLA.RA
FISIIER made her appearance as Little Pickle, in
The Spoil'd Child.—lt would be strange indeed
to sec a child- brought forward conspicuously on
a Theatre Royal, if this clever, girl did not
really possess such merits as well deserve public
notice and support.—She was well received by a
numerous audience, and performed the part with
admirable spirit.
COVENT-GARDEN.—The old predatory hero of
this country, the famous Robin Hood, has been a
frequent subject of dramatic exhibition on the
English Stage.—The subject • was revived last
night at' this Theatre, in a new Opera, entitled
Maid Marian, or The Huntress of Arlingford.

CHARACTERS.
Richard 1., King of England, Mr. T. P. COOKE ; Prince
John, Mr. EGEwr ; Robert Fitzooth, Earl of Locksley,
Mr. ABBOTT; Baron Fitzwater, Mr. W. FARREN; Sir Ralph

Montfaucon, Mr. BAKER ; Lord Lacy, Mr. HORREBOW
Little John, Mr. HUNT; Abbott of Itubygill, ➢lr. ATKINS
Friar Michael, Mr; C. KEMBLE ; Friar-Peter, Mr. KEELEY ;
Sir William of the Lee, Mr. CHAPMAN ; Sir Guy of Gam-
well, Mr. BARNES; Much, the Miller, Mr. PYNE ; William
Gamwell, Mr. PEARMAN ; Allan O'Dale, Mr. J. ISAAcs ;
Page, Master LoNontrnsT. Lady Matilda Fitzwatei, Miss
M. TREE ; Alice Gamwell, Miss BEAU MONT ; Village Lass,
Miss Dusx.

The following is a brief sketch of the Plot :
The Opera commences with the preparations for the union
of Matilda,.the heiress of Baron Fitzwater, with Robert Fit-
zooth, Earl of Huntingdon, afterwards Robin Hood. The
nuptials are prevented by the arrival of Sir Ralph Montfaueon,
who is deputed.by Longchanip, -Archbishop of Canterbury, (the
Regent- appointed during the absence of Richard Ca!ur de
Lion in Palestine), to ittaint 'Huntingdon .of high treason.
The latter, assisted by his followers, defeats itionOincon's

force, and flies to " merry Sherwood." He is here joined
by his faithful Matilda and her father—the old Baron hav-
ing fired his castle, sooner than it should become the prey
of Prince John, who endeavours in the absence of his
brother Richard to ascend the English throne. In this " shady
green retreat," Matilda Fitzwater consents to give up her
name of quality ; she is rebaptized by the merry, drinking,
fighting Friar as plain Maid Marian ; and is formally
espoused to Robin Hood. Several laughable adventures oczur
to the outlaws in the prosecution of their freebooting system,
and they have occasionally to contend, sword in hand, in defence
of their assumed right to taste of the King's venison ; but Rich-
ard Ctrur de Lion having escaped from foreign enthralment,
happens, when bewildered in the mazes of the forest, to fall in
with this sturdy band ; and, pleased with the loyalty which
they express to the person of (as they suppose) their absent
sovereign, he pardons their trespasses, and all are made happy.

This piece is avowedly taken from a none
intituled Maid Marian, written by a Gentleman
named PEACOCK, and it appears that not only
the fable and characters, but part of the dialogue
and poetry have been derived from the same
work, of which there is so favourable a report,
that we regret that it has not fallen in our way.
if this opera abounds in improbable incidents
and situations, it, however, chiefly adheres
.to -the old Romances, and Robin Mood was
so delightful a Hero to us in our early years,
before we were impregnated with moral prin-
ciples, that he seems to retain his hold of the
imagination during life, as often as he recurs to
the memory. The piece presents many of the
traditionary circumstances, and the characters
are so well varied, that the whole is very
amusing, It might be thought that Richard
(iceur de Lion would have made a .more con-
spicuous figure in the piece, but he, only ap-
pears in the last two scenes, and then to little
advantage. In the firSt of these scenes he is
about; in armour, and with a tremendous battle-
axe,- to enter into a ludicrous contest with Maid
Marian (Miss REE) dressed as a boy, in Lincoln
green, who as ludicrously offers to attack the
formidable hero ;. he, however, throws aside his
terrific axe, to engage her with the sword, but is
prevented by Friar Tuck. The expected con-
test is,. however, so ridiculous that the passage
ought to be omitted. Friar Tuck is obviously
the hero of the piece. The character is well-
drawn, and it places the talents of Mr. C.
KEMBLE in a new 'light. 'He supported the
courageous and jovial Churchman with admirable
jollity and humour, and sung in character so fa-
cetiously as to excite the loud and reiterated
applause of the audience. His representation of
drunkenness in Cassio, and in Charles Oakley,
and in the jolly Friar, prove that he has at-
tentively viewed the practice, without being a pro-
ficient himself. We. have not room to do justice
to the rest of the characters, and can merely add,
that ABBOTT, BAKER, KEELEY, T. P. COOKE, &c.
all acquitted themselves ably. Miss TREE sung
and acted admirably
,throughout, but though she
executed a martial bravura with science, taste,
and
.expression, it was surely absurd to assign
such an air to her. The opera was performed
with. more correctness .than has been usual on a
first representation, and the Proprietors have
rendered ample
,justice to the whole in scenery,
costume, &c. &c. Some of the scenes were, in-
deed,- magnificent, and.others beautifully pic-
turesque.. The overture had the honour of an
'encore, and the music in general seemed to be ad-
mired. The house was crowded, and when the
piece was announcedi• by Mr. C. KEMBLE, for
repetition this evening, it received universal as-
sent, and with a degree of warmth which was
manifestly intended as a due tribute to the excel-
ce of his own performance.

Cynibeline is preparing for representation at
Drury-lane Theatre, in order to afford another
opportunity of witnessing the combined talents
of Mr.' KEAN and Mr. YOUNG.
A REPARTEE.-While NAPOLEON was yet a
Subaltern in the Ariny, a Russian Officer, with much self-
sufficiency remarked, " that his Country fought for glory, and
the French for gain." " You are perfectly right," answered
NAPQLEON," " for every one fights for that which he does not
possess."
ANTHONY JENNINGS, Esq. was yesterday re-
elected Mayor. of .Fordwich, for the year en-
Suing.—Yesterday DAVID TAYLOR, Esq. was
ielectediVlayor.of:Sandwich for the year ensuing.
(Kentish cazette,Dee..S.) , .