New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

decidedly worse and he continued to do so TIL his
death. Expressions OF universal
among actors as soon as the news began 10 be told,
as Mr.. Wheatcroft was not only an excellent actor.
but a general favOrite personally.
Nelson Wheatcroft about forty-eiGht years
old. and born in England. His frs; appear
ance on the stage was made with a stock company
in Swansea, Wales. He acted with stock com
panies in several OF the large cities Of Great Brit
ain, and was engaged FOR two seasons IT sadler 2
Wells. London There he supported many actors
OF note such as Matthews. Blackstone. Adelaide
Nelson, Kate Bateman and Mrs. Sroti-Sldons
Mr.. Wheatcroft and his wife. known me stage
as Adene StanhOpe made starring tour some
sixteen or seventeen years ago n South America
and Australia and after this they came 10 New
York NJ. Wheatcroft made MS first appear
here at the theatre which Is now the Herald
Square and he played various engagements at
various houses For time ne supported Robert
Mantell in Tangled Lives" and then he was en-
gagged by Daniel Frohman for the company which
he was forming for the Lyceum Theatre. Vita
this company he appeared at its opening, on No
vember !. 1887 In The Wife" He remained
with the Lyceum company for four years, appear
ing in nearly all the plays which II produced, and
acting both at the home theatre and oil ever the
country the annual tours Win the Lyceum
company Mr.. Wheatcroft played the parts Of
Matthew Culver. in "The WIFE; CASTOR de Yer
neuil, in The Marqulse'' Dick Van Buren,. IN The
Charity BaN'. Charles surface, In an act OF me
School for Scandal; Captain Ormond. in Tom
Noddys Secret; Sir John Harding. in The Idler'
Uncle John. in The open Cate; Colonel Lord
Churchill. in "A Sheep in VOLTS Clothing; Sidney
Beekman. in The oil. Oh Story" and Tom Coke
in "Old Heads and Young Hearts"
After leaving the Lyceum company Mr.. Wheat
croft was for a season the leading man Of a trav-
cling company managed by Augustus Pitou. In this
ne played the, parts OF Godfrey Middleton in
Godfrey Middleton. Gentleman Horace Diprose,
in The Last Straw" and Robert Hunt, in "A
Modern Match" Since that season. that OF 1881 49,
Mr.. Wheatcroft had seldom acted outside New
York. The next season, besides being largely occu-
pied with other matters. he acted few times In the
performances OF the Theatre OF Arts and Letters
Shadows" and Mr. Latimer. in THE Other
At the opening of the Empire Theatre early in
1893 Mr.. Wheatcroft appeared there as Lieutenant
ParIow in The Girl / Left Behind Me-" and con-
tinued 10 play the part through the rest OF that
In December 1893. he played Andre IN
time he decided 10 open dramatic school OF his
own, having previously been connected with the
American Academy Of the Dramatic Arts He ac
cordingly started the Empire Theatre Dramatic
of his time TO IT, He had also acted a little from
time time, but not regularly. \ few weeks ago he
and only a week ago last Monday he played the
leading part in "Spiritsme," at the knickerbocker
Theatre. II only a night or two after the
opening Of this play that he was obliged 10 leave
the stage.
Mr. Wheatcroft had some experience as a writer
OF plays also. He wrote one called "Gwynne's
Oath" in which he and his wife acted number of
years ago. he adapted one from the French a rev
seasons ago and attempted 20 start II at the Star
Theatre acting in 1t himself. but IL was a failure
He had written or assisted in the writing OF some
other plays He was member or the Players, the
Lambs and the American Dramatists' clubs. the
Actors Fund and the Actors Order of Friendship.