The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-29 00:00:00

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.

A new classical tragedy, in five acts, entitled
Ariadne, was produced here last evening with the
most complete and deserved success. It is an adap-
tation by Mr. John Oxenford, of the Ariane of
Thomas Corneille (the younger brother of the great
Corneille), a tragedy which is revived on the French
stage whenever there is an actress capable of sustain-
ing the character of the heroine. It has been re-
cently revived with very great success by Mademoi-
selle Rachel. Mr. Oxenford has executed his, task
with great taste, ability, and judgment, and has in-
troduced several judicious alterations. Amongst the
most judicious of these is the alteration of the denoue-
ment; in the original Ariadne throws herself on the
sword of Pirithous, while in the adaptation
she, Sappho-like, casts herself from a rock into the
sea. The scene of the tragedy is laid in the island
of Naxos, where Theseus and Ariadne, accompanied
by the sister of the latter, Phadra, have taken
refuge after having escaped from Crete, where
Ariadne has saved Theseus from being destroyed by
the Minotaur. While in Naxos Ariadne makes the
discovery that Theseus loves another, and the latter
persuades Ariadne to marry CEnarus,:King cf Naxos,
Ariadne consents in order, as she explains to her
sister Phaedra, to ascertain who is her rival in the
affections of Theseus, who will no doubt at once fly
to his new love, on whom she will take a bitter
revenge. :That new love is Elmira herself, to
whom Ariadne has confided her project, and this, the
great scene of the tragedy, was beautifully
acted by Mrs. Mowatt, whose Ariadne is one of the
_most exquisitely tender and impassioned impersona-
tions of character ever seen. She at length dis-
covers the truth, and, denouncing Theseus, throws
herself from a rock into the sea. The denunciation
of Theseus was a splendid piece of impassioned de-
clamation, and brought down thunders of applause.
The Phaedra of Miss Fanny Vining,:alheit a small
part, was admirably acted—she fairly shared the
triumphs of the great scene with Mrs. Mowatt.
Mas r. Davenport(Eaarus,
m mass Theseus, and Mr. Ryder
prsota;rieety with
the '
must
ei.of. two very
secondary characters. The trabcdy was put
toon clastshiceal all the attention
ofa scenery and costun:e which
of the management of theß
is now more than evero distinguishingyal Olympic
ly
m p characteristicic
At the conclusion of the tragedy Theatre.
called for, when she was kd o
and followed by Miss Fanny n Vining, Ib Mrs. Mowatt was
Mr. Davenport,
on by ,;11-. Ryder, where wereth who was led
en NO cells for the

author, and Mr. John Oxen foi d bowed his thanks from
a private box. The traged: r was followed by a new
farce entitled A flusband Wanted, but the,'"goclA"
seemed to be of opinion th, tt one triumph was suffi-
cient for one night, and they he the farce as voci-
ferously as they had applaui led the tragedy. The
pantomime concluded the eve nit g'a amusements. The
house was exceedingly well ate nded.

FRENCH PLAYS.
ST. JAMES'S 'l7-I.EATRE.

This theatre his been ope u <only three weeks; and
last evening Mr. Mitchell itecaluced his third new
opera of the season. It was the Caid, by Ambroise
Thomas, the most laughable sand the most successful
" Opera Bouffon," that has been produced of late
years, and which, although ;it has had a twelve-
month's run in Paris, is sheet as attractive as ever,
there always being an overflo w at the Opera Comique
whenever the Caid is anr °l:need. The plot is
an extravaganza', and is 1.1101,t amusingly filled up
by the actors, while gal music is sparkling
with brilliancy and wit - —we use the term
wit advisedly, for the air icature imitations of
Verdi and the minor fry 01.' the Italian school of
composers are as admirable ,an are the imitations in
Punch of " Mr. Pips his Di sry," and as full of hu-
mour. The scene is laid in 'a village in Algeria, to
which Birotteau (M. Lac), ;a Pads barber, and his
atlienced bride, Virginie (M ac me Charton), a French
modiste, have emigrated in sp .arch of fortune. The
Arab Caid of the village Buguet), conscious of
his own deserts, is in continuu d fear of being secretly
assassinated or grievously w o untied by those over
whom he has tyrannised; anl these wholesome fears
are fostered by his intendant, Aii-Bajou (M. Cha-
teaufort), who finds his acco to it in keeping the Caid
in seclusion as much as possil )14 5, as he pockets in con-
sequence divers bribes for teas Tying messages, pro-
curing interviews, &e. Bit of teau determines to ex-
ploiter the fears of the Caid,, and having obtained an
interview in spite of the opt pot Pition of Ali-Bajou, he
announces that he can put t he Caid in possession of
a talisman which will forew ten him of the intentions
of all criminals against his p won, for which he asks
20,000 boudjous. Birotteau. -Accepts, but when the
time comes for the delive • of the talisman and
the payment of the money, :the avarice of the Caid
assumes the ascendant, and In t offers the hand of his
daughter to Birotteau, instead. of the cash. Birotteau,
who thinks it a very fine this 4 7 to be son-in-law to a
Caid, accepts the offer ; bust it so happens that
Fathma (Madlle. Dauhausser). , the Caid's daughter,
is already engaged to Michel p (M. Nathan) a French
drum-major, and Fathma, M lc :hel, and Virginie adopt
active measures to make _Bin it teau repent him of his
choice; and so actively do Vit ty carry on hostilities,
that Birotteau, when the ti eie comes, refuses to
marry the Csid's deughtt sr , and insists upon
the money. To this the (hid at length con-
sents, being moved there b ) by a mysterious
thrashing which he had rec. eiptly received (the said
thrashing having been admin. is tered in the dark by
Birotteau with the cane of 'the drum-major), and
which the Caid verily bA eves he should have
avoided had he possessed the • b slisman. The talisman
(a pot of pommade de Lios t), is accordingly pur-
chased, and Birotteau and V ginie are united, while
the Caid gives Fathma to -the drum-major, ima-
gining very justly that such a, man with such a cane
will be a more effectual defer u:e against his enemies
than even the talisman. The piece was excel-
lently acted. The imi ts .tion of Ql-risi by
Mademeie:le Charton was admirable, and, in
flat, the whole of the tee svura in the second
act, describing to the Ara b girl the delights of
Parisian life, was a perfect pi .e ce of florid execution.
It was rapturously and desel .v edly encored. Made-
moiselle Danhausser, who act e i the part of the Caid's
daughter, is a debutante yes 3- young, very pretty,
with a sweet voice, excellentlJ cultivated. M. Lee
appears to greater advantage i a Birotteau than in any
character in which we have yet seen him; his making up
was admirable, and his acting a the coiffeur humor-
ously fantastic ; his vecalisatit as, too, was excellent. M
Nathan, as the drum-major,, sung and acted with
the most rich and unctions hr in lour; the fears of the
Caid were elaborated with in ost amusing fidelity by
M. Buguet, while the acting Ind singing of Chateau-
fort, as•the old Intendant, w as full of whimsicality,
quaintness, and fun. The m u sic and choruses were
admirably given, and the mise aen scene perfect. The
opening scene of the second act; is superb. The opera
was received throughout with shouts of laughter and
applause. It was preceded psy Peer's Maitre de
Chappelle, in which the BarnteLlee of M. Chollet was
one of the most perfect pieces. of genuine comedy,
both as regards acting and v salization, that can be
imagined. The house was cro pir ded by the elite a the
fashionable world.