The Portland daily press., 1882-03-09
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
los. F. wTEELocK

JOS. F. wHEELoCK.
This morning the sale of seats for Lieut.
Wardour" the dramatization OF Wilkie Col-
Inns thrilling story of "The Frozen Deep,
will begin at Portland Theatre, and when we
consider the popularity of Mr.. Wheelock, who
will assume the title role, and the special er
fort Mr.. Curtis is making in the way OF scene
ry. effects and costumes, to make the piece
snccess. we do not doubt that there will be
crowded houses during next week. The cast
has been given by us-Miss Lille Joyce all our
readers will remember. She gave great satis-
faction when she appeared at the old Museum.
The New York World has this to say OF Mr..
Wheelock and his play: There has been an
other earnest performance this week that will
not soon be forgotten. With the memory OF
many good actors in my mind, it is safe to de-
clare that there is not on the stage to-day Det-
ter actor than Joseph Wheelock. Admitted
that he had some faults and mannerisms. do
not believe there is another actor now before
the public who can play SO many parts SO well.
He has done what no man since Edwin Adams
has done-made Claude Melnotte hero, IN
stead of driveling buffoon. The people who
went to see "Lieut. Richard Wardour' at the
Fifth Avenue Theatre on Tuesday night went
doubtingly. They had witnessed the dire fias-
co of 'sThe Picture and feared repitition.
That they were agreeably disappointed is evi-
dence in the fact that "Lieut Richard Ward
our has made such genuine success tnat u
is to be taken around the country, and VIII
doubtless be played to large houses. The
great and electric success of the piece was the
magnificent acting of Wheelock as Richard
Wardour. I have seen the LOUIS Al ol
Charles Kean, the Ruy Bias OF fechter, gne
win Booth. / select these four impersonations
because they are recognized as the four great.
est embodiments of character in the range OF
the modern drama; but none OF them were
better, in its way, than the Richard Wardour
of Joseph Wheelock. And why? Because IL
was nature concentrated. 1t was the perfec-
tion of earnest and Intelligent art. There was
no acting in it, 1t was Richard Wardour,
broken-hearted, reckless, desperate, and with
al, with grand and noble nature, IN the nesh'
There was no wonder that the audience nung
upon every syllable of the musical voice and
listened with almost deathlike stiffness to the
words that fell from the actors lips. 90 not
remember in long time to have seen IN
threatre SO impressive scene as wnen war
dour tells his story in the second act. every
eve was riyeted upon the actor, every head
bent to catch the Slightest whisper. 1t was
triumph of which any actor could be proud.
Since neople shiyered over the horror Of Sal
vini,s diving Otbello there have been few
things to SO thrill, so electrify an audience
OUR GERMAN SENATOR
Friday night, Gus Williams, one of the most
humorous actors on the stage will appear at
Portland Theatre as "Our German Senator"
The Philadelphia Times says: As anticipated,
Gus Williams has been nightly greeted by large
audiences at the Park Theatre, and the second
week of his engagement was begun last even
ing under most promising auspices. "Our
German Senator is q long-drawn-out farce,
which gives Mr. Williams every opportunity OF
displaying his peculiar talents to the best ad-
VANTAGE. and, Of course he never fails to keep
his audience in the best of humor. From the
first scene to the last the interest in the re.
markable fortunes of sour German Senator
never flags, and the only regret is that he IS
not on the boards longer. The support is gen.
orally good.
Mr.. Gus Williams|will have new play for
next season. 1t was originally written for Mr..
Mckee Rankin, but not containing parts suita-
Bile for Mr.. and Mrs. Rankin, the piece was not
accented. It is strong melodrama, descriptive
of Western life. Mr.. Williams role Will OF
course be of the German order.
1t is understood that at the desire OF Mad
anne Patti Signor Brgnoli was offered an en-
gagement to support the diva during her brief
season of opera His engagement with.the the
kellogg company and the objections OF Slgnor
Nicolini are said to have prevented.
Chambers orchestra will play at cornish
next Thursday night.