The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-24
..sHYLOCKy AND 4RIcHARDuI.s
The Two PerfoFmanees AZ the opera
HOuss saturday.


The Two Performances Al the opera
Saturday.
Thomas ", Ksene, the tragedIap, again
entertained Wheeling theatre goers at the
matinee and evening performance Saturday,
the plays both being shakespeare'S 1.-THE
Merchant OF Venice" was given in the after
noon and Richard Ill, or the Battle OF BOs-
worth Field at night
Mr.. keenes rendition Of the role Of the old
Jewish usurer Is In some respects markedly
different from the usual one, and those who
expect every actors Interpretation OF the
character to be cast In the same mold were
OF Shakespeare ''Shylock" Is obtained from
an intelligent comparison OF the rendition by
different actors, and thoughtful study OF the
play, found much to commend and little to
condemn. Mr., Keene tries TO present
"ShylOck' as he would have been had he ex-
listed under the circumstances portrayed in
the drama, and not to reproduce the
acting OF some other player of the
part That he was successful in o
high degree was the verdict OF nearly
every competent Judge we have heard speak
OF the performance, He was especially strong
where the deepest feeling was TO be exhibited,
Miss Georgia Tyler as "POrta" again distin-
guished herself, her bearing in the trial scene
being particularly worthy Of praise. The care
she bestows upon the trities which enter into
the part Is COmmendable, Miss JohnstOn's
"NeriSsa" was also finely done, and the male
parts generally very pleasing.
The house was packed at the rising
OF the curtain on the opening scene
OF the tragedy IN the evening. The
part Of "Richarlh was taken by Mr..
Keene, who acquitted himself in way to
add to the favor won ut his previous appear.
ances The care with which he maintained
the crippled position OF Ills arm and limb and
the wonderful changes OF the expression OF
his face, added to his fine aud correct elocu-
ton, aud the fire and vigOr he threw into
those episodes which admit 1t, made notable
characterization. The dream scene In the
tent was impressive, and the fencing with
"RiChmond' provoked applause which made
the rafters ring, As In his other performs
auces, the support was good, Mrs. 0Ctavia
Allen as the duchess Of York" winning
special plaudits by the delivery Of the curse
upon herson. Miss JOhnston's LADY Anne"
was tOuchingly natural, and the queen Eliz-
abetbn OF Miss Tyler was In keeping with her
action in her former roles,
ATALE WITH EEESE.
A reporter had brief talk Friday evening
with Mr.. Keene, in which the star said great
deal Of interest In q very pleasant way. In
response to an inquiry as to his faVorite role
he said:
1.-THE most mOney-m0king part In which
have appeared, u part that rarely fails to draw
Overlooking houses, Is RiChard ILL.,, and can
tell you Candidly that ! like II least Of all. My
fayorltc parts arc Hamlet and Macbeth, and
treasure tho recognition that have won In
those two characters more than In any other
character In which Ihave appeared, Hamlet,
last season, my manager tells me- was almost
rs successful from q popular point OF view rs
Richard Ill.,, and RiChelleu came next,
trust That my Macbeth will satisfy the people
In the cities in which l play this season, as
well as those In the cities In which | have
already played IT,
OF tie stage to-day as compared with the
past, Mr.. KCene said
''The stage to-day Is better socially and ar
tiStIOally than II ever has been In this Coun.
try. The profession Is filed with noble men
and women, and there Is u pllrer atmosphere
about the stage now than there was even III.
teen years ago. The performances generally
arc OF more perfect character, and the quail
lty Of tho plays Is better. ] do not believe
any thinking man will dispute this; II Is oil
nonsense to say that we have flower able &C.
tors and actresses than our fathers and grand.
fathers had. In comedy We have men such
as Jefferson Clarke, Owens, Wallack and
others; in tragedy we have able exponents; In
melolrama We have good actors; and the
rank and file Of tho profession, lot neGple say
what they may, are quite Us good as those lii
the past,
"By tho way, | play In Boston this season,
] look forward to that engagement with n
great deal Of interest for In that city made,
Us COupeau, one OF the gFeateEt lits ovGr
made. Tho people, who are extremely gen.
erous to the dramatic profession, gave inc
such recognition as cannot forget. II was
In that city that first played Richard ILL.,,
and tho reception Of TINT pArt by the press
and public made me decide upon starring
course, upon which, although my friends had
long advised nc to take It, heSitated about
entering"
Speaking Of the recent "indispOsitionn OF
Edwin booth, which neOossltated the suhsti.
tuition OF another actor for him IN the play,
Keene laughingly said:
~ used 10 have occasional attacks OF In.
disposition myself, but al incident which
took place In New York taught me valu.
able lesson. had Just come out Of the army,
'Laertes' in Hamlet. In the grave scene, /
was SO fuddled with liquor that after | got in
tho grave could not get out, and two OF the
company had to llftma Ia tho stage, ! saw
then that had to give up either drinking or
my hopes Of histrloniD success, and con-
cluded TO give up drinking