The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-06

aUScLE ToM's CABrH" Al WAsHISGroS
HALL.-The new and elegant Washing
ton Hall was reopened 10 theAtre-goers
last evening under the most favorable
auspices. A large and fashionable
audience was in attendance, and II ap'
pearances be any indication, all present
enjoyed the revival OF the old.fashioued
but ever popular drama Of "Uncle Toms
Cabin" as presented by the Pittsburgh
Opera House Company, under the man
agement Of Mr.. J. Newton Gotthold.
The piece was Handsomely mounted,
with entirely new scenery, and was per.
haps never placed upon the stage in
better shape in Wheeling. As produced
by Mr.. Gotthold, the drama has been re.
modelled and improved by the addition Of
number Of fresh attractions. The me
chanical and scenic effects are the same ms
used during the successful run OF the
piece in Pittsburgh, and are as near
nature as It is possible 10 be represented
upon any stage. The escape Of ELIZA"
and her child across the floating ice in the
Ohio river was life.like and natural
scene, and drew forth the spontaneous
applause OF the audience. The grand
transformation scene, at the close Of the
sixth act, was so beautiful that II was re.
ceiyed with a perfect torrent Of applause,
which continued until the curtain was
raised a second time.
The ladies' and gentlemen composing
the company are peculiarly fitted TO their
parts, and give very faithful rendition
Il the dramatic part Of Mrs. Showers great
moral and pathetic story. Mr.. ]. n.
Gotthold is clever actor, and does well
in anything he undertakes. His George
Harris" was Of course as good as any one
could make it. Miss Jennie Clifford,
as "Topsy," is simply immense. She
gives a very correct portrayal OF
the wicked African wall, and her
oddities nearly convulsed the audi
ence. "Marks, !" the lawyer, "Gump.
ton Cute" and AUNT 0phelia" also did
their sharein aaording amusement. Mr..
Sid. Hicks, who has many friends here,
appeared in the dual role Of "Phineas
Fletcher" and deacon Perry" and did
we'll in both. Sid. is an old.time actor,
and good one. "Little Eva" as given
by Miss Eva Miller, was charming, and
she sang like a little angel. Mr..
Milton Rainford has an intelligent
conception OF "Uncle Tom," and but
for a sometimes faulty dialect his
presentation OF the character would
be an excellent one. Mr.. Frederick
Rocks. az epree.n and Miss Kate Fetch.
er's "Ellzab are deserving Of praise.
The remaining characters are above the
average, and upon the whole the cast is
an exceedingly strong one for the piece.
A prominent feature Of the evenings
entertainment was the singing Of the
freedmen, who were specially engaged for
the presentation OF the piece. This fea.
ture ia a novel and an excellent one.
A great many OF the musical people
OF the city were present, and were
quite enthusiastic in their tributes
OF applause. The expression which these
Jubilee Singers" gave to their music is
somewhat peculiar, owing to a rather ex-
plosive and emphatic manner Of deliver
ing the voice. This, however, does not
interfere with the harmonizing OF the
voices. Individually there is little to
say Of their voices, but their simple
hymns were pleasant in the extreme, and
elected prolonged applause.
This afternoon matinee will be given,
and the company will close their engage
ment with performance in the evening.
Let everybody go, and take their child
rem with them.