The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-09 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

A new drama, in three acts, was produced at this
theatre last evening, with the most triumphant suc-
cess. It is an adaptation, by Gilbert A'Beckett and
Mark Lemon, from the French of some modern
author, we presume ; but so thoroughly Spanish is it
in its construction, so completely Gil Blas like in its
language, its incidents, and its intrigue, that it might
well pass for a recovered fragment from the pen of
Lesage. It is entitled Don Cesar de Bazan,
and it might very appropriately have been en-
titled Air. James Wallack, for he is Don
Caesar de Bazan, and Don Cmsar is the play.
This said Don Caesar is a roué nobleman, reckless,
ruined, and chivalrous. In a street affray in Seville
he has done some service to Maritana (Mrs. Stirling),
a Gitana girl, and she, out of gratitude, saves him
from the fury of the mob in Madrid. Lazarilla (Miss
Marshall), an orphan boy, in the service of an ar-
mourer, appeals to Don Cxsar to save him from arrest.
Don Csesar attacks and wounds the captain of the
guard sent to arrest the boy, and is condemned to
die. Don Jose (Mr. Fitzjames), the Minister of
Charles 11., King of Spain (Mr. Walton), visits Don
Cmsar in his dungeon. The wily Minister has dis-
covered that the King loves Maritana, and promises
Don Cassar' who is penniless, that he will
provide for Lazarilla, and change the mode of
his execution from hanging to shooting, if he
will consent to marry a veiled lady ten minutes
before his death. He does consent, and Maritana is
led in veiled. The marriage takes place, the dis-
charge of musketry is heard, and the drop scene falls
on the first act. The second act opens with a fete
at the Marquis di Rotondo's (Mr. Granby), the
uncle of Don Cmsar. Maritana is there, and the
King is introduced to her as Don Cmsar de Bazan,
her husband. She turns from him in horror, the
guests leave the room, Maritana accompanying the
Marquis. Don Jose is left alone, when Don Cxsar
enters; he has seen a carriage with his own armorial
bearings at the door; has discovered that it belongs
to his wife, and is come to seek her. Don Jose,
who has so managed that a pardon for Don Caesar
should not arrive until an hour after his
execution, is thunderstruck at finding him alive.
Don Cmsar, however, explains all ; the ar-
mourer's boy had drawn the balls from all the mus-
kets, and when fired at, of course Don Cmsar could
not do less than fall down and lie still. The old
Marchioness di Rotondo (Mrs. Fosbroke) is intro-
duced to him as his wife; he is about to renounce her
for ever, when the Countess de Bazan is announced,
and he sees Maritana proceeding to her carriage. He
rushes out to follow her in spite of the resistance of
Don Jose, and the second act is brought to a termi-
nation. The third act opens at a country house near
the palace of Aranjuez. Don Jose has conducted Ma-
ritana thither, and having introduced the King as
Don Cmsar de Bazan, leaves for the palace to betray
the King to the Queen, in the hope of forwarding his
own suit to her Majesty. Maritana rejects the King
with loathing—she has been deceived—he is not the
man she believed to be Don Caesar, she retires, and
the real Don Caesar enters through a window. The
King, who announces himself as Don Csesar de Bazan,
the master of the chateau, asks the intruder his name,
to which Don Cassar coolly replies, " I am the King
of Spain," and observing his surprise, adds, " Ay, as
frilly as you are Don Ctesar de Bazan." He then
letmiss for Lb.' first time that ho has been pardoned,
and then having lock' 5.71 the door so as to prevent all
egress, he informs the fsiii; of the treason of
se onour
Don Jose, and his attempts upon r 2... 1
of the Queen. The King, who is roused almos:-
madness by the intelligence, is at length calmed, when
I)on Caesar tells him that he has revenged him by
killing Don Jose. Don Ctesar is pardoned, and re-
warded with the hand of Maritana, and all ends hap-
pily. The acting of James Wallack was perfect—he
was fitted in the character of Don Cmsar to a nicety,
and he did it ample justice. Mrs. Stirling made the
utmost of the interesting little character of Maritana ;
and Miss Marshall, as the boy Lazarilla, made a
great deal of a very insignificant part. There was
some pretty incidental music by W. Is. Phillips;
the scenery and costumes were elegant rand appro•
priate. It was announced for repetition by Wallach-
amidst the unanimous applause of a very crowded
house.

The Earl and Countess of Linealn arrived in
town yesterday evening.