The New York herald., 1878-02-09
THE LYcEuM THEArRE-coUNT JoANNEs As
HAMLET

It ia no longer matter of wondermAut why tho
Count Joannos choeriuly submits to being what IL
commonly called "guyed." Ho is making money both
for himself and his managers. Even to got within
the doors of the Lyceum Theatre last night vel,
nigh impossible, and once IN the visitor found tho
house crowded from pit to dome with an audience COM
posed OF Of the best citizens oi Now York-law-
ycrs judges Students members Of all the professions
in TACT, seem to have somehow succumbed to the
thought that in order to enjoy two hours of unadul-
,erated fun they have only to the Count and 1.-THE
pupil of his eyc" OF course the fun consists in what
said by tho public In tho ricb, and racy ebu
tions OF a merry lot OF people who overflow with
and keep the cataract OF laughter rolling
at the expense of the two stars Of the
audience, generously taking The hint thrown
out by the HERALD with reference TO the decorous
treatment that belongs 10 tho ordinary stock actors
and who hired merely 10 do their duty,
spared them in groat measure but for the Prince OF
Denmark Count Joannes) aud Opheia miss Avouia
multi of deviltry from beginning 10 end when-
they appeared on the stage. To record
played Hoa BY %nd B aasns
ike choir. and wound up by the voluntary, 1--WE
Won't Go home TIL Morning" The poor dutis: who
pucker and set tho rest Of the musician.
sorts Of impracticabe things A.weli known police
Justice shouted, "Give him six months, George"
Anotner gentleman suggested ''da auI tueIe.s OIooQ
upon tho moon,f "Wash II oil, George" "Oh,
hush," said a dgniHed gentleman, "till We get ths
hang OF the play again. '.pun up your stock:ngs,
George," ''Sing the Whistlng rhie,' old man; it'n
bring her too "
When Hamlet came ON with his 1fe the gallery
gods invited him to play "rhe Mulligan Guards"
and .The Girl | Left Bonind Me-" When he asked Po-
lonius II he s'secs whale ?" deep bass sug-
gested "a smell" and the echo from the gallery
sNo, q sardine." When poor Yoricks skull
thrown out upon the sod phlegmatic sixth avenue
waiter called "Oxt all soup and bread for The
fencing the end OF the strange
was something immense. The Count carumpumpu-
lated all the stage, and was evident from the
anxiousy nervous wariness OF Laertes that he con.
sidered himself In good doal Of personal dabger.
In fact he found 1t difficult ut timcs 10 avoid the
point OF Hamlets weapon. Meanwhile the audi
ence howling, 'Stlck him In tho back.
Georgie," ''Put your spec,acles," 'Roli up your
wlg,' Pull up. your stockiAas or you'll hsvo to
paint your legs" sGo tor him." 'Take some castor
oil, &c. &c. Among the auditors was splendid
baritone, and every time he INDUCED IN laugh 1t
tho signal for chorus. II VI the most CATCH
ing ordinations that has ever been experienced In
New York audience. Between tho cheers laughter
and mock applause the expressions on tho faces
oil the actors and actresses and the sclf-sat-
isiactiou OF Hamlet and Ophelia the amusemsnt
was something that has not had equal In New York
for years. While IS pity that Shakespeare ID de-
graded the spectacle presented at tho Lyceum Thea
ire whenever the Count Joannes $50 called appears
Is suggestive OF lessonto wit, that the public ap-
preciate fun and willing to pay for IT, On Monday
night the Count will play Richard ILL.,, on Wednesday
Othollo, and on Friday King Lear.