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6 5 14 20101217 14 O n Thursday Oct 20th [1791], a new ballad pantomime, taken from Ossian, called Oscar and Malvina, was performed for the first time, at Covent Garden Theatre. The Characters were thus represented: Fingal – Mr Blurton Oscar – Mr Byrne Dermoth – Mr King Carrol – Mr Follet Draco – Mr Cranfield Morven – Mr Farley Pedlar – Mr Munden Farmer – Mr Cubitt Malvina – Madamoiselle St Amand Bards, Peasants, &c. by Messrs. Darley, Williamson, Gray, Cubitt, Marshall, &c. &c. Mrs. Martyr, Mrs. Mountain, Miss Broadhurst, Miss Stuart, &c. &c. Attendants, Soldiers, Servants, &c. IN the printed book of the songs, we are fur- nished with the following argument which states the incidents of the pantomime, Oscar, the descendant of Fingal, a renowned Highland chief, being betrothed to Malvina, the daughter of Joscar, their clans, accompa- nied by the bards (according to the ancient customs of the country) assemble in the hall of Fingal, which is fancifully decorated, to cele- brate the approaching nuptials of the happy pair, and record the glories of their ancestry; their festivity is interrupted by a vassal announcing the arrival of Carrol, a powerful chieftain of a neighbouring isle, who, accom- panied by his troops, descends the rocky mountains of Ben Lomond to demand the hand of Malvina in marriage. Carrol, on being informed she is betrothed to Oscar, assumes the garb of friendship, and accepts an invitation to Fingal castle; where, as circumstances offer, he artfully prefers his suit, and obtains from Malvina, reluctantly, a ring (by desire of Oscar) as a pledge of arnity. Carrol adjures his 'squires (Morven and Draco) to secrecy, and commands their assis- tance in procuring Malvina at all hazards; the former appears averse, but the latter acqui- esces. During this period, Fingal, Oscar, and Malvina, unconscious of Carrol's treachery; indulge themselves in participating the rustic sports of their dependants; who, in the stubble ~ FROM THE ARCHIVE ~ OSCAR AND MALVINA Denis Courtenay performing in OSCAR AND MALVINA Harvard Theatre Collection

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[Periodical]

2011-02-24T00:00:00

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