The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-22
BARRY suLL1vAs.-According to an


boards lastl night in S hakespear' es well
known play Of Richard III. Mr.. Sulli-
vans fame has been heralded abroad by
the press througout the Land. He GER
tainly is one of the best and most
scholarly interpreters of Shakespeare,
living or dead, and represents the legiti-
mate drama ably and faithfully. His per-
sonation of "ths crooked back tyrsnt" has
been specially commented on and
praised in the highest terms, and there
fore o My as it might have, been expected
house filled from pit to dome awaited
to receive him, aud enjoy the rendition
OF the character by 20 we'll known an ar
fist. We can freely say the audience
were not disappointed. Mr.. Sullivan
gave US Richard in strict accordance
with Shakespeare's description. His con-
ception OF the character is perfect, and
he WHITES it to life. Dis:arding
all the softness which Booth and
other American actors cast around the
character, he represents him as the cold,
crafty, cruel scheming tyrsnt, literally
man without pity, love nor fear. He
makes up the character TO literalize Clos
ter's speech wherein he descants on his
own deformity, and his hating gait as he
shambles about the stage might have
provoked the dogs to bark at him,
all the while unfolding the one great sin
OF his life. ambition. Even in the love
scene with lady Ann he disdains
to assume for n moment the
character of the lover but sticking
70 his conception OF the VILLAIN
King, he woos and wins her only through
sheer impotence, interpreted not with
polished, but with glaring, bold fattery.
In this he differs widely from Booths
rendition, but adhering so closely TO the
author he makes US wonder how so re
pulsiye a brute could win any woman's
love- and adds fresh zest to the express
sion: "Was ever woman in the humor
woed?,,..was ever woman in the humor
won?"
There seemed to be certain degree Of
tameness in the acting until the first news
of Richmonds rebellion is announced
when the warlike spirit Of Richard lie
aroused and it seems that just here where
good acting is most appreciated, the latent
power of Mr.. Sullivan was manifested.
The last scene was very fine. The aud
fence holds breathless silence as he
maps his plan of battle with his sword
on the carpet. He swakes from his
dreadful nightmare not as Is so often
done with a sudden start, but gradually
struggling with his brethren, shakes it
oil with labor, and as consciousness re-
turns, struggles forward and falls
in swoon. Upon recovering he dis
misses the horrid dream from his mind,
and courage once more reasserting sway,
"Richard is himself again"
1t was in the closing act, however,
that Mr. Sullivsn's acting showed to the
best effect. In the combat with Rich
mond. at the battle of Besworth Field
the audience was fairly electrified. They
entered heart and soul into the character,
as if indeed, Richard and Richm ond, in
actual life, were waging deadly combat
with that earnestness which betokcned
that crown lay upon the
issue. 1t was this which, despite
the tyrants cruelties, excited Il feeling of
sincere admiration for his courage, and
elected heartfelt applause. 1t is true that
he follows Colley Cibber and cannot re-
sist the temptation of adopting many of
his interpretations. But space.fails us in
giving as full and favorable criticism as
the subject demands. Suffice it to say
that Mr.. Sullivan is an artist in every
sense of the word, as well as most care
full student.
The management deserve great praise
also for the manner in which the play
was put upon the stage. Tie scenery
aud stage effects were better than in many
larger and more pretentious cities.
Tom ght Mr.. Sullivan appears as
Hamlet, and 1t will probably be the last
opportunity our people will have to wit
ness this really excellent actor.
Is PERlLoUs PREpICAMENT.-A
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