Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-08
The Bottom of the Ser.

Readers of Jules Verne'S great story
would naturally experience much curiosity
and manifest a deep interest in the exciting
incidents of the story related q, in
matter to depict the incidents in the story
in sufficiently realistic form, but this has
been achieved in THE Bottom of the Sea-"
the spectacular melo-drama pre-
sented at Greenwall's Yesterday.
logue is terse, the action quick and the eli
makes well wrought up. The play is in the
hands of some very clever people, the cast
being an unusually strong and well-bal-
anced one. The tableaux which close each
act are very effective and well executed.
There are three very realistic scenes in
play; the wreck, the storm and rescue clos
ing the first act, the lightning effects and
the misty rainfall being something far
superior to the usual wreck scene. The lay
ing of the cable in act third, showing the
quarter deck of man-of-war, and the
methods employed in laying submarine
cables, and the uniforms of sailors and ma
rines, was effective, though the size of the
stage was such that sufficient distance could
not be given the setting.
But it is in act four that the chief interest
centers. This is the bottom of the sea- and
the effect is such that one is apparently
looking into the depths of the sea. Four
divers in submarine armor, correct in all
details, with electric lights gleam-
ing from the top Of the hel-
light wires and signal lines all being repro
duced in manner identical in all respects
with the apparatus used by divers. This
outfit was on exhibition at the
corner of Third and Main yesterday,
and was examined by thousands
but had never seen the actual apparatus.
That used on the stage is identical in every
respect, except that it is considerably
lighter, the regulation outfit being so heavy
that man moves with difficulty
unless under water, the pressure Of
which relieves BIN of the weight. 1t re-
quires the vivid imagination of a Jules
Verne to imagine the struggle and the at
tempted murder at the bottom of the sea.
As stated above, the pley is remarkably
well handled, all the people in the cast be-
ing above the average. The most difficult
and exacting role is probably that of Alexis
Banilli, the Greek adventlrer, which is
well handled by George P. Webster, who has
evidently made thorough and exhaustive
study of the part. His methods are origi-
nal in many respects and his work leaves
little to be desired. Its effectiveness is
shown in the fact that he earned the cor
dial detestation of every one in the house.
The James Norton, the American, of j.
NJ. Brophy is an acceptable piece Of work,
d ltLlc Exaggerated, perhaps, out lcdNAuB
little room for criticism.
Ross D. O'Neal has clear conception Qiu
the part Of Henri de Sartenne, a young
French engineer, and his Interpretation of
the role is a pleasing one. The chivalric
nature Of a naval officer, which should be
characteristic of all men of that class, is
well brought out.
Barney Doyle, a servant, was well
handled by Felix Haney, who is low
comedian of more than ordinary ability, his
work being clever, his Irish brogue rich
and not too exaggerated, and his singing
being rather a surprise, his voice being
round, full and clear. The other male mem
bers of the cast are good.
Miss Camilla Cleveland as Emily LIE
Brun had the audience with her from the>
moment she first stepped upon the stage.
She handles the role naturally and does not
exaggerate. She has pleasing and grace
full stage presence, clear, well modulated
voice. She is well adapted by nature for
the part, making up as the ideal French
girl.
The work of the other lady members
of the cast, Miss Belle douglas and
Miss Mollie Stockmyer, was acceptable.
''The Bottom of the Sea- is out of sight.