The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-05

assumed by them. By no sIaring divergence do thol
depart from beaten paths IN the business" Of III.
Stage, They seem havo'ueither spirit original
ity enough Tor such offence but are content to d
weak initators of average traditions when they Dc
numerous com oauy engaged In the play some WHIT
crediiaby periorme: tho work assigned to them, but
their efforts only partially served TO relieve the gen.
erai dulne IS OF the rcpresentatio The scenery was
quito good generously applauded, as the
dramatic portions OF tho play. he farce, "Dodgna
for " ifeU which preceded The drama, evoked good
deal laughter
LYcEUM THEArRE-'RoMEo AND JULIET
THE COUNT JoANNEs.
Why Mr. George Jones, Or, as he prefers TO cali
himself the Count Joannes, chooses 10 subject him.
self 10 public ridlculs as an interpreter OF Shake
spearean tragedies, and why, with similar result he
introduces his pupil, Miss Avona Fairbanks,
only contenting himself by occasionally walking
down TO The footlighis and when no Gao make him.
self heard defending hcr from the gbcs and laughter
OF the audience, are questions which noed not b
answered here But they are suggestive. Recently
these two actors performed at tho Bowery.
The houses crowded, the iun furious
and tho profits to the management are
said 20 have been large. Last night Mr..
Jones and Miss Fairbanks appeared at the Lyceum
rheaire: aud. while the attendance considerably
smaller than that oil the East side, served to nearly
I'LL the cosey place and well rewarded by the en-
tertainment Turee hours of genuine hilarity, born
OF the spontaneous humor That Is always
to be found in an Intelligent American
audlcnce-and this by the way was largely composed
OF lawyers-have never rewarded the efforts OF
our best comedians. and few persons left tho theatre
without a sense OF fatigue from sheer merriment-
aching sides weary diaphragms that resulted from
an Involuntary run OF the samut OF laughter from
gentle lehe 10 an abomIabo eruption OF ma, ha mas
1t Is not to be inferred from the foregoing remarks
that the Count Joannes Is not passably good actor
He is and has been so Endorsed Ny those wGo
played Mnh him twenty-five and thirty years
ago. He reads wen, at times eloquenty,
and considering his years, with voice
singuarly sronS and elective. It Is not therefore
just the part of the public to be always on the
watch Tor the weak points that may attach to his per-
sonai idiosyncraccs Ia order TO make little fun at
the expense oil an old man who has much right TO
eudeavor to make living by his legitimate pro.
lesson as any Of those wn0 SIT IN from;
par, Of an American audience to guy" woman. as
done last night to degree that calls for any.
Fairbanks, but Miss Alice Gray ana Mss Florence
Vincent, who in the respective parts OF juliet,
Lady capule. .., and the Nurse were we're. com IN:
JOKES calculated TO try tho strongest nerves. From
The beginning the end o! the play Romeo and Juliet
were unaer tho IRE of bszng battery OF ridicule.
That the management mounted II conscientiousy and
well beyond aoubt but from the rise Of the curtain
to havo nothing but rght royal sport Wnh but
captions the people went there tor this pnrposo-and
juliet, The house echoed with prolonged oscula-
torial symphony and yell "Brace up old boy
more" When Romeo appeared IN ht
robe an irreverent voice exclaimed, "Gcorge, pull
down your ulster" When Juiict pathetcaily IN.
CURED, 'Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo,
a bad young lawyer suggested "Wrtc 10 the SUM-"
Then IL was mat the Count stepped Indignantly
TO front OF the stage and said, ~
there are policemen here, there ought
to be. NV contract with this theatre involves the
preservation Of perfect order, and ask 1t not muck
for my sake as that "i She lady who Is now on 'hs
stage"
''Stand a soap box" "Take some seltzer." "Tra-la
one OF the best actors OF the evening Mr. X.
Johnston, who personated the part OF Friar Law
renee Tie audience attempted to guy" him like.
wise, but, in manly way, he also walked down
TO tho 100h New and YorE Sssn
an actor for thirty years, and never be'ore
have been treated like clown am reading the
you viii let me alone win go on ~ not my sense Of
manhood will compel mo TO retire." Tho little speech
w ana tho MOI
The foregoing will give the reader M idea OF the
style Of chat that prevailed during tho evening" and
kept the audience In a roar Of laughter No
farce could equal 1t Nevertheless, as his
boon said before, II IS sorry spectacle 10
hard times like these 10 SEQ sensible people IN q
theatre selecting and actresses who have been
employed to perform certain parts, and who under
other circumstances woud be thoroughly respected,
made the objects OF dersion, almost driven from
the stage. A decent acknowledgment OF their sndea
yors s certainly due to who thus aim 10 please
Tonight Miss francesca Walberg will appear ut the
Lyceum original drama IRON the French. entL >
lied .rwo Husbands" supported by Mr. W.. Elem.
ing and tomorrow night the count personates Rcn-
ard Ill.
NEW PARK THEATRE, DRooKLYN-JoHN E.
OWENS AS CALEB PLUMMER.
The character OF Caleb Plummer, in tho dramatiza.
ton OF rhe Cricket on tho Hearth" affords for such
a comedian owens outline for the display OF his
strongest faculties OF portrayal It is a compound Of
simplicity, devotion. magnanmity, tenderness, hui
mity and quaintness. Dickens himself could not have
ml1e Of 1t play approaching In beauty tho story no
did create Boucicaurs still more mechanical
ideas have ropbei II OF much OF It's ideal rca.
tho subtler genius OF life land not with The means
OF producing illusory efiees) can alone give BIRTH
as. evsspo oUo LOOK for little more than
OF character. Caeb Plummer and Bertha the mid
die figures rho latter was personated by Miss Mnette
Thompson. She Is better fitted Tor piquant parts
than for this. Her conception betrayed a lack OF
imagination and consequently, poverty OF pathos.
Yet tho feeling which shoue forth through her
OF angelic quality, such associated with gentle
souls which birth have had earthly outlook.
She preserved her face through every 0t
ting expression, and IN the moment OF recognition OF
her brother, who mad returned from tho "goden
South Americas" little touch of nature, the half
committed act OF STOPPING to carcss HIM ere she
mcmbcred that he must have grown TO manhood's
the lapse years. deeply stirred the heart
quatc IDEA Of the shock and the revul
sion Of feeling which Bertha experienced on
Prescott, Miss Long aud Mrs. Prior did wol In their
parts. SO did Mr. James w. Hardis as Jonn Perry.
DnBlc, ana Mr. Llttl0 as IaCkletO0. DAT. owens US
Caleb Plummer embodcs a character which essen
TALLY differs from the others that he assumes. The
one fault OF his delucaton Is a tendency to broaden
the traits which naturally produce laughter. In this
sense he Tails 10 preserve he should the innate
dignity OF the character which SHOULD be entirely
sunk beneath It's heroic weaknesses In other re-
spec,s IL Is unique and wonderful tmpersonston.
The play is finely mounted at the New Park Theatre
with new scenery aud machinery. The audience was
very large.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.
Nine. Modjeska commenced engagement at the
National Theatre In Washington last gh appearing
as Camille, the rendition OF which was enthusiastic
Gully received by very nno audience.
The concert gwen in Washington last night by Miss
Thursby, assisted by tho vionist L,chtenberg and
Others attracted crowded and usiastic audience
The troupe will give series Of performances in the