Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-01
SOCK AND BUSKIN.
WHY SOL SMITH RUSSELL HAS NO C0NFI-
DENCE IN PROPERTY LEN.
BE Once Drank Varnish for Good Red Liquor
The Ibssn Crazs Reaches New York-TOl-
stOi's Works May Be Seen on the Stage.
Lent Hard on Theatrical TrOupss


vival of "a Poor Relation" at the Stand
ard presents Sol Smith Russell in a
role congenially mixing pathos and hui
NOR. Mr.. Russell has an eating part
during the progress OF the play. He
has TO eat heap OF real victuals in the
first act, when the half-starved invent
or, whose stomach has been on long
vacation, suddenly finds himself intro
duced to square meal. Russell does
not use papier mache potatoes or a
plaster of Paris steak, but eats finely
Clipped dried beef and drinks cider, or
cold tea, which is favorite substitute
for wine on the Stage. Some
times an actor will demand real
LIQUOR and some of them carry
realism to the extent of good things from
restaurant for table scene. Russell
invariably smells every liquid produced
for mis- use on the stage, and thereby
hangs tale which he tells. Once he
was supposed to be uproariously drunk
in a scene. Obedient to the authors di-
rections he and companion actor filed
their glasses from a big bottle and
gulped down the beverage. Not until
the contents were swallowed did they
discover that the property man had by
mistake given bottle of varnish to
them. A physician being at hand they
were soon relieved, but Russell's conf
dence in property men is not restored. He
say he has higher regard for the old
hat which he wears as Noah Vale. He
views it as a mascot. He purchased it
on Broadway, near the New York Hotel,
in 1870, OF janitor who seemed to con-
slider the actor lunatic when he offered
price that would have bought new
! one. His feelings" Russell says,
''were probably similar to those OF the
darkey to whom Sam Devere offered a
dollar for the big shoes which he has
worn in his banjo act since the war.
They are number 12'S and sadly in need
of repairs. At first the darkey thought
Devere was chatting him, and got an
gry. but, see that the minstrel was in
earnest, took took them off and threw
them at his feet. They fairly shook
the ground, but Sam cut off the tops, had
them patched, and has worn them ever
since"
The Ibsen craze in London has reach
ed US with its force so much moderated
that our minds are not much affected
by it. This Norwegian authors "a
Dolls House." has been enacted here
several times, but only at matinees, and
now his "Pillars Of Society is to get
an afternoon trial. No manager dreams
of profit in Ibsen, however, as this
whole big city can provide an audience
only once in a while from motives OF
mere literary curiosity. A newer dra-
matte fad may be Tolstoi, that Russian
Count, whose socialism is so violent of
expression. He has written drama
and novelette, in depletion of present
life in his country. The story is en-
titled: "a Sepulchre of the Liv-
ing" The play has nearly the
same character and plot, and was
written after the story had been
in manuscript for year. Tolstoi has
habit of reading his writings to friends,
and then making alterations, long be-
fore publishing them. The story was
prohibited in Russia, and that is why it
is to appear elsewhere before it reaches
any European press. a London maya
zine will have it in an issue for March.
A New York manager, mindful Of the
bygone success of THE DanicheffS," a
Russian drama, is having "A Sepulchre
of the Living" dramatized, with view
to putting il on the stage. He will aim
at popularity. If he should succeed il
would be an encouraging case OF hard
headed fool" rushing in where angels
of culture feared TO tread.
Lent is not good to the strOlling play
erS, though its effect upon the metropol-
itan theatrcals diminisheS yearly. In
this city there seems to be a gradually
decreasing observance of the penitential
period, so far, at least, as playgoing Is
concerned. Boston, which in former
years was rigid in its adstinance from
Lenten amuSementS, now quite disre-
CARDS the season, and of all the big
cities thus far heard from, Philadelphia
is alone in its report that the audiences
have grown smaller since Ash Wednes-
day. But ION the road there is no
installing the signs of decreased inter
est in the travelling shows. The best Of
them to tell of hard times, and some OF
the poorest are coming back, or have
already returned the past week. Some
of the collapses are not unattended by
| hardshipS. The 'IoZo" troupe OF
| Charles Gardiner went to pieces at De-
troit, after tour that had at no time
promised great results. The spectacle
was worn out three years ago, ana 1t
ought to be put away forever. Charles
Erin Werner, the Irish heroic actor who
has been keeping "Shamus O'Brien"
before the public since 1885. has
come to town with his company His
explanation is that his play is peculiar
ly affected by the Lenten period, as he
is certain that he will be able TO resume
his tour on Easter Monday. The travels
of "Struck Gas" a farce that started
from this city a month or two ago,
ceased last Saturday night, and the
members are struggling back to town |
very much in the dumps. A farce that
had an even briefer existence was the |
"Rustler." a Western venture, in author
ship and in players alike. 1t was acted |
once. Then il ceased to live. THE |
Inspector" which WA Brady added
to his enterprises about six weeks ago,
will close its tour for the present on
Saturday night, at the Peoples. There
is a hint that Brady may take it up
again later, but the hint is not
very strongly defined. The latest
of Edward Everett Rice's ventures, 4
musical.piece called "Never Better" sur
yived the wear and tear Of travel sew
enteen nights. 1t was very trivial
affair, from all accounts, and it profited
its owners no better than its actors, who
did not get any wages and drew upon
themselves any amount OF severe crltl-
cism. They have come back from Troy
disheartened, and it has not visibly
cheered them TO learn that Rice is pre-
pairing to 60 to far away Australia-if,
indeed, he is not already bound thither.
NJ. Df.o ,,.i11 I. l. cold nrOducp all his |