The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-08
Romeo and Juliet,

Those who were at the Museum last evening
witnessed an eminently pleasing presentation
of "Romeo and Juliet and one of the best
characterizations ever given on its stage. Peo-
pie saw much better renditions by far than they
bad been led to expect, and were highly de-
lighted Herewith. During the remainder of
the engagement of Mr.. Wheelock and Miss
Joyce there can be no doubt that the house
will be packed nightly.
Mr.. Whselock's "Romeo" was noble and
admirably sustained Characterization, ample in
its display of passion and finished in its man.
ner. While in the main adhering to the tradi-
tional rendition Mr.. Wheelock so far depart.
ed from it as to give his lines in the natural
manner of the modern school. The experiment
is hazardous one, for we have learned to as
sociate measured delivery with Shakespeares
lines, and departure fir ON the usage is apt to
offend our sense of the proprieties. But Mr..
Wheelock fairly surmounted every objection,
and made his manner of speaking appear the
only proper and pleasing one in the mouth of
the impetuous Romeo. The glorious hyperbole
OF his love-making appears indeed to call for
rapid speech, his thoughts following fast upon
each other and seeking immediate utterance.
LII cONCioi SCCuCS, uOtlCcdUly tuOS6 Wu6T6 he
brings Tybalt to his death, where he bids fare.
we'll to Juliet, and where he seeks the apothe-
cary, he rose to a height of power which
stamped his impersOnaton as one of a very
high order. The sudden access of rage in the
first, at hearing of the death of Mercutio, and
the swift retribution which he exercises upon
Tybalt, provoked storm of applause, and he
was called before the cnrtain. The tender pas
sion he displayed when he returns to bid sec.
ond farewell to Juliet and throws himself upon
the couch by her side was charmingly done,
and the tableau formed the prettiest picture of
the play. Not less effective was the conversa-
ton with the apothecary in its gentle commits
GRAFTON and plying raillery. To the aid of his
admirable conception and even execution, Mr..
Wheelock brings the gifts of fine presence
and good elocution, and physique adapted to
the requirements of the part. The handsome,
ardent, impassioned scion Of the house of
Montagu finds in him a fitting interpreter.
Miss Joyce gave careful, contentious and
we'll drawn study of the daughter of Capulet.
Without rising to the rank of great creation,
it evinced an understanding conception and
even execution. While not the ideal Juliet,
very best actresses SO seldom reach, it will take
rank as an impersonatiou of great promise,
and, for first attempt, of high order of exc
cution. In the first scenes it apparently lacked
color, but from the appearance in the balcony
onward it was not open to that reproach The
balcony scene was quietly and naturally done,
sufficient passion being displayed where there
was occasion for it. The Characterization was
eminently free from "staginess," so free indeed
as to seem to those accustomed to the tradi-
tional rendition to be wanting in the proper
stress in the stronger passages. A care
full study of the part, however, will fully
justify the Interpretation with the majority
of students. Certainly the error, if any there
was, was in the right direction, and the charac
terization commands high praise for its sinceri-
ty and naturalness The yielding tenderness
of Juliet was effectively portrayed, and the ex-
acting demands made by the tragedy and pa
thos of the last two acts were amply met. Miss
Joyce was suffering from the effects of a cold,
and her voice was not heard to proper advan-
tage still very little fault could be found in
that respect. She has the advantages of face
and figure suited to the part, being sufficiently
petite and very pretty
The support was on the whole good. Mr.
Shorey was, however, very bad "Mercutio,"
utterly failing to give even hint of the gall
liant soldier and gentleman who is the soul of
the first two acts. He is altogether too heavy
for the part, and his delivery is wretched Mr.
Gale was an excellent ''Paris.' doing as we'll as
can be done with what is at best an unthankful
part. Mr.. Bascombs "Benvolio" was easy and
finished. Mr.. Snyder gave good impersona-
ton of the choeric end suspicious "Tybalt."
The Capulets were made up too young, and Mr..
Ulmer fell into the fault of strewng his con-
versation with those dreadful ''ers," against
which Holmes warns us. Mrs. Preston gave
an altogether unnecessary shrillness to the
Nurse" but saving that her impersonation was
a good one. Mr.. Adams was fair "Fria Lau-
renee" The "Apothecary" of Mr.. Barton was
certainly the lean anatomy Shakespeare pic.
tured, and strongly suggestive in its makeup of
Smikes attempt in nicholas Nickleby."
The play was well put on, aud run very
smoothly. 1t will be repeated this evening and
tomorrow afternoon, and should command
crowded houses. Wednesday evening s'The
Lady of Lyons" will be given.