The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-03-17
AN ACTOR MISSING.

The Reason Why Hazel Kirke Was Not
Performed Thursday Night
J. Day before yesterday the LIGHT published
a telegram from Mr.. Frank f. Bixby, mana
ger of the Hazel Kirke company, which was
to have played here Thursday evening, an
nouncing that there would be no performance
that evening, but no reason was then assigned
tor the failure to keep the engagement. The
company arrived here Thursday evening and
then the secret leaked out. 1t was all on
account of Mr.. c. Wheatlegh's love of the
sea. Mr.. Wheatleigh is the "Dunstan Kirke"
of the piece. The Hazel Kirke company have
been playing in Galveston, and, of
course, Mr.. Wheatleigh was with them.
He had longed to be there for months past,
and now his hopes were fully realized Wan
dering in company with Mr.. Herbert Archer
who plays Arthur Carringford) by the sea
shore they came to spot, nearly two miles
from the city, where there was a fine view of
the gulf, and here Mr.. Wheatleigh decided
that he would locate during his stay in CAL
weston II he could obtain rooms. Fortune
favored him. One of the members of the
orchestra resided in an adjacent house and
had room to let. This Mr.. Wheatleigh
engaged and Immediately took possession Of.
When Mr.. Archer again saw him he was
delighted. "Why don't you come and live
here? ?" he asked Mr.. Archer. Mr..
Archer however preferred his more
comfortable and convenient quarters at the
fremont hotel. Mr.. Wheatleigh enjoyed his
temporary seaside residence, and all went
well until the departure, after the final per-
Torrance in Galveston on Wednesday. Mr.
Archer, on Wednesday endeavored to per-
suade Mr.. Wheatleigh to stay at the fremont,
especially as the tram left early the next morn
ing, and Mr.. Wheatleigh's quarters were so
far from the depot. But Mr.. Wheatleiph
would spend his last night at his sea residence
"Never fear, my boy" said he to Mr. Archer;
81 shall be at the depot half hour before
you are turning out of bed"
When the company arrived at the Calves
ton depot to Come on to San Antonio all were
there save Mr.. Wheatleigh. Where, oh where
was heY None knew. The train was held
for eight minutes, and hackman dispatched
for him. All in vain. No Wheatleigh arrived.
The engine bell rung, and the Hazel Kirke
company were borne away to San Antonio,
minus their Dunstan Kirke. Thus it was
that Mr.. Wheatleigh's love of the sea pre-
vented a performance of Hazel Kirke.
Mr.. Wheatleigh took train which should
have arrived here at O'Clock, but it was de-
tanned by wreck and he did not reach here
until nearly 10 o'clock.
-.- THE PERFORMANCES LAST NIGHT.
The play was put on the boards at the
usual time. During the first and second acts
Wheatleigh's part, Dunstan Kirke, was taken
by Mr.. George T. Charles, the regular Bar
ney, and Barney was represented by Mr..
Frank Bxby, the manager of the company
As Messrs Bixby and Charles had not thor.
oughly committed the lines TO memory they
required considerable prompting, which could
be heard distinctly by The audience. In the
third and the last act Mr.. Wheateigh assumed
the character OF Dunstan, Charles that OF
Barney, and Mr.. Bixby retired to the
box office. But, despite the circumstances
mentioned the play proceeded rather smoothly
throughout. Wheateigh made one of the
best old man characters and Mr.. Mcdowell
received deserved praise for his manly imper-
sOnation of Squire Rodney, while Mr..
Frankau. as Pittacus Green, Kept the audience
in good hmnor- The other characters were
acceptably portrayed, but Mr.. Archer was
scarcely strong enough for his part. Hazel
Kirke will be repeated this evening.
During the performance last night the house
was perfumed with Fleur de Alba by an enter
prising Chicago firm, and handsome perfumed
satin programmes were presented as souvenirs
to each lady 10 the audience by Messrs. Ed.
Rische & Sons, tobacco, news and stationary
dealers. Similar programmes will be dis
tributed tonight.