The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-15
+. A Emmy Tragedy.


from the New York Sun, January ~
), "NoW is the winter OF our discomfort
made glorious summer by this sun OF ork,' -
George, the Count Joannes, began in per-
sonating Richard III. In the Olympic The
atre last evening. The rest OF his opening
soIiloquy was lost in the noise made by tn
audience that bad come to make fun and lost
no time in commencing. From first to last
hardly whole sentence uttered by any OF
the performers could be heard twenty feet
from the stage. The comments came lnces-
sanity from all parts of the almost crowded
house. Some OF the remarks were humor-
Gus, and yet cleverly turning the situation
! OF the play into ridicule; more were simply
witlcss and vulgar, but none were indecent.
Beans and wads Of paper were thrown On
| the stage, tin whistles were blown, imita-
tious OF various birds and beasts were given,
and the tirelessness OF the audience in max.
ing noises was wonderful. a ~.
The Count and his pupil, Miss Avonia
Fairbanks, who played Ludy Anne, did
not suffer more than their share OF the
jibing. Not person on the stage escaped.
The gathering was as Understanding as
it was merciless. A very COED actor. who
disguised his face past recognition as Buck
ingham, was as much ridiculed as any OF the
rest, most of whom evidently did not do
their best. which would have been bad
enough. The bill did not give real names.
except Of the star and pupil. Probably al
began with the intention OF going soberly
through with the performance, but several
caught some of the humor OF the audience,
and helped to turn the tragedy into farce.
One OF those was " Mr.. Donohue," the lord
mayor, who was recognized by the gallery
as Marsten, the Bowery low comedian. in
spite OF tremendous wig. It was bolster
olIsly insisted that he should take of huge
pair OF oyershoes. Indeed, criticism OF the
personal appearance OF the actors, especially
their dress, formed large part Of what
could be understood Of the unceasing din
of voices.
The Counts acting showed traces Of pos
sible former excellence, but was utterly
lacking ia strength OF characterization.
Still there was nothing in it particularly ab.
surd. He had plainly made up his mind
not to lose his temper, come what might, ana
undoubtedly would have kept his resolu-
ton had aot the audience hit upon the idea
OF shouting " Right" and "Left' when he
walked and 6. Halt" when he stopped. This
was begun in the second act, and thereafter
he did not take step but roar OF Right -
or !. Left" went up from three fourths of
the throats in the theatre. He smiled at it
for while. Then he fooled his tormentors
by pretending 10 stop, and stopping short
without putting his foot down. Atlength
he gave way to furious rage, shook his
sword menaciugly, and cried something
that sounded like 'sBray away, you jack
asses" The combat between Richard
and Richmond, closing the play, brought
a climax OF good-natured disorder in final
shower Of beans and a tremendous Iuproar
OF shouting and laughter. I:.t J.
After oil, the conlicat success Of the occa-
sion was made rather by the audience than
by, what was done on the stage. The time
between the acts was spent hilariously. The
dctation TO the orchestra was 5imperious,
and the leader obeyed 80 far as to play
. Whoa EMMA" and. "My Grandfathcr's
Clook," OH Vociferous demand. The au-
dience sang the choruses with such good
time and heartyiyim that the walls; of-the
old building may have bulged in; unison.
| But the leader displeased BY not playing
t.My Mary Ann" because he hadn't The
| music at hand, and the singing Of "fThe
Sweet BY and By,'' which he gave instead,
was mingled with Kissing. .:..f
There were diyerting incidents. A gayly-
dressed woman in private box waltzed
with one Of her companions, and WIS
cheered so wildly that, after brazenlng 1t
awhile, she hid behind the curtains. A Sc
date, well-clothed young man brought out q
pair of beer-bottles, tied together side by
! side, and used them conspicuously for opera.
| Siasses.. But the funniest man was the one
who, although apparently sober, fell asleep
| in the midst Of the uproar, and did not
awaken until he had been shouted at by the
entire audience aud been thoroughly pelted
with heans