The Portland daily press., 1883-02-10
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
JonN MccuLLouaH.

JOhN MCCULLOUGH
Last evening Mr.. John Mccullough, the
celebrated tragedian made his first appearance
in Portland since his elevation to he eminent
position he now holds on the American stage.
His audience packed Portland Theatre to over
flowing, and was as representative gathering
as Portland could assemble
1t is difficult task for any man to satisfacto-
rily portray character which predecessor of
great genius and power has left mirrored on
the memory oflso many. Edwin Forests Vir-
ginius, is as clearly defined In the minds of
hundreds today as it was a score or more years
ago. When therefore another seizes the scep-
ire, fallen from mighty hand, he either in
vokes speedy and utter annihilation, or shows
that though one master-mind has vanished an
other has appeared to take its place. Such
may properly be said of John Mccullough in
Knowles great tragedy He has shown his
ability to assume the regal symbols that For
rest laid down and, with time, may grow in
breadth and other dimensions to the same pro-
portions allied with the name of "the noblest
Roman of them ALL" Possessed of fine ply
sique, expressive and strongly marked features
and dignifed beauty of elocution, the
tragedian adds to them a magnetism that af-
fects all who come within its Influence. With
all these advantages it may readily be believed
that his power over audiences is something re-
markable. Where he fails. as compared with
Forrest, is in the great physical force with
which the latter actor accomplished such won
derful effects. Those, who in later days have
seen Salvini, in Othello, will understand what
is meant that lion-like passion which actually
frightens the beholder by its fearful signifi-
canoe and holds the word unspoken on the lips.
And yet we would not intimate that McCul-
Tough lacks in force At times his rage in its
intensity thrilled the spectator.
But it is in its noble simplicity, its pathos,
in the humanity of his Virginius that McCul-
lough's greatest strength lies. What could be
more pleasing than his sweet satisfaction in
the comforts Of his home, his proud and tender
love for his daughter, his share in her happi-
love shone forth with a cearness that even the
most careless observer conld not fail to per-
ceive. But, if these characteristics stood out
with such fidelity, what can be said when
meeting with Virginia, he comments so touch
ingly upon her mother as the frightened girl
clings to his neck, joyful in his return? The
utter confidence in the justice of his cause as
he led her to the forum the majesty of his
bearing before Appus, and the despair which
seized him when he found his daughter was to
be torn from him, were portrayed with
grandeur worthy of the genius of the actor.
And, prior to these scenes there was his ex-
hibition of grief over the dead body of Denta-
tus, his resentment at the murder, his vow of
vengeance,al pictured with light and shadow
that marked the true artist. II all these were
worthy of those qualities which go to make the
finished actor, what shall we say of those al
formations of joy and terror when Lucus tells |
his story and which burst forth with terrible |
force at the conclusion of the tale. There the
actor exhibited self control that was almost |
impossible to any but Roman centurion
schoeled in the governing of his griefs to the |
stoicism of the Indian, and, if at last the tor
tured heart gave voice in what was the nearest |
approach to rant throughout the play it could |
be pardoned from the occasion that produced |
it.
But it was in the moments pertaining to |
the sacrifice of Virginia the actor won his |
greatest triumph. He had gradually worked |
up the interest in the tragedy as the gentle |
soft breezes of the early summer gather force |
and scope until they culminate in the tornado. |
b is home lcve had been followed by his grief |
and rage at Dentatus' death, his terror al the |
ing in the forum scene. Then came the trag- |
edy. With what look he gaZed upon the |
knife with which he was to save that innocent |
life from the pollution of Appius. How ago |
blow : with what delcacy he drew across his |
daughters eyes the braid of hair in order that |
she might not behold her coming fate; how |
graDdly even in his heart-broken condition af- |
ter the fatal deed WIS accomplished he braved |
the decemvlrs; and, in the last act of all, with
what pathos he exhibited that demented con |
diton in which the results of the foul passion |
of Appius had left him.
If in these closing scenoo M nrOOuIiOugn |
failed to touch that point which Forrest |
reached he showed an appreciation, a power,
and an intelligence far beyond any other actor
in this line Of the drama on our stage and which
it i not too much to expect will be reached by |
him at future day, not far distant. His |
Vrginius is a representation worthy to rauk, |
in its school, with the Hamlet, Iago, or Bertuc-
clio OF Booth. Mr.. Mccullough not only was |
very careful in his dressing of the part to fol-
low the old Roman costumes, but Mr.. Curtis
also had the piece staged as well as it |
was possible under the circumstances.
Mr.. Mccullough was vouchsafed such a
recognition as we have not witnessed in years. |
AT the close of the fourth act he was twice
called before the curtain, and at the end of the
fifth act the audience recalled him thrice. The
last time he led on Miss Forsyth who received
q generous applause.
Mr.. McCulloughs support was very good,
albeit there was a tendency at times to shout.
Mr.. Collier possesses rich pleasing voice and
was dignitied as the decemvr. Mr.. Haworth
was earnest and conscientious, although per-
haps little too vehement as Icilius. Mr..
LaDgdan was strong and natural as Dentatus
Miss Kate Forsyth was girish, graceful and
charming as Virginia, although she lacked
strength and pathos in her strongest scenes.
Mrs. Foster was good Servia. and the rest of
the parts were well taken.
r,onirht ssTha Gladiatorv will ha prasantad