Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-04-26
ABOUT THEATERS.
THE LATEST PLAYS AND WINS AND WHiM
SIOAITIES OF ACTORS.
Rosina VOkss' New Play Of the "Tintsd Venus
Langtry's Future MOvements-WItOn Lack
aye Played His Independent Game
Once Too 0fsn-LOuis James
Takes His Place.

NEW 1Ohh, ApIli co. HO S0'"""
new play offered by the Vokes conedi-
ans was 'The Tinted Venus" stage
version OF Anstey's story, and by no
means the first one to be acted. 1t rep
resents London barber out for holi-
day with his sweetheart. They go to
see an antique statue OF Venus. The man
loosely puts ring on its finger, and
while trying in vain to get it on he Is
maltreated by thieves, who mean to steal
the statue. That makes one short scene.
The second is in the BARRIERS shop,
where the Venus comes to him alive TO
tell him that the ring has vivined and
betrothed her TO him. ermischievous
antics continue until he awakes TO find
that her visit is only dream. w. c..
X. Wild, brother of the aesthetic Os-
car. is the maker of this burleSque, and
it proved very laughable thing. Miss
Vokes was comic statue in her classic
drapperies and her modern adventures,
and she introduced dance which the
spectators insisted upon seeing over
again. Mr.. Morris was a London cock
ney to the life as the barber, and the
wild fantasy was decidedly successful
maltreatment of the Galatea fable.
Speculation as to Mrs. Langtry's plans
| for next season has been diverse of late.
Three days ago the cable declared that
syndicate of English noblemen had
agreed to secure her against losses il
she continued to play in London. Yes
terday it was made known that the fur
lniture in her Twenty-third street house
had just been shipped to England at
her order. This was taken to mean that
the Lily contemplated a long stay in
| London. But there are more tangible
signs that she is coming over here
in the fall. She is in daily
communication with her manager
in Boston, and he has so lately received
her approval of contracts made by him
for her appearance here, that there
can hardly be doubt as to her serious
! intention to revisit America. 1t only
remains for her to choose between three
New York theatres that have been Of
fered for her first engagement. Her
tour otherwise is fully booked. An
ObUcT COUltI Will Uc hOuJtShd. Out
will visit Paris before her return TO
America to repleniSh her wardrobe, as
well as to make some studies of the his
tory and times Of Marie Antionette, as
she has a new play on that subject I'M
der consideration. Modjeska will sail
for America in June and commence her
tour in September.
Actors and the Rialto generally, are
gossiping because of Wilton Lackaye's
dismissal from the cast which James
O'Neill is to employ in his new play,
THE Envoy" at the Star, on May 4. 1t
is explained by ONeirs friends that
! Lackaye was retired for good cause.
He had been engaged at large wages
some place it as high as Sl75 per week
and he had accepted all the conditions
that accompany work in the support OF
star: but last Monday he did not at
tend the rehearsal of O'Neills com
pany. On Tuesday morning he came
late, and even then he did not
have valid excuse for his
previous days absence. O'Neill
has been a long time on the stage and
in the public view. For nearly quar-
ter of century he has been a diligent
worker. and he has naturally become a
rigid disciplinarian. II is hardly to be
wondered at that he could not compre
bend Lackaye's remissness. At any
rate he promptly seized the privilege
afforded to him by the contract between
them, and Lackaye lost good job.
Lackaye is the comet actor who has
been more fortunate than any other
young player of recent date. He has
by several really valuable successes
created demand for his services that
is brisk enough to keep him in town
productions nearly all the time,
and he has progressed rapidly
and radically within the past de-
cade. for it was not so
many years ago that he was playing
here obsurely under the name of Lackey.
But with his popularity he seems to
have also acquired an undesirable indie
pendence, until those managers who en-
gage him now do so with full knowledge
that he is self-willed. O'Neill did not
hesitate to declare that he would not
stand Lackaye's proverbial nonsense,
and he kept his word. Louis James,
who will take the role thus vacated, has
retired from the ranks OF the tragic
stars, and will hereafter play in stock
companies or with the leading travelling
attractions. 1t may amaze Lackaye's
! friends TO learn that James will receive
biobar UapeS than Tackaye