Daily globe., 1880-04-06
JOHN M'CULLOUGH.

A Masterly Rendering OF Sheridan
Knowles Tragedy of "Virglnius" Last
Evening.
A large audience, and one composed of
our best citizens, crowded the Opera House
last evening to see Mr.. John Mccullough in
his great character of "Virginius." Not
seat was vacant in the lower part of the
theater, and but few in the galleries, while
many were obliged to stand during the even
ing. Our readers are familiar with the plot
of the drama. 1t is Sheridan Knowles
masterpiece, and we are sure the great author
never had more capable interpreter of his
ideal Roman father than Mr..
Mccullough proved to be last
evening. In the opening act Virginius was
depicted as a tender, thoughtful father,
keenly sensible 10 the every IL
terest of his daughter, jealous of
her happiness, careful that no grief should
mar her young life. With his strong arm to
protect her he thought no i'll could befall her,
and though he saw her plighted to Icillus
with a pang, he knew she had chosen one
worthy of her. His voice throughout waa
well modulated-the perfection of elocution-
ary art-while his facial expression portrayed
his emotions with rare distinctness. Ills
parting with his daughter to go in defense
of his country was, while tender
beyond expression, in full keep
ing with his noble, manly char
acter. In the third act, when he learns oi
the murder of his old comrade, Dentatus,
and subsequently that his daughter had
been claimed as a slave by Clau'
dius, his indignation knows nc
bounds. In these scenes, Mr.
Mccullough becomes sublime in the perfec
ton of his acting and his elocution. With
out ranting, he gives expression to his hon
est indignation in a manner that fairly
thrills his audience by its intensity anc
seeming reality. The scene before Appius
where he comes to claim his daughter and to
save her honor, : is remarkable fol
the alternating emotions o.
defiance. confidence, despair anC
love which it calls forth, all of which
were delineated in a mastery manner. The
agony that is inspired by the necessity o.
staying Virginia to save her from the doom
prepared for her by Appius, was portrayed II
a manner that drew tears from many eye'
unused to such moisture. In the last sac
act, his stimulation of man with reason de
throned, and the final execution of ven
geance upon the despot were. grand, ap
preaching sublimity. Never has it been th'
fortune of our citizens to witness SO supert
drama as superbly acted. Mr.. McCul
lough's rendering of it WAS as near perfec
ton as the most exacting could require.
The support was uniformly good. MIR
Warde made very attractive 1cilius, an'
proved himself worthy of the responsible
place he holds in the company. Mr.. Lang
don as Appius, Mr.. Sutton as Dentatus ant
Mr.. Lane as Numitorious were also excellen
in their several roles. Miss Kate Forsyth
as Virginia presented very pleasing pictur
of Roman maiden. She possesses persona
beauty and high order of dramatic talent
that, if properly cultivated-and she Is no1
in an excellent school-will give her hig
standing on the tragic STAGE Mrs. Foster
Servia was excellent.
This evening Mr.. Mccullough appears a
Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" an
as Petruchio in 'Katherine and Petruchio.
This bill should assure him of an overflow
ing house.