The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-10

When 1t is said that one OF the largest
and most appreciative audiences
gathered at the Opera House last night
10 witness the presentation Of Leah
the Forsaken," by local talent, the
statement is made with every regard
FOR truth and void Of any EFFORT of
friendly or partial exaggeratlon. It
was also well pleased audience. II Is
a very difficult matter for amateurs q
make serions impression on an audience
who are familiar with them in the dairy
walks OF life They labor under the
serious disadvantage OF not being CUR
rounded with an neutrality-suspicious..
ally envelopes the professionals. and
which In measure cOnceals their per-
sonality, but the gentlemen and ladies
OF the cast OF Leah" have reason to
congratulate Themselves that laSt night
by sheer mcrlt and the intelligent con-
ception OF their parts tlley enforced re-
spectful compensation from the audi
This is suyips d great deal. but 1t is
true.
Even the orchestra was composed Of
amutsur performers. with two e1cep-
tons. 1t was conducted BY MY. Ernest
Baer, and the remarkably correct exc,
eution was the subject Of comment and
hearty applause
Tho atm6sphere and theme OF. Leah"
are rather gloomy and many ofthe stu
0tlous arc or a depressing character, but
in spIte OF these hand!caps the forcetul
acting and the proper grasplns' OF the
splrit OF the drama made the evening
one OF rare enjoyment. The fair pro-
tayonist, Miss Hennig, met all the re-
uuirenlents Of difficult role. being
both graceful in action, and rising 90 alI
the demands OF the trying transitions
Of passion that rnched the soul OF the
tempest-tossed and unfortunate Jew
ess. Miss IISnnig was very guarded In
her Interpretation and presented q
rarely Intelligent conception of the char
acter OF IT eah" carefully avoiding any
noisy eSaEgeration OF speech or dis
tracing gestures.
Mr., Frank w. Nesbtt was a conselen-
tlous ''RudOlE" He has fine stage
presence and a magnificent viuce. HIS
only fault was his suppression OF his
full tones. A little more delicate shad-
ing OF his lines would have ADDED 10
wha, was altogether very smooth ana
pleasing performance. Perhaps
Slight nervousness may account tor
slight detects TINT were not noticsaoie
to many IN 9he audience.
The 'l.orenz" OF Mr.. James i. Nor
gan was capitally done, as was the
Father Herman Of Mt. FreaerlcN
Taylor. Mr.. T.. w. Hennig was a pro
peTly vlndictlve and unscrupulous
apostate Jew. his Nathan" showing
fair power, and letting down somewhat
only IN unitnpOrtant scenes. Miss Kcnn
House made all there was out OF
"Sladalena," being very natural and
graceful in character that ensll.
could have been spoiled by careless
treatment.
II is no reflection on the rest OF the
cast to remark that Mr. Ed. .. Franz
helm gave really artistic performance
Of Ludwig" the barber and doctor;
His comedy business was fully the equal
OF any professional, and from the man
ner in which he handled himseH' the
audience would readily have been de-
Ceived as 10 his limitation to amateur
experiences II It had not been TOT the
familiar tones OF his voice, which ne
could not disguise.
The supporting company gave an the
aid necessary to round out very even
and highly creditable production o. the
play The choruSes, under the dlrec.
ton Of Mrs. Flora Williams, were most
pleasing contributions to the enjoyment
Of the play. Miss Hennlg and her COM
pany have reason to congratulate them
selves OH their achievement "
Several recalls were extended 70 Miss
HennIg and Mr.. Nesbltt.