The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-03
SULLIVAN AS ACTOR.
An Appreciative and Discrimin-
ating Criticism OF Him.
HE is COMPARED WITH SALyINL,
Whom He Resembles in Size and the Sound Of
His Name, and as the Italian Can
Still Learn so Can the Celt.

Especial to TIE HERALD-Ezaminer Dispatch,1
New YORK, Sept. 2.-Here is portion
of the Times criticism of Pugulistic Sui
livan's acting in ''Willing Hands and
Honest Hearts, which was produced al
Niblo's last Monday night.
Mr.. John L. Sullivan, of Bos-
ton, was received with deafen-
ing cheers. No other recent novice
in the dramatic art has been more cordially
welcomed or more warmly encouraged.
Mr.. Sullivan is a fine figure of man and
that is an advantage that theatrical aspir-
ants do not often possess. Most young
men who want to go on the stage are small,
narrow-chested, and spindle-legged. Mr..
Sullivan has much to learn. AS to that
matter so has Signor Sa.vini. In fact the
work of an artist is never finished. He
must devote his whole life to it, and learn
something new every day. We have no
doubt Mr.. Sullivan will learn something
new to-day. There are other points of
resemblance between Mr.. Sullivan and
Signor Salvini. Their names are similar
to begin with. Indeed, it is the opinion of
eminent Celtic scholars that they are
identical. No other English speaking
actor resembles the great Italian physi-
cally so closely as MIR. Sullivan does, and
the fact that he speaks in English will
always be strong point in Mr.. Sullivan's
favor with the multitude to whom Signor
Salvinis performances are caviare.
Again, Mr.. Sullivan plays the part of
blacksmith with an honest heart and
willing hands who is very fond of mis-
mother and does not notice that she
paints her face very badly, and talks alto
a deserving person; who is always on the
side of right and ''knocks out'' another man
in three rounds just before the curtain
falls. 1t is a long while since Signor Sal
| vini played part like that. Mr.. Sullivan
understands the value of repose, one Of
| the great secrets of good acting. When he
stands at rest upon the stage, with his
hands at his sides waiting for his cue to
/ speak, he is very impressive figure. His
speech, perhaps, is not all that might be
expected from q London artist. He is too
apt to miss his punctuation marks, and to
neglect to put emphasis in the proper
place. Thus when he says: What,
not gone yet! Get out, or by heavens
| III choke YOU" The niceties of light and
shade that more experienced artist would
observe are missed. Mr.. Sullivan pro-
nounces his words very well. He says
eytner and nyther, but he pays too little
] attention to the matter of voice production
He should open his mouth wider when he
speaks. But that he can speak fuently and
well, rihgt from the shoulder when he
wants to, was shown when he was COM
PEELED to address the audience last night.
Just after he had accused the villain Of the
play of the crime of parricide, Mr.. Sullivan
said: Ladies' and gentleman, thank you
kindly for the very great applause with
which you have greeted my first attempt
in this line of business. Thanking you
again for your kind applause, l remain
your obedient servant, John l.. Sullivan"
/ He was the talk in all the performance; ,
all the honors were his. The play went for
nothing, which is just what it would bring
if put up at auction.