THE THEATRES.
-Mr. Charles Dance, who for a series of years was the assistant of Mr. Mancha in manufacturing those Olympic pieces in which burlesque for the first time put on a garb of elegance, has come forward as the solo writer of a new burlesque produced at the Lyceum.
The opera of Oberon, constructed by Mr. Plancha out of Wieland's poem,-has furnished Mr. Dance with a subject. He has adhered very closely to the original scheme; and in turning into burlesque the libretto of a serious opera, has confined himself to a change of dialogue, not introdur can any change of dramatic situation. This adherence has not been with- out its advantages, for Oberon does not abound in opportunities of making visible appeals to laughter. Keeley's imitation of Braham in the character of Sir Hues; in which the short figure and the black hair awaken a ludi- crous reminiscence of the celebrated vocalist, is perhaps the only point of humour addressed to the eye. On the other hand, the audible jokes are smart and sparkling, without that incessant aim at repartee which often becomes fatiguing to those of an audience who are aware of the pain which an author must endure who sets himself the task of finding an epigram out of every two lines. Above all, we should commend the very great abstinence from vulgarity which Mr. Dance has displayed. These burlesques with splendid scenery and " effects " are just as much addressed to the juvenile part of the public, and the lovers. of spectacle generally, as to the choice spirits who are familiar with all the argot of London; but it has been too much a practic,e-withilie writers of burlesque to assume that the whole playgoinff oild is in possession of the uliar branch of erudition which, al alone to that estimable class of
it designa e " a uttown."
The principal characters are played by Mr. and Mrs. Keeley; the latter of whom, as the Princess Reiza, raised into a tragic heroine for the occasion, is especially comic. The tableaux are less effective than some of those which we have seen on former occasions; but the scenery and costumes are on the whole unexceptionable.
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