Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-03
BrooAya TRes.

LONDON, November lO.-EVeryOOuJ NSul
to see Miss Mary Anderson's first night Of
Romeo and Juliet" All Mr.. Irving 3
friends were there, Mr. Hermann represent
ing his rival of the Princess Theatre. His
Excellency Minister Lowell, Mrs. Lowell,
and Mr.. Smally. of the Tribune, occupied a
box. Mr.. MclIenry, the Financist, and
some friends we're in the next one. George
H. Boughtou, the American artist, Mrs.
Boughton, Mr.. Abbey of Harper's Sala, Mr..
and Mrs. Laboachere, Mr.. Justin Mccarthy,
NJ. P, Mrs. Lewis and two other sisters OF
Ellen Terry, Mr.. and Mrs Ledger, Mr..
Burnaud, editor of Punch, and Mrs. Bur.
nand, DIR. Morrell Macenzie, and all the lead
ing critics, were in the stalls. 1t was a
thoroughly representative house, great in its
expectations, anxious to be pleased and
wiling to see the high traditions of the Ly-
ceum management maintained Mr. Bar,
retI IN the premiere at the Princess, had
not so distinguished an audience for his
representation of Hamlet; and though some
Of the newspapers have not noticed Our
Mary. as fayOrably as they reviewed Bar
rctS Hamlet, she eclipsed his work entirely,
both in her own performance OF the leading
role and in her general represents
ton OF the Shakespeare tragedy.
Il is conceded in cultured
circles that Mary Anderson has been more
sincere in her respect and generation for
Shakespeare than Barrett has; that she has
approached the poet in mora poetic spirit;
and that she has not fora moment, lowered
his work TO the level of mere melodrama
One says this with satisfaction in presence
OF Barretts iconoclastic innovations, and
with regret that so clever, astute and
thoughtful an actor should have compelled
those who are not afraid to speak the truth
to say so Mary Anderson's Juliet was q
surprise, even to her admirers. 1t is great
advance on oil she has done before. Bright
fresh, artless, cOguettish in the earlier
scenes, it was strong, womanly and ORA
matte at the close. If sometimes it lacked
poetic response, it Was never uninteresting
and it was always conscientious and earnest.
No handsomer young couple ever 5eguiled
an audience of its sympathy than did the
Juliet of Miss Anderson and the Romeo OF
Mr.. ferris. The beau ideal Of the Shakes
pearian picture they will never be forgotten
in the oral history of the famous balcony
scene. ferris has been roughly handled by
some of his critics for alleged lack Of knowl'
edge in his reading Of the part; but none
deny his handsome appearance and his
manly carriage; and all confirm the right
eousness ofthe Judgment OF the audience
which endorsed the dramatic skill aud 60 oil
his fight with Tybalt as one OF the big
things of the night. ferris was best when
most he remembered the business Of Irving
and more thun once or twice he gave US
plimpses of the true spirit of the Shakes
pearian martyr to love- Tybalt was admir-
ably played by one of Miss Anderson
brothers. Mrs. Stirling (the nurse Of thu
Irving representation gave great satlstac
ton in all her scenes, and Miss Anderson
was perhaps at her best in the comedy pas
ssqes With the nurse; though Mrs. heel,
and Mr.. Robert Wyndham (tTO theatrica
suthoritiesl say they never saw the potion
scene given with such true tragic hre as OF
Saturday night. The scenery was superb
If it had fault it was too lavish; and
certainly did not possess that poetic sIamou
with which Irving succeeded in inyesun!
his version Of the immortal story. Never
theless, there were many beautiful effect
in the staging, lighting and dressing OF tn
work which noble carried on the irving sue
cession. The heaviest set was the tourt
act and some of the reality and tenderness
of the part is DESTROYED by revolving tower:
balconies and bed room interiors. Mechau
cal machinery, such as Boucieault intro
duces into Irish dramas, is little out Q
Mace in Romeo and Juliet" Neverthe
less the scenes were very effective, and the
evidently afforded real delight to the NOR
popular parts Of the house. This latest ac
venture Of Mr. Abbey and Miss Anderso
NAV honestly be pronounced a genuine a
tistic and money success. Business hayiu
fallen of during the latter nights OF "Pye
malion and Galatea," it is satisfactory
learn that the sale of seats ahead for Rome
and Inlet" is very large.