Evening journal., 1890-08-28
SULLIVAN AS AN ACTOR.
He Makes His Debut at Bridge
port, Conn.
TMnEAYYvILLAIN KNOCKED OUT

The Zig Fellow Did His Fine work IN
the Last Act During Prize Fight and
Made "Elt" as Usual by .'Doing''
His Opponent.
BRIDGEroRT, Conn, Aug. 2s.-Before m
audience composed Of the wealth and fash.
ion Of Bridgeport, and that completely
filed proctor's Opera house. John L. Sui
Ivan last evening made his debut as an
actor. and not only did he acquit himself
wish credit, but astonished his most hope
iul friends. The play was Duncan B. Har-
rison's new comedy drama, Honest Hearts
and Willing Hands" and this was the
first performance of it. Bridgeport was
chosen for the initial performance for the
reason that many of the best friends of the
pugilist-aetor reside here This is a Sulls
van stronghold, and the champion felt sure
Of a cordial reception. John got hand ?
Sullivan. who impersonates James, the
brother Of John DAILY, acted by Harrison
appeared early in the first act helping his
brother to carry Emily Poignsford. Johns
sweetheart, who has been injured in a run
his burden in a chair a great shout Of
hearty recognition went up from the audi
ence, and it was several minutes before the
act could proceed, Sullivan in the mean
time standing and bowling
HIS Poses Not suecess.
Throughout the first act the big fellow
appeared uneasy as though he felt that he
ought to be doing something with his fists
70 40 IL.
tine, and many Of his positions made his
audience laugh.
When he brought the cringin9 LAWYER
MoNabb into the room by the ear the
audience howled with delight. His pro-
nnncation was excellent and great dis
appointment to those who expected TO hear
Bowery slang from him. Sullivan did not
appear in the second act, but in the third
be was represented at a smithy's forge. At
every stroke OF his anvil the stage quivered
and the audience cheered The play is
affecting and pathetic in places, and Sulli-
van sustained his part we'll.
John L. Makes a Speech.
At the close Of the third act both Sulli-
van and Harrison were accorded an ova-
ton. They were called twice before the
curtain. Harrison made a neat little speech
Of thanks and then introduced Sullivan,
who said:
Ladies' and gentlemen, am very thank
FIJI to You for your kind reception, and
hope / will continue to merit the applause
you have bestowed upon me- This is my
first appearance as an actor. am not AN
Edwin Booth or a John Mccullough, but
having quit my other profession | hope
some day TO be star in this. | thank you
from the bottom Of my heart, aud hope to
see your smiling faces often in the future
He Knocked Him silly.
The speech was we'll delivered and was
greeted with applause. In the 9th act oo-
CURED the great bout between James Dalv
lthe ohampionl aud Tug O'Brien Joe Lam
nom. The contest was for cup and purse
Of El00 Jack Barrett acted as master Of
ceremonies, and the whole thing was done
IN prize ring style
The appearance of the two pugilists in
fighting costume was greeted with great
applause, and there was a fiutter Of curios-
lty among the feminine hearts present, TO
whom prize fighting was a new thing.
Sullivan and Lannon SPARED at first, but
quickly settled down to give and take
blows in a way the people liked During
the second round the fighting became a
little fierceT, and when in the third round
Sullivan laid I.aunon fiat on the stage the
uproar was tremendous. Handsome floral
tributes were passed up to the stage by adj
mirers in tho audience
The play is a good one OF its kind. but
it was evident that It was written for Sui
Ivan. He was the life and central attrac-
tion Of it. As it progressed Sullivan's
acting became more easy, until at the fall
Of the curtain he appeared perfectly self
possessed.