NEW DRAMA AT DRURY LANE.
WHEN a new play is brought to the assistance of' a pantomime at the end of the second week, we augur the declining success of the
latter; but the "musical drama" called My Own Lover, which was put forth on Wednesday at Drury Lane, is so suitable to the audiences of a pantomime, and partakes so much of that species of entertainment, that we may fairly conclude it is only intended to bear the pantomime company through the remainder of its pil- grimage, and that they will both make their exit together, like Clown and Pantaloon, arm in arm. If it is difficult to say what the new drama is, it is not less so to define what it is not. It is a piece of motley—a thing of shreds and patches—like Harlequin for activity, like the Clown for absurdity, and like the Pan- taloon for antiquity. Who the playwright is, we did not hear ; but if the authors of the different incidents, situa- tions, characters, and jokes, were to make their appearance for the purpose of claiming their own, the stage would hardly hold them, and not a line of the " drama " would remain to the appropriator. For the plot, we could as soon unravel a tangled skein of silk; and it would reward us no better for our pains. There are, im- primis, two brace of jealous lovers—an operatic pair and a comedy couple ; item, two pair of servant ditto ; item, a foolish old father and guardian. Now, when we inform our readers that Mr. WOOD and Miss PEARSON are the pair of nightingales, Waustets and Miss PHILLIPS the pair of turtles, Mrs. HUMBY and Mrs. ORGER the waiting-maids; HARLEY a lying valet, and FARREN the stupid old guardian, and moreover a lawyer, we surely need do no more. However, lest we should be thought remiss, we will further acquaint them, that the characters are Spanish,—that is to say, the women have lattice-work borders to their gowns, the men slashed doublets and hats with plumes, such as ladies wear at the Opera, and the dramatis persona are entitled Don and Donna; that Miss PHILLIPS is not disguised in male attire; that Mrs. HUMBY is decorated with ribbons like a frigate on a holyday; that Waerseex is a sort of Giovanni in red and yellow ; and that Miss PE-ARSON wears a cap and feathers which a Lady Mayoress might envy. Then, as for scenes and incidents—there is a lady's boudoir with two closets, a cabinet six feet high, and an arm-chair, all to be let, and all unfurnished, except with gallants; besides which, there is a window to the street, and a dressing- table, in addition to an adjoining bed-room and the entrance-door. What more commodious apartment could be imagined for the scene of a plot? But as if that were not enough, the old guardian never sees an inch. beyond his nose, unless he is directed; nor thinks of turning his head except away from mischief; and only hears and understands by stage direction. There are also a great many funny occurrences,—such as locking in and letting out of the sedan-cabinet; blowing out of candles, and groping in the dark; mistaking one person for another; escapes, excuses, discoveries; bribes, lies, oaths; knockings down; quarrellings ; and a drunken scene. If to all these we add the fact, that there is scarcely a joke that is a counterfeit—for they have all been current on the stage any time this half-century—we humbly conceive that we have made out a case, upon the merits of which a jury of playgoers need not for a moment hesitate.
The audience laughed heartily, and greeted each successive surprise (for no one could fancy what to expect next) with the cordial welcome of old acquaintance. Indeed, though HARLEY'S grimaces were very acceptable, FARREN would not have been missed—any one else might have played his part equally well. There was a number (variety we cannot say) of songs, by Mr. VVoon and Miss PEARSON; one or two of which struggled through a conflict of hisses and applause, and obtained the doubtful victory ef an encore. There were also concerted pieces and choruses at the end of each act, in which Femmes Mrs. ORGER, and HARLEY made themselves "generally useful." FARREN, indeed, was the buffo primo of the mimic opera. The music was by Mr. Ron- WELL, and there was no offence in it. The songs had the custo- 331ary trill at the end of each verse, and Miss PEARSON actually
gave two different cadences in the course of the evening. This Young lady displayed her usual sprightliness and energy; and Mr. Woon delivered his part of the dialogue in the methodistical drawl which he uses on sentimental occasions.
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