English Opera-House.
The Times, 1824-09-04T00:00:00

A ncw farce, entitled Jonathan in England, was last night pro. duced. It has been produced in 11Mr. Peake's pun-manufactory, chiefly for the purpose of giving 3Ir. Alathews an opporrunity, as Jonathaun IV. DoNbikins, of raising a laugh at the strange phrase- ology of our trans.Atlantic brethren. So long as this object was fairly kept in view, the audience were unanimous in their approba- tion; but Alr. Peake thought proper, on more than one occasion, to make some of his characters introduce matter, which by implica- tion reflected reproach on Americar ideas of independence. This side-wind censure of Arnerica, which doubtless was intended, by contrast, as a cempliment to England, uas reccived, as such illibe- rality always should be received. with a strong expression of disgust. It is tim.e that the custom of satirizing every country but our own should be banished from the stage. Mlathews, in action, rendered Jonalhact nmore amusing than lie was in the snonodrarnw. He is lauded at l!iverpool, where, he receives from hil triend Mr. Ledger, a letter of introduction to Aldermsan Grossfeeder, a member of the corporation of l,ondon. Ledger, at the same time, favours Natty Larkspur, the post-boy at the inn where Jonatiuan stops, with a let- ter of recornmmendation to the same Aldermani. Aratly's letter Ft&di9cP -r situati'o 'S-posttion; whille Natty, who has got possession of Jonathan's introduetior, is receivedI as the young American gentleman. The situation of the parties gives rise to sonme equivoque ; but we think a mian of Air. Peakc's experience (of talent we say nothing) might have made this portion of the farce mnore amusing and effective. Keeley's quiet and unforced hulmour were advantageously display. *d in the trifling character of N*aty Larkspur. The piece thouglh it met with some opposition, was on thc wiholc well re- ceived. Mlathews's huniorous acting excited laughter atone nno- inent, and lr. Peake's bad puns vere sure, by their flagrant absur. dity, to provoke it in that which followed. " That only will live in the memory," says Dr. ,Johnson, " whiich is vcry good, or execrably bad." If this diettitu be true, Alr. Pea:;c's productions must live for ever-they are certainly as far removed fro m excellence as possible. The second piece was a new musical Ilrainia, leirrininated The frozen Lakc_-a title suffliient of itself to draw a r.rge audientceintlhis broil- ing weather. It is, we understand, a -.mnslation froml the French, by Alr. Plsnche. It is a hcavy piece, althotigh it boasts one or two interesting scenes. The first part of' it, notwitlhstanding the efforts of Aillss Kelly and .;\lr. WVrench, was exceedingly tedious. Love, of' cotirse, is the main.spring of the action. Tbe Grand Duke Of S'uabia (Ai r. Bartley) is anxious to unite hiY (ldaughter Loiisa (MiYs Noel) to the Prinecdtc Neubourg (lIr. lWretich) but the lady, ac- cording to theestablished rmlei.n suchcases,bascnosenanaittiermore suited to her inclinations, in the person ot' Count de Linsbeig (111r. Pearman)-a youth of doubifol origin, bitt wvho has bcen patrontized and ennobled by the Grand Duke. The Prinec dtc Ncubuu0nrg Is an excellentsoldier, but a very indifferent wooer: and, to learn the gentle art of making love, he has placed himself undler itel tutclage of the Baroncss dc Rosefeld (Miss Kelly). De Lins- brig is led to believe, that the assiduities of De ANcnbontrg are agreeable to the Princess Louisa, whomn he had privately married; and, stung with jealousy, he so behaves hinmself in the presence of' the (;rand Duke, as to call fbrth a decree of banishment, which is, however, aimnilled at the request of De A'c"bou rg. The latter, who finds himself utterly unequal to the composition of a love. epistlc, entreats Dc Linsbetg, as a return for the serviee be had rendered him, to write a few lines, which he would transmit to the Princess, as if written by himself. De Lineberg obeys the requiest, anti writes a note requesting an interview with the Princess in her own aparttnents8the dropping her houbqet to be consiudered the signal of consent. To the inexpressible joy of De Linsberg, and to the equal teliglit ot' DC Areubourg (the former not supposing that the latter had perused the tiote), the lady lets fall her boau,jset. Now cotnes the interest of the piece. De Liasberg en- ters the chamber of' the Princess by a window which overlooks the frozen lake; De Neubourg, to whons the key has been given in mistake, enters at the door. De Linsberg anti his lady retire, and a very agreeable tte.-ii-ec takes place between the Baroness dc Rose.eeld and De Neubourg, who is with difficulty ejected from the apartment. It is now time fer Dc Linsberg to retreat; but alas, he perceives, that during his interview, the Saow has fall. en heavily on the frozen lake, and he knows that the track of a meae's foot from the apartment of thie Printcess, if per- ceived, must lead to the most unfertunate consequiences. In this dilenima, the Princess and her friend the Barontess place De Lin.sberg in a sledge, and draw him across the lake-an ex- pedient sonmething like that of tbe daughter of Charlemagne, who, to prevent detection, carried lier paramour on lier back through the snow. The parties are, however,espied from the palace-winlows by. the Grarrd luke, who is asfonishetl at so strange an appearance; butt his astotishment isredoubled when lie learns from an offic.ousservant tlat they came from his daughter's apartment. he deternines tO punish, and then to forgive the delinquents. He summons them before him ; and, previously to his declaring his knowledge of their stolen union, he horrifies theiii by declaring that Linsberg is his son." But when their agony at Lhe supposed incestuous utnion is at its height, he converts their anguish to pleasure, when, in an. swer to his daughter's question, he says, " 4ssuredly he is my son, since he is your husband." All parties are reconciled; and the laughing PrinLce ic Neussbor is content to accept the hand of the lively Baroness de Rosefeld, instead of that of the Princess Louisa. In the sentiment of this drama there is nothing that soars above mediocrity ; but where humour is attempted there is much that falls beneath it. Instead of the language of pathos, we have something half whine and half bombast: imistead of humour, we have much unmeaning bustle. The latter scenes are incomipa. rably the best. The scene in the Printcess's apartment is well-ima. lned. The incident gives a wide scope to the anticipatiens of fancy, and the interest connected with it is kept tip to the end. Wreneh played the Pr.ice dc Neusbon,rg with much vi- vacity, and his fair instructress, the Baroness, was excellently represented by Mliss Kelly. The character is, however, un- worthy of her powers. It is ncither humorous nor pathetic, but a sort of' mule, the oftspring of-both. Keele has a short part-that of a busy, selfish domestic, which he performed very pleasantly. Pearman, as the Count de Linsberg, sang tolerably well. bliss N.oel, who personated the Princess, would sing much better, if, with her restricted powers of voice, she wouldrefrain f'rom attempting so .much. The Music by Mir. a. Reeve is simple and expressive. f'he piecC was well received by the great majority of the audience, though disapprobation was at times manifested. ENGLISH OPERA-11OUSE.