Aufführungsbesprechung London: Abu Hassan im Drury Lane Theatre am 4. April 1825

DRURY LANE.

On Monday, after a very barn-like performance of Pizarro, a new melo-dramaic romance was produced, called “Abou Hassan.” The plot of this trifle – for an trifle it really is – has been taken from the latter half of the story of the “Sleeper Awakened,” a tale with which all the admirers of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments must be intimately acquainted. The music, which was in all probability the princepal cause of its production, is by Weber; and although it may be called very pretty, and sometimes very lively and characteristic, it has yet no very powerful claims upon our notice. Weber indeed seems to be most at home when he is accomplishing what other composers would be fearful of attempting: the common every-day occurences of little appear to | be no means congenial to this talents and he reserves the efforts of his genius to illustrate the crimes of his fellow creatures – or the contentions of the elements and the convulsions of universal nature. The pieces most admired were, Miss Graddon’s first song; a duet between that lady and Mr. Horn, about “Whine and Water”; and the sestett and chorus which form the conclusion of the first act*. Of the dialogue of this little drama, we cannot say any thing particularly favourable; it is a trifle better than the recent joint-stock productions which have emanated from behind the scenes of this house, but still not what it ought to be, and not what we have a right to expect from Mr. Dimond’s pen. Some of the jokes were old friends with new faces; and others taken, without disguise, not only from common conversation, but, word for word, from some of our living dramatists. The acting was so-so; Horn, respectable – Miss Graddon, improving – Browne and Bedford, doubtful – and Harley, excellent. His scene of counterfeit madness, in the last act, was irresistibly diverting. There is nothing indeed to which his animal spirits are not equal. The piece, upon the whole, was favourably received, and, with a little curtailment of the first act, may acquire a limited degree of popularity.