AustLit

A burlesque extravaganza produced especially for Lady Don, this production was localised and adapted by G. B. Barton from Weber and Planche's three act fairy opera, Oberon; Or, the Elf King's Oath.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that while the premiere was not up to expectations, 'its repetition [the following night] evinced some improvement'. The critic goes on to further note, 'The burlesque follows closely the incidents of Weber's opera... [but] there are several clever passages running through the dialogue - as indeed it is impossible there should not be with the author's brilliant abilities in burlesque writing, as well as other branches of literature' (23 December 1865, p.7).

The story as played out in Weber's opera is as follows:

Act 1. The story is set in motion when Oberon and Titania argue about whether men or women are more faithful. Oberon then sends Puck to search for a couple which is faithful to each other in every way. Pucks tells Oberon about Sir Huon of Bordaeux who has been ordered to Bagdad to kill the man who sits on the left of Harun al Rashid and claim his daughter, Rezia, for a wife. Huon is shown a vision of Rezia by Oberon and given a magic horn (which can summon elves) and a magic goblet (which fills itself when it touches a person's lips).

Act 2. Rezia, who is being forced to marry Prince Babekan, is rescued by Huon and the pair escape with the help of the magic horn. Oberon takes them to the harbor of Ascalon but Puck raises spirits to wreck his ship. While Huon seeks help, Rezia sees a ship and thinking it is her rescuer's goes aboard only to find herself kidnapped by pirates and taken to be sold as a slave to the Emir of Tunis.

Act 3. Huon disguises himself as a gardener in his attempt to rescue Rezia. In the meantime the faithfulness of both is tempted by others, but rejected. When Huon is captured he and Reiza are sentenced to be burned at the stake. The horn is used to summon Oberon, who arrives with Titania in time to save them.