, 1874-04-14


Tho Academy OF Music last evening vaB filed
With one Of tho most fashionable audiences over
called together in Chicago, with Indies aud gon-
tlomen Of culture, who seldom attend . dramatic
representation, and arc only to bo found when
sone celebrated artist is announced. It was IN
audience which could criticiso player, and was
not afraid to trust itself in passing Judgment
upon the pIaYlng. Tho p!ay was "Ihe GIaaia-
tor" with Mr. John Mccullough in tho role Of
Spartacus.
Tho ploco has not boon plnyad In Chicago for
many yoars. It was the property Of Mr.. For
rest. who icntouBly guarded against rivalry by
refusing to lot another actor attempt hiB fayorito
part. It is classical pfoce in moro Benaes than
one. though too ambitious in its multitude Of
characters to found a hope Of its over boing pro-
dncod with perfcctncea OF detail. Its dato is
the romantic ago Of Roman history previous
to the death Of the Republic, and tho incidents
are Hut'osontlY truo to listory to give coliorenoy
to it. Its mood Ia elevated and ita action
smooth and forclbIe. Tie character OF gparfa-
Gus Ia ono which finds parallel In The romauces
Of a ohiyalrio age, and Is outlined Will, caro-,
Tho authors high ideal finds frequent expression
In lines remarkable for dignity, richness Of
thought, aud cadence almost musical. Spu,'-
tacns is stately among tho atatolioat Of
Romans. His superiority is preserved
without sacrificing the dignity OF tho
other parts. 1t iB essentially horoio part. and
therefore ono oimmeasurablyubov tho range Of a.
most any player on tho American Btago. To tho
task OF presenting aucll a character Mr.. Nc
Cullough brings q phy6que which may not DO aB
robust as Forests, or aa gigantic Us salyini's,
but 1t ia q modal Of symmetry ard graca; a yoico
deep and sonorous, rich aud flexible. and a.
completely unaer the control OF tho actor aa
organ-ripea of the koy-board; atrougly-
marked SGT Of reaturos, al mobile as his voice;
natural eabe and gIaco surpassed BY
ITO American Oh tho atnge, aud a conception OF
tho character Of 6partacus which la unimpoach-
able. From tho moment OF hiH appearance upon
tho stage Mr. Mccullough showed to tho audi
onos that he bad ernspca the idca, and suffered
no apprehension In respect to ts illustration.
Tho ln'rst Of applause which greeted his up
nearaneo had not tho offoet OF taking bis
thoughts from the situation for n moment, and
from Tint tsist entrance until tho drop OF tho
curtain ha mergea hih identity into That Of
tue character: 1lis olooution Ia marked by no
Htratntng after effcots 1t ia deliberate
Affected. Tue fact Ia TINT cyory word OF tH
lines haa its tull meaning understood before tho
next follows IT.. This ts haxatdouH experiment
with d woak voice; with snnh voice al tlis tho
effect Ia striking. His readinR III by all means
tho most acceptable we have hoard for yours.
Tho exproasion OF his voice conveys a mcaniug
which lies dormant in tho lines until Ae calla L
out, and that, too, without effort. Tho actor Ia
great who can sustain through fiyo sets the
grandeur Of heroic part without once calling
to hts aid bit Of stage triokery, an artlaoe to
BtrIc tue eye alone, c1ap-trhp action, or aug-
9estion Of rant. It waa tho sheer fnrea ot An