The Sun.
London, England, 1817-04-18 00:00:00

l'IlE I".I2ATIIE.

Diantv-LoNR. —Last night a new Musical
Drama, in. three. Acts, cAlled, Elphi Bey ; or,
The drabs Taith, was produced at this Theatre,
and cast as follows.:—,-
Osmyn,:aTuriiisli Chief Mr. Howl.
Elpfif Bey, a Manieluke Chief • Mr..Woci..ick.' •
Chediii, an-Arab Shia air. RAE- •
ot balsa • • • ' Mr..COVENEY.
Ageeb, son of Chedid , Miss E, ScotT.
Hassan Mr. (:nitre.
nyder . Mr. HARLEY.
A )lilgrim 'qr. Pro:.
Caleb, Jmar, Anialek, Mameluhe L Messrs. PS'Nr,
St) yrn and COMI:E.
MebSTS. KERT,
Saied, Aba-Buk'r,Acbmet,Arabs m s
alica -and Maki.
•
An, Eisler!), Slick Mr. Portia..
Hadjee" Mr. MINToN.
EMina' W4ife 'of Chedid Mrs. Boomer.. , •
Zeinaba, wife of Elphi Miss Bowe.
Sewda Mrs.
Zara Miss BuoctSs.
.
The ontline of the Plot is thus cornmui cat et! :
Osnlyn, a Turkish Pacha, having usurped the rule of
Egypt, upon the death of Morad, in the absence of
Elphi Bey (his I-Veir to the Throne), deterniiiics, upon the
umunr-of his (Elphi's) arrival - from England, to secure
and deitroy, hint. The shill with Elphi on board appears
in sight—Osmyn assembles his forms, and is joined
by Chedid, a powerful. Arab Sheik, revengefully opposed
to Elphi Who had killed, 'in battle, Sheik Abdalla; the
father of' his wife. Elphi's Own Wife, •Zeinaba,. a 'captive.
with Chedid's tribe, escapes, and in the disguise of an
Arab soldier, accompanied by her servant, Hider, joins
her husband upon his landing; keeps herself concealed
from him, points • out- his danger, and inducts him to
Hy. into the Desert, and , make for Upper Egypt., to al-.
same the command of his Mitmelnkts. In this attempt,
exhanited with fatigue, he unconsciously reaches Sheik Che
did's 'tent, with remaining, strength barely sufficient to grasp'
the canvass, which act, according to the Arab faith,fensure
Aid and protection even to the bitterest enemy. Cliedices
wife, EIIIILI3, notwithstanding her 'subsequently dismiver-
ing-in: him bar father's inrirderer. subduing her. private
feelings, offers immediate, refreshments,
briogs him . one
of her , husband's facooe!te ,horses, and furnishes .an
escort for his protection, eilAbling him to evade his pursuers.
Osinyn; enraged on 'finding that Elphi had thus attained- his
Mameluku eneatupturat,.attaclts and defeats Chedid •on his
return through the Desert, takes hint prisoner, and is about
to haveltim executed. Emina flies to, and apprizes
who, Maliing'it forced march, 'storms Cairo at the head of his
Mainelukes, rescues Chedid, deposes OSasyn, and recovers
the Sovereignty.
'.lt seems that this.piepe is the Child of several
Fathers; the dialogue and scenery being ascribed-
to• Mr, SALT, the .AbysSitrian traveller, Colonel
HAM tt.TotY, and. the-scene-painters .belonging to.
-theJlonse,-7-and.the',music.(st‘ch of it as is,not •
transcribed or altered from MOZART). to-Messrs..
ATTWooDi HORN, Li. SMART, &t! With tegarti
to the ,dialogue, we are sorry to observe that-the
is not sittic,,though the starlike parts, which,
of worse come from the Colonel, are sufficiently
terrihketoappal us, even in the mimieryof the stage.
The scenery deserves praise for its able execution •
and accuracy: As a representation of Eastern locality. -
Tbe music is also yet y commendable ;,1
but upon the whole. there does not appear to be..
sufficient stamina „in • Elphi Bey,, for. a three- act
drama, though cut down to a two-decker it may I
obtain•its hour upon the Stage.
The discordance of .opiniOn among die Critics in
the Morning ['tints upon this production are ex-
tremely whimsical. • They- .cannot - even agree
whether it was-hissed or applauded, :fay less she=
titer it was absurd or sithlitne,stotpid'or • interest-
ing : we shall probably illustrate' this pOint by,
contrasting their remarks, for the amusement of
our Readers.. . •