The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-17 00:00:00

LY CEUM THEATRE.

The Lyceum—that drawing-room of theatres—
opened for the season last evening, under the manage-
ment of Madame Vestris, on which occasion two
new pieces were produced, each of which was most
triumphantly successful. The first was entitled
Serve him Right, and the gentleman who was served
right was Harry Bellamy (Mr. Charles Mathews),
who, having been a libertine all his days, is at
length inveigled into matrimony, and then
becomes the most ingenious of self-tormenters,
construing the most innocent circumstances into
" confirmation strong as proof of holy writ" of the
existence of a plot against his peace, and rejecting
all attempts at explanation with—" of course—l
know the trick—l have done so myself many
times." He was admirably supported by Mr.
Frank Matthews, as a good humoured old man,
who always studies the bright side of nature, and
whose sister, Mrs. Charity Smith (Mrs. F. Matthews),
as " a woman of experience," thinks it her duty to
always place the worst construction on everything.
The dialogue is full of point, and the piece, which
is the joint production of Mr. C. Mathews
and Mr. Morris Barnett, was completely successful.
This was followed by a new piece, adapted from the
French by Mr. Planche, and entitled My Heart's
idol. The following is a sketch of the plot :—Connt
Leopold von Kahlen berg (Mr. G. J. Vining, a young
and graceful actor, who has just joined the company),
who has been in the habit of winning the hearts of
young ladies by means of circular love letters super-
scribed " my heart's idol," lays a wager with his
friend Colonel Reichard (Mr. Bellingham) that he will
obtain some favour or other from any young lady that
should be named within twenty-four hours after be had
put his plans into operation. Colonel Reichard points
out Louise von Esselingen (Miss Kenworthy). Forth
goes a special "circular," addressed to "my heart's
idol," which contains an offer of marriage, the Count
never dreaming that it will be accepted. Accepted,
however, it is, and the Count finds he has gone too
far. But retract he cannot, for through the agency
of Madame Rienstein (Madame Vestris), the
orders of the Emperor have been obtained to have
the marriage between the Count and Louise
solemnized forthwith, with the provision that
the Count shall be dispatched abroad for a year,
in order to mend his morals, and make himself a
suitable helpmate for his wife. The Count, believing
that Louise has herself importuned the Emperor for
this edict, and has had the match brought about
merely for the sake of gaining a title, goes to Amster-
dam, the place of his banishment, with feelings no way
favourably inclined for womankind in general. But
after a variety of adventures the young people are con-
fronted with each other, mutual explanations follow,
and the love which has all along been lurking in the
bosom of each is now mutually declared. There is
a little under plot, in which Baron Barrow wilz
(Mr. Charles Mathews) performs nearly a similar
part •to that of the Count, the object of
his affections being a young lady who sub-
sequently forcibly becomes Baroness Borrow-
witz (Miss Isabel Dickenson). Madame Vestris was
greeted enthusiastically on her entrance. She per-
formed with great vivacity, and appeared in excel-
lent health and spirits. At the conclusion of the
comedietta the National Anthem' was sung
by the whole of the company, the solo parts being
taken by Madame Vestris, Miss Julia St. George,
and Miss Ellis. The evening's entertainments con-
cluded with the Olympic Devils; or, Orpheus and
Eurydice, in which Mr. H. Horncastle, Miss Ellis,
and Miss Rosina Wright made their first appearance
at this theatre.