Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-24
AMUSEMENT NOTES.
InHN M'CULLnUGH.

With "Julius Caesar" at the matinee
and "The Gladiator" at night, on Satur-
dav, John Mccullough closed his en-
gagement here, an engagement attended
bv the greatest success. 4 very large
audience attended the matinee, four
ffths of which were ladies. The
play passed off in fine style and
won many plaudits during itscourse. Me
Cullough makes fine representation OF
the honest "Brutus, and reads his lines
in a scholarly and intelligent style. Mr.
Lane made good impression as Gas
sius," and developed considerable his
trionic ability. Mr. Warde's MARX
Antony" was excellent in parts, the
Grafton over Caesars body being very
fine, but the rest OF his performance
only tolerable. Miss Fosters "Portia'
was pleasing, and the rest OF the cast
was above the average.
"Ihe Gladiator" drew one OF the
largest houses of the season and placed
standing room at a premium. The story,
as dramatized by DR.. Bird, is familiar to
every school boy who has acclaimed
"Spartacus to the Gladiators." Spar
tacus" is captured in his Thracian home
by the Roman legions, and brought to
Rome TO amuse the populace
as gladiator. His strength
and proves soon make
him the acknowledged leader OF the
gladiators and at length, driven TO deS-
peration, they strike down the guard
and escape, taking refuge in the noun
tains. Thousands flock to their stand
ard and, with "Spartacus' as their gen.
eral, they defeat two armies sent out by
the Prptor TO subdue them.
From "the slave and captive spar.
tacus" rises to be :the dreaded
rebel and mighty warrior" and
Crassus sends ENJOYS to treat
with him, but their conditions
are haughtily rejected by the victorious
"SpartaCus." A niece of the PrietOr has
been taken by the rebels, and Sparta
Gus" brother demands her. The chief,
persuaded by his wife, refuses and the
brother revolts, and with most OF the
army marches toward Rome. HeiS met
by an army under the Consuls, and his
force is overcome and taken. The pris-
oners are crucified, and the. brother
alone escapes.
"SpartaCus" receives and forgives him
and with the small force remaining
seeks to escape to Sicily by sea. But
the sailors prove treacEerous and fail
him. Hemmed in by the armies OF
Lucullus, Pompey and Crassus, he de-
termines TO cut his wav through, by
night. Entrusting his wife and child to
the guardianship OF his brother,
he surprises the army OF
the Prrtor and hews his way
through, with great slaughter. But his
brother, by his rashness, brought Ro-
man force upon his charge of women,
| and the wife and child of "Spartacus'
are slain. His brother reaches him to
| tell the tale and die. The army of Pom
pey is seen approaching in the heights,
and, driven to desperation, "Spartacus
hurls his small force on the army OF
Crassus and penetrating to the Praetor'S
tent, dies at his feet.
Mccullough as "Spartacus" was SIM
ply superb, and he was ably seconded 10y
| Warde as his brother. The other mem
bers of the company filled their parts
satisfactorily, and tine play was a de-
cided hit.
The company left yesterday morning
for Washington city, where they will
play all week.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
The next thing on the bills is Madame
Rentz's Female Minstrels and NiennG
Lady Orchestra, booked for Thanksgiv
| ing evening. This will undoubtedly
call out a large audience.
On Friday and Saturday Grau's Eng
lish Opera Company will appear.
On Dec and Pat Rooney will hold