Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-23


tions for this week.
Alfred Ayres writes in this weeks Dramatic
Mirror: There is not frst-class player Of
the serious drama, man or woman, to-day in
America. not one.
"Our foremost tragedian is not a tragedian Of
the first class With Betterton, Garrick. TaIma,
Kemble, Kean, Cook, Macready, Forrest, Rossi,
Salvini and the like he does not rank. He is
an exceedingly clever actor and marvelously
successful entertainer but great dramatic
artist-no, that he is not" OF course, Mr.
Ayres is alluding to Mr.. Booth. The players OF
the serious drama will not feel hurt by such
ridiculous nonsense, nor will the thousands OF
competent critics in America cease 10 regard
Mr.. Edwin Booth as not only great dramatic
artist but the greatest the world possesses to-
day. Mr.. Ayres had better refrain from such
painful exhibitions of his ignorance.
Joseph Haworth, who plays in this city this
week, was for several year prior to the death OF
John Mccullough the leading man for the great
tragedian. Young Haworth played all the sec
onds to Mccullough in manner which won for
him the respect and admiration Of the TRACE
dian. Everybody in the company loved the
Guv'nor," said Haworth to an interviewer re-
Gently. "He was the biggest hearted man that
ever met in my life To show what manner
Of man he was it is but necessary to relate one
Tough had . dresser named Bob, who was Of
Scottish origin. Bob had all the thrifty traits
usually ascribed to the cannY Scot You know
Mccullough had the most complete wardrobe
Of any actor on the stage. Well, Bob would
come into the theater and If the stars dressing
room was GOOD one he would say: We'll, ri
pitch me tent here tonight and he would. All
of McCullough's valuable costumes would be
strewn about the floor and used for bed.
Many time did the actor visit his dressing
room prior to a rehearsal to find the doughty
Bob fast asleep on his most valuable costumes.
But Mccullough liked Bob and he hardly had
occasion Mccullough missed valuable
robe, which he wore in Richard ILL., He
finally made up his mind that the robe had
been stolen. Imagine his surprise, when in
Philadelphia, to see the robe cut up for cos
TUNES and being worn by BOb's two children.
1.-THE last / saw of Bob was the day of the
poor Guv'nor's funeral. Bob was crying like
. child In fact, we were all in tears. Eddie
Sothern, Bob and1 sat in the same car.
"It's q sad day for US all, Mr.. Haworth 'cried
Bob, the tears courslng down his face like rain.
day.
'''We'Il never see his like again, 'sobbed poor
Bob. He gave me the coat am wearing
Notwithstanding the sad mission we were on,
and that q moment before Sothern and we're
in tears we had to roar. The coat which Bob
Bob was the guilty party.
'Yes, was with poor Mccullough up to his
last rehearsal. On the night of his final break
down we played the Gladiator Several times
the great actor missed his lines and to keep
the situation up spoke both his and my own.
After the fourth act we got two calls when we
usually received six. It's going well tonight,
Joseph' he said after the second call. In the
fifth act he again missed his cues and several
in the audience began to hiss. Others seeing
that something was the matter applauded Wig
speech. He said: If you have suffered to-
night as have you would not do this.' The
next morning he called rehearsal for the
company. We were all about to return to New
York, as we knew it was all up with poor Nc
Cullough. However, to humor him we all went
to the rehearsal. He first called the 'Gladi-
ator.' He went through it all right until he
got to the line. There are green fields in
Thrace,' then his head fell on his bosom and
he sobbed like child. Everybody in the COM
pany was in tears He recovered and called for
in his life, In the last act BarodGs has the
line, His mind and life are breaking fast
Mccullough looked about him for moment in
a dazed sort Of way and said; My boy, you are
right it's all over. The rehearsal is ended
That was the last that we saw of our dear old
Guv'nor in life. His was a beautiful nature.
A great actor and great-hearted man. How
appropriate and expressive are Shakespeare'S
lines when applied to poor John Mccullough,
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This was man,"
So
his financial hackers have even more wonder
full confidence in him. He is engaging new
company, and intends to produce "Richard
Ill" in Chicago shortly in the sumptuous fash
ion which characterized the production in the
East
In answer to many correspondents, it may be
stated that Messrs. Florence and Jefferson will
will not play full weeks engagement here.
They will play three nights and matinee at
the Grand Opera House. beginning March 6,
which falls on Thursday. Why Cincinnati
and Pittsburg are not deemed worthy of
week stand nobody knows, but three days OF
the delightful comedians are all that Pitts
burgers will get.
Margaret Mather's engagement has been q
success financially as we'll as artstically. The
Bijou was packed at both performances yester-
day-and the young actress was given splen-
did reception. Her popularity grows. Next
season she is to have the benefit OF efficient
management-which she has not had since she
made her debut eight years ago Mr.. Will
loughby will manage Miss Mather next season
for Miss Mather, and the new play Joan of
new manager a chance to distinguish himself.
Mr.. Willoughby is very bright man. with lots
of ideas and more intelligent method of inter-
esting the public in his star than any so-called
advance agent have met for years. He is
travelling with the Mather company this year to
Mather has the best wishes Of many friends
and admirers in Pittsburg for her future cam
paigns. HEPBURN JOHNS.
The Programme.
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