The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-01
AMUsEMENTs.
John Mccullough rs "vIrginiuA" At the
opera House.

It was not surprising that one OF the
largest audiences ever gathered in the
Opera House the present season was pres
emit last evening to greet John MOCul'
Tough in the initial performance Of his en-
There is strong chord Of
sympathy between Mccullough and the
people Of this city which is strengthened
and deepeued at each and every appearance
OF the eminent tradgedian, and 1t 10 there
fore q double pleasure to speak Of him as
one who deserves all the words OF praise
melted out to him as apolished actor
finished artist and man eminently an
honor TO his profession.
Mccullough, like somei in his profession,
has not risen to certain point and con-
tented himself with the reflection that
there was nothing beyond that point he
might hope to attain; but to whatever
height he has mounted he has seen the
pinnacle OF fame still higher up, to grasp
which he has put forth his best exertions,
and which he has secured in the lace oil
adverse circumstances.
For some years the autoCratic East re-
fused to give him that recognition his tai
ents Justly entitled him TO, But Mr.. Nc
Cullough bided his time, and at last
wrung from them the trophies his merits
deserved,
MI. Mccullough was first introduced Ia
Wheeling about five years ago and the &C
uuaintsnCe has improved with his success
i've Appearances until he could scarce In
crease the popularity he now enjoys
The one Rfeat fact that illustrates this 49,
that although he has given NryiRttU q
number OF times during his engagements
at the Opera House, he was able last eve
ming to draw larger audience than be-
fore, and keep up the interest IN the char
aCter that has been made familiar to oul
people by its frequent representations
it's said to be one OF the Characterization
on which rests the pillars OF MCOullough'l
fame, which ia now secure beyond al
Cayil BY his latest successes In the met
ropolitsn cities Of the land, Thus IL
praising 1t we but pay the highest tribute
10 the histrioniC ability OF the actor.
Mr.. Mccullough as the interpreter o.
heroic characters, has been assigned to the
class OF trsgedlAns Of the Forrat school
which some have supposed to consist IL
rant and roar, or q superiority OF pulmon
ary strength and lion.voiCed enunCiation
While he, In one sense, was tutored ID
this school, he Is widely separated from
the tutor, for he ia no initator. MCCul
Tough has strength, but he never desCendi
TO rant; he possesses power, but bis speeCE
never develops into roar. He effects bill
Transitions from one emotion to another
with an ease and artistic finish that Is sell
dom equaled. His impassioned utteranCes
are polished and graded, by his Intelligent
conception OF the lines he Is reading, thu
fame rising when the Ere burnt
the fierce. The softer and pathetic part
| Of Nrginit9 require great genius L
give tho proper color and shade to thu
scenes, and In these requirements Mr.. Nc
Cullough was all that could be demanded
We certainly would be very exaCting dlt
we ask for o finer and more delicate
portraiture Of the sternly virtuous Roman
father than Is conceived by him as Pr
giniuI. Physically he looks the Roman
which makes Us forget the artist AND
clothes the scenes with a realism as In
tense as life. AS the loving father, fond
ling and GsrTesaing his cherished child
the indignant parent whose outraged
rights had been trodden under foot by thu
interruptions AppitU ClaudiuS, affection
and Virtuous rage were most faithfully
portrayed, and gained the homage Of tht
audience which was eagerly bestowed.
The support Is unexceptionally good
! II being only necessary to mention TIT
names OF Miss Kate Forsyth, and Messrs
F. b. Warde, E, X. Collier, John A. Liant
and H. A, Lsngdon to subStantiate tht
truth OF the assertion.
T..night Richard III. will be given.