Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-03-12

%SNE9S
New YORK, March 1.-THE week
opened without novelty, but although
In mid Lent, nearly every theatre In
town has done well. Time was, and
that not so very long ago, either. when
the beginning of the Lenten season was
the signal for the closing OF the thea
tres, but public taste has changed and
the metropolitan theatres are doing bet
ter than ever before in Lent. The
return to this city OF Thomas W. Keene
has attracted large audiences at the
| Union Square Theatre. He has not
| been here for several years and his re-
| ception has been enthusiastic. The
| general characteristics OF Mr.. Keene's
Richard I'LL, " in which he opened, are
well-known. They remain unchanged,
though there is a notable softening and
mellowng of his manner here and
there, and now and again pleasing evil
dence Of maturer study OF the char
acter and a clearer and deeper insight
into its meaning. He trusts the intel
| ligence OF his auditors more than ne
| die, and makes of Gloucester more con-
sistent and possible character. He has,
too, tempered the stage business which
formerly emphasized the bloodthirsti-
ness Of Richards nature; he Is less the
butcher than he was, and his modera-
tion Ia this respect-in the attitude OF
careless indifference and amused Curl
osity with which he watches the death
throes OF Henry V.-beautiful illus
trates the implacsble vindictiveness,
Nthe fearlessnes and the immovable de-
Examination of Richards nature. Mr..
Keene is sure Of very profitable two
weeks engagement.
The s65ws at the Opera House are
about the average Of late and the
chronic growleA>who kicked about the
Door productions has gone in his hole.
Sol. Smith Russell and Jane who come
this week are representative organiza-
tions and will draw VEIN Jane hau
big run last year and is aSattilns com
edy. The leading characte[' jane IS
typical American CHARACTER, VINO
pleases all who hear her. The company
is controlled by gentleman whS Is up
in the profession, aud he keeps \goou
people in the organization.
The good people who put up 81. so To-
see the Pauline Hall Opera Company
had cause for complaint, as they did
not get their moneys worth. The fact
is, no one gets ''value received" who
puts up over a dollar for any show.
The regular prices at the Opera House
;r,1, for chnuy that
comes TO Wheeling.
Clara Morris appeared here on Thurs
day night and gave good performance
to splendid business, but as we said be-
fore, Clara is not worth Sl.50. Any
one-horse town can secure Clara II they
nut up $500. This sum and good
round profit can be gotten into the OPP
era House at the regular prices.
"a Hole in the Ground" one Of
Hoyts chestnuts, appeared here last
night. The show was never very strong
and should have been taken off the road
two years ago. The company got the
cold shoulder in Bellaire last season. 1t
was voted the worst show that struck
that town last year. After Hoyt let go
his productions they degenerated into
horse-play combinations and continue
to tour the country on the reputation Of
Hoyt and Thomas
The Grand Opera House has been
giving the public series of vaudeville
performances. The shows that have
appeared at that house OF late have
been good.
1.-THE South Before the War" will be
with US again in few days in a return
engagement. There are forty people in
the show, and the well-known Charley
Howard, formerly of this place, is at the
head of the company.
The present position OF Sol Smith
Russell is in great contrast with the
time when he wandered among one
night stands, and did impersonations
with the Berger family Of bell ringers.
His audiences then were apprecative
as now; but the theatrical public are
progressing, and Mr.. Russell has kept
pace with the race.
Gus Williams, the celebrated come
dian, is probably a member OF more
clubs, organizations and societies than
any other actor in the profession, and
this not Of his own seeking either, but
is owing to his great popularity.
II is said The Crust OF Society" re-
veals truths in as naked manner as
daylight The play tells a story Of I'M
bridled and doubtful morals OF the
mosques and mummeries Of men and
women whose day begins when the An
geus Of evening is ringing.
The threatened coming Of the hoop
skirt has already been anticipated by
the skirt dancers. aud they are prepar-
ing crinoline dance. "Oh, What
Night" has its quartette OF girls prac-
ticing the new fad.
Theaters in Spain have no pro-
grammes. A bill in the lobby some
times gives the cast, but most OF the
actors remain unknown by name. The
curtain as elsewhere in Europe, is de-
voted 10 advertisements, and in Madrid
theatre advising cards are affixed with
the numbers on the back of each seat.
Miss Eugenia Blair, known In private
life as Mrs. Robert Downing, is
woman of charming personality, and Is
as clever of the stage as on. The as
sistance she renders Mr.. Downing is Of
great benefit to his laudible dramatic
venture, and their success this season
has been greater than ever.
1t is announced from Boston that
Frank J. Cornell will SOON star IN
"Othello." Mr.. Cornell'is full-blooded
Schinnecock Indian and was Lillian
Russell's coachman four years ago.
ga Knotty Affair" may be added 70
the disasters Of the present season. 1t
was withdrawn from furt circula-
t1nn during the past week.