Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-06-10
WITHOUT MERIT.
AN OSCAR WILDE PLAY PROVES APAIURE
IN LONDON.
lis First Presentation Pronounced Tedious and
Purpossless = Little Ruby has Taken the
Solos Of Royalty by Siorm-"A Consscratsd
Bargain" Ready for Next Season.
coppriant. 1874, By tie Assoeiatea Pres.

LONDON, June 9.-Charles Thursby
gave his expected special matinee at the
Prince of Wales Theatre on Thursday
and produced the new play OF the two
youthful members of the Oscar Wilde
school, John Grey and Andrew Rotfolo-
witch, entitled THE Blackmailers.
The play in its preliminary announce
ments was described as being "strong
in dramatic interest,"" and turning
upon the vagaries of young man
who, under hypnotic influences, black
mails people. The performance, how
ever, turned out TO be q most tedious
and purposeless presentation. The re-
pulsive story outlined by the disciples
of Oscar Wilde was without merit OF any
kind. The authors of THE Blackmail-
ers" were called before the curtain al
the close of the play, but they did not
appear, being, apparently very dis
trustful of the spirit OF the compliment
intended for them.
The new opera which Is to follow
utopia Limited" at the Savoy, will
probably be produced on Jnne 10 or
June %. The title is that OF "Mirette.
The libretto, which has been done into
English by Fred Weatherly and Harry
Greenbank, is the work of NJ. Michael
Care, author of "L'Enfant Prologue"
The music is by NJ. Andre Messages, Of
LA Basoche" fame.
The Princess of Wales and her daugh-
tiers and other members OF the royal
family were present at the charming
entertainment, Jonotha's concert, at
Days Theater, on Tuesday, HOBBIES and
Moore's Journeys End In Lovers
Meeting" was exquisitely acted by Ellen
Terry, Forbes Robertson and William
Terrlss, and met an enthusiastic recep-
ton. 1.-TWO Pretty Sons" the words
by Lord Beaconsfeld and the music by
Princess Beatrice princess Henry OF
Battenburg), was sung by Amy SherWin
and Antoinette Sterling.
Nine Melba has created furore at
Covent Garden in Faust" and Lucia
Di Lammermoor', The latter was re-
vived specially for Nine. Melba.
VerdPs next production will be new
departure, consisting of a series OF
eight prayers to the Madonna, for cho-
rus and orchestra, words by Boito.
They will be presented at a full mass to
be celebrated upon the occasion OF the
festival OF San Antonio, at Padua, next
year.
Little Ruby" Johnson, the baby
dancer from New England, has taken
taken the salons of old England's roy
atty by storm, and is the leadin&2ttrac-
ton of the small army Of infantffe won
ders at present before the British pub
lie. The tiny American wonder has
already had the honor Of appearing at
Marlborough house before the Prince
and Princess OF Wales and their family,
and before the Duke and Duchess OF
Teck and other members OF the royal
family, in addition to deligheing crowds
of the members of the aristocracy In
the most distinguished salons OF the
metropolis.
OF future concerts, two OF the most
interesting are to be given by Haydn
! Coffin and Arthur Somerville, on June
and 90, respectively. The first of
| these takes places at St. James Hall,
and Mr.. Coffia will have the assistance
OF Miss Marguerite Hall, Miss Agnes
Jansen ard Edward Lloyd, Plunkett
Green, Lawrence Kelly and the little
cellst, Jean Gerardy.
Arthur Somerville will be assisted at
his concert by Miss Fanny Davis, Mrs.
Henschel, Miss Marguerite Hall, Leonard
Berwick and Mr.. Shakespeare.
The manager Of the Independent The
atre Society announces a play for next
season by Edward Fordham Spruce, the
dramatic critic of the Westminster
Gazette and other papers. The play
deals with the marital relations Of
young girl who is driven into marriage
with a wealthy old man, and the sub
| ject is handled with some audacity in
realistic style. There may possibly be
a little difficulty with the censor, but
Mr.. Pinero has now opened the door so
wide that "a Consecrated BargOin"
will doubtless get through. The
author is the son Of the
late James Spence, Of Liverpool,
whose book on the great civil war
entitled The american Union excited
immense discussion, and resulted in his
appointment with the late Beresford
Hope as the English representatives OF
the Confederatos. James Spence was
| likewise author OF the celebrated IS"
letters to the London Times. His son,
after being called to the bar, took up
dramatic criticism while waiting for
briefs. He first represented Society at
the theatre and then the Daily Grdphtc
| and the Pail Mall Gazette. On the pur-
chase of the last named paper by Will
| lam Waldorf Astor, Mr.. Spence fol-
| lowed the fortunes Of his old editor and
went to the Westminster Gazette. His
wife has also became journalist since
her marriage, aud her work signed
'.Rinocle" sometimes appears In the
81 etch side by side with that Of her has
banda pseudonym.
MRS. ROWAN DEAD.