Star.
London, England, 1826-07-07 00:00:00

ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.

Last' night, a new Melodrama-was produced at this
Theatre, in two acts, entitled The Guerilla (Ale. It is
founded on the highlytwrought and deeply-interesting
story of John Doe, in the admirable " Tales of the
O'Hara Family," by Mr. BA Nlll. The scene is, however,
transferred from Ireland to Spain. The wronged outlaw,
Kavanagh, becomes the Guerilla Chief Alves (or Ro
guillo)—the infamous tithe proctor Purcell is trans-
formed into Los:pen—Mary Grace becomes Clara Soso
—and the two ruffians. Flinn and Melling, figure as
Martin and Michael,' retaining the Rochite cognlmens
of " Captain Starlight" and" Lieutenant Moonshine."
The story is opened in a scene between two French officers,
Damien and Zrefeezza (Mews. Amman and Tswana), from which
it appears that they are employed in hunting down the Guerilla
and his band. The former also confesses that he is in love with
Clara Sens (Miss HAMILTON), whose father's residence is at a short
distance from their head-quarters. The next scene introduces
Losysies (Mr. Alien's), a land agent. who has first drawn the
Guerilla into rebellion, then betrayed him to the Government,
driven his father and mother from their home, and induced his
sister (Miss GaAs), already the victim of his seduction, to
become the dishonoured companion of his bed. But his desires
have now been excited by the charms of Clara Soso, and his
miziresa is brutally discarded. Knowing that Damien is his rival,
be employs an assassin to dispatch him. The deed is prevented
by the timely interposition of a stranger (Mr. Bmoterr), who
carries a letter for the Frenchman to the House of .Den
When arrived there, he is recognised by Clara as the object of
her childish love, supposed to have been driven from his country
for having mixed in its dissentions. While he remains, the house
is attacked by a party headed by Leagues, and the family of the
Don are carried off to the mountains. The stranger, however, has
gained a perfect knowledge of the scheme through one of the
agents of Leagues, and has taken measures to counteract it. When
the party gain a certain spot is the mountains, they are attacked
by another force, and Leagues, with his adherents, are routed. The
Don and his daughter now find themseves in the hands of Aloes,
who had accompanied them in their captivity, and had been their
deliverer. In this situation they are surprised by the approach of
Dam en sad his troops, conducted by the treacherous Leagues.
Alves then throws off his disguise, and he is—the Guerilla. At his
command, his followers spring out from all sides mod disarm the
soldiers. He then ascertains that Clara loves D;ntien and sacri-
fices his own hopes to her happiness. But his first betrayer is in
his power, and shortly the house of Lupin, seen in the distance,
is wrapped in Games. The trsitor himself is dispatched by some
of the Guerilla followers, and his miserable victim rushes from
the flames, and sinks in the arms of her brother. The Litter bears
her off with the intention of embarking for South America, and
here the Piece ends.

A very powerful interest pervades the whole of the
story of this Piece; the characters are well sustained,
and the dialogue has both more vigour and more ac-
curacy than are generally found in such writings. Toe
drama also had the advantage of some very good act-
ing. BEN NETT', a:though sometimes extravagant, played
several passages with true pathos, and powerful effect.
Min HAMILTON, MIIO is grea ly improved since the
last season, acted with much intelligence and feeling;
and Miss GOWARD made a gond deal of the little she
had to do as the attendant of Clara. ARCHER of Drury-
lane made his first appearance here. He played a scene
in the early part of the piece, where planning the mur-
der of Damien, extremely well. Miss GRAY has only
two scenes, and in them she displayed powers of no
mean order. HARTLEY, in undertaking the part allotted
to him, reminded us of what is too seldom considered,
that to redeem a weak part from insignificance is one of
the greatest triumphs of the art. PAARMAN and TRORIIR
sang with considerable effect, and the former was en-
cored in one of his songs.
The Piece was very well received, and its announcement for re-
petition called forth the warmest applause from a great majority of
tl.e audience.