Star.
London, England, 1828-07-15 00:00:00

ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.

Last evening, a new piece, an Historical Anecdote,
called The Noyades ; or, Love and Gratitude, said to be
from Vie pen of Mr. Planchet WAS produced at this
Theatre, and most triumphantly received. Its title of
the iiNoyade" is taken from the monstrous sacrifices of
human life, by sinking hundreds of both sexes in boats,
which, among other horrible cruelties, marked the early
progress of the French Revolution.

"The Anecdote" opens with the assemble of soldiers of the
Royalist army, in the Auberge (Inn) of La Vendee; and a song by
Mr. J. &Ann, as a French Sergeant, is here very effectively intro-
duced. The personages of this scene are also a timid villager, Tardiff
(Mr. Kiatitr).; Eugenie, a spirited fighting village lass (Miss
Gowaits), quite a heroine in her way; and Matois, a spy (Mr., 0.
SMITH). These severally develope their characters; and the busi-
ness of the anecdote commences in the next scene at the cottage
of Marguerite (Mrs. Baraa), where Captain Lowest, .of the Re-
publicans (Mr. James Virus*); takes refuge after an escape from
some Royalist troops, and is received and sheltered by Carlin, a
Vendean girl (Miss KELLY), unknown to her mother, and through
her presence of mind be is also concealed from the search of the •
guard of royalists conducted by Matois. This shelter leads to a
surprisingly sudden attachment of Celine to the Captain, but he
accidentally drops his being betrothed toJulia (MissGkav)and upon
his departure promises no return, or send a handkerchief to his pro-
tector. However the klndCarline is so overpowered by her affection,
that she bursts from her mother's arms, and follows him to the war
of LaVendee,and being taken prisoner, is, after an intervening steno
or so, conducted with other captives to the" Noyade," or drown-
ing in the Loire; and at the moment when she is about being con-
signed to the raft or boat, the Captain rushes in, rescues her, and
saves her friends among the wretched group about to be drowned.
A scene of the second act introduces, for the first time at this
Theatre, Mr. 'BENSON Hitt, as Major Lenigan, an Irish
Major, who marries Julia in the absence of his friend, the
Captain, and, upon the announcement, also much to his satis-
faction. This Gentleman met with au extremely favourable re-
ception, and performed the little he had to do very respectably.—
Upon these materials a slight and interesting drama, we will use
the term, is founded, and although perhaps there may be but Std.
in the outlay to attract approbation, the concluding scene is so
striking and pathetic, that it would redeem a less interesting intro-
duction. Miss Kastv, as Carlene, certainly last night did all that
any actress of her extraordinary powers could do fin the author,
and brought him through most triumphantly. This young Lady
never could have been seen with greater effect. Her acting in the
dungeon, and.last scene,, was indeed great, and was of that affect-
ing character that the sympathies of the audience were excited to
a very high degree. She was most rapturously received and, ap-
plauded, and when the curtain fell the audience repeatedly cheered
this successful " Anecdote." It was announced for repetition title
evening, by Mr. J. Viaiato, without a single dissentient voice. We
bad almost omitted to notice that little Kalmar pertormed the ter-
rified villager with irresistibly comic humour. The Theatre was
crowded to an overflow.